Monday 21 September 2009

Copa Sudamericana Preliminary Round 2nd Legs Part 3

Deportivo Anzoátegui 1-2 Alianza Atlético Sullana
Alianza Atlético Sullana advances 4-1 on points
San Lorenzo 1-0 Tigre
San Lorenzo advances on away goals rule
Lanús 1-0 River Plate
Lanús advances 6-0 on points
Vélez Sársfield 1-0 Boca Juniors
Vélez Sársfield advances 4-1 on points
Goiás 1-1 Atlético Miniero
Goiás advances 6-5 on penalties
Botafogo 3-2 Atlético Paranaense
Botafogo advances 4-1 on points


After a goalless first leg in Peru 6 weeks ago, Deportivo Anzoátegui and Alianza Atlético finally met up in Venezuela for the second leg. It was the visitors who took a shock lead when Marcio Valverde fired home a free kick with 14 minutes on the clock. It meant that Anzoátegui could only progress by winning the game and the finally equalised with 25 minutes to go when Juan Garcia was left unmarked to slot home the equaliser. The lead only lasted two minutes, Jhonatan Rodriguez with a diving header to spark wild celebrations from the Peruvians. Giacomo Di Girogi was shown a straight red card for Anzoátegui with 5 minutes to go to compound their misery.

San Lorenzo sneaked through to the last 16 of the competition after a late late winner stunned Tigre who seemed to be heading into the First Round proper. With the scores still locked with 5 minutes to go San Lorenzo, the 2002 winners, had Juan Menseguéz sent off and all seemed lost but two minutes later Fabian Bordagaray connected with a cross from Pablo Pintos to volley home and send San Lorenzo through on away goals.

River Plate made it a bad week for the Buenos Aires big two as they were dumped out of the competition by Lanús. Already trailing from the first leg, River needed a win to progress but were denied when Santiago Salcedo fired Lanús ahead 10 minutes after half time in a game played in shocking conditions. Try as they might River couldn't find a way back into the game and then lost Martin Galmarini to a second yellow card 7 minutes from time. There were some spiteful scenes at the end of the game but nothing could take away from the easy progression of Lanús into the last 16.

Vélez Sársfield dumped Boca Juniors out of the competition after a 1-0 victory saw them qualify for the last 16. The only goal came on the hour as poor defending allowed Jonathan Cristaldo to slam home from a Fabian Cubero pass. Boca finished with 10 me, Martin Palermo seeing red for a poor mistimed challenge.

An extra 10 minutes entertainment in Goiás as they home side progressed on penalties into the last 16. Junior put Atlético-MG ahead with 20 minutes but the lead lasted 6 minutes before Atlético-MG conceded a penalty and Felipe converted. It went to a decider from 12 yards and Atlético-MG, got first advantage when Goiás fired over but Harlei saved the next penalty to keep it all square. It went to sudden death and a great save from Harlei, pushing the ball onto the post sent Goiás through.

Botofogo, with probably their finest performance of the season so far, knocked out Atlético-PR with a late goal. Wesley put Atlético-PR ahead on the half hour, blasting the ball past Juan Castillo in the Botafogo goal. The teams went in level at half time though, Reinaldo was bought down in the box and Lucio Flavio converted from the spot. Fogo started the second half strongly and the pressure paid off on the hour when Gabriel put them ahead. Atlético-PR pushed forward and levelled with 9 minutes to go when when a poor piece of goalkeeping allowed Nei to level. At that stage Atlético-PR were heading through on away goals but three minutes later Wellington stuck a foot out after Lucio Flavio's flick on to send Fogo into the last 16. It was a first win in charge for new coach Estevam Soares.

When the next round games take place is anybodys guess, the first legs are scheduled for this coming week with the second legs a week later but knowing this lot anything could happen.

The First Round Draw is as follows, as we welcome holders Internacional into the competition.

Goiás v Cerro Porteño
Unión Española v Vélez Sársfield
Vitória v River Plate Montevideo
Universidad de Chile v Internacional
Fluminense v Alianza Atlético Sullana
Cienciano Cusco v San Lorenzo
Lanús v Liga de Quito
Emelec Guayaquil v Botafogo

No comments: