Promoted San Marcos set for longer top-flight stay

Jubilant San Marcos de Arica have earned their second promotion in 18 months – and will get more than four months in Chile´s top-flight this time around.
San Marcos were unlucky that their last promotion happened at the same time as the Chilean league was being restructured. It meant they were relegated after competing in the Torneo de Transición in the first part of 2013.
Now the northerners will have at least a year to mix it with Chile´s elite. San Marcos needed a point at home to Lota Schwager last night to guarantee their promotion as the top team in the yearly standings – and that´s exactly what they got.
In front of a packed Carlos Dittborn crowd, Renato González gave San Marcos the lead on the half-hour mark, but Jonathan Novoa levelled from the penalty spot ten minutes into the second half.
However, the point proved sufficient to start the party in Arica.
Delighted manager Luis Marcoleta, who is now out of contract but in a good position to negotiate with the club´s board, said: “We had to work really hard for this championship. For me, it has much more value than the one in 2012 because we had to fight and show a lot of perseverance in the face of adversity.
“I really value this title for all the sacrifices that we made.”
If San Marcos had lost against Lota, Coquimbo Unido would have needed to beat Santiago Morning to pip them for the overall title.
In the event, the Pirates could only draw 1-1 at La Pintana. Jaime Gaete gave Santiago Morning a fifth-minute lead, but Juan Pablo Miño levelled six minutes later.
Clausura champions Coquimbo will now meet Apertura winners San Luis de Quillota in the play-offs. The other tie features Santiago Morning, who came third in the accumulated standings, and Barnechea, who finished fourth.
The four teams will battle it out for the one remaining spot in the top division.
The play-off semi-finals begin on Sunday with San Luis v Coquimbo in Quillota (3pm) and Barnechea v Santiago Morning at San Carlos de Apoquindo (7.30pm). The second legs take place on Wednesday, May 21.
At the other end of the table, Lota Schwager finished bottom of the table despite their 1-1 draw in Arica. This was because La Serena, who had been bottom of the accumulated table, beat Deportes Concepción 2-0 at home with goals from Aníbal Domeneghini and Patricio Rubina.
However, Lota look as though they will escape the drop to the Second Division because the ANFP have decided to relegate Naval due to financial irregularities. However, Naval could appeal against the punishment.

Tags: Coquimbo Unido, Football, La Serena, Lota Schwager, Naval, Primera B, San Marcos de Arica