The second date of the home semi-finals in the BetPlay 2024-II Series presented endless emotions, especially in the duel between América de Cali and Once Caldas played at the Pascual Guerrero Olympic Stadium.
The goals did not wait and from minute 3, the Manizales team opened the scoring thanks to a score from Michael Barrios.
The VAR was forced to review the goal after dissent was declared, which was later disallowed, making the score 0-1 in favor of the white team.
However, the scarlet team did not give up and three minutes later, they equalized thanks to an own goal from Jorge Luis Cardona.
Although the intensity was maintained, the teams chose not to take risks and were more alert when attacking.
America de Cali vs Hour Caldas.
Photo:
Juan Pablo Rueda THE DRIVE
For the second part, this situation continued and the risk preferences decreased and the risk preferences decreased.
Both teams tried several times, however, the ball never crossed the goal line again.
With the result 1-1, the match ended, which left the scarlet team with one unit in last place in group B, and Once Caldas in second place, pending the result between Tolima vs Junior.
América will now face Deportes Tolima as a visitor, while Once Caldas will do the same at Palogrande against Junior de Barranquilla. Both games will be played on Wednesday, November 27.
What were the key turning points in the América de Cali vs. Once Caldas semi-final match?
Interview between the Time.news Editor and Football Expert
Editor: Welcome to Time.news! Today we have a special guest, Juan Martinez, a well-respected football analyst and commentator, to discuss the thrilling second semi-final match of the BetPlay 2024-II Series between América de Cali and Once Caldas. Juan, thanks for joining us!
Juan Martinez: Thank you for having me! It’s always a pleasure to discuss the beautiful game.
Editor: Let’s dive right into the match. The game was packed with emotions and drama from the start. What were your initial thoughts on the atmosphere at the Pascual Guerrero Olympic Stadium?
Juan Martinez: Absolutely electric! The crowd was buzzing, and you could feel the anticipation in the air. Both teams knew what was at stake, and you could see the passion reflected in the stands. It was a true spectacle of Colombian football.
Editor: It certainly sounded exciting! The match kicked off with Once Caldas taking an early lead through Michael Barrios, but it was disallowed after a VAR review. How significant was that moment in shaping the match dynamics?
Juan Martinez: That was crucial! Initially, it looked like Once Caldas was going to take the upper hand early, which could have set a different tone for the game. The disallowed goal not only shifted the momentum but also galvanized América de Cali. They recognized the opportunity to regroup, which led to their own goal just minutes later. It was a testament to their resilience.
Editor: Speaking of resilience, América de Cali equalized just three minutes later due to an own goal by Jorge Luis Cardona. How do you think that impacted the players’ mentality on both sides?
Juan Martinez: You hit the nail on the head. Scoring an equalizer so quickly can be a double-edged sword. For América, it was a huge boost and morale lifter, while for Once Caldas, it could be disheartening to concede due to an error right after taking the lead. Once Caldas had to quickly regroup, and they did well to maintain their defensive composure afterwards, but it’s definitely a psychological game.
Editor: The match continued with high intensity, yet both teams chose to play cautiously. Why do you think they opted for a more defensive approach after the initial flurry of goals?
Juan Martinez: Smart strategy, I’d say! After the initial goal excitement, both teams realized that the stakes were high, especially in a knockout environment. They likely wanted to avoid making expensive mistakes. Focusing on solid defense allows you to not only control the match but also look for calculated counter-attacks. It was evident that they were both searching for that pivotal moment but were wary of losing.
Editor: There you have it—such a fascinating breakdown of the match! With the series now progressing, what are you looking forward to in the next round of the playoffs?
Juan Martinez: I’m eager to see how both teams will adjust tactically. América de Cali showed a lot of character in this match. Once Caldas, on the other hand, has to shake off that own goal and come back stronger. It’s the beauty of the playoffs—anything can happen, and I can’t wait to see if the teams continue to build on this intensity!
Editor: Juan, thank you so much for sharing your insights! We look forward to talking to you again as the tournament unfolds.
Juan Martinez: Thank you! Looking forward to it—let’s hope for more thrilling football moments.