Four teams were all still candidates for the remaining relegation place but the clash between Aldosivi and Olimpo in Mar del Plata always looked the more decisive on Monday evening and so it proved as El Tiburón fell to a 3-0 defeat, descending into the Nacional B.
There have been two outstanding players in recent weeks at the foot of the descenso and both were the architects of Aldosivi’s downfall. Centre-forward Fernando Coniglio scored twice in two first half minutes to put Olimpo firmly in control and after both sides had seen a player sent off, the impressive Rodrigo Caballucci curled a superb third into the top corner.
Aldosivi’s agony was extended thanks to a power cut that delayed play for a quarter of an hour and as the players waited, Huracán earned the point they needed to guarantee survival against Belgrano and crucially Temperley drew away to Vélez.
Those two results meant that when play resumed in Mar del Plata, Aldosivi needed to score three times to force an equaliser and take Temperley to a relegation playoff. That miracle didn’t occur and when the referee blew for full time in a rain soaked Estadio José María Minella, El Tiburón’s top flight adventure was over.
Aldosivi join Quilmes, Sarmiento and Atlético de Rafaela in the Nacional B for next season, while the three that survived on the final day face another battle in the Primera.
