Monday 5 October 2009

Copa Sudamericana First Round Second Legs

Vitória 1-1 River Plate Montevideo
River Plate Montevideo advances 4-1 on points
Fluminense 4-1 Alianza Atlético Sullana
Fluminense advances 4-1 on points
Unión Española 2-2 Vélez Sársfield
Vélez Sársfield advances 4-1 on points
Universidad de Chile 1-0 Internacional
Universidad de Chile advances 4-1 on points
Emelec Guayaquil 2-1 Botafogo
Botafogo advances on goal difference
Lanús 1-1 Liga de Quito
Liga de Quito advances 4-1 on points
Cienciano Cusco 0-2 San Lorenzo
San Lorenzo advances 6-0 on points
Goiás 3-1 Cerro Porteño
Cerro Porteño advances on away goals

Vitória didn't climb the required mountain as two late goals saw River Plate Montevideo claim a draw to advance into the last eight. Not that Vitória didn't go for it, they battered River but wasted a host of chances. Vitória eventually went ahead three minutes from time when Elkeson's shot from the edge of the area found the net but they were caught on the break deep in injury time and Jorge Córdoba levelled matters. Fluminense continue to leave their poor league form behind as they advances to the last 8 after crushing Alianza Atlético Sullana. The visitors went ahead when Marcio Valverde converted from the penalty spot after a hand ball. Dario Conca levelled things 5 minutes before half time with a cracking free kick. Then the fun started, Marcio Valverde and Luiz Alberto were shown straight red cards after an altercation. Alan then put Fluminense ahead before Alianza were reduced to 8 men with Ruben Mori and Rafael Farfán sent off for second yellow cards in the space of three minutes. Fluminense took full advantage and a brace from Adeilson sent Fluminense into the last 8.

Vélez Sársfield left it late to sneak into the last eight after a comeback in Chile against Unión Española. The home side were two up before the break, Jorge Ampuero put Unión ahead after 20 minutes and Gustavo Canales header doubled the lead 5 minutes before half time. Leandro Caruso got Vélez back in the game with a disputed goal 70 seconds into the second half and then broke Unión hearts with his second 7 minutes from time after being left unmarked on the edge of the six yard box. Internacional's reign is over after they were knocked out by Universidad de Chile in Santiago. It took a single goal from the hosts 8 minutes from half time, Juan Olivera heading home from a free kick to send Universidad through and Internacional to concentrate on qualifying for the Libertadores next year.

Botafogo were another team to put poor league form behind them to qualify for the last 8 despite defeat to Emelec. The game started well for the Botafogo as Andre Lima's header grabbed them what could prove to be a vital away goal. Emelec threw everything at Botafogo but had to wait until the 53rd minute when Carlos Quinonez equalised. Five minutes later Emelec were ahead after a header from José Quinonez but Botafogo held on to qualify on goal difference. After a comfortable win last week Liga de Quito sent a virtual reserve team to Lanús and still came away with an impressive draw. Claudio Bieler put Liga de Quito ahead with a 30 yard free kick with 20 minutes to go but Lanús restored parity and pride when Santiago Salcedo levelled things 6 minutes later with a near post header.

San Lorenzo completed their comfortable passage against Cienciano after an excellent win in Peru. Cristian Gonzalez put the visitors ahead after 35 minutes after his shot from the edge of the area found the back of the net. Gonzalo Govira doubled the advantage six minutes from time with a rasper as the 2003 winners progressed into the last 8. 10 man Goiás crashed out despite a 3-1 victory over Cerro Porteño. Felipe opened the scoring for Goiás 5 minutes before half time but then Everton was sent off for a shocking knee high challenge. Carlos Recalde got what proved to be the vital goal for Cerro Porteño when he arrived at the back post to fire home with 20 minutes to go. Two minutes later, Felipe grabbed his second of the night to edge Goiás ahead on the night and then with 10 minutes to go Léo Lima's header levelled the scored on aggregate but Cerro Porteño held on and sneaked through into the last 8.

The last 8 draw looks like this. First legs are on October 20-22 with the return legs on November 3-5. If I were a gambling man, I'd predict the winner of the whole competition will come from the winner of the Vélez v LDU tie.

Cerro Porteño v Botafogo
Vélez Sársfield v Liga de Quito
River Plate Montevideo v San Lorenzo
Fluminense v Universidad de Chile



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