Peru Primera Division Wrap: Garcilaso join Cristal at the top

Real Garcilaso have drawn level with Peru Primera Division leaders Sporting Cristal with a 1-0 win on the road at Universidad San Martin.

Alfredo Ramua scored the decisive goal for Garcilaso as they extended their unbeaten run to six matches in all competitions, rising to 26 points on the Primera Division table, trailing Sporting Cristal by goal difference.

The Peruvian league leaders were knocked off 1-0 by Cesar Vallejo but remain top of the table due to their plus 17 goal difference compared to Garcilaso’s plus 11.

At Universidad San Martin’s Estadio Miguel Grau del Callao on Sunday, Garcilaso started brightly with Diego Silva hitting the post before Victor Ferreira had his shot palmed away by the hosts’ goalkeeper Ricardo Farro.

Garcilaso’s goalkeeper Juan Pretel was also called into action in the first half when he pulled off a smart save with his boot from Juan Diego Gutierrez.

Just eight minutes into the second half and the visitors struck the only goal of the game when Ramua got his head to a loose ball after Farro had saved Ferreira’s rasping shot.

Universidad San Martin failed to break down Garcilaso’s defence after going behind, while the visitors could have extended their winning margin but for a number of fine saves from Farro.

At Cesar Vallejo’s Estadio Mansiche on Saturday, Ronald Quinteros struck on the half-hour mark to defeat Sporting Cristal.

Paolo de la Haza sent a cross into the Sporting penalty area and Quinteros reacted fastest to a botched clearance from the visiting defence, poking the ball home with his left boot.

The win took Cesar Vallejo to 24 points and fourth position on the table, behind third-placed Universitario on goal difference, who knocked off Jose Galvez 3-1.

Inti Gas had the biggest win of the weekend in Peru, thrashing Alianza Lima 4-1, while Cienciano defeated Pacifico 1-0, Union Comercio drew 0-0 with Leon de Huanuco and Juan Aurich claimed a 2-1 victory against UTC Cajamarca.