With the surprise defeat of leaders Puerto Cabello, the runners-up have closed the gap and the fight for the top places in the FUTVE League is getting more and more exciting.

The “Académico” enjoy high-scoring victory

After a bitter draw against Mineros last week, Estudiantes de Mérida made their home advantage count with a 5-0 win over Angostura on Thursday. A great performance from the home side in general, with Ervin Zorrilla (scored a goal), and Néstor Canelón (scored 2 goals) standing out. He didn’t make the team of the week though. Should he have done?

For Franklin Lucena’s side, this victory helps them to secure 8th place (the last place that qualifies for the Copa Sudamericana), for at least one more matchday.

The other day, Carabobo beat Universidad Central 2-1, taking their unbeaten run to 9 games (5 wins and 4 draws). While the Valencia side are in the fight for the Playoffs for promotion, Daniel Sasso’s side are getting more and more complicated and are on the verge of relegation to the FUTVE2 League.

Lima, the hero of the afternoon

That La Guaira are close to a playoff spot is because of the heroic performance of their goalkeeper, Eduardo Lima. They managed a 1-0 away win over Rayo Zuliano. The highlight of the match was that La Guaira’s goalkeeper saved 2 penalties in the same match, giving his team the 3 points and being elected the MVP of the Matchday 18 of the FUTVE League.

That same Saturday, Deportivo Táchira crushed Mineros 4-1, and moved within three points of leaders Puerto Cabello. Anthony Uribe was the star of the match, having scored a brace.

With this defeat, the Guayana side remain in last place in the FUTVE League, tied on points with Universidad Central.

In the evening, Metropolitanos and Monagas played a great match, with a final score of 3-2 in favor of José María Morr’s team. Monagas went into the break 0-2 up, but Metropolitanos managed to equalize with two goals in two minutes. Nearing the end of the 90 minutes, Francisco Bareiro gave his side the victory.

With this victory, the “Violetas” are one point away from the playoff places.

Top scorers do battle in Caracas

On Sunday, Caracas pulled off a surprise 2-1 win over Puerto Cabello, the second defeat in the championship for the league leaders. Both Saul Guarirapa and Ade Oguns (Caracas), as well as Luifer Hernandez (Puerto Cabello), got on the scoresheet, and continue their fight for who will be the top scorer of the FUTVE League. Hernandez leads the list of scorers with nine goals, followed by Guarirapa with eight and in third place is Nigerian Oguns with seven.

To close this 18th matchday, Portuguesa beat Zamora 1-2 away, and are now in sixth position, one point away from the Playoff places. Thus, the visitors reaffirmed their title as the best away team in the FUTVE League.