Heart attack. To paralyze hearts. To cry and celebrate.
This is how the dramatic semifinals of the National Youth Amateur Soccer Ñuble 2024 were experienced last night at the ANFA stadium, where the under-17 teams of Villarrica and Antofagasta made their way to the grand final of the historic competition, following winning in electrifying penalty shootouts. once morest Iquique and Talcahuano, respectively.
Historic
Villarrica reached the final of the competition for the first time in its history.
Never before in this category had it gone beyond the first phase. It has been 16 years since those from the Ninth Region even classified a National.
That’s why the celebration was tinged with madness. They started losing the game at 9′, following a header from Benjamín Moreno, which put the northerners ahead. However, the southern spirit and the associated good football of those led by Emanuel Lizama, appeared in the final stretch of the complement, when Joao Acuña sealed a “jugadón” by Lucas Garrido, who faced the area from the middle of the field and Only the slap of the northern goalkeeper prevented him from achieving a “little gem”.
Iquique was left with ten following the expulsion of Ian Mitchell, but Villarrica might not unbalance. However, from the twelve steps, he made a difference with the superb performance of goalkeeper Martín Carrasco, who saved the first three shots, lost his penalty, but pushed his teammates to win in an eternal penalty shootout 6-5. The glorious penalty was scored by Gastón Rubio.
“I promised my teammates that I was going to cover the first three penalties, the important thing is that we passed the phase. First time in 25 years that we went to a final and that we did not advance from the first phase. We are excited to lift the cup,” commented goalkeeper Martín Carrasco, from Villarrica.
“I’m happy, I feel like crying, I don’t know what to say, this is for all of Villarrica,” declared Gastón Rubio, following scoring and installing his commune in the final.
Dramatic
In the underlying duel, Talcahuano paid dearly for its lack of offensive force and Antofagasta was rewarded for its effort and tactical order.
Those from the Port of the Eighth Region started everything, pressing high and with frenetic transitions, until they opened the account through Jaime Echeverría with an unstoppable shot.
Antofagasta, who had struggled to have the ball, reacted and declared the tie through their scorer Lukas Barraza, midway through the first half, although in the second half, he was sent off and put the Antofagasta team’s goal at risk.
Talcahuano did not know how to take advantage of the numerical superiority, as it added offensive volume, but was unable to reach the goal.
In a dramatic definition, Antofagasta won 4-3, thanks to a great performance by goalkeeper Vicente Calle, who saved the initial penalty, despite his injured collarbone.
“I was very excited because I have had a bad time playing ball all my life and now this is my revenge. The key was patience. The excitement is there and there are 90 minutes left. My goalkeeping coach told me that this was the moment and so it was,” goalkeeper Vicente Calle confessed excitedly, while his teammates celebrated with a handful of fans who arrived from Antofagasta and the Talcahuano players cried inconsolably.
“Grateful for the efforts of my boys, it has been difficult, we have not won anything and now we have one more step left. I am excited because my father tried this and he mightn’t, he died a few years ago and now I will go look for the crown. We have to work on the final,” said Antofagasta coach Carlos Bravo.
The grand final will be hosted this Saturday at the ANFA stadium, by Villarrica and Antofagasta, from 9 p.m., but in the preliminary, from 7:00 p.m., the teams from Iquique and Talcahuano will play for third place.
The cup is on the table. Only one will provide.
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