Independiente Juniors takes advantage of a general slip of the teams fighting for qualification to the playoffs in series B and with the victory (2-0) over Clan Juvenil, they are two points away from the top of the table.
The black and blues exceeded the last place in Latacunga. With the victory, they reached 51 points, are in third place in the standings, and are two points behind the leader, Orense, who lost 0-1 in their visit to Gualaceo. In addition, Independiente managed to reduce the gap to one point with Manta, who drew 1-1 in Vinces with Santa Rita, a team that remains in fourth place.
Although hurried by the dynamics of the locals, Clan managed to maintain the result in the first half but gave in at the start of the second half to the goals of Luis Cano, in the 48th minute, and Cristopher Angulo, in the 51st minute, for the black and blue victory, which marks a recovery in their performance with a draw and a victory in consecutive rounds.
In this round, Liga de Portoviejo lost the possibility of entering the qualifying zone. La Capira could not win as a visitor against Atlético Porteño; however, they managed to take one point from Durán.
A double by Arnaldo Gauna put the locals ahead. The Paraguayan scored in the 21st and 38th minutes, but Atlético could not hold on to the lead and let the victory slip away. Lucas Di Yorio reduced the score from the penalty spot in the 83rd minute, and Marcos Delpadre (90+2m) sealed the 2-2 draw for the Portoviejo team, who have gone three games without a win.
- Clan Juvenil is already in the second division
There was also a draw in Tsáchila. At the Olímpico stadium, Atlético Santo Domingo recovered in the second half and rescued one point against Liga de Loja, who took the lead in the 45th minute with a goal from Elvis Bone. In the second half, Christian Quintero (62m) sealed the result and the draw for the home team, who have achieved back-to-back draws.
In Vinces, there was a division of points between Santa Rita and Manta, teams that halted their path to the playoffs. Cristhian Cuero put the tuna team ahead in the 66th minute, and at the end of the match, Nixon Molina (90+1m) equalized for the fluminenses, which denied the possibility of the Manabi team taking the lead in the standings.
The 29th round ended with the leader's defeat. Orense lost 0-1 to Gualaceo, and although the machaleños lost an unbeaten streak of six rounds, they still have an advantage at the top of the standings.
The game was evenly matched, and only in the final stretch was a difference made with Jhon Arroyo's goal in the 80th minute. (D)