Junior Barranquilla are the new leaders in the 2009 Copa Mustang I,
following a 3-0 win over troubled Nacional. América de Cali and Boyacá
Chicó were held and La Equidad lost to Pasto.
Atlético Nacional remain without points as the Medellín outfit stood no chance at Junior in Barranquilla. Norvey Orozco scored on eight minutes, Haider Palacio added another from the penalty spot in the 45th and Teofilo Gutierrez netted the third with 20 minutes to go.
América de Cali needed only eight minutes for Wilmer Parra to score the opener versus Once Caldas, but the defending champions couldn’t hold on to their lead as Alexander Del Castillo equalised six minutes after the break.
Boyacá Chicó couldn’t maintain a perfect record either, having been held to a 1-1 draw at Envigado. The hosts even took the lead through Rodrigo Saráz in the 40th minute but Juan Nuñez equalised in the 67th to earn the Tunja outfit a hard-fought point.
Junior, América and Chicó all have seven points from three games, although the ‘Sharks’ of Barranquilla have a better goal record.
Santa Fé beat Atlético Huila 3-1 to move into fourth place. Yovanny Arrechea scored in the 2nd and 45th minute to give his side a comfortable lead, and Luis Mosquera made sure to add another on the hour mark. Herly Alcázar got one back on 74 minutes but the hosts held on to their lead.
La Equidad dropped a few spots as they failed to convince against Deportivo Pasto, in Bogotá. Wilson Carpintero did put the home side ahead on 44 minutes but Raúl Villamil levelled in the 61st. Hugo Centurión then made it 2-1 in the 70th minute and Carlos Castillo scored Pasto’s third with two minutes to go.
Deportes Tolima easily defeated Millonarios, which earns them a place among the top eight teams. Dario Bustos allowed fans in Ibagué to celebrate on 34 minutes, and Franco Arizala added more goals in the 43rd and 55th minute for a very comfortable 3-0 lead. Free kick specialist Ruben Bustos converted a set-piece on 79 minutes to make it 3-1.
Cúcuta Deportivo secured three points at Quindío in Armenia. The only goal of the match was scored by Lionard Pajoy in the 53rd minute.
Two more matches are scheduled for Thursday, when Independiente Medellín host Real Cartagena while Deportivo Cali travel to face Pereira.