Hero Manduca launches Barnechea into the big time
Goalkeeper and captain Jorge Manduca proved the hero as Barnechea won a nail-biting penalty shoot-out to earn promotion to the top-flight for the first time in their 85-year history.
Barnechea had been favourites to win promotion from the Primera B after winning 1-0 at San Luis de Quillota in the play-off final first leg at the weekend.
However, Apertura winners San Luis stunned them when Alejandro Fiorina headed home the only goal of the game in the 72nd minute to level the tie on aggregate.
It meant a penalty shoot-out was needed to decide promotion to the Primera Division – and it was the club from the capital who kept their nerve.
Matías Campos shot over for San Luis, while Manduca saved from Daniel Vicencio.
With only John Santander missing for Barnechea, it meant Manduca had the opportunity to score the last penalty to gain promotion for his side.
The keeper duly converted to win the shoot-out 4-3 and spark the celebrations. Despite their long history, Barnechea had only reached the professional ranks three years ago when they won the Third Division.
Now they can look forward to taking on the likes of Colo Colo, Universidad de Chile and Universidad Católica on a weekly basis.
Barnechea were the second team to win promotion, following in the footsteps of San Marcos de Arica, who came top of the accumulated annual table.
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