Wednesday, 24 December 2025

Mohamad Hammoud scores a last-minute winner for Bourj FC in the 12th minute of stoppage time

Bourj FC 1-0 (0-0) Al Riyadi Al Abbasiyah FC

Mohamad Hammoud 90'+12'

Friday, 19 December 2025, 2:15 pm local time (12:15 pm UTC), Al Ahed Stadium, Ouzai (Beirut), Lebanon, 10th round of the Lebanese Premier League.

Bourj FC after the second consecutive win. Photo source: Bourj FC Facebook page

After a poor start of the season, Bourj FC managed to get 6 very important points against direct opponents in the fight against relegation, the bottom classified Racing (2-1 win last week) and second-to-last classified Al Riyadi Al Abbasiyah, this Friday. These six points were crucial to keep them as far away as possible from the two places at the bottom of the table, which are the teams to be relegated at the end of the season. 

Edward Atadana Kwame (in black, left, Al Riyadi Al Abbasiyah) in possession is challenged by Kassem Al Shoum (in yellow, Bourj FC) under the look of Hassan Bitar (Al Riyadi Al Abbasiyah, far behind, in black, left) and Haidar Khreiss (Bourj FC, right). Photo source: Bourj FC Facebook page

The match against Al Riyadi Al Abbasiyah was not easy at all, and the two teams fought hard to maintain possession and control in midfield, which they did rather alternatively, with periods belonging to both teams. 

Both teams had opportunities to break the deadlock in the first half, but the defenders and goalkeepers took their job very seriously, so it was 0-0 at the break.

A usual dispute in the centre of the field between central midfielders Yasser Dimachek (Bourj FC, left) and Fadel Ajami (captain of Al Riyadi Al Abbasiyah, right). Photo source: Bourj FC Facebook page

The second half was more lively, and Bourj FC took the initiative more than their opponents, which gave them more chances and even led to a goal. Haider Khreiss crossed from the left side and one of Al Riyadi Al Abbasiyah defenders headed perfectly... into his own goal (60').

However, after a few minutes of waiting, the referee was called by the VAR and it was decided that the entire action started originally from an offside position of one of the Bourj players, although this had been some time ago compared to the specific action which led to the (own) goal. Nevertheless, the referee cancelled the goal for offside. So, still 0-0.

Bourj FC players congratulate Haidar Khreiss (captain, first from the right), but the (own) goal was eventually cancelled for offside. Photo source: Bourj FC Facebook page

The final part of the match was very disputed. Adama Diaw played this time as the main striker for Bourj FC and had some great opportunities to score, but was denied. Ahmad Hijazi was introduced (69') to strengthen the attack. Al Riyadi Al Abbasiyah defended well, however. A lot of time was wasted for all sorts of injuries, more or less real, apart from the few minutes due to the VAR check on the cancelled goal.

The main events of the match happened at the end of stoppage time. Ezra Amelinsa, the Ghanaian centre back of Al Riyadi Al Abbasiyah, who have already had a yellow card from the first half, committed a tactical foul in a position which could be considered as the last defender. He did not receive a straight red, but anyway the second yellow meant the same, and he was sent off (90'+10'). He probably considered that this was the last action of the game.

However, the referee let the free kick to be taken. Mohamad Hammoud took the free kick, as his main foot is left, and the free kick was from the right side, quite far away from the box. All players were in the box, waiting for Hammoud to send the ball for a final battle. Possibly the referee indicated that this was the lact action of the game, it was already minute 102'. Mohamad Hammoud crossed the ball, but at the same time directed it towards the goal: nobody touched it, although one Bourj player was close to that, and two defenders were unable to reach it, while the goalkeeper was tricked and the ball went pass him and into the net: 1-0 (90'+12').

 Bourj FC players celebrated. Photo source: Bourj FC Facebook page

The final whistle brought the much desired three points to Bourj FC. They now have 10 points and still have a mathematical chance (realistically very low) to reach the top six, and therefore the play-off. It is almost impossible especially because they will have to play against Al Ahed (tomorrow, 25 December) and Ansar (on 31 December, probably), two of the best teams in the Lebanese Premier League.

Anyway, the fact that they might not reach the play-off is nowadays of secondary importance. It looks like the club itself is once again on the brink of collapse. President and main sponsor Fadi Nasser stated once again that he is about to leave the club, and this time for good. He announced that the salaries will be paid for December, but not afterwards, and the players are free to go to other clubs during the transfer period. The transfer period has lready begun, and it seems that some players have already signed preliminary agreements with other clubs in these circumstance.

The situation is unfortunately even more serious than it was in summer 2024 or in summer 2025. During the summer holidays, there was enough time for the club management to find supplementary financial backup. Now, there is no time left. The regular season is approaching its end, and the play-off and play-out are to start soon. We will see if a miracle happens for Bourj FC at the end of 2025. The positive results of the last two matches might be considered as a serious proposal for a potential investor that the club still exists and the team is good, it has results, and would likely avoid relegation if the same squad and the same staff remains.

Bourj FC: Hassan Hazimeh - Sajed Amhaz (Youssef Anbar 90'+2'), Hassan Abdallah Hazimeh, Mamadou Touré, Hussein Fahes - Yasser Dimachek (Youssef Atriss 69'), Abdoulaye Fall (Mohamad Al Sibai "Wartan" 90'+2') - Kassem Al Shoum (Ahmad Hijazi 69'), Haidar Khreiss, Mouhamed Soumah (Mohamad Hammoud 86') - Adama Diaw. Manager: Ahmad Atwi.

Al Riyadi Al Abbasiyah: Zaher El Amin - Wael El Youssef (Khodor Hallak 67'), Ezra Amelinsa, Hassan Bitar, Ali Azzam (Sadek Farhat 67') - Mohamad Al Faour, Edward Atadana Kwame - Fadel Ajami, Jehad Abou El Aynein (Mahdi Fahs 67'), Issah Akuka - Samuel Ofori (Hussein Jawad Khalife 87'). Manager: Mohamed Zouheir.

Referee: Wael Haidar.

Yellow cards: Mohamad El Sibai "Wartan" 90'+4' - Ezra Amelinsa 34', 90'+10', Issah Akuka 71'.

Red card: Ezra Amelinsa 90'+10'.

The next match for Bourj FC will be on 25 December 2025 at 2:15 pm local time against Al Ahed, to be played at Safa Stadium.

Wednesday, 17 December 2025

Cusco FC won the play-off for the second place and qualified for the group stage of Copa Libertadores

Cusco FC 2-0 (1-0) Sporting Cristal

Colman 37' penalty, Callejo 56'

First leg: 0-1. Cusco FC won 2-1 on aggregate.

Sunday, 14 December 2025, 6 pm local time (11 pm UTC), Inca Garcilaso de la Vega Stadium, Cusco, Peru, 2nd leg of the play-off final, Peruvian First Division (Liga 1).

 Cusco FC starting line-up. Photo source: Cusco FC Facebook page

 Sporting Cristal starting line-up. Photo source: Liga 1 Facebook page

Cusco FC had their greatest achievement in their history on Sunday evening, the 14th of December 2025, when they succeeded to win 2-0 (and 2-1 on aggregate) over Sporting Cristal in the play-off final for the second place. It is true, for those who remember, that they were runners-up three times before, when their name was Real Garcilaso, in 2012, 2013, and 2017, but in two of those situations they ended up in second place after losing the play-off for the title, and certainly there was no joy in losing the title, while in 2017 they classified second without any play-offs. This time, according to the new regulations, even if Universitario became champions by winning both tournaments of the year (Apertura and Clausura), a play-off for the second place was organised for the first time in the history of Peruvian football. This was not necessarily what Cusco FC would have wanted, since they finished second in the aggregate table anyway. The third (Alianza Lima) and fourth (Sporting Cristal) classified played a semifinal, and Sporting Cristal qualified to the final rather surprisingly at penalties, after two draws, 1-1 and 3-3.

In the first leg of the final, Sporting Cristal won 1-0 at home, the only goal scored by Santiago González rather early (15'). Sporting Cristal missed several chances to increase their advantage, but Cusco FC also had a huge chance to equalize in the final minutes, when Juan Manuel Tévez missed the target in a one-on-one situation with the goalkeeper.

Marlon Ruidías (Cusco FC, left) tries to get past Maxloren Castro (Sporting Cristal). Photo source: Liga 1 Facebook page

In Cusco, the match started from 1-0 to Sporting Cristal, the slender advantage that the team of Lima had from the first leg. The visitors focused primarily on wasting as much time as possible in the first 35 minutes of the game, keeping the ball away from their own box, fragmenting the game, and establishing a pace as low as possible. Even when they had the chance of a swift and dangerous counterattack, they preferred to scale down and to keep possession of the ball, instead of creating a chance. On the other hand, Cusco FC tried to built up the attacks in the usual style, but it did not work out so well in the first half an hour, possibly because they tried too much to speed things up, when a calmer mood would have probably helped more.

The first chance came after more than half an hour, when Marlon Ruidías had a good shot from range, but Enríquez saved (31'). This gave the signal for a more serious offensive from the home side, and it paid off quickly. The same Ruidías crossed from the right side, and Miguel Araujo tackled Pierre da Silva inside the box (35'). The referee left the game to continue for a few seconds more, but Cusco FC did not score, so he whistled and awarded a penalty for Cusco FC. Ivan Colman converted calmly: 1-0 (37').

 

Ivan Colman (Cusco FC) converted the penalty, bringing the final to a tie on aggregate. Photo source: Cusco FC Facebook page

After the goal, Sporting Cristal woke up from the dead and started playing some football, while Cusco FC retreated instinctively in defence, although they actually needed a second goal to win the play-off final. The match became more animated. Cusco FC had a number of dangerous crosses from the right, while Sporting Cristal reached several times the opposite box. The biggest chance of the visitors in the first half came in stoppage time, when Gerald Távara's shot from long range was blocked by goalkeeper Díaz (45'+1').

Cusco FC centre-back Carlos Gamarra headed the ball away in front of Diego Otoya (Sporting Cristal). Photo source: Liga 1 Facebook page

The second half started equally interesting, with both teams in search of a goal that would bring them in advantage. Once again, Cusco FC seemed the team more willing and eager to attack, and once again they were rewarded. Lucas Colitto took a corner from the left side, Fuentes made a sort of paravan for Facundo Callejo, whose right-footed powerful shot went in: 2-0 (56').

Facundo Callejo (left) celebrates after he scored the second and decisive goal of the game, joined by Carlo Díez. Photo source: Cusco FC Facebook page

Paulo Autuori, Sporting Cristal manager, reacted and made three changes (60'), a little bit too late, I would say. The game was actually played. However, the visitors had more than 30 minutes to score a goal and force the penalties, as they did against Alianza Lima in the semifinal, when they came back from 3-1 for Alianza to 3-3, and then they won the penalty shoot-outs. But this happened in Lima, because both Alianza and Sporting Cristal are from Lima. It is different in Cusco, at more than 3,000 metres above sea level. The locals are adapted, those from Lima are not, and their physical strength was on a descending curve in the second half, despite the substitutions, which actually did not bring too much.

The biggest danger came from Gerald Távara, whose long range shots (one of them from a free kick, 71') gave some trouble to goalkeeper Díaz. A potential numerical superiority in an attack was poorly judged by newly-entered Luis Iberico, who chose to try a shot instead of a logical pass to one of the free teammates ideally placed in the box (77').

Pierre da Silva, who had made an excellent game until then, had the bad idea of tackling hard Santiago González from behind (79'). He probably knew he was going to be substituted, and possibly had some sort of revenge to take against the Cristal winger. He thought a yellow card would not be much. Wrong decision. The referee gave him a yellow card initially, but after reviewing the action with the help of VAR he changed his mind and awarded a straight red (83'). Therefore, Da Silva left his team down to 10 men in a difficult situation, while Aucca, who was prepared to come in (celebrating his 150th match for Cusco FC), had to remain on the bench.

In the final minutes, tensions rose to new heights. There was an incident involving a ball boy who kept the ball in his hands, to be taken away somewhat aggresively by one Sporting Cristal staff. Several minutes went before the situation calmed. The referee indicated 7 minutes of stoppage time, then 9 minutes of stoppage time, then 10. Cusco FC wasted as much time as possible, while Sporting Cristal created as much pressure as they could in the opposite box, but their actions became predictible, with long high balls sent randomly in the box and easily cleared by Cusco FC defenders, on and on again.

Cusco FC players celebrating together with the large crowd that came to support them. Photo source: Cusco FC Facebook page

There was nothing else to be done, Cusco FC resisted until the final whistle, and the game finished 2-0. Cusco FC won 2-1 on aggregate, won the play-off for the second place, and qualified after 8 years in the group stages of Copa Libertadores.

Cusco FC, 2025 runners-up of the Peruvian First Division (Liga 1). Photo source: Cusco FC Facebook page

After the game, the Peruvian Federation officials gave the silver medals to all the players and staff of Cusco FC, who celebrated this achievement in the field together with their supporters. 

The entire squad deserves to be congratulated, but special mentions need to go to Pedro Díaz, the best goalkeeper in the league, Ivan Colman, the player with most assists in the league (18 assists), and Facundo Callejo, the best goalscorer of the league, with 25 goals. It is worth noting that the second best in terms of assists is Lucas Colitto, also of Cusco FC, with 11 assists.

Goalkeeper Pedro Díaz with the award for the best goalkeeper in the play-offs. He was also recently called up for the Peru national team as well. Photo source: Cusco FC Facebook page

These results would not have been possible without the team led by manager Miguel Rondelli. His contribution to the accomplishments of Cusco FC in the last 2 years is enormous, and he should be kept in charge as long as possible. One wonders how far can he get with this team.

Cusco FC: Díaz - Ruidías (Zevallos 86'), Fuentes, Gamarra, Ampuero - Valenzuela, Diez - Da Silva, Colman, Colitto (Silva 65') - Callejo (Tévez 74'). Manager: Miguel Rondelli.

Sporting Cristal: Enríquez - Sosa, Araujo, Lütiger, Castro (Iberico 76') - Távara, Cazonatti (Pretell 60'), Wisdom (Pasquini 60') - S. González, Otoya (Ávila 65'), Pacheco (Benavente 60'). Manager: Paulo Autuori.

Referee: Bruno Pérez.

Yellow cards: Ampuero 51', Fuentes 69' - Pacheco 26', Távara 54', C. Gonzales 81'.

Red card: Da Silva 83'.

Cusco FC staff, including manager Miguel Rondelli (third from the right). Photo source: Cusco FC Facebook page

Wednesday, 10 December 2025

Mallawi SC gets the first point this season in front of Fayoum SC

Mallawi SC 1-1 (1-1) Fayoum SC

Amr Al Hawy 43' - Hisham 33'

Tuesday, 9 December 2025, 2:30 pm local time (12:30 pm UTC), Matai Stadium, Matai, Egypt, 12th round of the Egyptian Second Division B, group B.


 Mallawi SC starting line-up. Photo source: Mallawi SC Facebook page


The two captains and the referees before the start of the game. Photo source: Mallawi SC Facebook page

Fayoum SC were big favourites before the match, because Mallawi were not able to get a single point so far this season, losing all their previous 10 games played. However, the situation on the pitch was very different from the predictions, and the final 1-1 draw was rather accurate in terms of what happened in the game.

Both teams had periods of domination and control of the game. The visitors started better, and they pressed for more than 30 minutes, until they were able to take the lead. A free kick was taken from the right side, quite far from the box, the ball was crossed properly somewhere near the penalty spot, and Hisham headed home: 0-1 (33').

However, after the goal Fayoum SC changed their tactics, and retreated in defensive, leaving the home side to take control of the midfield and to attack. This offensive brought the equalizer quite quickly, as a low cross from the right side reached the opposite side of the box to Amr Al Hawy, who found the proper touch to score: 1-1 (43').

The equalizer gave Mallawi even more impetus, and they had a big chance to take the lead in the added time to the first half, when, one on one with the goalkeeper, one of their strikers missed the target.

In the second half, Mallawi had the biggest chances as well, in 53' (another shot close to the target), 69' and 74' (a well-executed free kick, right below the crossbar, saved by the goalkeeper).

Nevertheless, in the final minutes, the situation changed and Fayoum once again took control of the game and pressed for a winning goal, being close to it in several occasions. They also claimed a penalty, not given by the referee.

The match was broadcasted live by Mallawi SC on Facebook.

Referee: Mohamed Abdel-Mottaleb. 

With this result, Fayoum are 9th (out of 14 teams) in the standings, with 13 points (3 wins, 4 draws, and 4 defeats in 11 matches), while Mallawi remain bottom of the table (14th), with this point (1 draw and 10 defeats in 11 matches). 

Tuesday, 9 December 2025

Narrow win for Shabab Al Sahel over Bourj FC in the Dahieh derby

Shabab Sahel 1-0 (0-0) Bourj FC 

Hassan Salameh 53'

Saturday, 6 December 2025, 2:15 pm local time (12:15 pm UTC), Al Ahed Stadium, Ouzai (Beirut), Lebanon, 8th round of the Lebanese Premier League. 


Shabab Sahel starting line-up. Photo source: Lebanese FA Facebook page


Bourj FC starting line-up. Photo source: Lebanese FA Facebook page

The Dahieh derby between Shabab Al Sahel and Bourj FC came in a moment when the two teams were in opposite form - Shabab Al Sahel improving their results match by match, while Bourj FC in a decline materialized by four consecutive defeats before this game, and a fifth one at the conclusion of this match, whose result reflects properly the contrasting evolution of the two teams lately.


Hussein Fahs (Bourj FC, in yellow) and Victor Abata (Shabab Al Sahel) in a spectacular duel for the ball. Photo source: Lebanese FA Facebook page

However, on the pitch, on an unusual cloudy and even rainy afternoon, the situation was much balanced. In the first half, the periods of possession and offensive action were quite equally distributed between the two teams, with Shabab Al Sahel more active in the first 20-25 minutes, and Bourj FC more dangerous towards the end of the first half, with some good opportunities to score for both teams.


Mahmoud Hoteit (Shabab Sahel, left) and Kassem Al Shoum (Bourj FC, in yellow) in a duel for possession. Photo source: Lebanese FA Facebook page

The match was decided at the beginning of the second half. There were numerous corner kicks in both halfs for both teams, and indeed many dangerous situations occurred due to set pieces throughout the game, so it was somehow logical that if a goal was to be scored, it would have been the result of a set piece. Mohamad Haidar took a corner from the right side to the near post, and Hassan Salameh had an exceptional shot from between several Bourj FC players, sending the ball home to the opposite corner from a difficult position: 1-0 (53').


Hassan Salameh (left) scored the decisive goal of the match. Photo source: Lebanese FA Facebook page

The goal pretty much closed the game. Although there was plenty of time to play, Shabab Sahel applied a defensive tactics which worked, trying to keep the ball as far away as possible from their own box, fragmenting the game, launching swift counterattacks, and overall they succeeded to preserve the result until the end. Bourj FC did not find a way to break through the opposite defense, they even had less chances than before the goal was scored, because Shabab Sahel covered very well all the possible ways towards their goal, all the existing space in front of their box. Unfortunately, Bourj FC no longer has a player capable of unlocking such a tight defense, and all their efforts were in vain.


Shabab Al Sahel celebrated at the end together with their fans. Photo source: Shabab Al Sahel Facebook page

Shabab Al Sahel: Ibrahim El Mokdad - Abdallah Moughrabi (Issa Ndiaye 77', Hussein Rizk 88'), Hadi Jezzini, Franklin Kuete Talla, Hassan Hazimeh - Mahmoud Hoteit, Mohamad Haidar - Ali Fakieh, Hassan Salameh, Mohamad Markabawi (Fadel Assi 90'+4') - Victor Abata. Manager: Saeed Iskandar. 

Bourj FC: Ali Hajj Hassan - Sajed Amhaz, Mamadou Touré, Hussein Fahs, Mohamad Hammoud (Youssef Anbar 66') - Yasser Dimachek (Ali Rahhal 79'), Youssef Atriss (Abdoulaye Fall 67') - Adama Diaw (Ibrahim Mhana 79'), Kassem Al Shoum, Haidar Khriess - Mouhamed Soumah (Daniel Abou Fakher 67'). Manager: Ahmad Atwi. 

Referee: Ali Al Ashkar. 

Yellow cards: Hassan Hazimeh 82', Hussein Rizk 90'+6'.

The match was broadcasted live online on FIFA+ website. 

For Bourj FC, the next two matches are very important, because they will play against the only two teams which are below them in the standings: Racing (which are bottom of the table), and Riyadi Al Abbasiyah (second to last). Any bad result in these two matches might lead them in a relegation position, which is what they are trying hard to avoid.

For Shabab Sahel, on the other hand, the next matches (the first against Riyadi Al Abbasiyah) might provide them the opportunity to advance more in the table, and to reach the top 6 at the end of the regular season. They are currently seventh, just below that thin line which will separate teams playing the play-off and the play-out after the regular season ends.

Saturday, 29 November 2025

Cusco FC are in the play-off final for the second place, Alianza Lima and Sporting Cristal will play the semifinal

Sport Huancayo 1-2 Cusco FC

Piero Magallanes 74' - Lucas Colitto 45'+3', Nicolás Silva 68'.

Sunday, 23 Novemeber 2025, 3 pm local time (8 pm UTC), IPD Huancayo Stadium, Huancayo, Peru, 19th (last) round of Clausura, Peruvian First Division (Liga 1).

Cusco FC starting line-up. Photo source: Cusco FC Facebook page

Tough game between two Peruvian strong teams, in the last matchday of the season, each team still with objectives to achieve on the table, unfortunately quite different from each other but unachievable at the same time. Cusco FC needed at least a draw to secure the second place in the aggregate table, which would provide them with a place directly in the play-off for the second place (yes, the title is already gone, Universitario de Deportes are champions for the third time in a row). While Sport Huancayo needed to win to clinch the eighth place in the aggregate table, the last one leading to Copa Sudamericana in 2026. Well, to tell the complete story, Cusco FC might have lost and still be second if and only if Alianza Lima would not win at home against UTC Cajamarca, but this was not the case, so the game was on.

In the first half, the game was unrecognizable. Was this football after all? Cusco FC were worried only to have as much possession as possible, but they had it mostly in their own half, without too much pressure on the opponents. Sport Huancayo would have liked to attack, but they simply did not have the ball too much, and their attacks were quickly smothered by Cusco. The first shot on target came only in 25', when Cusco goalkeeper Díaz saved a shot from Enzo Fernández. 

Another event was that Aldair Fuentes, one of Cusco FC centre-backs, was injured and had to be replaced in 35' by Carlos Gamarra - quite a blow for Cusco FC defense. 

The surprise came at the end of the first half, actually in those 4 minutes of stoppage time, given because of Fuentes' injury. A long ball to the left side, Lucas Colitto combined one-two with Iván Colman, and there he was in the box, and a shot to the far corner gave Cusco FC an unexpected lead: 0-1 (45'+3').

Cusco FC players celebrating (left to right): Facundo Callejo, Iván Colman, Carlo Diez, Miguel Aucca, Lucas Colitto, and Nicolás Silva. Photo source: Cusco FC Facebook page

The second half was much more entertaining. It started with a penalty for Sport Huancayo: Sanguinetti's shot was blocked by Álex Custodio with his hands (50'). However, the shot came from very short distance, the hands were in front of the body and actually on Janio Pósito, the ball would have been blocked by Custodio's body anyway, and the ball seemed to have been slightly deviated by Pósito's back before hitting Custodio's hands. The referee initially decided to play on, and Sanguinetti even had a second shot, saved by Díaz. Two minutes afterwards, however, the VAR changed his mind and called the referee to review. Finally, a penalty was given. Pósito took the penalty, hit hard but in the middle and Díaz saved (56')!

The pressure from Sport Huancayo continued nevertheless, and Díaz saved other strong shots as well, when the defenders were not able to contain the attacks. It was while the home side was clearly looking for an equalizer when Cusco FC stroke again. Much like the first goal: on the left side Nicolás Silva combined with the same Iván Colman, one-two, entered the box and had a shot at the far post: 0-2 (68').

It was yet another blow for Sport Huancayo, but they did not give up, and mounted their offensive again. Shortly after, they managed to reduce the difference. Nahuel Luján crossed from the right on the far post, and sub Piero Magallanes, all alone 7 meters away from goal, succeeded to make the right touch on the ball to send it home: 1-2 (74').

Nothing was over yet. Huancayo even had an equalizer, denied by VAR. It started with a silly pass back to Gamarra, who slipped, goalkeeper Díaz came out of the box and tried to clear, but hit Marlon de Jesús, and the ball went straight into goal (82')! VAR entered the game once again, showing the referee that the ball had hit Marlon de Jesús' arms, then his leg. In any other action it would not have been handball, because the distance was very small, but because a goal came out of it, it had to be cancelled, although one can argue that it was not scored with a hand, as the last part of the body which touched the ball was the leg. Nevertheless, de Jesús did not nothing on purpose, the ball just hit him, and that's it, his main contribution was that he was there to pressurize the goalkeeper, Díaz, who played perfectly until this. The goal was anyway cancelled, and Cusco FC had to take extra precautions in the remaining minutes, although an equalizer would not have done much harm, and would have not helped Sport Huancayo. The home side continued to attack, but were not able to score, so Cusco FC won and are second in the Clausura as well as in the aggregate table, so they qualified directly in the play-off final for the second place. 

In the semifinal, Sporting Cristal (fourth in the aggregate table) will take on Alianza Lima (third in the aggregate table), to decide which of them will play against Cusco FC in the final. All these teams are qualified for the next year Copa Libertadores, but the winner of the play-off will go straight in the group stage, just like the champions, Universitario de Deportes, while the finalist and semifinalist will have to go through preliminary rounds of Copa Libertadores. Sport Huancayo's defeat also helped Cusco FC local rivals Cienciano to snatch the eighth place and therefore to qualify for the next year Copa Sudamericana, which they achieved by winning 2-1 over Ayacucho, sending Ayacucho in the Second Division (Liga 2).

Huancayo: Zamudio - Madrid, Murillo, Gaona, Herrera (Barboza 55') - Salcedo, Villar (Carranza 61') - Luján, Sanguinetti (Magallanes 55'), Fernández (De Jesús 61') - Pósito (Martínez 68'). Manager: Richard Pellejero.

Cusco FC: Díaz - Zevallos (Tévez 90'), Fuentes (Gamarra 35'), Custodio, Ampuero - Diez, Aucca (Ruidías 77') - Silva (Da Silva 77'), Colman, Colitto - Callejo. Manager: Miguel Rondelli.

Referee: Edwin Ordóñez.

Yellow cards: Murillo 71' - Ruidías 64', Diez 79'.

Final tables of Clausura and the aggregate table (Apertura + Clausura):

Final Clausura table

 

1

Universitario de Deportes (W, C)

17

12

4

1

29-13

40

Champions

2

Cusco FC

17

11

3

3

29-15

36

 

3

Sporting Cristal

17

9

4

4

29-13

31

 

4

Alianza Lima

17

9

4

4

30-19

31

 

5

Cienciano

17

8

3

6

25-21

27

 

6

Los Chankas

17

9

0

8

21-28

27

 

7

Comerciantes Unidos

17

7

5

5

20-21

26

 

8

FBC Melgar

17

6

7

4

24-17

25

 

9

Deportivo Garcilaso

17

6

7

4

20-21

25

 

10

ADT Tarma

17

7

4

6

19-20

25

 

11

Alianza Atlético

17

6

5

6

15-12

23

 

12

Sport Huancayo

17

5

3

9

28-28

18

 

13

Alianza Universidad

17

5

2

10

23-33

17

 

14

Atlético Grau

17

4

4

9

19-24

16

 

15

Sport Boys

17

4

4

9

14-25

16

 

16

Juan Pablo II College

17

3

5

9

13-23

14

 

17

Ayacucho FC

17

4

2

11

16-29

14

 

18

UTC Cajamarca

17

3

4

10

16-28

13

 

 

Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) goals scored; 4) fair-play (according to the number of red and yellow cards); 5) drawing of lots.

 

W – Clausura winners

C – Champions (because they won both Apertura and Clausura)

 

Final aggregate table (Apertura + Clausura)

 

1

Universitario de Deportes

35

24

7

4

67-25

79

Champions, qualified for CL

2

Cusco FC

35

21

7

7

63-35

70

Qualified for play-offs & CL

3

Alianza Lima

35

20

8

7

53-30

68

Qualified for play-offs & CL

4

Sporting Cristal

35

19

6

10

60-37

63

Qualified for play-offs & CL

5

Alianza Atlético

35

17

6

12

43-30

57

Qualified for C.Sudamericana

6

FBC Melgar

35

14

14

7

52-37

56

Qualified for C.Sudamericana

7

Deportivo Garcilaso

35

14

10

11

48-40

52

Qualified for C.Sudamericana

8

Cienciano

35

13

11

11

54-46

50

Qualified for C.Sudamericana

9

Los Chankas

35

14

8

13

45-53

50

 

10

ADT Tarma

35

13

10

12

43-50

49

 

11

Sport Huancayo

35

14

6

15

51-49

48

 

12

Atlético Grau

35

9

11

15

42-48

38

 

13

Comerciantes Unidos

35

9

10

16

37-52

37

 

14

Sport Boys

35

9

9

17

40-53

36

 

15

Juan Pablo II College

35

8

9

18

33-51

33

 

16

UTC Cajamarca

35

8

8

19

33-62

32

 

17

Ayacucho FC (R)

35

8

5

22

30-56

29

Relegated to Liga 2

18

Alianza Universidad (R)

35

7

7

21

39-66

28

Relegated to Liga 2

19

Deportivo Binacional (R)

18

4

6

8

20-33

18

Relegated to Liga 2

 

Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) goals scored; 4) fair-play (according to the number of red and yellow cards); 5) drawing of lots.

 

R – relegated