Deportivo Táchira and Carabobo are closer to playing the final of the Clausura Tournament, after winning and being leaders of their groups in the third day of Venezuelan soccer, which concluded on Sunday.
Táchira, which had a new coach after the resignation of Eduardo Saragó, won 1-2 against Rayo Zuliano.
The Aurinegros opened the scoring in the 4th minute, when Roberto Rosales sent a perfect cross that Nelson Hernández connected with a header.
Five minutes later Rayo Zuliano could have equalized with a penalty, but goalkeeper Jesús Camargo stopped a tasteless shot by Andrés Montero.
Capitalized error
Táchira capitalized on this mistake by scoring another goal in the 15th minute, after a steal near the area and a quick pass for Anthony Uribe to convert.
Rayo Zuliano scored with a great goal from Ángel Faría, who shot into the corner to score the only goal for his team.
For its part, Carabobo won 0-1 against La Guaira, in a match that had few tactical plays, especially in the first half.
Carabobo surprised at the beginning of the second half, after a blocked play in the area that ended with a goal from José Balza to seal the visitor’s victory.
At the end of the third of the six events of this final phase, Deportivo Táchira is in first place in group A with nine points, followed by Rayo Zuliano which has six.
Carabobo leads zone B
In group B, Carabobo leads with seven points, one more than La Guaira, which remains second.
Meanwhile, Zamora placed third in group A after achieving its first victory against Caracas, which is last in the table.
Estudiantes de Mérida also added their first three points and is third in Group B, after winning against Monagas, who remains at the bottom of the table.
The two best teams from these two sectors will play the final of the Clausura Tournament and the victorious team will face the winner of the Apertura, unless Carabobo wins, which would automatically become the absolute champion of Venezuelan soccer.
Caracas / EFE
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**Interview with Sports Analyst, Luis Martínez**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Luis! Deportivo Táchira and Carabobo are making waves in the Clausura Tournament. What do you think about their recent performances?
**Luis Martínez:** Thank you for having me! Both teams have shown remarkable form. Táchira, in particular, has been impressive despite the recent coaching change. Winning against Rayo Zuliano right after a coaching shake-up speaks volumes about the team’s resilience and adaptability.
**Interviewer:** Yes, they started strong with an early goal from Nelson Hernández. How crucial was that goal in setting the tone for the match?
**Luis Martínez:** Very crucial! An early goal can be a double-edged sword; it can either boost the team’s confidence or put them under pressure. In Táchira’s case, it definitely set a positive tone, allowing them to control the game. It highlights their attacking prowess, especially with players like Hernández stepping up.
**Interviewer:** Rayo Zuliano fought back, though. How do you assess their performance even in defeat?
**Luis Martínez:** Rayo Zuliano showed fighting spirit, which is always commendable. They appeared to regroup after the early setback, but they just couldn’t close the gap. Their ability to respond quickly after conceding is something they can build on for future matches. They’re still a team to watch in this tournament.
**Interviewer:** With Táchira leading their group, what are their chances of making it to the finals?
**Luis Martínez:** Táchira has a solid chance. If they maintain their current form and continue to build chemistry under the new coach, they could be serious contenders for the finals. However, consistency will be key, especially in the knockout stages.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Luis! Exciting times ahead in the Venezuelan soccer scene!
**Luis Martínez:** Absolutely! I’m looking forward to seeing how this tournament unfolds. Thank you!
