Copa Libertadores: Fred fires Fluminense past Arsenal de Sarandi as Velez Sarsfield go top of group seven

The Brazil international's early goal secured the win in a game that saw three red cards while Sebastian Dominguez's sublime free kick earned the Argentines victory in Uruguay

Feb 8, 2012 4:15:00 AM

By Tom Webber

More On :  Arsenal, Chivas Guadalajara, Defensor Sporting, Deportivo Quito, Fluminense, Velez Sarsfield
Fred - Figueirense X Fluminense (Nelson Perez/Fluminense FC)
Nelson Perez/Fluminense FC
Defensor Sporting
 0-3
 Velez Sarsfield
The game was fairly even in parts but the hosts lack of potency in attack enabled Velez to grab a win in their opening game.

Neither goalkeeper was truly tested until the 42nd minute when Yonatan Irrazabal picked up Andres Fleurquin’s back pass and Sebastian Dominguez stepped up to take the resultant indirect free kick from just inside the box. His effort was only partially cleared away and when Emiliano Papa’s cross found David Ramirez, he fired low and squeezed the ball in at the near post.

Defensor rarely posed a threat in attack and the game lacked urgency. Ricardo Gareca's men sealed the win in the 81st minute when Fernando Ortiz headed the ball towards goal from a corner and Mauro Obolo was on hand to lash home a debut goal from close range. Dominguez then hit a stunning free kick moments later that secured a comfortable win for the visitors.

Defensor will hope to bounce back with a victory when they host Deportivo Quito next week while Velez will host Chivas in just over two weeks time.

Fluminense
 1-0
 Arsenal de Sarandi
Fluminense scraped to a single goal victory over their Argentine opposition. In an unimpressive display, the Brazilians were sloppy in defending and passing but Arsenal failed to capitalise on their opportunities.

It only took until three minutes for Fluminense to take the lead over the Argentine opposition. Carlinhos drove to the byeline and his cutback reached Fred on the penalty spot. He took one touch before thumping the ball past Cristian Campestrini to give the hosts an early lead.

Flu began to allow their visitors more of a role in the game with their dreadful defending and atrocious midfield play but Arsenal missed chance after chance. Wagner and Nicolas Aguirre were both dismissed after a brawl in the 75th minute, the former kicking an Arsenal player before the latter defended his team mate with a shove to the Flu player.

Leandro Euzebio also saw red for a kick in stoppage time but Flu secured the three points. Their next game will be in one month when they travel to Buenos Aires to face Boca Juniors. Arsenal will host Zamora of Venezuela in a fortnight and will hope to take all the points.

Chivas Guadalajara
 1-1
 Deportivo Quito
Chivas have now gone ten games without a win in all competitions as a late goal from Omar Arellano saw the spoils shared with a hard working Ecuadorian side at Estadio Omnilife.

Matias Alustiza opened the scoring in the 10th minute of the game with a precise finish from the edge of the box. He beat one man before a weak challenge from another caused the ball to loop up. He controlled it before drilling it past Luis Michel at his near post.

Los Azulgrana stayed compact and with Juan Parades policing the midfield Chivas were finding it difficult to penetrate the Ecuadorian defence. The hosts became impatient in the second half and with an hour played Hector Reynoso was booked for a discreet body punch on Alustiza. Marcelo Elizaga saved a missile of a shot from Alberto Medina late on but he was beaten by Arellano in stoppage time whose headed goal was a cruel blow for the visitors.

Deportivo Quito can feel aggrieved at not taking all the points but they will hope that good home form could hold them in good stead for a spot in the next round. Chivas are a team with continental pedigree but they failed to show it this evening as they could only muster a draw.


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