Cruzeiro complete near perfect group phase
Reuters - Thursday 14 April 2011, 03:31
BUENOS AIRES - Libertadores Cup
favourites Cruzeiro took their goals tally to 20 in six matches
as they beat Estudiantes 3-0 away to go into the first knockout
round among the seeded group winners on Wednesday.
Cruzeiro, who lost the 2009 final to the Argentine team, got
their first win in La Plata at the fourth attempt having crushed
Estudiantes 5-0 at home in their Group Seven opener in February.
Thiago Ribeiro put the Brazilian side ahead in the 11th
minute when he slotted fellow striker Wallyson's cross home at
the far post.
Man-of-the-match Wallyson took his personal tally to six
when he gave his side a 2-0 half-time lead with a fine solo goal
in added-time, sneaking between two defenders to round
goalkeeper Agustin Orion and shoot into the roof of the net.
Left-back Gilberto made it three in a lightning
counter-attack eight minutes from the end of a rain-soaked
second half at the Ciudad de La Plata stadium.
"The Libertadores is tough so we always mark hard when we
don't have the ball, then when we are in possession we try to
play attractive football in the Brazilian style," right back
Pablo told Fox Sports of Cruzeiro's mix between strong defence
and fast counter-attacks.
Cruzeiro finished the group phase with 16 points from five
wins and a 0-0 draw - away to Deportes Tolima of Colombia - and
a goals tally of 20-1.
Four times South American champions Estudiantes, who had
also already qualified before Wednesday's matches, finished
second with 10 points and Tolima third with eight.
Paraguay's Guarani lost their last match 2-0 at home to
Tolima to notch up six defeats and a goals count of 2-16.
Teams to have qualified so far for the last 16 also include
former champions LDU Quito, Penarol and Gremio, Colombia's
Atletico Junior and Libertad of Paraguay.