Leaders pegged back twice
Group A leaders Plaza Amador were held to a 2-2 draw against Tauro in the Liga Panameña de Fútbol as they dropped points for the second successive game.
Jorge Dely Valdes’s side were beaten last weekend for the first time this season in the Apertura division against Independiente but did not lose much ground as their rivals failed to win.
First half
In a tricky trip to Tauro, they began the game well and took the lead in the 26th minute through a piece of quick thinking. A short corner was taken and Guillermo Benítez was found in space. His expert cross was met by a towering header from defender Manuel Gamboa to put Plaza Amador in front.
Así fue el ⚽ de Manuel Gamboa.
📹 @deportes_rpc. pic.twitter.com/h8ltbMykQQ
— CD Plaza Amador (@cdplazaamador) April 22, 2021
Six minutes before half time, the hosts were on level terms. A pinpoint cross was met by a downward header by Ismael Diaz to notch his fifth league goal of the season.
Second half
The visitors regained their lead after 62 minutes with an excellent goal. Benitez set up his second goal of the evening with a driving run and found Ronaldo Dinolis. The striker turned inside his man and hit a low shot past the goalkeeper at the near post.
With 10 minutes remaining, Tauro pulled themselves back level for the second time. In search of an equaliser, they pushed men forward. They worked the ball well around the box and a cross from the right was turned in by Edwin Aguilar.
The goal was celebrated wildly by the small section of Tauro supporters inside the stadium.
Jesus Gonzalez was sent off for Plaza Amador in stoppage time after the match turned heated with players from both sides involved in an unsavoury incident.
What it means
Plaza Amador remain top of Group A with 21 points from 12 games. They have a five- point lead over Arabe Unido, who were once again unable to capitalise on dropped points from the leaders, drawing 0-0 against Costa Del Este.
Miguelito are in third, a point clear of Tauro. The top three qualify for the play-offs with the team finishing first going to the semi finals while the teams coming second and third in both groups facing a quarter-final.
12 matches have been played with four games remaining in the Apertura division.
Group B
In Group B, unbeaten leaders Deportivo Universitario were also held, drawing 0-0 against Veraguas. They are, however, in complete control of the group and are six points clear of Independiente, who were beaten 3-1 by Herrera. Veraguas are third, just two points behind second but only point ahead of Herrera in fourth.
¡TABLA DE POSICIONES📊!
Clasificación de la conferencia Este y Oeste, tras disputarse la jornada 1️⃣2️⃣ @LPFpanama #LaNuevaEra pic.twitter.com/Q5c4KmHF8g
— LPF (@LPFpanama) April 22, 2021
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