Cuenca’s ‘Southern Express’ faces Paraguay foe today in first game of Copa Sudamericana competition

After a seven-year absence, Deportivo Cuenca returns to South American championship competition this afernoon as it faces Sportivo Luqueño in Luque, Paraguay.

Deportiva Cuenca fans at a game last season.

“We are ready to play hard and hungry for victory,” says Cuenca coach Anibal Biggeri, adding that a long layoff has given his team plenty of time to practice but limited opportunity to test its skills on the pitch.

Once a regular in championship competitions, Cuenca returned to winning form in 2017 for the first time since 2010. Over the years, Cuenca has won several Ecuadorian championships and battled perennial South American powerhouses in cup play. Its last major championship win came in 2009 when it defeated Boca Juniors of Buenos Aires.

The kick-off of today’s game is at 5:15 in Feliciano Cáceres stadium in Luque.

Argentinian coach Biggeri, who joined Cuenca’s Expreso Austral, or Southern Express, at the conclusion of last season, says the team is in good condition despite the lay-off. “We have played several local teams to stay in shape but Luqueño will provide a bigger challenge.”