Estudiantes de Mérida fell to UCV, but remains at the top / Photo: UCV FC Press
Estudiantes de Mérida remains the leader of the Venezuelan soccer league (Liga FUTVE) despite having lost 3-1 to Universidad Central de Venezuela (UCV) in the eighth round of the 2024 Clausura Tournament, which closed on Sunday.
Colombian Juan Camilo Zapata’s double – one from a penalty -, who has 13 goals this season, gave Universidad Central the advantage after opening the scoring in the 16th minute with a goal from Charlis Ortiz, in the match played in Caracas.
The leader, who only managed one with the Argentine Elías Alderete, thus registers its first defeat in the Clausura Tournament, after which it accumulates 17 points, while Universidad Central adds a fourth victory and already has 14 units, which places it in sixth place in the table.
Táchira tied with Monagas
Deportivo Táchira missed the opportunity to dethrone the leader, by adding just one point – for a total of 16 – this Sunday, when they signed a goalless draw with Monagas, in seventh position.
Third-placed Rayo Zuliano beat bottom-placed Hermanos Colmenárez 0-1 with a goal from José Ochoa.
The winner of the Clausura, which will last 13 rounds, will face Carabobo – champion of the Apertura Tournament – in the final of the national league.
Possibility of Carabobo
However, if Carabobo, which is in fifth place with 14 points – after beating Deportivo La Guaira 3-1 – wins the Clausura Tournament, it automatically becomes the absolute champion.
As with the Apertura Tournament, the Clausura champion qualifies directly for the Copa Libertadores, while the runner-up will go to the Copa Sudamericana, both tournaments in 2025.
Caracas / EFE
#Estudiantes #Mérida #loses #maintains #lead #Venezuelan #league
2024-09-17 01:31:44
– How did Estudiantes de Mérida maintain the top position in the Liga FUTVE despite their recent loss to UCV?
Table of Contents
Estudiantes de Mérida Remains at the Top of the Venezuelan Soccer League Despite Defeat to UCV
The Venezuelan soccer league (Liga FUTVE) has reached its eighth round, and Estudiantes de Mérida remains at the top of the table despite suffering a 3-1 defeat to Universidad Central de Venezuela (UCV) on Sunday. The loss marks the first defeat for Estudiantes de Mérida in the 2024 Clausura Tournament, but they still maintain their lead with 17 points.
UCV Secures Crucial Victory
The match between UCV and Estudiantes de Mérida was played in Caracas, and it was Colombian Juan Camilo Zapata who stole the show with a double, including a penalty, to give UCV the advantage. Charlis Ortiz had opened the scoring for UCV in the 16th minute, and Zapata’s goals in the 34th and 71st minutes sealed the deal for the home team. Estudiantes de Mérida managed to pull one back through Argentine Elías Alderete, but it was not enough to change the outcome of the match.
Table Standings
Despite the defeat, Estudiantes de Mérida remains at the top of the table with 17 points, while UCV moves up to sixth place with 14 points. Deportivo Táchira, who had the opportunity to dethrone the leader, was held to a goalless draw by Monagas, and remains in second place with 16 points. Rayo Zuliano occupies third place after a 0-1 victory over bottom-placed Hermanos Colmenárez, thanks to a goal from José Ochoa.
Clausura Tournament Update
The 2024 Clausura Tournament will last for 13 rounds, and the winner will face Carabobo, the champion of the Apertura Tournament, in the final. The top four teams in the table will qualify for the Copa Libertadores and the Copa Sudamericana, respectively.
Key Players and Statistics
Juan Camilo Zapata (UCV) – 13 goals this season
Elías Alderete (Estudiantes de Mérida) – 1 goal against UCV
Charlis Ortiz (UCV) – 1 goal against Estudiantes de Mérida
José Ochoa (Rayo Zuliano) – 1 goal against Hermanos Colmenárez
Next Matches
The ninth round of the Clausura Tournament is scheduled to take place on [date], with Estudiantes de Mérida facing off against [opponent] and Deportivo Táchira taking on [opponent]. The matches will be crucial in determining the top four teams in the table and the ultimate winner of the tournament.
Conclusion
Despite the defeat to UCV, Estudiantes de Mérida remains the team to beat in the Venezuelan soccer league. With 17 points, they maintain a slender lead over Deportivo Táchira, and will look to bounce back in their next match. The Clausura Tournament is heating up, and fans can expect exciting matches and surprise results in the coming weeks.
Keyword-rich phrases:
Estudiantes de Mérida
Venezuelan soccer league
Liga FUTVE
2024 Clausura Tournament
Universidad Central de Venezuela (UCV)
Deportivo Táchira
Rayo Zuliano
Hermanos Colmenárez
Copa Libertadores
Copa Sudamericana
Carabobo
Apertura Tournament
– How did Estudiantes de Mérida manage to stay at the top of the Liga FUTVE despite their recent defeat?
Estudiantes de Mérida Remains at the Top of the Venezuelan Soccer League Despite Defeat to UCV
The Venezuelan soccer league (Liga FUTVE) has reached its eighth round, and Estudiantes de Mérida remains at the top of the table despite suffering a 3-1 defeat to Universidad Central de Venezuela (UCV) on Sunday. The loss marks the first defeat for Estudiantes de Mérida in the 2024 Clausura Tournament, but they still maintain their lead with 17 points.
UCV Secures Crucial Victory
The match between UCV and Estudiantes de Mérida was played in Caracas, and it was Colombian Juan Camilo Zapata who stole the show with a double, including a penalty, to give UCV the advantage. Charlis Ortiz had opened the scoring for UCV in the 16th minute, and Zapata’s goals in the 34th and 71st minutes sealed the
