LDU 2-0 Independiente
2009 Copa Sudamericana champions LDU de Quito of Ecuador have one foot in this year’s quarter finals after securing a 2-0 victory over reigning champions Independiente of Argentina, in what was a reply of last year’s semi-final.
Faced with the dizzy heights of Quito (some 2850 meters above sea level), new coach Ramon Diaz elected to repeat the approach taken by his predecessor Antonio Mohamed almost a year ago and had his Independiente team train 500 meters lower in the city of Guayaquil the day before the match.
Diaz’s side, however, failed in their efforts to acclimatise and were overrun for much of evening; they will likely count themselves lucky to have got away La Casa Blanca having only conceded the two on Wednesday night.
Marco Perez had an early chance to give the visitors the lead, racing clear following a swift counter attack, but his shot was blocked by the feet of Alexander Dominguez. From then on it was one-way traffic.
Paul Ambrosi put LDU ahead three minutes before the break, latching onto Hernan Barcos’ low cross before sweeping his shot into the roof of the net. Luis Bolanos grabbed LDU’s second seven minutes after the break, ending a neat passing move with a controlled volley that flew past Hilario Navarro in the Independiente goal.
“Our idea was to stat strong in defence, not let them turn us and then seize any opportunity we could to launch a counter-attack,” said Independiente defender Leonel Galeano. “We knew that was our chance, because they are very attacking and often leave spaces at the back. But we could not take advantage.
“For a team that are yet to achieve any sort of continuity, I think we did well,” added Matias Defederico. “Most importantly, we left the tie open.”
Godoy Cruz 1-1 Universitario
Olimpia 0-0 Arsenal de Sarandí
Botafogo 1-1 Independiente de Santa Fe
The action continued last night with three draws. Arsenal of Argentina held Paraguayan club Olimpia to a goalless draw while a stunning late Gonzalo Cabrera free-kick saved Godoy Cruz from defeat at home to Universitario of Peru. Botafogo of Brazil, meanwhile, were held at home by Colombian side Independiente de Santa Fe.
