Thread by @FUTVEEnglish

|Deportivo Táchira vs. Zulia FC|
- Match Thread

Barely room to breathe between tonight’s two games! Táchira can go top with a win and have named a fairly strong side to ensure it happens. Zulia sit second from bottom despite beating Táchira 5-0 already this season. Tight group.

1’: Zulia have been fun to watch this season. Their record of 2-2-2 has been laden with a total of 18 goals: an average of per game. With the pace of Heiderber Ramírez and trickery of Yanowsky Reyes behind young striker Junior Paredes, hopefully we see plenty tonight. 0-0. #futve

4’: Táchira’s front four is a lot of fun, too: wingers Yerson Chacón (18) and Freddy Gondola (🇵🇦) flank veteran captain Edgar Perez Greco and Douglas Angarita, both local lads. 0-0. #futve

4’: GOOOOOOOOOOOOOL!

And as soon as we hit enter on the last tweet, Táchira take the lead! It’s none of the names we mentioned, though, instead smashed in by left back José Luis Granados, who had ventured forward and took his chance first time. 1-0. #futve

20’: No further goals this far. Young Yerson Chacón is impressing down the right. The attacking responsibility he’s taken on for this team is remarkable considering he’s only recently celebrated his 18th birthday. 1-0. #futve

26’: Yanowsky Reyes falls as he crosses from the left, causing the ball to be scooped up and looped towards the back post. Heiderber Ramírez attempts to meet it but is tightly marked. High tempo to this game. 1-0. #futve

40’: It’s a wet evening in San Cristóbal and the turf is getting quite cut up, particularly with the growing amount of sliding tackles. Táchira have their latest in a flurry of freekicks lined up around 20 yards out…

Salazar comes off his line and punches the cross clear. 0-0.

46’: GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL!

Zulia have equalised right on the brink of halftime and it’s thanks to their top scorer Yanowsky Reyes! The cross comes in from deep on the right and the diminutive #10 is left unmarked to head home past Christopher Varela who was left in no man’s land.

HT: Deportivo Táchira 1-1 Zulia FC|

It seemed a sucker punch to concede in the final seconds of the half, and perhaps Táchira should have doubled their lead earlier, but it’s on script for there to be two goals in this game at halftime. The tempo remains high. There’ll be more.

57’: The second half picked up where the first ended in terms of tempo and pace. As all games with Zulia have been this season, tonight remains wide open for either side to take the lead. 1-1. #futve

59’: On comes Maurice Cova for Táchira. As with Lacava at Puerto Cabello, he returns from the national team with a shaven head, as per baptism ritual. 1-1. #futve

60’: Great save from Christopher Varela. Luis Castro sent a left footed free kick towards the top corner and only Varela’s anticipation prevented the ball from finding it. 1-1. #futve

75’: RED CARD!

Hector Bello is sent off for a second bookable offence. His lunging challenge is to blame. There are 15 minutes for Táchira to retake the lead. Juan Domingo Tolisano chucks on another striker in hope: Jesus Orozco. 1-1. #futve

80’: GOOOOOOOOOOOOL!

He didn’t even need five minutes! Jesus Orozco heads in Michael Covea’s cross to five the Aurinegro the lead. He’s smashed the goalscoring records at every youth level for the club and undoubtedly has a very bright future. For today, he’s rescued the points.

82’: GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL!

He’s done it again! Jesus Orozco has a double from the bench inside ten minutes! What an impact! Indirectly assisted from fellow sun Esli García, too. Deportivo Táchira 3-1 Zulia. #futve

89’: GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL!

It’s the late late show at the Estadio Pueblo Nuevo! This time right back Hernández arrives late at the far side of the box and drills home a fourth for Táchira. 4-1. #futve

FT: Deportivo Táchira 4-1 Zulia|

It’s another encounter between the two that ends with five goals scored; this time, in Táchira’s favour. Zulia held firm until the sending off and then their hosts punished them ruthlessly. Smart changes by Tolisano, too. #futve