In the First B of Colombian soccer, there is a team that is ‘flying’, it is the leader with 30 points and is the only one qualified for the final home runs of the I-2024 Tournament, with four round-robin dates remaining. This is Atlético Huila, a club that has recorded 10 victories and just one defeat, in the middle of a sporting process under the Independiente investment group, the same owner of the popular Independiente del Valle, from Ecuador.
The ‘opitas’ are directed by Diego Corredor and have a roster that combines experience, youth and international talent. One of the key players is Sebastián Hernández, midfielder and captain of the team, who at 37 years old ‘commands’ the midfield and has a deep love for the colors yellow and green.
Hernández was born in Medellín and forged a long career in soccer, passing through teams such as Deportes Quindío, Millonarios, Emelec, Deportivo Cali, Once Caldas, Deportivo Táchira, Atlético Huila, Independiente Medellín, Ludogorets Razgrad, Cherno More Varna, Boluspor and Junior.
Sebastián Hernández firmly believes in Atlético Huila’s new project and that is why he was Gol Caracol’s guest on ‘Historias de la B’.
Atlético Huila.
What has been the key to Atlético Huila’s good campaign so far?
“One of the fundamental factors for the team to evolve quickly and achieve good results has been the hiring of players, who, although they do not come from big teams, some who had not even played in the second division, have a job of scouting and that are the characteristics for the club’s game model, for the coach’s idea of the game. That is difficult to find in Colombian soccer. There is also the day-to-day work of the coaches and planning. “We are just beginning in that process and we have good results.”
How have you seen the arrival of the new owners (Grupo Independiente) reflected at Atlético Huila?
“They arrived when the team was in A, fighting relegation. In the end they were not able to maintain the category, but starting in November this sports project began to be structured. They want to do what they have done in Independiente del Valle for so many years and it has worked for them. Obviously theirs comes from 15 or 18 years ago and we are just starting here. They are giving us many tools so that the player can continue to evolve.”
The style of play
“Now all of this is starting to take shape at Atlético Huila, the idea of the game of the three teams, the U-17, U-20 and the professional team, is the same. So the younger ones will be able to move to the first team and they will not be “It’s going to cost so much because you’re going to have to work hard, have information about the game that will allow you to make a difference.”
Atlético Huila.
If the team is promoted, how can it stay in the first division?
“B is not the same as A, I believe that one thing is to flow and another thing is to be prepared in every sense of the word to be able to compete and not return to B and to be able to compete in international tournaments and in that it is what is being worked on. The idea is that it is a sustainable process with a group that has been working for a long time. You have to be well prepared, not only in football but also to have the stadium renovated and have conditions for what you are competing in. TO”.
His love for Atlético Huila
“It is difficult to speak one thing and express another. It is demonstrated on the field, when you feel happy, enjoying yourself and they value you. In 2011 I had my first stage in Huila and it was very nice and I felt very comfortable. At the same time In the end I had many proposals, but I spoke with the president at that time and they wanted me to continue. I told him ‘I’ll only leave if they pay me twice as much elsewhere, I’m happy here’. Now I’m back and I’m sorry again. “I like the city, the team, the heat, and when you radiate that, it is joy. Where I have felt best is in Neiva and I had the best moments of my career.”
About his studies in football and his intentions to contribute to Atlético Huila
“I have obtained a coaching license, I have to coach up to the U-20. In business administration I did a master’s degree in Management of sports entities and now I am also going to start one in Sports Management. I think that in the future I would lean towards the administrative part and of sports projects. I don’t see myself training as much, but one never knows tomorrow we will look at which side we are still linked to football because in reality it is what I am passionate about and I would like in this beautiful project that Atlético Huila is doing from now on. the sporting and the social.”
