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Santos holds America to scrape into Cup quarters

(China Daily)
Updated: 2011-05-05 07:55

Bruno Aguiar (left) of Brazil's Santos battles for the ball with Vicente Vuoso of Mexico's America. Reuters

BUENOS AIRES - Santos became the first team through to the Libertadores Cup quarterfinals when it held America of Mexico 0-0 in Queretaro in the second leg of their first knockout round tie on Tuesday.

The Brazilian side, twice inspired to the title of South American champion by Pele in the first decade of the competition in the 1960s, went through 1-0 on aggregate after winning the first leg at home.

Santos was on the back foot for most of the match, especially the second half, surviving its first scare at a corner taken by America's Argentine playmaker Daniel Montenegro in the 23rd minute.

Colombian defender Aquivaldo Mosquera's header hit the post then rebounded off goalkeeper Rafael's knee towards the left where striker Matias Vuoso shot into the side netting.

Santos playmaker Paulo Henrique Ganso hit the post when he curled a freekick around the wall early in the second half before Rafael became his team's hero.

Rafael tipped over three efforts from substitute striker Angel Reyna, top scorer in the Mexican Clausura championship, and a header from Enrique Esqueda as America pinned Santos back.

America was left to rue having to hold the match at La Corregidora in Queretaro instead of enjoying the advantage of high altitude at the Azteca in Mexico City where the rock band U2 was staging a concert.

Four more Brazilian sides are in action on Wednesday including national champion Fluminense, which leads Libertad 3-1 going into the second leg in Asuncion as it looks to win the title for the first time after reaching the 2008 final.

Holder Internacional entertains Penarol after a 1-1 draw in Montevideo, favorite Cruzeiro hosts Once Caldas of Colombia with a 2-1 lead and Gremio must recover from a 2-1 home defeat on its trip to Santiago to face Universidad Catolica.

Reuters

(China Daily 05/05/2011 page24)