Deportivo Cali have secured a spot in next year’s Copa Sudamericana, thanks to a 2-1 victory over Junior Barranquilla on Sunday.
Calculating teams’ performances over the entire year, and excluding clubs that had already qualified for either the Copa Libertadores or the Copa Sudamericana, it came down to these two sides to battle for the remaining berth.
Herrera put Cali in the lead on 24 minutes and the few home spectators watched as Valdes doubled the advantage six minutes later.
Arzuaga then made it 2-1 in the 39th minute but Cali held on to their lead and will be making an appearance in the continent’s second-most important club tournament in 2009.
In the other group match, Deportivo Pereira beat América de Cali 3-1 to finish second in Group B. Cárdenas, Córdoba and Parodi scored for Pereira and América’s only goal was in fact an an own goal from Cárdenas.
Independiente Medellín, who are to face América in the Copa Mustang II final, lost 4-1 to Deportes Tolima in Group A. Arizala netted a hat-trick for Tolima, who finish as runners-up in this group. Marangoni scored the remaining home hoal while Hidalgo was the only one to do something back for DIM.
La Equidad earned a 1-4 victory at Atlético Nacional, who disappointingly end this phase in fourth and last place. Nacional did take the lead through Renteria but Manga (2), Polo and Carpintero went on to give the Bogotan visitors a comfortable win.