With just over 6 thousand spectators in the stands of the El Teniente stadium, the stellar presentation of the 2024 squad of O’Higgins de Rancagua took place. The Rancagüinos, who culminated the preseason in their “Celestial Night,” received the cheers of the fans who, this year, hope that the team performs and thus avoids the anxieties of recent seasons.
In that sense, the group is clear that in the upcoming competition there is a lot of room for improvement, especially when elements were brought in that, for the most part, come from experience in the First Division of their respective leagues.
The match culminated in a 1-0 victory with a goal from Arnaldo Castillo already in added time, so much so that he celebrated and tinged with happiness an emotional day where, in addition, the 11 years of the tragic accident that cost him his life were remembered. to 16 fans in Tomé and the recent departure of PF Patricio Arias.
FOOTBALL
At 8 p.m., the duel between the Capo and the Academy was played. 90 minutes that, without a doubt, were important for both teams heading into the start of the season.
Although it is true, the result was an anecdote, what could be seen on the field sheds light on what O’Higgins will show in his debut in the National Tournament.
Many names are repeated regarding the friendlies he previously played. One of the surprises in the “Noche Celeste” was Esteban Calderón. The attacker, a youth, made his first appearance in the starting lineup and showed personality, intense when going to contest for the ball, asking for the ball, making his teammates play and on a couple of occasions he was in front of the goal. Before half an hour he had two diagonal shots that almost slipped into Jorge Deschamps’ goal. The same in the 34th minute, when the Placillano again had the option to shoot and made the visiting goalkeeper work.
In the initial 45′, Bryan Rabello came close, as he finished off a counterattack that Deschamps returned.
While, in the complement, the game – at times – was diluted as a result of the modifications in both frames.
Of course, the most important risky action was by Arnaldo Castillo who, in the 54th minute, caused Jorge Deschamps to be sent off in a dubious action on the edge of the visiting area.
From then on, and despite being with an extra man, O’Higgins dominated the actions, but without clarity on offense until time expired. In the 90’+1′ an error in the Magellanic defense was taken advantage of by the Chilean-Paraguayan who, with class, defined under the humanity of Martinic.
Celebration next to gallery 16 to close this emotional night, since, at the beginning, a tribute was paid to the fans who lost their lives 11 years ago on Cuesta Caracoles, at the access to Tomé.
Match sheet
O’Higgins (1): Nicholas Peranic (68′, Diego Carreno); Simon Contreras, Leonel Mosevich, Juan Diaz, Pedro Navarro (74′, Antonio Diaz); Camilo Moya (74′, Esteban Moreira), Juan Fuentes (68′, Cristóbal Castillo), Martin Sarrafiore (80′, Martin Maturana), Esteban Calderon (68′, Joaquin Tapia), Bryan Rabello; Octavio Bianchi (46′, Arnaldo Castle). DT: John Manuel Azconzabal.
Magellan (0): Jorge Deschamps; Matías Vásquez (68′, Cristóbal Díaz), Ángel Cayetano (46′, José Cañete), Nicolás Mancilla (68′, Alonso Walters), Felipe Espinoza (46′, Danilo Catalán); Claudio Zamorano, Thomas Jones (46′, Joaquín Gottesman), Tomás Aránguiz (46′, Javier Quiroz) (90’+2′, Rocco Abbruzzese), Rodrigo González, Nicolás Rivera (57′, Mateo Martinic); Joaquín Larrivey (68′, Alonso Barría). DT: Ronald Fuentes.
Referees: Reinerio Alvarado, Sergio Lagos, Mario Lagos, Benjamín Saravia.
Cautioned: Mosevich (OHI); Mancilla, Gonzalez (MAG).
Expelled: 54’, Jorge Deschamps (MAG).
Goals: 1-0, 90’+1′, Arnaldo Castillo.
Public: 6,520 spectators.
Camilo Moya: “This year for me is being able to consolidate myself”
Midfielder Camilo Moya, who had a good game because he had a chance to score when he hit the goalposts with a shot, said that “we finished the preseason with a win, we are getting into the championship and now we are going to face what is coming.”
Likewise, he stressed that “in the friendlies we went from less to more” and that, personally, “this year for me is being able to consolidate myself”, especially because “players with a lot of experience arrived to contribute, there is competition and one demands more in each training”.
In that sense, he pointed out that “I have to prepare myself physically” and that in 2024 “the idea is to reach the goal more as the coach asks me to.”
Leonel Mosevich: “there is a lot to improve”
The defender, one of Capo’s reinforcements for this season, stated that in this match “we left many positive things, I think we can correct dead balls, narrow the spaces a little.”
Likewise, he indicated that “there is a lot to improve, the important thing is to add 90 minutes very similar to an official match,” and that there were variations in the game. “We vary depending on how the opponent plays, and these games allow us to rehearse.”
Diego Buonanotte: “We have to generate that winning atmosphere”
Another of the new elements, Diego Buonanotte, valued the support of the people in this meeting where more than 6 thousand spectators attended.
He said that it is time to think positively and leave behind the bad vibes that existed until the previous season. “It was played well, but we have to generate that winning atmosphere, start winning any game to change that energy and in the tournament I hope to start on the right foot, which would be ideal,” he recalled, also ensuring that “we set out, with the public , that we had to win. El Teniente is a very difficult field and what was generated was very nice, now let’s think about Copiapó and hopefully we can hit it.”
Finally, regarding the position on the field that he may occupy, he noted that “I am open to the coach, who can put me wherever he needs.”
#OHiggins #happy #Celestial #Night
