3-3 on points, Vasco da Gama advances on goal difference
Vélez Sarsfield 3-2 Santa Fe
Vélez Sarsfield advances 4-1 on points
Now we mentioned last week that taking a two goal lead to the São Januário sometimes isn't enough. Well having a three goal lead on aggregate in the São Januário isn't enough either after a remarkable Vasco da Gama fightback saw them qualify to the semi finals at the expense of Universitario of Peru. Vasco took the lead half way through the first half when Diego Souza converted from the spot but ten minutes later the visitors were level on the night when Raul Ruidíaz finished off a sweeping counter attack. The second half started with both side being reduced to ten men when Souza was dismissed alongside Antonio González of Universitario after a few verbal hangbags. The visitors then stunned the home fans when they went three up on aggregate two minutes later when Jesus Rabanal long range shot took a deflection off Dedé. A header from Elton a minutes later levelled matters on the night and Dedé edged Vasco ahead three minutes short of the hour after a horrific goalkeeping error. Rabanal became the second scorer on the night to be sent off when he saw red on the hour and a Dedé header levelled the tie on goals seventeen minutes from time. Universitario were still on their way through thanks to the away goals rule but eight minutes from time Alecsandro converted a Juninho Pernambucano corner to leave the home side still dreaming of a possible treble success.
Vélez Sarsfield advanced to the semi-finals after a controversial second leg victory over Santa Fe in Buenos Aires. Following the 1-1 draw last week a penalty shoot out was soon deemed unnecessary when a brace from former West Ham player Guillermo Franco put Vélez two up inside the opening twenty minutes. The first a header after a shot had bounced off the woodwork and the second a cool finish after a sweet back heel in the build up. In their first appearance at this state Wilson Gutierrez's Santa Fe side were determined to keep plugging away. Jonathan Copete's toe poker got Santa Fe back the game a minute after the break before an Omar Pérez penalty put the visitors ahead on away goals half way through the second half and a shock was on the cards. In injury time Vélez got out of jail when referee Enrique Osses pointed to the spot for the second time in the game and Juan Martínez held his nerve under huge pressure and netted the penalty to send Vélez through to the last four.
Next week the semi final line up is completed with both games covered by Premier Sports TV
Libertad v LDU Quito - Thursday 2215 GMT
Universidad de Chile v Arsenal - Friday 0045 GMT
The Semi final draw is currently as follows....
Vélez Sarsfield v LDU Quito/Libertad
Universidad de Chile/Arsenal v Vasco da Gama
If Arsenal qualify next week then the semi finals will be
Vélez Sarsfield v Arsenal
Vasco da Gama v LDU Quito/Libertad
Premier Sports TV is the home of South American football in the UK
You can subscribe at www.premiersports.tv or by calling 0871 663 9000
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