Guadalajara upset odds to reach Libertadores final
Reuters - Wednesday 04 August 2010, 06:09
SANTIAGO - Guadalajara recorded a stunning
2-0 away win over Universidad de Chile on Tuesday to reach the
Libertadores Cup final for the first time.
Xavier Baez and Jonny Magallon scored in each half of the
semi-final second leg to give the Chivas a 3-1 aggregate win as
they made the most of a goodwill gesture to invite them into
South America's top club tournament.
They became only the second Mexican team to reach the final
since the country's clubs were first invited to take part in
1998.
Last year, Guadalajara and fellow Mexicans San Luis
withdrew from the tournament when their opponents declined to
travel to Mexico for second round matches because of the H1N1
flu outbreak.
The Mexican Football Federation angrily announced their
teams would not take part in future but the row was quickly
patched up and the two teams were given automatic places in the
last 16 of this year's tournament as compensation.
As a result, Guadalajara, beaten semi-finalists in 2005 and
2006, needed only six matches the reach the final.
Universidad de Chile started the match as favourites after
their 1-1 away draw last week but left too many gaps at the
back as they threw players forward.
The warning signs were evident when Guadalajara striker
Omar Bravo had two chances to score in the first five minutes.
The Chivas, who field only Mexican players, went ahead in
the 22nd minute when Baez scored with a long-range shot.
Jose Contreras and Rafael Olarra hit the bar for the
Chileans in a three-minute spell before the break but it was
Guadalajara who struck again when defender Magallon headed
their second goal seven minutes after half-time.
Follow FFT.com on Twitter
Join FFT.com on Facebook