Video: Once Caldas coach ordered a bottle of aguardiente at a press conference to celebrate qualification.

Once Caldas fulfilled one of its season goals and qualified for the Betplay League semifinals. The Manizales team narrowly defeated Deportivo Cali on Matchday 20 to secure a place in the top flight.

The Blancos of Manizales were forced to win; a slip-up could have left them out of the party. Mateo García 's goal in the 18th minute of the first half gave the fans at the Palogrande stadium the much-needed peace of mind.

Hernán Darío Herrera , coach of Once Caldas, attended the press conference with a smile from ear to ear after qualifying for the quadrangulars and was clear in making a statement of intent after the victory.

"I think the team showed grit and character today. We weren't facing a team from below. There's a fan base committed to the team…" "This isn't about boasting; we haven't won anything, but I want to win something at Once. We're fighting for that, and I know we'll achieve it with these players," said the coach.

"We can't underestimate the score we achieved; I think it's a decent score for the team we have. This also goes for all those coaches who have made a career of it, the supposedly outdated ones. The truth is, we're good," the coach stated.

The 'Arriero' gave a brief analysis of the tough Betplay Liga quadrangular he's about to play, in which he'll face Millonarios, Independiente Santa Fe, and Atlético Nacional . The experienced coach indicated that with his fans, it'll be difficult to lose at home.

“With this stadium, with the fans, the way we are here, I think it's going to be difficult for them to beat us,” added Hernán Darío.

At the end of the press conference, "El Arriero" had a very peculiar moment. As he was about to get up from his chair, he eyed a bottle of aguardiente and, in front of all the journalists, asked a curious question: "Can I take this one?"

Hernán Darío 's words generated laughter among those present. Mateo García, who accompanied him at the press conference, didn't hesitate to jokingly tell him to take it with him to celebrate with his players.

'El Arriero' didn't hesitate to grab the bottle and stand up, holding it tightly. It's not known for sure if the Colombian coach took it with him. It's worth noting that Once Caldas will play Fluminense this Thursday in the key Copa Sudamericana match.

Once Caldas fulfilled one of its season goals and qualified for the Betplay League semifinals. The Manizales team narrowly defeated Deportivo Cali on Matchday 20 to secure a place in the top flight.