América de Cali salvaged a crucial result Monday, drawing 1-1 with Independiente medellín in the fourth round of Colombia’s Liga II qualifying stage. the result keeps América’s hopes alive for a spot in the league final, though their path forward remains complex and dependent on outcomes beyond their own match. A pivotal week looms for Los Diablos Rojos as they prepare to face group leader Atlético Junior on Thursday.
América de Cali secured a valuable 1-1 draw against Independiente Medellín on Monday, December 1st, at the Atanasio Girardot stadium in a crucial match from the fourth round of the qualifying stage.
The result leaves América de Cali with 5 points in Group A, trailing leader Atlético Junior by three. Atlético Nacional also has 5 points, while Independiente Medellín sits at the bottom of the group with 2 points and has been eliminated from contention.
Looking ahead to the next matchday on Thursday, December 4th, América will travel to face Atlético Junior at the Metropolitano de Barranquilla. Meanwhile, Atlético Nacional and Independiente Medellín will contest the highly anticipated Antioquia derby.
What does América need to reach the Colombian Liga final? A win against Junior on Thursday would bring them to 8 points, equal with the ‘Shark’ team, but they would also need Medellín to defeat or draw with Nacional.
In that scenario, Group A would see Junior and América tied on 8 points, with Nacional on 6 points if they draw, or 5 points if they lose at the Atanasio Girardot stadium against their rivals.
Alternatively, América could also secure a spot in the final with a draw against Nacional, provided that Junior falls to defeat at the Atanasio. This outcome would see América finish with 9 points, while Junior would be left with 8.
The team from Cali is now back in the hunt after a difficult period in the Copa Colombia, where they were eliminated by Nacional in the semi-finals, a setback that impacted the squad.
Adding to their challenges, América stumbled at the start of the qualifying rounds, losing 1-0 to Nacional in Medellín and then drawing 1-1 with Junior at the Pascual Guerrero Stadium.
All eyes will now be on América’s upcoming clash with Junior on Thursday in Barranquilla.
