When everything suggested that Deportivo Cali was going to keep the victory at Pascual this Wednesday, for the first leg of the quarterfinals of the Copa Colombia, the usual in America, Adrián Ramos, appeared to equalize the marker and awaken a sleeping fanatic for the impending sugar triumph.
The 2-2 was just what both teams did on the court. The classic was moved, the two squads forgot about their penalties in the League and starred in a match that gave away four great emotions, two for each side.
In the first half, while Cali arrived little but clearly, America approached the edge of the area, but lacked the decision to engage the goalkeeper Guillem d’Amors.
In the 18th minute, Diego Novoa, the red goalkeeper, saved in front of a clear shot inside the area of Darwin Andrade, and in the 28th minute the scarlet goal was seen with a right shot by John Vásquez that led to a goal.
After 29 minutes, following yet another great corner, Hernán Menosse knocked the ball to the limit of Gastón Rodríguez’s reach, who just couldn’t put it in the net.
America did not break down and continued to play their offensive football, enjoying an opportunity at 35 with a shot by Maurici Gómez that was close to the horizontal, and three minutes later a left-footed shot by Déinner Quiñones that also deviated by millimeters.
At 41 there was a penalty kick for America; the goalkeeper Guillem de Amors goes out to face Adrián Ramos, the striker falls and the referee Bismark Santiago decrees penalty. The same affected received, D’Amors rejected to halves, the ball gave in the horizontal and the bounce fell to him to Ramos that put the 1-1.
In the second half more emotions came. Teófilo put the 2-1 up after great definition and this gave Cali confidence and insecurity in America.
Nevertheless the red ones did not resign to the attack and with Emerson Batalla, Adrián Branches and with Déinner Quiñones like fountain of balls, they continued taking danger to the green-and-white premises.
As much as he insisted, America did not find the tie. Until two minutes from the end, when it seemed to be a red defeat, appeared Adrián Ramos, the scorer.
The striker took a ball from outside the area and took a powerful shot that made the pull of Amors useless, to put the 2-2.
Now everything will be defined at the Cali stadium, next week, the one classified in the semifinals.