The first goal of the season for Arturo Reyes in Junior could not be achieved. The rojiblanco team could not access the group stage of the Copa Sudamericana after losing 1-0 against Deportes Tolima, this Thursday at the Manuel Murillo Toro stadium in Ibagué.
An international setback in relation to the previous year, in which they were eliminated in the group round after the spectacular 4-0 defeat, at home against Unión de Santa Fe. This time it was not enough, not even with the incorporation of Juan Fernando Quintero , to continue competing in the continental tournament.
The lack of effectiveness in front of the opposite goal again took its toll on the shark team, which tried to recover from Tolima’s early goal, created chances, but could not violate the goal defended by William Cuesta.
Junior Hernández’s goal was enough for Tolima, in the 7th minute of the first half, to keep the victory and the single-match tie. The left side of the pijao team received a free ball inside the area, served by Facundo Boné, and with a crossed left foot he left Viera without a chance to establish the 1-0 that ended up being final on the scoreboard.
Junior’s hesitant start almost cost him the second goal, at minute 23, when Julián Quiñones won the position from Iván Scarpeta and his shot hit Viera’s body, which dwarfed the Tolima captain.
Junior improved after the changes made by Reyes in minute 27: Didier Moreno and ‘Cariaco’ González entered and Jhon Vélez and Luis Sandoval left.
From that moment on, Junior began to string together offensive actions and approach Tolima’s goal. The clearest was at the end of the first half with a shot from ‘Cariaco’, after a rebound from Quintero, which was saved by goalkeeper Cuesta.
Another point-blank shot by Omar Albornoz starting the second half, once again allowed Cuesta to shine.
The Tolima goalkeeper once again beat ‘Cariaco’, in the 15th minute, after another perfect qualification from Quintero.
Reyes continued to move his chips and, in search of greater resolution at the top, ordered the entry of Vladimir Hernández and Brayan León for Albornoz and Carlos Bacca, respectively.
The variants did not give the expected result because the offensive weight of Junior continued to be carried by Quintero and ‘Cariaco’. The Venezuelan was close to the equalizing goal, in minute 37, after an assist from ‘Juanfer’, however, his shot hit a rival and deflected.
Carlos Sierra also had it on a couple of occasions, first with a header that Cuesta controlled and a left-footed shot that hit a rival’s humanity and caused a VAR check for a possible penalty that did not exist.
The last chance for Junior, already in stoppage time, was a free kick taken by Quintero at mid-height and to one side of the barrier. Up to there Cuesta dived to once again save his goal and confirm himself as the great figure of the match.
This is an elimination that could have serious consequences for coach Arturo Reyes, who had taken a breather after the victory over La Equidad in the League. This competition is the only one that Junior has left and, after saying goodbye to the Copa Sudamericana, the commitment to win it is now greater.
