November 14, 2021
These diaries featured
CD Antofagasta in January this year as the delayed 2020 season in Chile was
coming to its conclusion. At that time Antofagasta were contenders for a top four
finish and a place in the COPA Libertadores, but the defeat at Curico Unido
that day plus subsequent results ultimately resulted in a 6th place
finish and qualification instead for the second tier COPA Sudamerica.
Ironically,
Antofagasta’s COPA Sudamerica’s campaign was short-lived as they were drawn
against fellow Chilean side Huachipato, and were eliminated 0-4 on aggregate at
the start of the season.
However, Antofagasta
recovered from that early set-back and have had another decent season, going
into this week’s round of fixtures in 6th place, and whilst a top 3
finish and qualification for the COPA Libertadores looked unlikely being 9
points adrift of third place with just 5 games left to play, they were still in
a strong position for a top 7 finish and a third ever qualification for the COPA
Sudamerica.
Coach Hector Tapia had
been replaced at the conclusion of the 2020 season and his replacement, Juan
Jose Ribera lasted until the end of September, when he left by “mutual consent”
after a 1-3 home defeat at home to Union La Calera saw Antofagasta in 10th
place in the table. Caretaker 29 year old coach Diego Reveco has since achieved
a 4-2-2 record to take the side upto 6th position, and they possessed
a 3-7-4 away record.
Their squad from the
2020 season was, by Chilean standard’s, relatively unchanged. Defender Branco
Ampuero left to join Universidad Catolica and fellow centre-back Nicolas
Penailiilo moved to join a side in the Argentinian second division. Midfielder
Gonzalo Freitas moved to Uruguayan side Penarol but is now with Mexican side
Mazatlan, and forward Carlos Munoz signed for Chilean side O’Higgins.
In their place
midfielder Diego Orellana joined from relegated Deportes Iquique, defender
Andres Robles came from Universidad de Concepcion, full-back Jens Buss joined
from Curido Unico, midfielder Lucas Ocampo came from Uruguay, and centre-back
Nicolas Demartini came from Argentina.
Argentinian forward
Tobias Figueroa was the top scorer with 9 goals, with Venezuelan international Eduard
Bello the next highest with 6 goals.
Audex Italiano were founded in 1910 and are 4 times national
champions. They have a strong rivalry with other sides in the capital Santiago founded
by immigrants ie Union Espanola and Palestino, and they play in the La Florida
district of Santiago, with home being the 12,000 capacity Bicentenario La
Florida stadium. Like the Italian national side, their first choice kit is
Azure Blue shirts, white shorts. However, today's fixture was to be played in the El Teniente stadium, in Rancagua, 85 kilometres south of Santiago and which is the home of Primera Division side O'Higgins.
A 2-1 win over La Serena on the last day of the 2020 season avoided
relegation for Audax and saw them finish in 13th place. Their season
was possibly affected by the drink-driving tragedy caused by star striker Rodrigo Holgado running
over a motorcyclist during lockdown, and the Argentine controversially got off
with a light sentence to be available for the start of the new season. However,
Holgado departed after playing just 9 games, with 3 goals, to join Argentinian
side Gimnasia de la Plata.
The top scorer for Audax this season was Argentine forward Lautero
Palacios with 9 goals, followed by winger Joaquin Montecinos on 7.
Centre-back Carlos Labrin won 3 caps in 2010 and had a spell in Italy
with Palermo, and 36 year old left back Roberto Cereceda won 32 caps for Chile.
Audax have had a superb season so far, going into this weekend’s round
in 3rd position, 3 points ahead of 4th placed Union Calera, and in
pole position for COPA Libertadores qualification.
Audax made just one change from their starting line-up from their
last match, a 2-1 win at Everton, with Nicolas Aedo coming in for Conejo. There
were two non Chilean in the line-up, with Mexican defensive midfielder Ivan
Ochoa in addition to Palacios. Uruguayan centre-back Manuel Fernandez and
Argentine striker Federico Gonzalez were on the bench. Antofagasta also made
just one change from their last match with Sebastien Ballesteros replacing Cristofer
Salas.
Kick-off was 12.30 local time, with temperatures around 23 degrees
on a sunny afternoon. Limited numbers of spectators are now allowed into
stadiums in Chile, and all those visible were wearing face masks. The visitors were playing in their
change strip of red and black halves, with black shorts.
Bet365, who were live streaming the match, made Audax 17/20 favourites, with Antofagasta at 16/5 and the
draw at 13/5.
Both sides made bright starts to the game, with the ball moving quickly
from end to end with neat passing and good movement. However, neither side was
able to make much of an impression in the final third with the only moment of danger
in the opening 20 minutes being Antofagasta defender Robles making a good block
after a good through ball had released Palacios down the right-hand channel.
Earlier Ocampo had volleyed wide for Antofagasta after a quick counter attack.
A water break was taken after 24 minutes due to the heat and Audax
pressed immediately after the resumption with Cerceda’s low cross being cleared
at the expense of a corner by Demartini, and from the set-piece Palacios shot
narrowly wide after the ball fell to him beyond the far post.
Antofagasta responded with a dangerous cross of their own,
Ballesteros’ effort from the left forced Torres into a sliding block, and after
a bit of a scramble, Audax were able to clear their lines. A minute later
Figueroa latched onto long ball but optimistically chose to shoot from a tight
angle and was well wide with his effort.
The best chance of the match so far arrived in the 37th
minute. Bosso played an inside ball to Henrique, whose left footed shot looked
to be heading into the far corner until Demartini again was able to clear for a
corner.
The last action of the half came in the second minute of added
time. Rojas played a threatening chip into the Antofagasta 6 yard area, but
keeper Gonzalez bravely got to the ball first to punch away before colliding
with both his own player Robles, and Audax forward Palacios. Tempers flared briefly
and Robles and Henrique were shown yellow cards.
With the game score-less at half-time, 57% of the possession had
been in favour of Audax, but there had been no shots on target.
Audax made two changes during the interval with Nicolas Fernandez almost
making an immediate impact beating two defenders on the right, but his low
cross reached Henrique beyond the far post, who could only shoot into the side
netting.
Audax continued to hold the initiative and Henrique made a
dangerous run towards the edge of the Antofagasta penalty area before being
tripped. However, he was alert to the opportunity and whilst the defence was
napping, he quickly played the free-kick to the unmarked Fuentes. Unfortunately
for the home side Gonzalez made a brave block, although the referee did
subsequently show a yellow card to Cuadra for the trip.
In the 59th minute, Bosso headed narrowly wide from a
free-kick before the game’s potential turning point occurred in the 63rd
minute, when Cuadra slid in to scythe down Esparaza near the half-way line to
receive a second yellow card.
Audax dominated the rest of the match, and it needed a good defensive
header to concede a corner after a cross from the left.
In the 77th minute Fuentes forced a fine diving save by
Gonzalez to push his 20 yard effort past the post. Thereafter the visitors looked to be comfortably holding on
for a point until a frantic five minutes of added on time.
First, Torres headed a free-kick onto the top of the bar, from
which Gonzalez leapt athletically to gather the rebound. In the 3rd
extra minute Esparza and Fernandez combined to release the overlapping Fernandez.
His cross to the near post was flicked on to the unmarked Carmona, who could
only blaze over the bar from 4 yards.
It got worse for Audax. In the 5th added minute, a
cross from the left found Torres 3 yards out, but the centre-back completely
mis-kicked in front of goal, the ball squirmed off for a goal-kick and the
chance was gone.
Audax Italiano ; Munoz – Rojas ( Fuentes ), Labrin, Torres, Cereceda – Alvarez ( Esparza ), Bosso, Ochoa ( Carmona ) – Aedo ( N. Fernandez ), Palacios, Henriquez ( F. Gonzales )
CD Antofagasta : Gonzalez – Buss, Robles, Demartini, Torres ( Cordero ) – Orellana, Cuadra, Ocampo ( Ledezma ) – Uribe ( Callao ), Figueroa, Ballesteros ( Salas )
Highlights : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzdxCYXlb8A
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