Union Atletico Maracaibo got the Clausura championship and their first star last Sunday after defeating neighbours Deportivo Ital Maracaibo 1-2.
Venezuelan international Gian Carlo Maldonado, the coach Carlos Maldonado's son was determinant in most of the games of the club.
"We deserved it because we were a family" said the Uruguayan born Venezuelan also ex-international coach.
Maracaibo won also the Apertura Tournament and will not have to play any further final and is in Copa Libertadores 2006 since winning the Apertura. It will be the second appearance of Maracaibo in the continental tournament after his rather good run in the 2004 Copa, finished in shame at Guayaquil, Ecuador, when keeper Dudamel quarreled with fellow team mates over a penalty kick he wanted to shoot.
Caracas FC is also in Copa Liber 2006 and Deportivo Tachira are the most likely side to play the previous stage of the Copa.
On the run, Maracaibo tied the undefeated record of 27 matches of Deportivo Portugues of the 70's, after loosing to Monagas FC away.
JV
-- To e-mail me substitute "_" by "c" and "-" by "v".
