13 May 2009
By Carlos  Mauricio Ramirez, Caracas FC Press



Unchartered territory. The away goal last week in Ecuador opened the door for victory and the 4-0 drubbing achieved by Caracas FC against Deportivo Cuenca in the last 16 return leg, Wednesday night, at the Olympic Stadium in the capital assured the Reds of a first-time ever appearance in the Copa Santander Libertadores quarterfinals.

Caracas came into the match full of hope fuelled by a faithful horde of supporters singing, and cheering as the Reds pressured their opponents throughout the 90 minutes, confirming the confidence running within the squad.

The fans began cheering long before kickoff and as the game began the Red Machine as they are called locally unveiled short, precise passing movements against a side not willing to leave gaps in their defence.



On 12 minutes, Jesús Gómez crossed from a corner but goalkeeper Álvarez snuffed out a chance after three Reds players had all come into contact with the ball in the box. Other chances came but it was not until the 24th minute that the Reds found the key to open the floodgates.

In a counterattack, Emilio Renteria charged down the left flank looking for Figueroa who was free on the right. The Argentine got the perfect pass and ran into the area only to be felled. He picked himself up to score from the penalty spot – his fifth Copa Santander Libertadores goal this season. 1-0 to the Reds, which was enough on paper to win the tie, but there was much more to come.



In the 42nd minute, Rodrigo Prieto ended his goal drought with Rentería again providing the lethal cross. The Mexican rose high to head home for a 2-0 half-time scoreline as a last eight place in the Libertadores loomed closer and closer.

Caracas were full of enthusiasm as the second half began, determined to finish off the tie. The 20,000 fans never stopped singing and chanting urging another goal and when it came what a goal it was. This time Emilio Rentería scored it instead of making it with a stunning 30-yard blast which dipped inside the left hand corner of the post. The keeper never saw it until it bounced back out of the back of the net. 3-0 to the Reds meant the game was safe but it didn’t end there.



Noel Sanvicente’s side never let up as the fans in the stadium and hundreds of thousands more watching on television begged for more with the team itself wanting to send a message to the other remaining sides in the competition.  

From a direct free-kick, who else but José Manuel Rey to make it 4-0. Game, set and match, a 4-0 triumph and history made as the Reds broke into the quarterfinals of the Copa Santander Libertadores. A night of glory for the nine-times Venezuelan champions.



LINE UPS:
 
Caracas FC (4): Renny Vega, José Manuel Rey, Deivis Barone, Gabriel Cichero, Gerardo Torres (Bremer Piñango 53’), Luis Vera (Giovanny Romero 73’), Franklin Lucena, Darío Figueroa, Jesús Gómez, Emilio Renteria (Zamir Valoyes 77’) and Rodrigo Prieto. Manager: Noel Sanvicente.
 
Dvo Cuenca (0): Israel Álvarez, William España, Norberto Orrego, Bernardo Ayoví, Juan Guerrón, Giancarlos Ramos (Jhon García 67’), José Granda Vicuña, Juan Carlos Paredes (Edixon Preciado 46’), Holguer Matamoros (Cristian Cordero 82’), Ismael Villalba and Rodrigo Texeira. Manager: Guillermo Duró.
 
Goals: Darío Figueroa 24’ pen. Rodrigo Prieto 42’ Emilio Rentería 51’ and José Manuel Rey 74’ (CFC).
 
Yellow Cards: Emilio Rentería 52’ Luis Vera 54’ José Manuel Rey 64’ and Deivis Barone 71’ (CFC) Israel Álvarez 22’ and José Granda 72’ (DC)
 
Referee: Pablo Lunati (Argentina)
 
Stadium: Olímpico de Caracas
 
Attendance: 20.000.