The team of Santiago de Cuba won the title of the Apertura Tournament of the 107th National Soccer League this Saturday, defeating its counterpart from Cienfuegos in the final.
The so-called Red Devils prevailed as visitors, with a score of 2×1, at the Luis Pérez Lozano stadium, and thus retained the Apertura crown, won by them in the previous edition.
It was the people from Cienfuegos who took the lead first, thanks to Jassael Herrera’s goal in the 27th minute. However, the Mariners suffered an own goal from Neisser Sando in first half stoppage time and both teams left embraced at halftime.
The 1×1 remained on the board until the 77th minute, when Carlos Rafael Espinosa scored the advantage for Santiago, a target that finally gave them the victory, according to review the digital site Hit.
In this way, the Red Devils are confirmed as the most stable team in recent seasons on the island and strongly launched their candidacy to win the Clausura Tournament, of which they are currently runners-up.
Their victims in the Apertura final, who were the leaders of the tournament in the regular stage, also stand out as favorites for the maximum Cuban title, “protected by a solid squad in all aspects of the game and reinforced to face the competition that begins next April 15,” he points out. Hit.
For this competition, in addition to Santiago and Cienfuegos, the eleven from Havana and Matanzas for western Cuba, and Guantanamo and Holguin for the eastern zone also qualified.
In the current season, the logistical difficulties derived from the economic crisis that the country is going through, forced to cut the format of the national championship. For this reason, the Opening Tournament was played in a single round and the Clausura will have only six contestants, instead of the eight of the last editions.
