06 Apr 2009
By Yahimi Pacheco, Caracas FC Press


 
The top of the table clash between Venezuela’s best two teams Caracas FC and Dvo. Táchira, in what was the 11th round of the Clausura tournament, ended in a 0-0 tie at Pueblo Nuevo, San Cristóbal on Sunday.
 
Both sides were keen to get all three points from a fixture which, in the last four meetings, has produced only draws but it was not to be as each again walked away with a point apiece.
 
With the league leadership at stake and the second anniversary of Caracas FC’s famous win over River Plate of Argentina in the 2007 edition of the Copa Libertadores played in neutral Cucuta Colombia, the Avila Reds had reasons enough to show spirit and enthusiasm over the 90 minutes.

Around 35,000 fans created a great atmosphere for the hosts to open the first half playing precision football with the Avila Reds, in turn, looking to counter. After 10 minutes, it was Caracas FC who began to take the game to their opponents threatening Sanhouse in the Tachira goal.

Figueroa,  Prieto, Gómez and Salazar on his debut all brought danger to the Black and Golds defence although Villafraz on 28 minutes was denied from a direct free kick when Renny Vega blocked his effort.

Both sides had further chances but it remained 0-0 at halftime.

Deportivo Táchira began the second half strongly but the Avila Reds were denied a chance at goal on 69 minutes when Emilio Renteria, on for Dario Figueroa, was brought down on the edge of the area in the 69th minute but referee José Argot waved play on.

 
On 70 minutes, Prieto’s pass to Gabriel Cichero saw the defender’s shot to the right hand post beaten out by Sanhouse while Prieto himself had a real opportunity to win the game following a Renteria pass but his effort sailed over the crossbar.

 
Later still, following a good move down the right, Prieto seemed about to score but was ruled offside.

 
The final minutes were tense with both teams now focusing more on getting a point each and not making mistakes, although Rolando Escobar in injury time saw his free kick hit the wall.

Caracas FC remain top of the table on 23 points, a point ahead of the Black and Golds, with three teams, Llaneros FC, Estudiantes de Merida and Guaros FC all now on 20 points and threatening the big two.

Good Friday will provide Caracas FC with the chance to get some breathing space when they take on struggling Minerven at the UCV’s Olympic Stadium in a 7pm kick off.

After that, it will be another huge game for the Avila Reds when they host Everton of Chile next Tuesday, April 14 in a Copa Santander Libertadores group game. Victory for the Reds will give them a substantial platform for qualifying for the next phase.

CARACAS FC: Renny Vega, Giovanny Romero, Jaime Bustamante, Deivis Barone, Gabriel Cichero, Luis Vera, Edgar Jiménez, Darío Figueroa (Emilio Renterìa 56 min), Jesús Gómez (Rolando Escobar 84 min), Rodrigo Prieto, Gilson Salazar (Guillermo Ramirez 62 min).

Yellow Cards: Luis Vera 16 min; Jaime Bustamante 34 min; Gilson Salazar 51 min; Gabriel Cichero 77 min (CFC).