Guayaquil (Ecuador), July 19. Imbabura, from the town of Atuntaqui, won this Tuesday 2-1 and eliminated the favorite Liga de Quito in the round of 16 of the Ecuador Cup.
With fast football and precise handling of the ball, Imbabura left Liga de Quito, the last champion of the Ecuador Cup, without reaction and football arguments.
Imbabura’s historic scorer, with 36 points, Leandro Pantoja, put his team ahead just starting the match, with a goal from a free kick that went over the barrier and filtered through the upper right corner of Brian Heras’ goal.
The speed of Imbabura, who is sixth in the standings of the first division series B of local soccer, caused more than one problem for the so-called King of Cups of Ecuador, especially due to Pantoja’s talent and leadership in attack.
Liga de Quito came out of the pressure during the first half by converting the tying goal, with great definition by the American-Argentine-Ecuadorian Michael Hoyos, after a strong shot to the side of goalkeeper Mario Valero.
The visitor tried to take control of the actions, but “Team Gardenio”, as Imbabura is also known, took advantage of the technique and speed of attacker Kevin Rodríguez, to score the second goal for the historic victory.
Rodríguez, who is a top scorer in Serie B, snatched the ball from Argentine defender Zaid Romero and started his run, from near the middle of the field, and with a shot to the right side of the goalkeeper he closed his great action.
In the quarterfinals, Imbabura will host the defending champion of Ecuador’s first division series A, Independiente del Valle, in an attempt to reach the semifinal.
The winner of that key will face the winner of the match between El Nacional de Quito and El Delfín.
In the other quarterfinal keys, October 9 will wait for the winner of the round of 16 between Emelec and Aucas; while Vargas Torres will face the winner of the match between Mushuc Runa and Cumbayá, which will be played this Wednesday. EFE
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