Once Caldas are back in the top of the Colombian Liga Postobon following a 2-1 win at Junior. Atletico Nacional’s game with Real Cartagena was suspended after a bottle incident.
The round was marred by an incident at Sunday’s game between Atletico Nacional and Real Cartagena, where one of the visiting players was hit in the head by a bottle thrown from the stands. The match was suspended at eight minutes from the end and it remains to be seen whether there will be consequences for Nacional. The score was 1-1 at the time of suspension.
With Nacional’s match incomplete, Once Caldas returned to the top spot of the league thanks to a 2-1 win at Junior in Barranquilla. Felix Micolta scored Once’s opening goal in the 35th minute, and Carlos Carbonero leveled near the hour. Carlos Bacca got a late consolation goal for the hosts.
Envigado jumped to third place, level on points with both Once Caldas and Nacional, following a 2-0 win over former leaders Millonarios. Neider Morantes scored both goals, first in the 16th minute and again from the penalty spot in the 28th.
As a result, Millonarios drop to sixth place and are now only three points ahead of the line that divides the teams that advance to the play-offs from those that don’t.
La Equidad could not bring much success to capital city Bogota either, losing 2-1 in a home game with Deportivo Cali. The guests took the lead as Gonzalo Martinez converted a penalty in the 23rd minute, although Javier Araujo restored the balance in the 57th. Cali had the final say however as Gabriel Fernandez made it 2-1 just after the hour mark.
Deportes Tolima were held to a 1-1 draw at Deportivo Pereira on Saturday, costing them the opportunity to move into joint first place. Wilder Medina put the ‘Pijaos’ ahead twice, but had his goals cancelled out by Carlos Villagra and Francisco Cordoba respectively. Cordoba scored his equaliser in the 90th minute.
Itagui Ditaires remain in the top eight despite a 2-1 defeat at Deportes Quindio, who found the target through Aldair Murillo in the first half and Martin Morales (penalty) in the second. Itagüi’s goal came from Mauricio Gomez, three minutes before the break.
America de Cali are the latest team to enter the top eight following a 2-1 win over Boyaca Chico. The visitors from Tunja were first to score through John Jairo Charria, who converted a spot kick in the 28th minute. But America soon replied as William Zapata leveled four minutes later. In the 75th minute, Ronaille got the winning goal, 2-1.
In other matches this week, Cucuta Deportivo drew 1-1 at Atletico Huila and Santa Fe got a rare 1-0 win over Medellin.
With four more games to go for most teams, Once Caldas, Nacional, Envigado, La Equidad, Tolima, Millonarios, Itagui and America are on course for a spot in the next round.
