Leader and 100%. In a team test game, the Athletico easily won the Zuliano Ray 5-1, this Wednesday (8), at the Brígido Iriarte National Stadium, in Caracas, Venezuela, in the fourth round of Group E of the South American Championship.
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Furacão scored with Esquivel and Mastriani twice in the first half. Ochoa scored a discount in the second half, but Di Yorio and Felipinho extended the count. With the goals, Rubro-Negro has the best campaign and the best attack so far in the competition.
- Athletico remains in the lead and 100% in Group E, now 12 points. The team can qualify 1st in advance in the next round with a draw.
- The Sul-Americana’s next opponent will be Danubio next Wednesday (15), at 7pm, at the Ligga Arena, for the fifth round.
Coach Cuca rested several starters and placed a heavily modified team on the field. Fernando and Esquivel, for example, did a double on the left side. The Argentine even took advantage of the most advanced position and opened the scoring in the 21st minute after Cuello’s throw.
The goal opened the gate for Rayo Zuliano. Mastriani, who was the team captain, scored two more in the first half, at 33′ and 37′, without any major difficulties. Cuca then took the opportunity to test more names in the final stage, such as Romeo Benítez, João Cruz and Di Yorio.
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Athletico continued to control the match, but had moments of defensive instability, due to the formation’s lack of rhythm. The Venezuelan team took advantage of a mistake and scored with Ochoa’s header. It was the first goal in the team’s history in continental competitions.
Furacão returned to pressing forward, especially with players looking for space. Young João Cruz suffered a penalty and Di Yorio increased the score with a penalty. In the final stretch, Felipinho took a risk from outside the area and completed the rout.
See Athletico’s goals against Rayo Zuliano
Check out the images of Rayo Zuliano x Athletico
Credits: Conmebeol/Sudamericana
DATASHEET
South American 2024
Group E – 4th round – 5/8/2024
Rayo Zuliano 1 x 5 Athletico
Zuliano Ray: Hall; Angel Farias, Hermes Rodríguez, Penilla and Albert Barboza (Bello); Andrusw Araujo, Montiel (Velez), Edwin Castro (Quintero) and Heiderber Ramírez; Saimon Ramírez (Ochoa) and Colina.
Technician: Elvis Martinez.
Athletico: Leo Linck; Madson, Marcos André, Felipinho and Fernando (Leo Godoy); Christian, Alex Santana and Zapelli (João Cruz); Cuello (Julimar), Esquivel (Romeo Benítez) and Mastriani (Di Yorio).
Technician: Cuca.
Local: Brígido Iriarte National Stadium, in Caracas, Venezuela
Goals: Esquivel, 21′, Mastriani, 33′ and 37′, from 1st Q, Di Yorio, 28′, and Felipinho, 36′, from 2nd Q (CAP); Ochoa, 17′, from 2nd Q (RAY).
Yellow cards: Araujo (RAY); Fernando (CAP).
Referee: Bryan Loayza (Ecuador).
Assistants: Cristian Lescano and David Vacacela (both from Ecuador).
VAR: Jorge Balino (Argentina).
