Wikipedia

Paulo Centurión

Paulo Centurion (born 8 December 1982) is an Argentine professional footballer who most recently played as a defender for Guatemalan club Comunicaciones in 2018.

Paulo Centurión
Personal information
Full name Paulo Centurión
Date of birth (1982-12-08) 8 December 1982 (age 41)
Place of birth Formosa, Argentina
Height 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s) Defender
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2004–2006 Guaraní (1)
2006–2007 Comunicaciones (1)
2007–2008 Guaraní (1)
2008–2009 Municipal (1)
2009–2010 Guaraní (1)
2010–2011 River Plate Puerto Rico
2011–2013 Sarmiento (Resistencia) 41 (0)
2013 Sol de América de Formosa 5 (0)
2014– Antigua (1)
2014–2015 Coatepeque 27
2015 Universidad
2016–2017 Deportivo Escuintla (2)
2017–2018 Comunicaciones (2)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 1 January 2019

Centurión, son of retired international soccer player Cristino Centurión,[1] has played in Argentina, Paraguay, Guatemala and Puerto Rico.

Career

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Centurión contesting the ball with Jose Montiel of Club Olimpia, in a match at Estadio Feliciano Cáceres

Early career

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Paulo Centurión made his debut in his native province of Formosa in 2002 at Club Sol de América in the first division of the regional Liga Formoseña de Fútbol, where he was the best defender of that season.[citation needed] In 2003, he moved to Club Defensa y Justicia, also in Formosa.

He later joined Club Guaraní of Paraguay and debuted as a professional player on 29 August 2004, against Club Nacional.[2] He scored his first goal on 16 April 2006 against Club Fernando de la Mora.[3]

Comunicaciones

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Centurion and Joel Benítez before the Guatemalan Clásico in October 2006

In June 2006, Comunicaciones of Liga Nacional de Guatemala signed Centurión on a one-year loan with an option to purchase. He made his official debut for the team on 30 July against Deportivo Suchitepequez, a match which ended in a 2–1 home loss.

Centurion finished runner-up with the club in the Apertura 2006 league tournament, where Comunicaciones lost the final to their archrival Municipal on away goals after a 1–1 draw on aggregate. Despite the loss, Centurión won the award for best Central defender of the Apertura.[citation needed]

In the 2007 Clausura on 7 March 2007, Centurión scored the first goal of the match in a 3–1 victory against Suchitepequez.[4] Centurión played his last official match in a 2–1 win against Xelaju.

After a failure to reach an agreement between the respective clubs, Centurión left the club with a good image for his performance in the Torneo Apertura 2006 and Clausura 2007.

Club Guaraní

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Centurión of Club Guaraní covering the ball against a Club Nacional player

After his time in Guatemalan soccer, Centurión returned to Paraguay to rejoin Club Guarani in July 2007.

There he played the Torneo Clausura 2007 and Torneo Apertura 2008. On 13 April 2008 during the Apertura, Centurión scored his third goal as a professional and second with Club Guarani, in a 2–2 draw against Sportivo Luqueño.[5][6] Having secured his place in the starting 11, Centurión was pursued by several interested clubs. After the Apertura 2008 concluded, C.S.D. Municipal reached an agreement with Club Guarani and Centurión for a one-year loan with an option to purchase.[7] With the transfer, Centurión became one of the few foreigners to play for both clubs. His last match with Guarani occurred against Club Nacional on 29 June 2008.[8]

Municipal

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Centurión of Municipal and Jairo Arreola of Comunicaciones, former teammates now rivals contesting the ball in the Guatemalan Clásico

2008 season

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On 26 July 2008, Centurión made his official debut with Municipal, where the team faced Deportivo Xinabajul away from home and lost 2–1.[9]

After placing second in the Torneo Apertura 2008, Municipal achieved direct qualification to represent the country in the 2008–09 CONCACAF Champions League. On 17 September 2008 in Torreón, Mexico, the club made its debut in the contest against Santos Laguna. Santos won 3–2 in a match considered to be the best of the championship.[10] Centurion and his team finished last in the group stage, with one win, three draws, and two losses. In their final match on 30 October 2008, Centurion participated the full 90 minutes, but gave away a penalty as his club tied group winners Santos 4–4.[11]

 
Centurión challenging for the ball with Ecuadorian forward Christian Benítez
 
Centurión with Carlos González

In the league, the team eventually placed first in the regular season. In the semi-finals they disposed of Deportivo Xinabajul to set up a final with Comunicaciones. Comunicaciones ended up winning with a 3–2 aggregate score at Estadio Mateo Flores, leaving Centurión and his team empty handed without a trophy.[12]

2009 season

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Centurión began the 2009 Torneo Clausura by scoring a goal on 19 April 2009 against Heredia Jaguares at home, where the team won 2–1.[13] The team finished second in the regular season and advanced to the semi-finals, defeating Deportivo Suchitepequez 3–2 on aggregate with a great comeback after having lost the first leg 2–0. The Final would be played against Deportivo Jalapa, which resulted in a 4–1 loss on aggregate, again leaving Municipal empty-handed.

After failing to reach an agreement with Guarani, Centurión left the club where he contested the Torneo Apertura 2008, 2008–09 Champions League, and Torneo Clausura 2009, having been an important contributor to Municipal's efforts.

Centurión became one of the few foreign players who have played in the two top soccer teams of Guatemala and have played El Clásico with both teams.[14]

Return to Club Guaraní

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Celebration in the locker room between Joel Benítez and Eduardo Filippini with the 2010 league trophy

In July 2009 Centurión returned to Club Guarani. He participated in the Clausura 2009 Tournament, where the club qualified for the 2010 Copa Sudamericana with a third place regular season finish.

In the 2010 Torneo Apertura, Club Guaraní won the league, giving Centurión his first title win. This title qualified Guaraní for the 2011 Copa Libertadores. Centurión scored one goal with the club, in a 5–2 victory against Tacuary on 17 February 2010.[15]

River Plate Puerto Rico

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Centurión with the ball in the game against Guaynabo Fluminense at Estadio Juan Ramón Loubriel

In September 2010, Club Atlético River Plate Puerto Rico announced their acquisition of Centurión.[16] He played in the 2010 PRSL Season, becoming one of the team's best players and being named team captain. The team went on to win the Puerto Rico Soccer League championship,[17] with the first match of the final against Puerto Rico Islanders, a 1–0 victory, taking place on Centurión's birthday.[18]

In 2011, he played in the CFU Club Championship and the PRSL.

Sarmiento de Resistencia

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Centurion in action with Sarmiento during the match played against General San Martin

2011–12

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Centurion posing for photographers before the match between Sarmiento and Racing Avellaneda in the 2011–12 Copa Argentina r16

On 2 August 2011, Centurión was signed by Torneo Argentino B club Sarmiento de Resistencia.[19][20] He made his official debut for the club on 6 September 2011 in the Second Round of the Copa Argentina against San Martin of Formosa, where Sarmiento won 4–3 by way of penalties (0–0 draw after 90 minutes).[21] Centurión, along with his team, advanced to the round of 16 after beating higher-division teams like second division club Gimnasia y Esgrima de Jujuy in the round of 64,[22] and 2011–12 Primera División champion Arsenal de Sarandi in the round of 32.[23][24] In the round of 16, Sarmiento faced eventual cup-runner up Racing de Avellaneda; The club lost the match 2–0 and was eliminated from the tournament, although with the best performance from a Torneo Argentino B club.[25]

On 11 September 2011, Centurión officially debuted in the Torneo Argentino B facing Guaraní Antonio Franco with a 1–0 loss. The club finished fourth of 7 in the group standings and barely missed out on qualifying to the next phase based on head-to-head record with third-placed team San Martin de Formosa.[26][27]

2012–13

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Unlike the previous tournament, Sarmiento came first out of 14 teams in the Group 4 standings and qualified to the next stage. However, in the next stage, Sarmiento finished last in a group made up of 4 teams and were eliminated.[28] The player's last match with Sarmiento was in a 0–1 loss against General San Martin.[citation needed]

In the 2012–13 Copa Argentina, he played his first game against rivals Chaco For Ever, where Sarmiento won on penalties 4–3 (0–0 after 90 min.),[29] moving on to the next stage to face Jorge Gibson Brown. [30] The result was a 2–0 loss, which resulted in Sarmiento being eliminated.

After no agreement was made, Centurión decided to leave the club after the 2012–13 season in order to return to his hometown and keep playing the same category, giving priority to his family.[citation needed]

 
Centurión with Sol de América in a match against Atletico Laguna Blanca

Sol de América Formosa

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After 11 years, Centurión returned to his native province and rejoined the club that saw him make his debut, Sol de América, for the 2013–14 Torneo Argentino B season.[31]

He made his second debut with Sol de América on 22 September 2013 in Posadas, Misiones, against Asociación Ex Alumnos – 185th. Sol de América had a good performance in the aforementioned tournament, where they finished first in their zone and ended second in their group in the second phase. They were eliminated in the third phase by Union Aconquija.

At the end of the season, Centurión left the club. His last match with Sol de América was against Club Fontana de Resistencia on 10 November 2013; Centurión's team won 3–0.[32]

Antigua Guatemala

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Centurion in Antigua celebrating his goal with dedications to his wife who was pregnant

After 4 ½ years, Centurion returns to Guatemalan football and joins Antigua GFC.[33] He made his debut on 26 January 2014 in a 0–0 draw against Coban Imperial.

On 23 February Centurión scored his first goal with the shirt of Antigua against Sacachispas; the match finished in a bulky 6–1 victory in favor of Antigua, and Centurión scored the second goal of the match shortly before halftime.[34] His last official game was on 4 May against Deportivo Carchá. After 6 months Centurión left the Antigueñan club.

Deportivo Coatepeque

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Centurion with the ball in a Coatepeque shirt against Suchitepéquez

Shortly after leaving Antigua, he joined another Guatemalan Club, Deportivo Coatepeque, in October 2014.[35]

The team was very committed to the topic of avoiding relegation since in those instances they occupied the last position in the standings. He debuted in a 1–0 loss against Comunicaciones on 18 October 2014.

In the middle of the Apertura, he began to wear the captain's armband. Because of his good performances, he began to receive offers from other teams in Guatemala. However, he gave priority to Coatepeque since he was committed to helping the team avoid relegation.[citation needed] Results were improving with Centurión in the squad, but other teams weren't dropping points, and eventually the team was relegated. His last match for the club was against Comunicaciones on 18 April 2015, which ended in a 4–0 loss.[36]

Universidad San Carlos

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Centurión behind Panamanian striker Rolando Blackburn of Comunicaciones

With the 2015–16 season already underway,[37] he receives an offer from Universidad San Carlos and signs a six-month contract for the club on 6 October 2015 which includes a six-month extension to play the Clausura.[38][39] Four days later he officially makes his debut away to Cobán Imperial, being subbed in at the start of the second half of a 2–2 draw.

Centurion's last official match with the club was against his former team Antigua, which ended in a 1–0 loss.

Deportivo Escuintla Heredia

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Paulo Centurión celebrating the winning goal against Santa Lucía Cotzumalguapa, his second goal wearing the colors of Escuintla Heredia

With the league tournament already underway, Centurión received an offer from Deportivo Escuintla Heredia in the Primera División de Ascenso (second tier). What persuaded Centurion to transfer to the club was the head coach; he was the same coach that introduced him to Guatemalan football a decade ago with Comunicaciones, and they developed an excellent friendship.

 
Paulo Centurión in the final against Deportivo Carchá

He debuted in a 1–0 win against Nueva Concepción. In his second game facing Deportivo Chiantla, Centurión scored his team's second goal in a 3–0 victory. In the penultimate matchday of the qualification phase; Escuintla Heredia faced Santa Lucia Cotzumalguapa and won 1–0 with a Centurión goal.

As champion of the 2015 Apertura, Escuintla Heredia qualified for the superfinal between the Apertura and Clausura champions, the Clausura champion being Deportivo Carcha.[40][41][42] The superfinal was played on 22 May on neutral ground.[43][44] The match ended 2–2 after extra time, and Escuintla lost the shootout 5–4.[45][46] However, this did not eliminate all possibilities for promotion; they still had a second opportunity to achieve promotion by playing a relegation playoff against the last placed team in the Primera Division, which in this case was Deportivo Malacateco.[47][48][49] The playoff would be played over two legs; the first leg was played on 28 May with Escuintla Heredia losing 2–1 at home.[50][51] The second leg on 5 June at Estadio Santa Lucia ended in a 4–2 defeat, with the aggregate score being 6–3. The result meant that Malacateco remained in the top division, and Escuintla Heredia failed to achieve promotion.[52]

 
Paulo Centurión heading the ball

After the conclusion of the 2015–2016 Season, Centurion reached an agreement with the club board and extended his contract for one more year, to play the 2016–2017 Season. The Team began the 2016 Apertura with a 1–0 away victory to Santa Lucia Cotzumalguapa. They finish the regular phase obtaining qualification to the quarter-finals, where they were eliminated by Deportivo Mixco 5–4 on penalties after a 1–1 draw over two legs.[53][54]

The objective for the 2017 Clausura was the same; to achieve promotion. In their first match of the season the club gets off to a good start with an away victory over Deportivo Iztapa. However the club had a poor season and failed to qualify for the next stage, and at the conclusion of the season Centurion left the club

Return to Comunicaciones

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Centurión in Comunicaciones, posing with his son.

After 11 years, Centurión returned to Comunicaciones, club which he left after the 2006–07 season concluded. He was signed to a one-year contract.[55][56] Shortly after being signed, he was sent to the club's second team, Comunicaciones B.

2017 Clausura

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Centurión celebrating his first goal at Cremas B

Comunicaciones began the tournament in poor form, losing at home to Universidad SC 1–0. The team was not able to bounce out of this poor form, and Comunicaciones finished the Apertura tournament last in the league table. This put Comunicaciones in a crisis, because now they had to finish in the top three spots in the Clausura table to avoid relegation. The team managed to improve the situation in the Clausura Tournament, where they eventually managed to finish in first place, securing their permanence in the top category and achieving qualification for the playoffs with one matchday left. In the quarterfinals they faced Santa Lucía Cotzumalguapa. The first leg, away from home, ended in a 3–1 loss. In the second leg at Estadio Cementos Progreso, Comunicaciones B overturned the result by winning 2-0 and tying 3–3 on aggregate, which qualified them to the semifinal on away goals.[57][58] Through the league's format, Comunicaciones won the right to play a two legged playoff for direct promotion, and for this Deportivo Chiantla would be their opponent, and by positions in their respective groups, Comunicaciones would be the home side in the first leg. Comunicaciones B lost 4–1 on aggregate and were eliminated in the semi-finals.[59][60]

2018 Apertura

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For the next season, the club renewed Centurión's contract for one more year. Centurion played in the club's league debut, a 0–0 draw at home to Carchá.

Centurión scored his first goal for the club against Deportivo Sansare, opening the scoring in a match that ended 2–0. Everything was going well, and he scored again in the next game, a bulk 5–1 victory away to Universidad.[61] The club qualified to the playoffs by finishing fourth in the league table. In the quarterfinals they faced Santa Lucia, where they were eliminated, 4–2 on aggregate.[62][63]

Honors

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Club Guaraní

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Club Atlético River Plate Puerto Rico

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References

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  1. ^ Paulo Centurion in an interview with his family 15 April 2008, ABC Paraguay
  2. ^ Paulo Centurion's debut as a footballer
  3. ^ Guarani thrashes Fernando de la Mora (1st goal by Paulo Centurion Professionally) [dead link‍]
  4. ^ "Comunicaciones 3-1 Suchitepequez", Youtube, 9 March 2007
  5. ^ Centurión Gol vs Sportivo Luqueño
  6. ^ "Guaraní vs. Sportivo Luqueño 2-2 - Football Match Summary". ESPN.com. 13 April 2008. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
  7. ^ Centurion arrives CSD Municipal
  8. ^ "Paraguay 2008- Round 22 [June 29]- Guarani vs Nacional 2-3". RSSSF. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
  9. ^ "Xinabajul vs. Municipal - 27 July 2008 - Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
  10. ^ "Apurado triunfo de Santos 3-2 sobre Municipal". Zocalo.com.mx (in Mexican Spanish). 17 September 2008. Retrieved 17 February 2022.
  11. ^ "Municipal 4-4 Santos - Análisis del partido". ESPN. 30 October 2008. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
  12. ^ "Comunicaciones se corona campeón en Guatemala". Laprensa.hn (in Spanish). 22 December 2008. Retrieved 17 February 2022.
  13. ^ Opening Goal Centurion
  14. ^ "Interview with Paulo Centurión". Rojodecorazon. Archived from the original on 15 March 2016. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
  15. ^ "Club Guaraní vs. Tacuary 5-2". soccerway.com. 17 February 2010. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
  16. ^ /noticias/sep10-centurion.htm New player of River Plate Puerto Rico
  17. ^ "River Plate Puerto Rico Champion In The SuperCopa". Rivermillonarios.com.ar. 13 December 2010. Archived from the original on 6 August 2016. Retrieved 4 March 2017.
  18. ^ "River Plate-Puerto Rico plantó bandera y derrotó a los Islanders". ballcharts.com. 9 December 2010. Archived from the original on 14 August 2016.
  19. ^ Centurion Paulo joined the Sarmiento
  20. ^ "Interview with Paulo Centurión player Sarmiento". Copaargentina.org. Archived from the original on 5 December 2011. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
  21. ^ "Debut with Sarmiento". Contrapuntoya.com. Archived from the original on 15 March 2016. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
  22. ^ "Sarmiento beat Gimnasia de Jujuy". Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
  23. ^ "¡Gran sorpresa! Arsenal eliminado por Sarmiento". Fox Sports. 21 March 2012. Archived from the original on 6 August 2016.
  24. ^ "Gran batacazo de Sarmiento de Resistencia que eliminó en los 90 minutos a Arsenal de 1ºA". Diario26. 21 March 2012. Retrieved 17 February 2022.
  25. ^ "Racing Club v Sarmiento Resistencia 2-0 | Copa Argentina". Goal.com. 19 April 2012. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  26. ^ "Sarmiento kicks off on Sept. 11 its first game". Clubguaraniaf.com. Archived from the original on 12 October 2016. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
  27. ^ Velazco, Javier. "Complete fixtures and format of Torneo Argentino B". FormosaFutbol.net (in Spanish).
  28. ^ "Sarmiento Eliminado" [Sarmiento eliminated]. lavozdeldeportechaco.blogspot.com. 21 May 2013. Retrieved 17 February 2022.
  29. ^ For Ever Sarmiento eliminated on penalties after drawing 0–0
  30. ^ "Copa Argentina: Sarmiento recibe a Gibson Brown". Diario Chaco (in Spanish). 7 November 2012.
  31. ^ Paulo Centurión agrees with Sol de América
  32. ^ "Sol de América acentuó el mal presente de Fontana". entretiempo (in Spanish). 10 November 2013.
  33. ^ Officially / Centurion and Murga officially registered[permanent dead link‍]
  34. ^ "ANTIGUA GFC ARRASA A SACACHISPAS". semenarioantigueno.com. Retrieved 21 October 2022.
  35. ^ "Paulo Centurion already works in Coatepeque". Clickdeportivo.com. 10 October 2014. Archived from the original on 18 May 2016.
  36. ^ "Comunicaciones vs. Coatepeque 4-0". Soccerway.com. 18 April 2015. Retrieved 17 February 2022.
  37. ^ Paulo Centurion reached an economic agreement with the "U"[permanent dead link‍]
  38. ^ "La Red Guatemala: Paulo Centurión queda vinculado a la Usac". La Red Guatemala. 7 October 2015. Retrieved 1 July 2022.
  39. ^ "La Universidad confirmó a Centurión y espera a un defensa argentino". prensalibre.com (in Spanish). 6 October 2015. Retrieved 1 July 2022.
  40. ^ Escuintla Heredia proclaims first champion
  41. ^ "Escuintla Heredia champion of the First Division". Archived from the original on 8 August 2016. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  42. ^ "Escuintla Heredia is First Division Champion". Archived from the original on 18 August 2016. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  43. ^ "La Previa: Carchá vrs Escuintla / Heredia". Archived from the original on 24 May 2016. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  44. ^ Carla and Escuintla-Heredia will play for the place of the Usac
  45. ^ PHOTOS: Carchá Vs Escuintla – End of Promotion
  46. ^ "Carchá returns to the Major League". emisorasunidas.com. Archived from the original on 28 May 2016. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  47. ^ The repechaje will be played with round-trip match
  48. ^ The regulations contradict and the repechaje enters into controversy
  49. ^ The repechaje will be played in two Games
  50. ^ Malacateco takes advantage in the repechage series
  51. ^ González, Sergio (28 May 2016). "Liga Nacional - Repechaje - Escuintla Heredia 1-2 Malacateco". Antorcha Deportiva: Deportes Guatemala (in Spanish). Retrieved 30 November 2023.
  52. ^ "Malacateco will continue in Major League (4-2 beat Escuintla)". Guatevision.com. Archived from the original on 7 June 2016. Retrieved 4 March 2017.
  53. ^ Quarterfinals Defined in the First Division[permanent dead link‍]
  54. ^ Mixco takes advantage and eliminates Escuintla
  55. ^ "Paulo Centurión returned to Communications". Archived from the original on 24 June 2017. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
  56. ^ "Paulo Centurión will play in the First Division". Archived from the original on 25 June 2017. Retrieved 24 June 2017.
  57. ^ They are approaching the Promotion
  58. ^ "Creams B: In the First Division or in the Major League?". Archived from the original on 12 January 2019. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
  59. ^ "First Division - Cremas B vs Chiantla". lared.com. Archived from the original on 12 January 2019. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
  60. ^ Video Summary: Communications 1-2 Chiantla - Closing 2018 Semifinal first division
  61. ^ Universidad 1-5 Comunicaciones B - Primera Division Opening 2018
  62. ^ CSD Comunicaciones B - Santa Lucia Cotzumalguapa FC
  63. ^ First Division 2018/2019
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