Copa Sudamericana Week 1

This competition is a bit mad this year. At the moment there are first stage and second stage ties taking place at the same time. Some ties have a month between the legs and some ties don't actually get underway until September. So, until things smooth over we'll be doing coverage on a week by week basis.

1st Stage 1st Leg

Defensor Sporting 2-0 Olimpia
Deportivo Quito 3-2 Universidad San Martin
Atlético Huila 4-1 Trujillanos

The 2010 Copa Nissan Sudamericana got underway in Uruguay on Tuesday night as Defensor Sporting opened up a two goal advantage over Olimpia of Paraguay. A goal in each half from Rodrigo Mora enough to give Defensor an advantage for the second leg which take place in a months time. Ecuador's Deportivo Quito needed a last minute goal from Luis Checa to give them a slim advantage ofver Universidad San Martin of Peru. Deportivo took the lead half way through the first half through Isaac Mina but six minutes after the break Pablo Vitti levelled for Universidad San Martin. Ten minutes later Jose Fernándex restored Deportivo's and the visitors were reduced to ten men a minute later when John Hinostroza was sent off. Despite being a man short Universidad levelled again through German Alemanno 16 minutes from time before Checa stole victory for Deportivo ahead of the return next week.

Atlético Huila of Colombia tentatively put a foot into the second stage after a 4-1 victory over Trujillanos of Venezuela. Carlos Carbonero gave Atlético the perfect start when he put them ahead with only five minutes on the clock. Trujillanos though stunned the home fans when Ruben Garcia levelled after twenty minutes. Atlético restored their lead thirtenn minute before the break when Rafael Castillo found the back of the net and they doubled their lead six minutes later when Gonzalo Martínez converted from the spot. Trujillanos' Jose Díaz saw red eight mintues from time and Atlético made the man advantage count when Ivan Velásquez got the fourth in injury time. The return leg takes place the first week of September.

2nd Stage 1st Leg

Prudente 0-0 Atlético Mineiro
Goiás 1-1 Grêmio

No goals at the Prudentão as a strong Atlético-MG side kept their second second clean sheet since the start of the Série A campaign. Prudente were making their debut in a continental competition and had the better of the chances but Atlético-MG kept their defence intact for the return in Belo Horizonte next week. Goiás and Grêmio could have been the tie that neither team wanted to win given their positions in Série A but after the experience of Fluminense last year it could be a springboard to survival. Onto the game, and Grêmio took the lead with 35 minutes on the clock when Hugo took the lead. Grêmio of course have a shocking away record and the let their lead slip with 13 minutes to go, Rafael Moura converting from the penalty spot. The second leg is in Porto Alegre next week.