SANTIAGO.- With an outstanding performance by Rivaldo Correa, who scored a brace, Cibao FC defeated Universidad O&M 4-2 in a match of matchday 4 of the Liguilla of the Dominican Republic Football League (LDF-2025-2026). The match took place in the “bombonera” of the Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra, and was dedicated to doctor José Rafael Abinader, sports promoter.
Cibao FC dominated the match, reaching a 4-0 lead. However, Universidad O&M reacted in the final minutes, scoring two goals that added excitement to the end of the match, although they could not avoid the defeat.
Cibao FC’s goals were scored by Rivaldo Correa (2), Omar De la Cruz, and Julio César Murillo. For Universidad O&M, Sergio Paredes and Ronaldinho Caicedo scored.
With this result, the current champions added three points, reaching a total of seven units and tying Moca FC. Universidad O&M suffered their third defeat, with a draw in the first four matchdays of the Liguilla.
The first goal of the match came in the 25th minute, when Reyvin De la Rosa committed a foul on Miguel Muñoz inside the area, resulting in a penalty. Rivaldo Correa was in charge of executing it, sending the ball to the back of the net and putting the score 1-0 in favor of Cibao FC.
Correa extended the lead in the 30th minute, taking advantage of a pass from Miguel Muñoz to score 2-0. The first half ended with Cibao FC controlling the game.
At minute 57, Cibao FC made their first substitution, with Jean Carlos López entering and Yunior Peralta leaving. Double substitution for the home team at 68, when Mateo Palacios and Cesarín Ortiz entered, replacing Nano Muñoz and Víctor Minotta.
At minute 70, Julen Monterola had a scoring opportunity, but goalkeeper Edwin “Gato” Frías made an outstanding save. Two minutes later, Omar De la Cruz scored the third goal for Cibao FC, putting the score at 3-0.
In the 77th minute, the Cibao FC coach made his final substitutions, bringing on Javier Roces and Ángel Pérez, while Rivaldo Correa and Omar De la Cruz were substituted.
The fourth goal for Cibao FC came in the 83rd minute, when Julio César Murillo took advantage of a loose ball to score 4-0.
La Universidad O&M scored in the 85th minute, with a goal by Sergio Paredes after a rebound. Then, Ronaldinho Caicedo scored the second goal for O&M in the 88th minute, leaving the score at 4-2.
Edwin “Gato” Frías was the starting goalkeeper for Cibao FC. Julio César Murillo was the team captain. The starting eleven for Cibao FC was completed by Josué Núñez, Ernesto “Che” Trinidad, Edwarlyn Reyes, Omar De la Cruz, Wilman Modesta, Miguel Muñoz, Yunior Peralta, Rivaldo Correa and Víctor Minotta.
Juan Maestre directed the O&M University. The starting eleven of the O&M University was formed by Omry Bello, Yoan Melo, Josué Báez, Héctor Ramírez, Ángelo Gómez, Reyvin De la Rosa, Emmanuel Cuello, Gabriel Castillo, Jon Trincado, Julen Olasagasti and José Matos.
