Bautista Merlini (c) from Libertad celebrates a goal against Cerro Porteño, in an archive image. EFE/Daniel Piris
Asunción, Jan 25 (EFE).- Cerro Porteño took the lead in the Paraguayan Apertura Tournament this Thursday, after beating Sportivo Ameliano 1-4 at the close of the second round of the local championship.
The Ciclón de Barrio Obrero set the tone from the initial stage of the match, by virtue of a goal scored with a shot from outside the area by midfielder Robert Piris da Motta (m.6).
Argentine Juan Manuel Iturbe scored the second goal for Cerro Porteño in the 62nd minute; while Colombian Rafael Carrascal extended the lead five minutes later.
The Paraguayan Fernando Fabián Fernández was in charge of signing the Azulgrana victory with the fourth score for the visitor, in the 83rd minute.
Aldo Maíz scored for the V Azulada team (m.11). That goal meant parity, at least during the first part of the match.
The actions maintained an even rhythm until entering the last stretch of the match, when Cerro Porteño put pressure on and managed to dismantle the attack of an Ameliano who was losing presence on the field as the score against them increased.
The fans, who occupied a large part of the Luis Alfonso Giagni stadium, in the city of Villa Elisa (neighboring Asunción), responded to the actions on the playing field with chants and the beating of drums.
With the victory, Cerro Porteño added six points in the table and took first place in the standings.
In second place, with four integers, was General Caballero JLM. The local team Doctor Juan León Mallorquín was left with a profitable 2-2 draw on Tuesday in its visit to Nacional.
In turn, Libertad, who conquered the stars of the Apertura and Clausura last year, beat Sportivo Luqueño 2-1.
The clash, played this Wednesday, has been punctuated by controversy following an alleged handball in the area by the experienced player Óscar ‘Tacuara’ Cardozo that ended in a goal for Libertad.
Olimpia follows in the classification, also with 4 integers. The Dean beat Tacuary 0-1 on Tuesday.
For their part, Sol de América and Guaraní drew 2-2 on Wednesday, while in the first hour of Thursday, May 2, they defeated Sportivo Trinidense 2-1