Once Caldas have won the Colombian Copa Mustang for the third time in
history. Atletico Junior were beaten 3-1 after a 2-1 victory in the
opening leg.
In Barranquilla, Once Caldas delivered yet another solid performance. After 17 minutes, the Manizales outfit took the lead through Alexis Henriquez, who converted a corner kick for 1-0.
Home fans were given new hope when Haider Palacio struck home to level in the 29th minute, but Alex Sinisterra restored Once Caldas’ lead after rounding the opposing goalkeeper just before half time.
And in the 72nd minute, Junior’s verdict appeared to have been signed as Once Caldas scored a third through Dayron Perez, whose shot went in at the left post.
Junior, knowing that they had to score three goals to avoid losing this year’s Copa Mustang 1 final, lacked the strength and motivation to give it a real try, as Once Caldas cruised to their third Colombian championship.
The team from Manizales also won the domestic league and 1950 and more recently in 2003. A year later, they went on to win South America’s most important club tournament, the Copa Libertadores.
Junior remain stuck at five domestic championships.
Once Caldas have proven that finishing eighth in the regular season, can be enough to win the championship. In the second group phase, La Equidad, Deportes Tolima and Boyaca Chico were left behind to reach the final and eventually, take the league crown.