Peruvian Primera Division Round-up: Huancayo win again

Rafael Farfan has scored a brace as Sport Huancayo extended their unbeaten run to five games with a 3-2 triumph over Alianza Lima.

Sport Huancaya rose to second in Peru’s Primera Division with Wednesday’s victory, while Universitario moved into third with a 3-0 win over Melgar.

Farfan’s powerful header gave Huancaya the lead in the 14th minute, with the veteran defender getting on the end of a looping cross to rocket the ball past Manuel Heredia in Alianza’s goal.

Huancaya doubled their lead after the half-hour mark when Angelo Cruzado was left all alone on the edge of the six-yard box to nod home a left-wing cross.

But Emiliano Ciucci gave the visitors some hope when he got on the end of Henry Quinteros’ free-kick in the 38th minute to make it 2-1 at half-time.

Farfan notched his second goal of the game in the 60th minute, getting inside the penalty area to tap the ball home from close range after a free-kick to the back post had been knocked back across goal.

But the 37-year-old uncle of Schalke winger Jefferson Farfan was slightly at fault for Alianza’s second goal, allowing Yordy Reyna to control the ball and turn in the penalty area, before Huancaya’s Jose Mendoza fouled the 19-year-old striker.

The referee decided on an indirect free-kick rather than a penalty but it did not matter for the visitors, as Walter Ibanez smashed the ball into the roof of the net to drag Alianza within a goal of Huancaya.

The home team held on, however, and moved into second with 18 points, behind leaders Cesar Vallejo but with a game in hand.

Universitario slotted into third position after blitzing Melgar with two goals in the opening 20 minutes.

Josimar Vargas and Carlos Olascuaga scored in the seventh and 18th minutes and Manuel Ruidiaz wrapped up the victory with a goal in the 48th minute.

In other results in Peru’s Primera Division, Cienciano drew 1-1 with Juan Aurich and Union Comercio were held to a scoreless draw by UTC Cajamarca.