The best of 2025

2025 has been a challenging year for most of the 10 teams we are writing about: Bourj FC, Cusco FC, Fayoum SC, Kamonyi FC, 1. FK Svidník, FK Tryavna 1922, Total Soccer, Maaraba SC, Maardu Linnameeskond II FC Starmedia, and Terrace Onions FC. There have been many ups and downs, so it is very difficult to draw an overall conclusion.

The two teams that play at the top level, Bourj FC and Cusco FC, had a good year. The situation is still very different for each of them. Cusco FC had indeed an excellent 2025 season, ending in second place in the Peruvian First Division (Liga 1), after winning the play-off to play directly in the 2026 Copa Libertadores group stage. This actually equals the best performance of the club in history, as they finished second in three other occasions (2013, 2014, and 2017), but either after losing the play-off final for the title (2013 and 2014) or without any play-offs (2017). This was the second consecutive year with Argentinian manager Miguel Rondelli, and it was even better than the previous one, so we are witnessing an era of unusual stability for Cusco FC, which pays off in terms of results.

On the other hand, Bourj finished in great style the 2024-2025 season, in 7th place, which was the best achievable in the play-out, but the club is struggling financially. In summer, the financial situation was critical, and the club was barely able to start the new season (2025-2026). At the end of the regular season, they are in 10th place, right above the relegation line, and the situation is not as bad as it was in the previous season from the point of view of the regular season, but the club is once again facing financial bankruptcy. Support is needed quickly or the team may even withdraw from the competition.

The only team playing in the second tier, Kamonyi FC of Rwanda, had a rather poor year, finishing in 9th place (out of 13 teams) in Group B of the Second Division at the end of the 2024-2025 season. The situation is not very bright either in 2025-2026.

Total Soccer have recovered a little after a very poor 2024 season. This year, they managed a better performance in the Colombian Primera C (third tier), qualifying for the knock-out stages, but they were eventually eliminated in the third round. They also had good results in the Colombian Youth League.

Fayoum SC continue their downfall, with rather mediocre results in the Egyptian Second Division B (third tier), as they finished the 2024-2025 season in 8th place (out of 11), and they are equally meandering in the lower half of the table in the 2025-2026 season.

Terrace Onions FC were equally in the lower half of the table in the Bermudian Corona League (third tier) at the end of the 2024-2025 season, and they are not any better in 2025-2026.

The worst situation has been however registered by 1. FK Svidník, which withdrew at the beginning of spring from the Slovak 4th League, and were relegated straight to the lowest existing tier, which in their case is the local Svidník League (7th tier). Although big favorites to win the league and to promote, they seem to be unable to get things right even at this very low level, and they are only 6th (out of 12) after the first half of the 2025-2026 season.

One might think that there is nothing worse than that, but there is. FK Tryavna 1922 are in fact in such a position, because this is the second consecutive year that the team has not been enrolled in any senior competition. The club still exists but only with some junior teams.

To end up on a happy note, we should highlight the fact that Maardu Linnameeskond II has been revived after several years of silence. The first team back to back promotions to the Esiliiga B and now to Esiliiga (second tier in Estonian football) triggered the need for a second team, which has been reestablished after a merger with Tallinna FC Starmedia, so now the team has a very long name: Maardu Linnameeskond II FC Starmedia. They competed in the Estonian Second League B (the fifth tier) and finished third, very close to promotion, which would surely come the next year if things will continue in the same way.

Even Maaraba SC of Syria showed some signs of life after many years of reduced activity, limited only to junior teams. Their senior team has been recently reactivated and they have even played a few friendly matches, perhaps having in view the participation to official competitions once again.

Best team

Cusco FC

Best performance

Cusco FC 2-0 Sporting Cristal (play-off final for the second place, second leg)

Best manager

Ahmad Atwi (Bourj FC)

Best player

Facundo Callejo (Cusco FC)

A Happy New Year to everyone! 

Total Soccer knocked out by Sócrates Valencia in the third stage of Colombian Primera C after penalty shoot-outs

Total Soccer 1-3 (0-0) Sócrates Valencia

J. Osorio 47' - D. Valencia 50', 80', Rivas 59'.

In the first leg, Total Soccer won 2-0. Aggregate score: 3-3.

Penalty shoot-outs: Total Soccer 2-4 Sócrates Valencia. S. Osorio and E. García converted for Total Soccer, Murillo, Agualimpia, J. Díaz and Tilve converted for Sócrates Valencia.

Sunday, 19 October 2025, 3 pm local time (8 pm UTC), Carlos Alberto Bernal Stadium, La Ceja, Antioquia, Colombia, 3rd stage of Colombian Primera C, 2nd leg.

Sócrates Valencia of Pereira qualified dramatically to the fourth stage of Primera C. Photo source: Sócrates Valencia CF Facebook page

Total Soccer had a good campaign in the Colombian Primera C so far, especially compared to last year, when they dropped out even from the first (group) stage. This year, the 2022 and 2023 Primera C champions managed to classify third in their group (Group B), two points behind Dimelojara and Sol de Oriente and six points ahead of Medellín City FC, to grasp the last seat leading to the second stage, which was already a knock-out stage, where they met Los Robles of Río Quito (Chocó). Total Soccer won both games, 4-1 at home and 3-1 away, qualifying for the third stage with 7-2 on aggregate.

In the third round, the opponents were Sócrates Valencia of Pereira. Everything went smoothly in the first game, away, in Pereira, where Total Soccer won 2-0 and they were big favorites to qualify for the fourth stage.

However, the second leg in La Ceja proved to be much more difficult than expected and the visitors surprisingly turned the game in their favour, winning also in the penalty shoot-outs.

The surprise was so great also because nothing seemed to happen in the first half, when both teams played mostly in midfield, with very few goal opportunities. Sócrates Valencia were indeed the team which tried harder to get to the opposite goal, and had better ball possession, but their actions did not look dangerous at all. On the other hand, Total Soccer responded mainly on counterattacks, and they had some set pieces (especially corner kicks) which triggered their best chances.

Actually, the second half started exactly like this. Total Soccer had a corner kick from the left side, and J. Osorio headed the ball in from short range: 1-0 (47'). It was 3-0 on aggregate and it looked like nothing could ever happen to prevent Total Soccer from qualifying to the next round. 

Nevertheless, just three minutes after the first goal, Sócrates Valencia equalized: D. Valencia tried a shot from long distance and caught goalkeeper Correa by surprise: 1-1 (50').

The equalizer boosted the morale of the visitors, which launched a series of offensive actions, while Total Soccer once again retreated in a defensive mood, which proved fatal. After a corner kick from the right side, Rivas headed in from the far post: 1-2 (59'), and the match was very much alive.

It was only on this point that Total Soccer tried to gain control of the midfield once again, and to put some pressure on the opposite defence. They almost equalized by means of an own goal, when one of Sócrates Valencia defenders headed the ball towards goalkeeper Pamplona, who slipped, but eventually succeeded to touch the ball and avoid the own goal (66'). At the other end, one of Total Soccer defenders had to clear the ball from goal line after a shot which passed the goalkeeper (69').

The visitors forced a third goal, leaving large spaces behind, but Total Soccer did not take any profit out of this situation. Quite the contrary, the risks assumed by Sócrates Valencia eventually paid off, when one of the many balls sent more or less carefully in the opposite box was controlled by D. Valencia from among the central defenders, and then the same player found the space to send it home: 1-3 (80').

In the final minutes, not much football was played, because the visitors focused on wasting time as much as possible, fragmenting the game, while Total Soccer tried in vain to approach the opponents goal dangerously.

It all came up to the penalty shoot-outs, where the first three players of Sócrates Valencia, captain Murillo, Agualimpia and J. Díaz, all converted the penalties, while the first two players of Total Soccer, J. García and Romero missed, so the score was at a certain moment 3-0, very difficult to turn back from that. The third Total Soccer player, S. Osorio, scored: 3-1. The fourth Sócrates Valencia player to take the penalty, Rivas missed, maintaining the suspense, and the tension rose after E. García converted for Total Soccer: 3-2 before the final series. However, the last Sócrates Valencia player nominated to take the penalty, Tilve, scored, and the penalty shoot-outs ended with the score of 4-2 for Sócrates Valencia, as there was no need for the fifth player of Total Soccer to take the last penalty in the series.

This is how the story of Total Soccer in the 2025 Colombian Primera C ended, a rather surprising and not happy at all ending. The team is still involved in the local Primera B of Antioquia, where they were relegated last year.

Total Soccer: Correa -  Palacios, J. García, J. Osorio, Yepes, Urrego, Romero, Vélez, Gómez, Murillo, S. Osorio. Lemus, E. García and Trujillo were subbed in the second half.

Sócrates Valencia: Pamplona - Martínez, Lucumí, Gallego, Murillo, Ibargüen, Agualimpia, Perea, Rivas, Mosquera, D. Valencia. Cardona, Ariza, J. Díaz and Tilve were subbed in the second half.

Referee: Juan Benítez.

Yellow cards: Urrego 50' - Ibargüen 39', Gallego 39', Rivas 53', Juan 61', Mosquera 68', Tilve 90'+4'.

Red card: Giraldo 69' (Sócrates Valencia reserve goalkeeper who was on the bench).

In the fourth round, Sócrates Valencia will face Atlético Becerril (César), playing the first leg away. 

Total Soccer are in Group B of the Colombian Primera C, set to start this week-end

After winning the Primera C for two consecutive years (2022 and 2023), Total Soccer had a dissapointing season in 2024. They were not able to qualify from the group stage in Primera C, and they were relegated from the Primera A of the Antioquia League. However, they were able to maintain their youth squad in the first league of the Colombian Youth League (Supercopa Juvenil), managed by the Colombian Football Federation, as they classified fourth in Group B (out of 11 teams).

In 2025, Total Soccer did not start well either. They are only 9th (out of 18) for the moment in Group B of the Primera B of Antioquia League, accumulating only 15 points in 11 matches (4 wins, 3 draws and 4 defeats), quite far from the top teams, and therefore the promotion back to Primera A seems almost impossible in these circumstances. In the 2025 Colombian Youth League, the situation of Total Soccer is even worse, as they are 7th (out of 10) in Group B, with only 7 points in 8 matches (2 wins, 1 draw, and 5 defeats). They will have to struggle to avoid relegation.

The nation-wide Primera C is set to start this week-end and hopefully Total Soccer will be able this year to rise to the expectations, given their two recent titles in this competition. They are included in Group B, along with other clubs from Medellín and Antioquia: Atlético Urabaense, Colo Colo, Dimelojara FC, La Pantera FC, Medellín City, Politécnico Jaime Isaza, Sol de Oriente, and Semillas de Vida y Paz. Their fist match will be this week-end, probably on Saturday, at home, against La Pantera FC, at Unidad Deportiva de Belén in Medellín.

The best of 2024

The year 2024 was not one of the best for the nine teams we are writing about here: Bourj FC, Fayoum SC, Cusco FC, 1. FK Svidník, FK Tryavna 1922, Total Soccer, Maaraba SC, Kamonyi FC, and Maardu Linnameeskond II. The situation was perhaps better, at least in a part of the year, for Bourj FC, Fayoum SC, and Cusco FC. These teams are among the best performers in 2024. Kamonyi FC had a rather average year. The year is one to be forgotten for 1. FK Svidník, FK Tryavna 1922, and Total Soccer. Just like in the previous years, Maaraba SC and Maardu Linnameeskond II did not compete in this year either.

Bourj FC had a good first part of the year and finished in fourth place in the Lebanese Premier League, one of their best ever. Nevertheless, even since the start of 2024, there were rumours that the owner Fadi Nasser will leave Bourj FC, which eventually happened at the end of the 2023-2024. The club survived, with heavy losses, given that many players went away. The 2024-2025 season started in September, but only one round was played, when the season had to be suspended due to Israeli attacks and bombing. Training resumed in December, but it is yet to be confirmed if or when the Lebanese Premier League will resume.

Fayoum SC had a fairly good first part of the year, finishing in second place in Group B of the Egyptian Second Division B. However, this was not enough for promotion to the Second Division A. In the new 2024-2025 season, they started poorly and are among the bottom-classified teams, fighting for survival, instead of promotion.

Cusco FC had their best season in years, finishing in fifth place in the Peruvian Liga 1 and qualifying for the 2025 Copa Sudamericana. Manager Miguel Rondelli succeeded to create a good team, and will continue his work in 2025, as well.

Kamonyi FC had an average performance, finishing in ninth place in Group A of the 2023-2024 Rwandan Second Division. The start of the 2024-2025 season was not great either, as they are in the second half of the table at this moment.

Moving to the big disappointments of 2024, one has to point out that 1. FK Svidník were relegated at the end of the 2023-2024 season of the Slovak Third Division, East Group, as they finished last. Instead of fighting to promote back, they are involved again in the struggle to avoid relagation, this time from the Slovak Fourth League - East Group. Something has to be done quickly to stop the decline.

Even worse, FK Tryavna 1922 stopped competing altogether at senior level in 2024. They finished the 2023-2024 season of the regional Gabrovo League in second place, short of winning (again) the league, but then they did not enrol for the 2024-2025 season, a very heavy blow for football in Tryavna. The club still maintains some of its junior level teams, but the senior team should be back in business as soon as possible.

Total Soccer was another big disappointment in 2024. After two exceptional years, in which the team achieved everything that was possible at amateur level in Colombia, becoming twice champions of the Primera C, in 2024 they were eliminated from Primera C even from the first (group) stage, and they classified second to last in the Antioquia League top tier, Primera A, which will probably involve a relegation to Antioquia Primera B in 2025.

Maaraba SC and Maardu Linnameeskond II saw no action in 2024.

Best team

Cusco FC

Best performance

Alianza Lima - Cusco FC 1-2 (last round of the Peruvian First League, 3 November 2024)

Best manager

Miguel Rondelli (Cusco FC)

Best player

Ivan Colman (Cusco FC)

A Happy New Year to everyone!

Defending champions Total Soccer are out of the 2024 Colombian Primera C after the group stage

Medellín-based Total Soccer won the Colombian Primera C in 2022 and 2023, but their winning streak ended in 2024. Unable to promote to professional Primera B because of the lack of any agreement between Dimayor (which organizes professional competitions in Colombia) and Difutbol (which organizes amateur competitions), Total Soccer turned the page and their results declined dramatically in 2024. 

 Total Soccer in 2024. Photo source: elescenariodelosclasicos.com

Total Soccer enrolled in the 2024 Primera C and they were ascribed to Group A, along with other three Antioquia teams, Deportivo Rionegro, Colo-Colo and Polítecnico Jaime Isaza of Medellín. While in previous years the number of Antioquia teams was much higher, this time the number of teams dropped dramatically, with several teams withdrawing from the competition before its start - La Chalaca, Soccer Law, Panteras and Medellín City, for instance. 

Group A eventually started with this limited number of teams. Total Soccer, while in theory the main candidate to win the group and qualify, lost the first five matches and only won the last game, a consolation victory, which did not nothing to prevent them finishing last. As a result, they were eliminated from the 2024 Primera C even from the group stage and did not advance to the knock-out stage.

Results in Group A:

Round 1 (1-2 July 2024)

Total Soccer - Colo Colo 1-4

Polítecnico - Dep. Rionegro 1-3

Round 2 (7-9 July 2024)

Dep. Rionegro - Total Soccer 6-0

Polítecnico - Colo Colo 2-4

Round 3 (15-16 July 2024)

Colo Colo - Dep. Rionegro 1-2

Total Soccer - Polítecnico 0-3 (awarded)

Round 4 (21-22 July 2024)

Dep. Rionegro - Polítecnico 1-0

Colo Colo - Total Soccer 3-0

Round 5 (29 July 2024)

Colo Colo - Polítecnico 1-1

Total Soccer - Dep. Rionegro 0-3 (awarded)

Round 6 (4-6 August 2024)

Dep. Rionegro - Colo Colo 2-0

Polítecnico - Total Soccer 2-3

Final table

1. Deportivo Rionegro 18 p.

2. Colo Colo 10 p.

3. Polítecnico 4 p.

4. Total Soccer 3 p.

Deportivo Rionegro and Colo Colo qualified to the knock-out stage of the Primera C.

Total Soccer are also involved in the Primera A of Antioquia League and in the Colombian Youth League (Supercopa Juvenil).

No goals between Total Soccer and Real Santuario

Total Soccer - Real Santuario 0-0

Sunday, 21 April 2024, 10 am local time (3 pm UTC), Marte 1 Stadium, Medellín, Colombia, 7th round of the First Stage, Antioquia Football League, Primera A.

 Total Soccer starting line-up. Photo source: www.elescenariodelosclasicos.com

The 2024 season already started for Total Soccer, the double champions of Colombian Primera C. They are now involved in the Colombian Youth League (U 20, or Super Copa Juvenil) and the Primera A (top tier) of the regional Antioquia League, waiting for the nation-wide Primera C to start in May. 

Many promising young players have been promoted to these teams, and the results will soon emerge, but for the moment Total Soccer is in the lower part of the table in the Primera A of the Antioquia League. On Sunday, they faced another team which is rather struggling at the beginning of this season, Real Santuario.

The match, played on Marte 1 Stadium in Medellín, ended with a goalless 0-0 draw, despite the opportunities that both teams had to score.

Total Soccer: Callejas - Córdoba, Avendaño (Trujillo 46'), Osorio, Jiménez, Urrego, Flórez (Romero 46'), Henao (Daniel 83'), J. Gómez (Zuluaga 46'), J.D. Mosquera, Yepes. Manager: Juan Gabriel Sepúlveda.

Real Santuario: Restrepo - J.H. Palacios (Ortega 63'), Gonzales, Cabrera, Buriticá, Estrada, J. Mosquera, Luque (Murillo 77'), D. Gómez (Hinestroza 63'), J.E. Palacios (Arias 90'), Heredia (Jaramillo 86'). Manager: Williers Valencia Escobar.

Referee: Juan Pablo Benítez.

Full results, table and fixtures:

Round 7 (18-23 April 2024)

Lula FC - Leones B 1-1

Alexis García - Independiente Medellín B 1-2

Gallegol - Soccer Law 0-7

Color Esperanza - Ferroválvulas 0-3

Atlético Nacional B - Sol de Oriente 2-1

Rojo FC - La Chalaca 0-1

Medellín City - Molino Viejo 2-2

Total Soccer - Real Santuario 0-0

Águilas Doradas B - Envigado B 0-1

Politécnico - Tiendas Margo's 4-1

Table

Round 8 (26 April - 1 May 2024)

Independiente Medellín B - Gallegol

La Chalaca - Medellín City

Tiendas Margo's - Águilas Doradas B

Ferroválvulas - Atlético Nacional B

Politécnico - Real Santuario

Molino Viejo - Total Soccer

Sol de Oriente - Rojo FC

Lula FC - Alexis García

Leones B - Envigado B

Soccer Law - Color Esperanza

The best of 2023

The year 2023 has been moderately good for most of the teams we are dealing with. The two teams which play in the top league of their country, Bourj FC (Lebanon) and Cusco FC (Peru), had a good season, classifying in the first half of the table. 

Bourj FC finished the 2022-2023 season in fifth place, not exactly what they wanted, losing the fourth place after being defeated in the last round by their archrivals, Shabab Sahel. This is a slight decline from the third place they had in 2021-2022, but still a good performance overall. They also had the opportunity to play in an international competition after almost 30 years, as they qualified to the first preliminary round of the Arab Club Champions Cup (King Salman Cup). However, they lost both legs to the much stronger team Al Wahda of the United Arab Emirates, but one should point out that both matches were played away, in Abu Dhabi. Bourj FC started the 2023-2024 season very well and qualified to the play-offs for the third time in a row, in third place.

Cusco FC came back to the Peruvian First Division (Liga 1) in 2023, after one year spent in the Second Division (in 2022). They finished the season in ninth place in the aggregate table, missing the eighth position for a single point, after being defeated 3-1 in the last round by Universidad César Vallejo, which took their place and therefore qualified for the next year Copa Sudamericana. From this point of view, the 2023 season ended disappointingly. Nevertheless, they started very well and finished the Apertura (first half of the season) in fourth place. In Clausura, they had a rather poor performance, and manager Pablo Peirano was sacked with six rounds to go before the end of the season. The change did not bring the expected results. A new manager, Argentinian Miguel Rondelli has been appointed manager for 2024, and transfers are ongoing, as almost the entire 2023 squad vanished.

At the beginning of the year, the only team which competed in the second tier was Fayoum SC, of the Egyptian Second Division. However, due to structural changes in the Egyptian Second Division starting with 2023-2024, Fayoum lost their place in the Second Division. They needed to be in the top five or six in their group to qualify for the new Second Division, but instead they finished the 2022-2023 season only in 12th position in Group A and were therefore relegated to the Second Division B, the newly-created third tier in Egypt. They have not lost a single game so far in the 2023-2024 season, but they are far from the top spot in Group B of the Second Division B, which would allow them to promote to the Second Division.

In the second half of the year, former Pepiniere FC enrolled in the 2023-2024 Rwandan Second Division (Group A), under the new name of Kamonyi FC, after two years in which they did not compete officially. So far their results are good, and they are in the first half of the table.

By far, the best performance this year belongs to Total Soccer of Medellín (Colombia). Once again, they succeded to win the Colombian nation-wide Primera C, defending the title they clinched last year, in 2022. This time, it looked even easier, as they won both legs of the final over Ciamen FC of Cúcuta. It is a pity that the winners of Primera C are not allowed to promote to the professional Primera B, and Colombia is unfortunately one of the few countries in the world which does not have a proper football pyramid, and the only one in South America (and Europe) which completely separates professional football from amateur football. As long as this remains like this, Primera C would be the highest level where Total Soccer are allowed to compete as an amateur team.

In Slovakia, 1. FK Svidník are struggling to remain in the Third League (East Group). They had a fairly good first half of the year, finishing the 2022-2023 season in 10th place, with manager Vladislav Palša. Numerous changes were made in summer, including a new manager, but performance dropped in 2023-2024 and they are currently in bottom position, and if nothing changes for the better, they might expect relegation at the end of the season.

FK Tryavna 1922 won the Gabrovo Regional League in 2022-2023 but they eventually did not enroll in the 2023-2024 Bulgarian Third League (North-West Group), although they were entitled to promote and everything seemed to point in that direction. They remained in the Gabrovo League for 2023-2024, where they are of course involved in the fight for the top spot.

Two teams, Maardu Linnameeskond II (Estonia) and Maaraba SC (Syria) saw no action this year.

 

Best team 

Total Soccer

Best performance 

Ciamen - Total Soccer 1-2 (second leg of the Primera C final)

Best manager

Juan Gabriel Sepúlveda (Total Soccer)

Best player

Felipe ”Felucho” Rodríguez (Cusco FC)

Back-to-back wins in the final and a second consecutive Primera C title for Total Soccer

Ciamen FC - Total Soccer 1-2 (1-1)

Becerra 45'+5' penalty - Herrera 44', Morón 86'.

In the first leg: Total Soccer - Ciamen 2-0. Total Soccer won 4-1 on aggregate.

Saturday, 9 December 2023, 2 pm local time (7 pm UTC), Vallesther Stadium, Cúcuta, Colombia, second leg of the Colombian Primera C final.

Total Soccer, once again champions of the Colombian Primera C. Photo source: Colombia Sports

For a second year in a row, Total Soccer of Medellín is the best amateur team in Colombia. In 2022, they won the second leg at home, after a much disputed final. This time, they won both matches, at home and away, and received the title on the road.

The match was not easy. Ciamen had lost the first leg 2-0 and they had to come back from that on their home ground. They knew they needed to score early to stand a chance, so their attacks started from the very beginning. Total Soccer goalkeeper, William Fierro, was however the hero of the match, and saved everything, with the help of his defenders and the posts. Becerra (5' and 24') and Jaimes (35') had the biggest opportunities for Ciamen in the first half. Nevertheless, Total Soccer replied well, and could have scored by means of Parra (20'). The visitors had other chances as well, on the counterattack, and in the final minutes of the first half, one such fastbreak succeeded. Ciamen defense was surprised by a long and precise ball, which reached Parra, who assisted Herrera, all alone in front of the empty net: 0-1 (44'). Goalkeeper Javier Mena had come out but was unable to block the two Total Soccer forwards.

Immediately after, in the first half stoppage time (awarded because there was a water break in the middle of the half), Yerson Pacheco had a shot from the edge of the box and the ball hit the hand of one of Total Soccer defenders. The referee awarded a penalty and Leonardo Becerra converted, bringing hope once again for Ciamen: 1-1 (45'+5').

In the second half, Ciamen insisted much more, and their pressure increased with the time, but they could not find any way through the Total Soccer defense. Moreover, the visitors had plenty of space to develop their counterattacks, and had some big chances. Juan José Herrera's shot went to the left of the goalkeeper, but Jonathan Lozano cleared from the goal line (58'). At the other hand, William Fierro was performing miracles, saving all the Ciamen shots, and when he was not able to save, the ball hit the post (78').

In the final five minutes, even Ciamen goalkeeper Javier Mena came out of his box to help his team attack, risking everything. In one such occasion, Total Soccer was able to counterattack, and Danilo Morón scored with a beautiful shot from the edge of the box, to the far post: 1-2 (86').

The game was practically over, but in the next minute, one of Ciamen strikers hit the post for the second time (87'). Other chances emerged for Ciamen in the last minutes, as well as in stoppage time, but no goals were scored. Total Soccer also had an enormous chance in stoppage time, three against two on a counterattack, when goalkeeper Mena was out in Total Soccer box, but one of Ciamen defenders eventually denied the visitors their third goal.

2-1 or 3-1 was pretty much the same for Total Soccer, since they won the title anyway, once again.

Total Soccer players and staff celebrating at the end of the match. Photo source: Colombia Sports

The game was broadcasted live on Facebook by Colombia Sports.

Starting line-ups:

Ciamen: Mena - Ramírez, Villamizar, Lozano, Saavedra - B. Díaz, Sánchez, Pacheco - Manosalva, Jaimes, Becerra. Manager: Braynner García.

Total Soccer: Fierro - Tapias, Gutiérrez, Montes, Avendaño - García, Morón, Arboleda - Parra, Herrera, Jarold Mosquera. Manager: Juan Gabriel Sepúlveda.

Total Soccer won the first leg of the Colombian Primera C final

Total Soccer - Ciamen FC 2-0 (0-0)

Tapias 86', Berrio 90'+4'.

Sunday, 3 December 2023, 3 pm local time (8 pm UTC), Los Bucaros Stadium, Barbosa, Antioquia, Colombia, first leg of the Colombian Primera C final.

Total Soccer (in blue shirts) and Ciamen FC (in white shirts) offered a nice show in the first leg of the final. Photo: Carlos Humberto Ortega Rueda 

The first leg of the Colombian Primera C was played in Antioquia, and theoretically Total Soccer played on home ground. Nevertheless, none of their usual home grounds was used - neither Marte 1 in Medellín, nor María Auxiliadora in La Ceja. The selection of Los Bucaros Stadium in Barbosa is therefore a bit strange.

Nevertheless, Total Soccer had a good game and dominated quite clearly from start to end, but they had real problems in opening up the Ciamen defence. The visitors came with a defensive strategy, which was well applied, up to the last minutes, when their fortress collapsed. Even more, Ciamen launched some very fast counterattacks, and were not far from taking the lead, when the score was still 0-0. The two goalkeepers, Fierro (Total Soccer) and Mena (Ciamen), were among the heroes of the game.

It was after an excellent save made by Mena that a corner was awarded for Total Soccer and the first goal was eventually scored. The corner was very well executed from the left side, and Davinson Tapias escaped from marking and headed the ball from short range: 1-0 (86').

Ciamen quickly changed their attitude and tried to find an equalizer, but opened up large spaces in their defence, which gave Total Soccer the chance of a deadly counterattack, which ended with a header from Gutiérrez and Cristian Berrio was in the right place at the right time to tap the ball in: 2-0 (90'+4').

It was the last action of a disputed game. The referee blew the final whistle immediately after the game resumed from the centre.

The second (decisive) leg will be played tomorrow, Saturday, 9 December, at Vallesther Stadium in Cúcuta, the home ground of Ciamen FC, kick-off at 2 pm local time (7 pm UTC).

Total Soccer of Medellín and Ciamen FC of Cúcuta will play the 2023 final of the Colombian Primera C

The two big favorites, Total Soccer and Ciamen, qualified to the 2023 final of the Colombian Primera C after the second leg of the semifinals, played on Saturday, 25 November 2023. After a very conclusive win in the first leg played in Medellín, 6-1, Total Soccer lost 2-0 to Atlético Aracataca in the second leg, played in Aracataca (Magdalena Department), but qualified to the final with the aggregate score of 6-3. Unusually, the match was not broadcasted, a fact which raises some questions. The only information which came out so far, except for the final score, is that the match was interrupted for some time in the second half because of a very strong rain. The game resumed but the conditions were not exactly proper due to the high amounts of water remaining on the field. For Total Soccer, this is their second participation in the competition and also the second time they reach the final. They won the 2022 final over Equipo Azul, so they are looking forward to defending their title.

Total Soccer starting line-up in the first leg of the semifinal against Atlético Aracataca. Photo source: LAF

Ciamen FC had a more difficult game at home (in Cúcuta) against Ilusión Naranja but they eventually won 3-2. Given that the result of the first leg was 2-2, Ciamen qualified with an aggregate score of 5-4. Because they achieved a higher number of points in the semifinals (4 points, a win and a draw) compared to Total Soccer (3 points), Ciamen will have the chance of playing the second (decisive) leg of the final at home.

Therefore, the first leg of the final will be played next week-end, on 2 or 3 December, in Medellín, most likely at Marte 1 Stadium within the Atanasio Girardot Sports Complex, while the second leg will be played in Cúcuta, on Vallesther football field, either on 9 or 10 December 2023.

Total Soccer, very close to another final of the Colombian Primera C

Total Soccer - Atlético Aracataca 6-1 (4-0)

Jarol Mosquera 6', 42', Herrera 15', 90'+2', Parra 34', Fierro 60' penalty - Acosta 53'.

Sunday, 19 November 2023, 2 pm local time (7 pm UTC), Atanasio Girardot Sports Complex, Marte 1 Stadium, Medellín, Colombia, Colombian Primera C, semifinal, 1st leg.

Total Soccer took a very serious option to qualify to yet another final of the Colombian Primera C, and to win back to back titles in this competition, the highest available for amateur teams in Colombia. Unfortunately, there is no promotion to Primera B, otherwise the stakes would have been even higher.

After a rather tight match in the quarter-finals against Ilusión Naranja, which Total Soccer ended up winning only at penalty shoot-outs, the semifinal match against Atlético Aracataca was very well prepared, especially taking into account that the second leg (the decisive match) will be played away, in Aracataca (Department of Magdalena).

Total Soccer dominated from start to finish, and especially in the first half one noticed a big difference between the two teams, which materialized on the score sheet as well. After less than six minutes, Jhon Arboleda found a beautiful filtering pass, which left Jarol Mosquera all alone with the goalkeeper, and a lob solved the first goal: 1-0 (6').

Yojan Parra had a great run on the right side, and passed to Juan José Herrera in front of the goal to make it 2-0 from short range (15'). Jhon Arboleda assisted Yojan Parra in the box, and Parra's shot went to the far post: 3-0 (34'). A counterattack led by Herrera was interrupted by a defender, who wanted to move the ball away, but instead assisted Jarol Mosquera, whose shot went in once again: 4-0 (42').

Jarol Mosquera (right) and Juan José Herrera (#10, left) celebrating the fourth goal. Photo source: capture from the Facebook video broadcast of the game by LAF

The visitors left a very poor impression in the first half, and the overall feeling was that Total Soccer can score as many goals as they want. Nevertheless, things changed a little bit in the second half. Atlético Aracataca, with a few changes in the line-up, played more offensively, while Total Soccer looked content with the result, and changed tactics, into a game of preserving the advantage.

This did not pay off, since the visitors were able to score very soon, by means of Didier Acosta, after a strong individual action, in which he dribbled almost everyone who was in his way, before placing the ball near the left corner: 4-1 (53').

Total Soccer sensed danger in this, and returned to a more offensive mood. A free kick was executed by Danilo Morón, goalkeeper Mengual saved, but there was a fight over possession of the ball inside the box, which ended up with the Total Soccer player falling to the ground. The assistant referee signalled to the referee that it was a foul and a penalty was awarded. The other goalkeeper, William Fierro, converted: 5-1 (60').

Total Soccer made many substitutions, the visitors tried to score other goals, but the the home side had the biggest opportunities. In stoppage time, after a beautiful counterattack led by Danilo Morón, Juan José Herrera scored with a great shot from inside the box to the upper right corner: 6-1 (90'+2').

Total Soccer: Fierro - Jaaziel Mosquera (Taborda 88'), Montes, Gutiérrez, Avendaño, García (Tapias 70'), Arboleda (Hernández 65'), Parra (Berrio 70'), Morón, Herrera, Jarol Mosquera (Córdoba 65'). Manager: Juan Gabriel Sepúlveda.

Atlético Aracataca: Mengual - Moguea, Parra, Granados, Zúñiga, Bustillo (Blanco 37'), Vargas (Arévalo 25'), Angulo (Rivera 46'), Villa (Escorcia 36'), Acosta, Vidal.

Referee: Bryan Salazar.

Yellow cards: Jarol Mosquera 54', Montes 90' - Vargas 26', Zúñiga 33', Granados 57', Moguea 89'.

On Saturday, 25 November, the second leg will be played on Chelo Castro Municipal Stadium in Aracataca. Total Soccer are big favorites to qualify once again in the Primera C final.

Total Soccer took a serious option to qualify to the sixth stage of the Colombian Primera C

Total Soccer - Galácticos de Santa Lucía FC 4-1 (2-1)

Betancur 14', Córdoba 22', 90'+3', C. Hernández 81' - Orozco 38'.

Saturday, 14 October 2023, 2 pm local time (7 pm UTC), Marte 1 Stadium, Medellín, Colombia, 5th stage of Colombian Primera C, 1st leg.

Total Soccer are the defending champions of the Colombian Primera C. Photo source: Cápsulas de Carreño

Total Soccer, the defending champions of Primera C, advanced without problems to the fifth stage of the competition, after winning their group in the first stage, and then knocking-out Bogotá City in the second stage by 14-1 (!!) on aggregate (3-0 away and 11-1 at home), Tigres in the third stage by 9-2 on aggregate (4-2 away and 5-0 at home), and Real Barrancabermeja in the fourth stage by 5-3 on aggregate (winning 3-0 away, then surprisingly losing 3-2 at home). It was this last game against Real Barrancameja which left them without a perfect record so far and, in practice, made them play the first leg of the fifth stage at home, which is considered a disadvantage, given that the second leg is the decisive one, and they will have to play it away at Suán, on the home ground of Galácticos de Santa Lucía.

Therefore, it was vital for Total Soccer not just to win the first leg, but also to have such a score in their favour as to have the least problems in the away game the next week.

In the first half, both teams played openly, with attacks succeeding one after the other at both ends of the field. Total Soccer had however more chances and scored twice. First, after Santa Lucía missed an important chance, they triggered a counterattack, launched by Juan José Herrera on the left, which finished with Davinson Tapías crossing in front of the goal for Mateo Betancur to tap it in from short range: 1-0 (14').

The lesson was not learned by the visitors, who were caught again a few minutes later. The same Juan José Herrera gave a vertical pass in the centre, leaving both Danilo Morón and Degwin Córdoba all alone with the opponent goalkeeper, because the other defenders misjudged and came out wrongly to caught the forwards offside (which was not the case). Morón assisted Córdoba, who scored in an empty net: 2-0 (22').

At 2-0, Total Soccer relaxed a bit, and gave the visitors the opportunity to reply. The response came eventually, with Ignacio Almanza assisting Juan Carlos Orozco after a swift attack: 2-1 (38').

The score definitely was not the one that Total Soccer wished for, so they launched a total offensive assault in the second half, which was very similar to a handball game, played with a single goal (the Santa Lucía one). Unlike the first half, the visitors took a defensive mood and blocked all ways of access, hoping not to receive any other goals. They rarely launched counterattacks, but in one of those counterattacks, they missed an important oportunity to equalize.

In contrast, the number of chances missed by Total Soccer could be counted by the minute. Every minute brought a chance, but the players' shots either went wide or straight into the arms of the goalkeeper Javier Coronell.

The third goal came late in the game, and it was sub Cristian Hernández who found a beautiful shot to hit the target at the far post: 3-1 (81'). The game did not change after this, and Total Soccer mounted an even higher pressure in the final minutes, succeeding another goal by means of their striker, Degwin Córdoba, right before the final whistle: 4-1 (90'+3').

Total Soccer: Fierro - Mosquera (Avendaño 58'), Montes, Gutiérrez, Tapias, Arboleda (C. Hernández 58'), Parra (Ruiz 63'), Herrera, Betancur (M. Hernández 35'), Morón, Córdoba. Manager: Juan Gabriel Sepúlveda.

Santa Lucía: Coronell - J. Almanza, Riquet (R. Gómez 28'), Pren (de León 90'), J. Gómez (Rojano 77'), Carreño (Pérez 67'), Viloria, J. Polo, I. Almanza, Barboza, Orozco (H. Polo 86').

Referee: Wenderman Montoya.

Yellow cards: Parra 32', Gutiérrez 52', Montes 56' - Pérez 79'.

The second leg will be played in Suán (Átlantico Department) on Sunday, 22 October.

Total Soccer won clearly over Bogotá City in the first leg of the second stage

Bogotá City - Total Soccer 0-3 (0-2)

Fierro 3' penalty, Herrera 41', 90'.

Sunday, 3 September 2023, 2:30 pm local time (7:30 pm UTC), Fundación Deportiva Federico Valencia Stadium, Bogotá, Colombia, 2nd stage of the Colombian Primera C, first leg.

Total Soccer clearly won the first leg of their double encounter against Bogotá City, 3-0, and the second leg in La Ceja (Antioquia) looks rather a formality, so they are almost qualified. The match started very well for the visitors, who were awarded a penalty in their offensive action. Goalkeeper William Fierro converted the penalty, as usual: 0-1 (3').

Then, the home side tried to equalize, but the match was well controlled by Total Soccer, which eventually doubled their advantage right before the break. A good shot was initially saved by Bogotá City goalkeeper, but Juan José Herrera was there to tap it in: 0-2 (41').

Total Soccer (in blue shirts) dominated the game. Photo source: capture from the video broadcasting of the game on Bogota City FC Facebook page

In the second half, the visitors had many chances to increase their advantage, while the home side also tried to score, but did not manage well their attacks. Total Soccer looked very strong in the field, and they established the final score in one of the last actions of the game, when the same Juan José Herrera found the way to the net: 0-3 (90').

Bogotá City: Merchan - Páez, Méndez, Bustos, Díaz, Calvo (Vega 67'), Coronado, Palacios, J. Rojas (Robles 87'), D. Rojas (Pinzón 46'), Sierra.

Total Soccer: Fierro - Ruiz (Montes 46'), Betancur (Tapias 46'), Taborda, Jar. Mosquera, Arboleda (Jaa. Mosquera 59'), Gutiérrez (Hernández 69'), Londoño (Berrio 59'), Parra, Morón, Herrera. Manager: Gabriel Sepúlveda.

Referee: Larry Cerchar.

Yellow cards: Díaz 36' - Parra 6', Tapias 57', Gutiérrez 68'.

The match was broadcasted live on Bogotá City FC Facebook page, but the quality of the broadcasting was unfortunately low. The second leg will be played on Maria Auxiliadora Stadium in La Ceja this Sunday afternoon, 10 September 2023. The winners will probably play against Tigres, which also won their first leg, 2-1 away at Atlético Real Paz. So, if there are no surprises in the second leg, Total Soccer will travel to Bogotá once again for the third stage match against Tigres.

Total Soccer finished on top of Group A and will face Bogotá City in the second round of the Colombian Primera C

Total Soccer, the 2022 champions of the Colombian Primera C, are so far doing a great job in defending their title, winning Group A, which included 10 teams from Antioquia. In the last round, played on 26 August 2023, at Tulio Ospina Stadium in Bello, Total Soccer won 4-0 (1-0) over hosts Deportivo Bello, goals scored by Jhon Arboleda (19'), Santiago Londoño (56'), Maicol Hernández (66') and Jarol Mosquera (77').

 Total Soccer, 2022 Primera C champions. Photo source: Colombian Football Federation.

In the final table of Group A, Total Soccer finished with the same number of points (38) as the second classified, Soccer Law, but they have a better goal difference (+34 compared to +15). In third and fourth place, also very close, Itagüí Soccer and Panteras FC have both 36 points, also ranked by goal difference. These four teams qualified for the second stage of the competition, which will start this week-end. From now on, the competition will have a knock-out format.

In the second round, Total Soccer will face Bogotá City, fourth place in Group L. The first leg will be played tomorrow, 3 September 2023, in Bogotá, kick-off at 2 pm local time (7 pm UTC). The second leg will be played in Medellín, a week later. The winners on aggregate of this match will face the winners between Atlético Real Paz and Tigres C in the third round.

The best of 2022

The year 2022 was a successful one for most of the teams we are dealing with. Bourj FC, Cusco FC and especially Total Soccer achieved very good results, Fayoum SC classified mid-table as usual, while 1. FK Svidník miraculously remained in the Third Division. At the opposite end, OFK Tryavna was suspended by the Bulgarian Football Union, and a phoenix club, FK Tryavna 1922, emerged in summer to take its place in Gabrovo Regional League. Pepiniere FC and Maaraba SC saw no action this year.

The only team that played in the top league of their country, Bourj FC, succeeded to classify third in the 2021-2022 Lebanese League, which equals their best result ever. The 2022-2023 season started very well, with a winning streak, but results got poorer towards the end of the year, and they finished only fifth in the final table of the regular season. However, Bourj FC qualified for the championship play-offs to be played in 2023, and the gaps are very small, so they might be able to achieve a good performance in 2022-2023 as well.

Cusco FC were relegated to the Peruvian Second Division in the beginning of 2022, as a consequence of a CAS decision. This was their first season in the Second Division ever, after 10 years in the top flight. They promoted to the Peruvian First Division in 2011 by winning Copa Peru. In the Second Division, Cusco FC dominated clearly the competition, winning both tournaments, Apertura and Clausura, and promoted back to the First Division without the need for a play-off.

Fayoum SC had a regular 2021-2022 season in the Egyptian Second Division, with the usual change of managers. There was some stress regarding relegation, but the team eventually finished in a comfortable ninth position. The 2022-2023 is however different, as they have to classify among the top five (or six) to get a place in the future Second Division A. The start of the season was rather poor and they are classified only in 13th place after 12 rounds (almost half of the season), with slim chances to get to the needed upper places in the table. Not impossible though.

The best performance of the year 2022 came from Total Soccer, which participated for the first time in the Colombian Primera C, the third tier in Colombia, and the highest league available for amateur teams. They succeeded to win the competition (which involved hundreds of teams), after some dramatic matches in the knock-out rounds.

1. FK Svidník had a very good second half of the 2021-2022 season, but only classified 11th, which seemed not enough to participate in the new format of the Slovakian Third League. However, they were eventually allowed to participate. They are now struggling to survive in this new league, with a lot of stronger teams than before.

OFK Tryavna were suspended by the Bulgarian Football Union in March 2022, when they were leaders of the Gabrovo Regional League and were heading towards promotion to the Bulgarian Third League. The decision came as a big surprise, as many other clubs were suspended too, for participating in an allegedly illegal meeting organized by Dimitar Berbatov, the opposition candidate to the presidency of the Bulgarian Football Union. The club had to reorganize, and a phoenix club was born in summer 2022, named FK Tryavna 1922, which enrolled in the 2022-2023 Gabrovo Regional League. They are now leaders in the league after half season, and are looking forward to promotion in the Third League.

Pepiniere FC did not enrol in any competition in 2022. There were talks to change their name into Kamonyi FC and to become a team supported by Kamonyi regional government, and to enrol in the 2022-2023 Rwandan Second Division as such. However, nothing came out of it, as the 2022-2023 Rwandan Second Division started without either Pepiniere FC or Kamonyi FC.

The same holds true for Maaraba SC, whose football team was inactive in 2022.

Best team

Total Soccer

 

Best performance

Total Soccer - Equipo Azul 2-1 (second leg of the Colombian Primera C final)

Best manager

Pablo Peirano (Cusco FC)

Best player

Khaled Takaji (Bourj FC)

Total Soccer are champions of the Colombian Primera C, won at penalties over Equipo Azul

Total Soccer - Equipo Azul 2-1 (0-0)

J. Córdoba 83', Fierro 90'+6' - Jiménez 69'.

In the first leg: 1-2. On aggregate: 3-3. Total Soccer won 5-4 at penalty shoot-outs. J. Córdoba, García, Morón, Fierro and Gutiérrez scored for Total Soccer, while Aragón, Carranza, Estrada and Pérez scored for Equipo Azul; Venecia missed the only penalty in the series, as the fourth one to execute for Equipo Azul.

Saturday, 10 December 2022, 2 pm local time (7 pm UTC), Marte #1 Stadium, Unidad Deportiva Atanasio Girardot, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia, 2nd leg of the Colombian Primera C final.

 Total Soccer, champions of the 2022 Colombian Primera C. Photo source: capsulas.com.co

Total Soccer made history by becoming champions of the Colombian Primera C, at their first ever participation in this competition, the highest level possible in Colombian amateur football.

The match was dramatic and had a similar development to the one played a week ago, in the first leg, in Valledupar, the home of Equipo Azul. In the first leg, Total Soccer scored first, but Equipo Azul turned the game in their favour and eventually won 2-1. However, all goals were scored in the first half, in contrast to what happened in Medellín, where all goals were scored in the second half. 

Total Soccer starting line-up. Photo source: capsulas.com.co

Equipo Azul starting line-up. Photo source: capsulas.com.co

This time, Equipo Azul scored first, by means of Jiménez, with a spectacular very long-range shot which surprised the goalkeeper William Fierro: 0-1 (69'). However, Total Soccer risked everything in the final minutes and succeeded to come back in the game, equalizing by Córdoba, whose shot from inside the box went in after a cross: 1-1 (83'). Then Total Soccer scored the winning goal in the last minute of stoppage time, when goalkeeper William Fierro transformed a penalty for Total Soccer: 2-1 (90'+6').

Given that the aggregate score was 3-3, penalty shoot-outs had to be executed to decide the winner of the competition. Total Soccer players transformed all five penalties, while Equipo Azul missed one, and therefore Total Soccer won 5-4 at penalties and were crowned champions of the Colombian Primera C.

It is also interesting to note that the title remains in Antioquia, as last year (2021) champions, Filipenses of Turbo (now Turbo FC), are also from the Department of Antioquia.

Total Soccer: Fierro - J. Avendaño, Gutiérrez, Sepúlveda, J. D. Mosquera - Arboleda (S. Avendaño 73'), J. García - Morón, J. Herrera, J. E. Mosquera (D. Córdoba 82') - J. Martínez (J. Córdoba 47'). Manager: Juan Gabriel Sepúlveda.

Equipo Azul: Murcia - Venecia, Calderón, Aragón, Carranza - Osorio, Padilla, O. Pérez - Ucros (Orozco 86'), Arrieta (Estrada 79'), Jiménez (G. Córdoba 75'). Manager: Ildefonso Pitre.

Referee: Juan Camilo Mejía.

This is the first trophy won by Total Soccer, after they were close to win the Antioquia Football League - Primera A in 2021, finishing then as runners-up.

Unfortunately, the winners of the Colombian Primera C do not have the right to promote to the professional Primera B, at least as yet. Discussions between DIMAYOR (responsible for professional football in Colombia) and DIFUTBOL (responsible for amateur football in Colombia) reached no conclusions so far, and the professional and amateur competitions are still completely separated at senior levels, while the Colombian Football Federation seems not to be able to moderate a positive change in this respect.

Apart from honour and glory, Total Soccer also received quite an impressive amount of money for their performance, which will at least compensate for the costs of travelling the entire country in the knock-out rounds of the competition.

Total Soccer to face Equipo Azul in the Colombian Primera C final

Total Soccer - Unión Pacífico Sur 3-0 (1-0)

Gutiérrez 8', Morón 57', J. J. Herrera 90'+1'

In the first leg: 0-0. Total Soccer won 3-0 on aggregate and qualified to the Primera C final.

Saturday, 26 November 2022, 8 am local time (1 pm UTC), Marte #1 Stadium, Unidad Deportiva Atanasio Girardot, Medellín, Colombia, 2nd leg of the Colombian Primera C semifinals.

 

Total Soccer starting line-up, with manager Juan Gabriel Sepúlveda. Photo source: capsulas.com.co

Unión Pacífico Sur starting line-up. Photo source: capsulas.com.co

 

In the first leg, played in Tumaco (the home town of Unión Pacífico Sur), on a very difficult ground, where there was more sand than grass, the two teams drew 0-0, which gave a small advantage to Total Soccer, as they played the second leg on their own ground in Medellín.

Total Soccer did not lose a single game in the knock-out stages of the Colombian Primera C, and therefore they were favourites to qualify to the final. Indeed, after the first minutes, they already took the lead after a corner: Arboleda crossed perfectly for Gutiérrez to head in from close range: 1-0 (8').

After the goal, the visitors tried to equalize and attacked most of the time, but Total Soccer proved to be very strong defensively, and launched dangerous breaks. Goalkeeper William Fierro had a number of incredible saves, which gave more confidence to Total Soccer, a team which actually did not concede a goal in their last four games.

Most of the emotions vanished in the second half. Joan Andrés Córdoba entered the game as a replacement in 48', and immediately after he was close to score a second goal. Morón also missed a good opportunity a few minutes later, but the two combined for the second goal, as Córdoba assisted Morón, whose shot went to the far post: 2-0 (57').

The visitors continued to attack, but rarely reached the opposite goal dangerously. Their biggest chance in the second half came rather late, when a free kick executed by Rosero was saved in a spectacular fashion by William Fierro (81').

Every attack or counterattack of Total Soccer provoked panic in the defensive lines of Unión Pacífico Sur. The third goal came in stoppage time, as Morón, Córdoba and Juan José Herrera passed to each other in a sort of tiki-taka which dismissed the defenders and the goalkeeper, eventually leaving Herrera alone with an empty net in front of him: 3-0 (90'+1').

The three goalscorers (left to right): Juan José Herrera, Danilo Morón and Juan Felipe Gutiérrez. Photo source: capsulas.com.co

 

Total Soccer: Fierro - J. Avendaño, Gutiérrez, Montes, Tapias (Ja. Mosquera 77') - Arboleda, J. García, S. Avendaño (J. Córdoba 48') - Morón, J. Martínez (Londoño 65'), J.J. Herrera. Manager: Juan Gabriel Sepúlveda.

UPS: Salcedo - Ó. Valencia, Vernasa, Vergara, Sevillano (Preciado 71'), B. Quiñones, Campaz (Ocampo 53'), Rosero, Ó. Quiñones, C. Quiñones (Estupiñán 20'), Vivas. Manager: Carlos Andrés Estacio.

Referee: Juan Camilo Mejía.

In the Colombian Primera C final, Total Soccer will face Equipo Azul of Valledupar, which won 3-2 on aggregate (2-1 and 1-1) agasint Cortuluá B, the second team of the professional club Cortuluá. The first leg will be played the next week in Valledupar, while the decisive second leg will be played in Medellín in two weeks from now.

Total Soccer won both legs over Águilas Bacatá and qualified to the semifinals of the Colombian Primera C

Total Soccer - Águilas Bacatá 2-0 (2-0)

Fierro 28' penalty, J. García 45'+1'.

Total Soccer also won the first leg 1-0 and qualified with an aggregate score of 3-0.

Sunday, 13 November 2022, 4 pm local time (9 pm UTC), Marte #1 Stadium, Unidad Deportiva Atanasio Girardot, Medellín, Colombia, 6th stage of the Colombian Primera C (quarter-finals), 2nd leg.

A week ago, Total Soccer had won the first leg in Cota (near Bogotá) 1-0 after a great match and they were indeed big favourites to win the second leg as well, on their own ground.

Total Soccer starting line-up in the match against Águilas Bacatá. Photo source: capsulas.com.co

However, the visitors started the match in a very offensive manner, hoping to reverse the result in their favour. Total Soccer applied their usual tactics, trying to calm down the game and to maintain overall control, defending thoroughly and making use of swift counterattacks.

Águilas Bacatá starting line-up against Total Soccer. Photo source: capsulas.com.co

In one of such counterattacks, Jhonatan García launched Jonatan Martínez in the opposite box, and one of the defenders impeded the striker to play the ball (27'). The referee awarded a penalty, and the goalkeeper William Fierro scored: 1-0 (28').

The goal affected Águilas Bacatá, as they ceased to attack with the same intensity, while Total Soccer, on the contrary, seemed relieved and played much better. However, the biggest goal opportunity belonged to the visitors, as Lara tried a fancy finish (using a rabona) instead of a simple shot from close range (40').

Instead of an equalizer, the home side doubled their advantage at the end of the first half. Jhonatan García took advantage of the existing space in the opposite defence, broke through the lines, combined (one-two) with striker Jonatan Martínez, and placed a shot to the left of the goalkeeper while entering the box: 2-0 (45'+1').

In the second half, Total Soccer approached the game rather conservatively, trying to preserve their advantage. Águilas Bacatá had most of the ball possession, but did not know how to penetrate the opposite defensive lines. Only towards the end of the game, they tried some long range-shots on target (80', 90'), but Kevin Martínez saved in both occasions. On the other hand, Total Soccer had numerous chances to make it 3-0 on counterattack, but missed.

Total Soccer: Fierro (K. Martínez 56') - J. Mosquera, Gutiérrez, Montes, J. Avendaño - J. García (Ulloa 47'), Arboleda - E. Córdoba, J. J. Herrera (C. Herrera 60'), Londoño - J. Martínez. Manager: Juan Gabriel Sepúlveda.

Águilas Bacatá: Arévalo - Algarra, Mejía, G. Hernández, Forero - Romero (Perdomo 66'), Cuadros, Monroy (S. López 46') - Lara, Rincón (A. Córdoba 46'), Fonseca. Manager: Álvaro Hernán Díaz.

Referee: Cristian Serna.

In the semifinals, Total Soccer will face Unión Pacífico Sur, the runners-up of the 2021 Colombian Primera C. The first leg will be played in Tumaco, department of Nariño, on the stadium of Unión Pacífico Sur, on Sunday, 20 November 2022, at 2 pm local time. The second leg will be played in Medellín, a week later.

In the other semifinal, Equipo Azul (of Valledupar) will face Cortuluá B (the second team of the professional side Cortuluá). 

Total Soccer reaches the sixth stage (last 6) of the Colombian Primera C

Escape con el Deporte Puerto Tejada - Total Soccer 1-0 (1-0)

Steven Ortiz 16'

Total Soccer won the first stage 3-0 and therefore qualified for the sixth stage, 3-1 on aggregate.

Sunday, 30 October 2022, 2:30 pm local time (7:30 UTC), Pedro Antonio Zape Stadium, Puerto Tejada, Department of Cauca, Colombia, fifth stage of the Colombian Primera C, 2nd leg.

From the very beginning, Escape con el Deporte Puerto Tejada attacked almost continuously as they attempted a "remontada", being 3-0 down away in Medellín. They were quite successful at first, as they scored quite early: Steven Ortiz had a great shot from the edge of the box, right in the upper right corner: 1-0 (16').

However, immediately after the goal, the host side took an unexpected break from their offensive, which gave the visitors the chance to relax in the defense, and even to have a go, but Martínez hit the post (21').

Aware that an equalizer would have meant almost the end of the tournament for them, Puerto Tejada resumed their offensive mood, but they had few goal chances before the half-time break.

In the second half, the match looked very much the same, with Puerto Tejada mostly in attack, while Total Soccer concentrated almost exclusively on the defensive. The host side found little space to get through a crowded defense. In one of their attempts, Puerto Tejada players claimed a penalty, but the referee did not award it (58'). Wild protests sparked in the audience, objects were thrown in the field, and the game had to be stopped for a couple of minutes to restore order.

Total Soccer had another chance to equalize, when Puerto Tejada goalkeeper Camayo came out but missed the ball. One of Total Soccer strikers almost succeeded to push the ball in, but one of the Puerto Tejada defenders was able to deny the goal, clearing the ball right in front of the goal line.

Escape con el Deporte Puerto Tejada had several opportunities to increase their advantage, but William Fierro, Total Soccer goalkeeper, made wonders, saving everything. In the last minute of regular play, a penalty was eventually awarded for Escape con el Deporte Puerto Tejada. However, William Fierro also saved the penalty (90'+1') and nothing else happened in the remaining minutes of stoppage time.

Total Soccer qualifies to the sixth stage (quarter-finals) of the Colombian Primera C, and will face Águilas Bacatá of Bogotá, which qualified after winning at penalty shoot-outs against Manizales FC. The first leg will be played in Bogotá in the next week-end.

Fixtures of the sixth stage (first leg):

Oros del Pacífico - Cortuluá B

Águilas Bacatá - Total Soccer

Equipo Azul - Unión Pacífico Sur

The second leg will be played in the following week-end.

The three winners and the best loser will qualify for the semifinals. Total Soccer remained the only Antioquia team in the competition.

Conclusive win for Total Soccer, one step closer to the sixth stage of the Colombian Primera C

Total Soccer - Escape con el Deporte Puerto Tejada FC 3-0 (1-0)

Juan José Herrera 2', 90'+ 1', Jarol Mosquera 86'.

Saturday, 22 October 2022, 12 noon local time (5 pm UTC), Marte #1 Stadium, Medellín, Colombia, fifth stage of the Colombian Primera C (last 12), 1st leg.

Total Soccer starting line-up against Puerto Tejada FC. Photo source: capsulas.com.co

On a beautiful day, Total Soccer took the chance of becoming favorites to qualify to the sixth stage of the Colombian Primera C by smashing Puerto Tejada FC on Marte #1 ground, 3-0. However, the goals were scored right at the beginning and at the end of the game, leaving about 84 minutes without scoring in between, when the match could have gone anywhere.

The referees and the two team captains before the start of the game. Photo source: capsulas.com.co

The game jas just started when Total Soccer took an early lead. An action on the left side led the ball to Danilo Morón in the box, he turned it back to the center of the box to unmarked Juan José Herrera, who sent it home: 1-0 (2').

Total Soccer controlled most of the game and had many opportunities to double their difference, while the visitors struggled hard to get to the opposite goal, especially in the first half. Juan José Herrera's shot went slightly wide (10'), then Jonatan Martínez and Danilo Morón escaped all alone with goalkeeper Juan Esteban Camayo, but Martínez preferred a shot (which hit the side post) instead of a combination (18'). Another action triggered by a decisive pass from Herrera to Jaaziel Mosquera saw the ball almost in the net, but Julián Celorio saved from the goal line with the price of an injury which set him out of play (35').

In the second half, the visitors tried more to come back in the game, and even had some periods when they dominated the midfield, launching dangerous offensive actions. Still, the biggest chances belonged to Total Soccer, especially at the beginning and the end of the second half. Danilo Morón's shot from the edge of the bix hit the crossbar (54'), and goalkeeper Camayo had numerous crucial saves in front of Total Soccer strikers.

Nevertheless, in the middle of the second half, Puerto Tejada FC had an excellent chance to equalize. Newly-introduced Marlon Palta entered the box all alone with the goalkeeper William Fierro, but his shot went wide, also because Juan Felipe Gutiérrez made all the possible attempts to stop Palta from the back, quite risky given that the action was inside the box (68').

While the visitors clearly stepped forward in search of an equalizer, they also left wider spaces in their defense, rendering them more vulnerable to Total Soccer fastbreaks. After such a counterattack, Juan José Herrera was fouled right on the edge of the box. While the wall was not properly arranged, Jarol Mosquera still managed to find a gap in the wall to transform the free kick, finally providing a safer advantage for Total Soccer: 2-0 (86').

In the remaining minutes, the visitors seemed to have collapsed both physically and morally, and Total Soccer attacked almost continuously. Goalkeeper Camayo saved a few shots, but after two consecutive shots from inside the box, eventually Juan José Herrera succeeded to push the ball into the net: 3-0 (90'+1').

 Jarol Mosquera (left) and Juan José Herrera scored the goals for Total Soccer. Photo source: capsulas.com.co

Total Soccer: Fierro - Jarol Mosquera, Montes, Gutiérrez, Tapias - Jaaziel Mosquera (Londoño 72'), J. García, J. Arboleda (Avendaño 79'), Morón - Herrera - J. Martínez (Parra 57'). Manager: Juan Gabriel Sepúlveda.

Escape con el Deporte Puerto Tejada: Camayo - Celorio (Ortiz 36'), Jaramillo (Palacios 12'), Gómez, Tenorio, Zape, Moreno, D. Arboleda (Palta 65'), Ambuila, Ramos, Mojica. Manager: Carlos Mario Lasprilla.

Referee: Óscar Castaño.

Escape con el Deporte Puerto Tejada FC starting line-up against Total Soccer. Photo source: capsulas.com.co

The second (return) leg will be played this week-end in Puerto Tejada, Cáuca Department. Total Soccer are big favourites to qualify to the sixth stage (last 6) of the Colombian Primera C, given the advantage they have from the first leg. However, it may be a different story on a natural grass ground, and the Puerto Tejada team showed some strengths in building-up powerful and dangerous attacks, which is quite sure they will do throughout the game on their home ground, in trying to cancel Total Soccer's advantage from the first leg.