Ten-man Universidad de Chile stun Flamengo
Reuters - Thursday 13 May 2010, 04:01
BUENOS AIRES - Ten-man Universidad de
Chile did a "Maracanazo" when they upset Flamengo 3-2 in Rio de
Janeiro in the first leg of their Libertadores Cup
quarter-final on Wednesday.
There was another away win for Sao Paulo, who upset 2009
runners-up Cruzeiro in the first leg of their all-Brazilian tie
at the Mineirao in Belo Horizonte.
The term Maracanazo was first coined when Uruguay upset
Brazil at the giant Maracana stadium in Rio to win the 1950
World Cup.
Universidad de Chile went ahead in the fifth minute, having
squandered a very good chance a minute earlier. The Flamengo
defenders were unable to control a cross from Eduardo Vargas
from the right on the rain-drenched pitch and Uruguay defender
Mauricio Victorino rifled the ball into the net.
The Chileans went further ahead in the 25th when midfielder
Rafael Olarra met a long, high ball out of defence into the
box, rising higher than goalkeeper Bruno to head the ball in.
Striker Adriano, overlooked by Brazil coach Dunga when he
named his 23-man World Cup squad on Tuesday, headed Flamengo
back into contention six minutes before the interval.
The U were left a man short just before halftime when Chile
midfielder Manuel Iturra was sent off for a foul on Willians,
his second booking.
However, hardly had the second half begun when The U made
it three. Bruno was slow to react to a cross from the left and
Uruguay midfielder Alvaro Fernandez beat him at the far post in
the 47th minute.
Defender Juan pulled another goal back for the home side
one minute from time but The U hung on for victory.
COACH SUSPENDED
Universidad de Chile's Uruguayan coach Gerardo Pelusso had
to watch the Maracana match from the stands having been handed
a provisional ban by the South American Football Confederation
(CSF).
The CSF acted on an official complaint from Alianza Lima
following The U's controversial second-round win over the
Peruvian side last week.
Alianza believe Pelusso's heated complaints on the
touchline persuaded the referee to change his mind and allow
the Chileans' stoppage time equaliser when three Universidad
players appeared to be offside. The 2-2 draw sent The U through
3-2 on aggregate.
The CSF said it was carrying out an investigation but the
result would stand.
Flamengo, South American champions in 1981, and Universidad
de Chile met at the group stage when The U won 2-1 at home and
held the Brazilians 2-2 in Rio.
The winners of the tie will meet Guadalajara or Paraguay's
Libertad. The Mexicans won their home leg 3-0 at the Jalisco in
the early hours of Wednesday.
At the Mineirao, striker Dagoberto put three times winners
Sao Paulo ahead in the 24th minute and Brazil midfielder
Hernanes added the second in the 65th from Fernandao's
exquisite backheeled pass.
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