Huila jump to top while Once Caldas lose

Atletico Huila are the new leaders in the Colombian Copa Mustang II,
and the only team to have won both of their first two games this
season. Defending champions Once Caldas crashed to a defeat at La
Equidad.

Huila handed Tolima their second consecutive defeat, which leaves the Ibague side at the bottom of the table. The only goal of the match was scored by Ivan Velasquez in the 43rd minute. Six minutes later, Huila had Breiner Belalcazar sent off but Tolima’s Christian Marrugo followed ten minutes later.

Once Caldas had their successful streak come to an end at La Equidad, although Dayron Perez put the Manizales side ahead on 58 minutes. German Caicedo equalized in minute 70 however and Wilson Carpintero’s winner on 88 minutes earned the hosts three valuable points. Both Johan Fano and John Viafara were sent off for Caldas.

Pereira earned a convincing win over Pasto with a first-half goal from Mario Gimenez and second-half goals from Jhon Charria and Victor Cortes. This match wasn’t free of red cards either, with Pasto’s Hugo Centurion sent for an early shower in the 75th minute.

Santa Fe earned their first win of the season with a 4-2 result against Boyaca Chico. Julio Gutierrez was the big man for the hosts, scoring three of its four goals. The other came from Omar Perez. Ever Palacios and Juan Galicia netted for the away team, who also had Jhojan Caicedo and Galicia red-carded.

Atletico Junior returned to winning ways with a 1-0 win over Cucuta Deportivo. The only goal in this match, which also happened to be Sunday’s only game without red cards, was an own goal from Roberto Polo in the seventh minute.

One of the top fixtures of the day, the match between America de Cali and Atletico Nacional, ended in a 2-2 draw leaving the two giants in 14th and 13th place respectively. Gustavo Ramos converted a penalty for America in the 22nd minute but Nacional turned things around through Jair Iglesias and Edwin Cardona. Ramos equalised with eight minutes to go.

Huila lead with six points from two games, followed by Quindio, Millonarios, Cartagena and La Equidad. These teams all have four points.

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