Deportivo Cali had a new false start, this time in Copa Colombia, losing this Wednesday 3-1 against Fortaleza, a B team, at the Palmaseca stadium.
The sugar producers, who have been having a painful campaign in the League, fell without mitigating factors in the first leg match for the round of 16 of the Colombia Cup, against a team that played them without complexes.
In the first half, Cali was the dominator, but could not translate their arrivals at goalkeeper Yimmi Gómez’s premises into goals.
At 19 minutes he approached with a cross from Aldaír Gutiérrez that Ángelo Rodríguez could not define. The sugar producers got closer again at 25 through Agustín Vuletich, but the Argentine lacked precision to open the scoring in Palmaseca.
Cali had its reward at minute 32 with a goal by Ángelo Rodríguez, who defined goalkeeper Gómez without a chance in the middle of the visiting area.
With the 1-0 it was believed that Cali would pass by, but the surprise came to Palmaseca with Fortaleza’s equalizer in the 44th minute through Kevin Aladesanmi.
For the second half at the venue, John Vásquez replaced Michell Ramos, but Fortaleza came out in that period to play with a better attitude than the one shown in the initial stage.
That is why the visitor’s second came at 54 minutes, after an unstoppable shot by Jaime Alvarado.
With the score against, coach Rafael Dudamel used Teófilo Gutiérrez and Santiago Mosquera for Mafla and Vuletich. And although he improved a little, he didn’t catch up.
On the contrary, Fortaleza continued to play their game, without pressure, and that is why they achieved 3-1, which was a cold water bucket for the Verdiblancos.
At 73 minutes, Adrián Parra, in individual play, took away the mark of the local defenders and finished off to stretch the advantage.
With this tough defeat, the sugar producers will have to seek a comeback on May 11 in Bogotá to aspire to the ticket for the quarterfinals.
