Copa Libertadores: Post denies Santiago Silva debut goal in tepid Boca Juniors draw

The Uruguayan left Venezuela cursing the woodwork as he missed out on a late winner, while Universidad de Chile suffered in Medellin at the hands of the excellent Pabon

Feb 15, 2012 4:25:00 AM

By Daniel Edwards

More On :  Atletico Nacional, Boca Juniors, Defensor Sporting, Deportivo Quito
Santiago Silva - Boca Juniors
-
Defensor Sporting
 2-0
 Deportivo Quito
Uruguayan side Defensor Sporting bounced back from defeat in the first week with a valuable victory over Deportivo Quito in Montevideo, as the home side made their chances count in a tight encounter.

Having gone down 3-0 to Velez Sarsfield in their opening match three points were crucial for the Violeta, and they had the chance to pull ahead in the 22nd minute when Luis Checa conceded a penalty. Braian Aleman stepped up, and beat Marcelo Elizaga from the spot to put Defensor in the ascendancy.

Quito pushed forward harder after falling behind, and a timid home side managed just two shots on target across the 90 minutes. It was all they needed, however; Maxi Callorda doubled the advantage deep into the second half, and put the game beyond the reach of the Ecuadorians. The win takes Defensor off the bottom of Group 7, level on points with Velez albeit having played one more game.

Zamora FC
 0-0
 Boca Juniors
Argentine champions Boca failed to record a winning start to their Libertadores campaign in Venezuela, as they were held to a scoreless draw by Zamora in a lacklustre match.

There was little to get excited about in a disappointing first half, which was almost bereft of goalmouth action. Zamora defended deep in their efforts to take a point from their more illustrious opponents, and despite their advantage in possession Boca showed little sign of breaking down the hosts. Debutant Santiago Silva had the only decent chance, but slipped and fired the ball well over the crossbar.

Fans who were hoping for an improved showing after the break were ultimately disappointed, as the match progressed in much the same fashion in the second 45 minutes. Juan Roman Riquelme went close with a half-chance that was deflected behind, while Zamora's Gabriel Torres let loose with a long-range free kick which finished just over the bar.

Silva went within a hair's width of deciding the game with a strong header in the final minute, but the ex-Fiorentina man could only watch as his effort struck the post and rolled to safety, ending Boca hopes of snatching a late victory. The tie means the two teams lie joint-second in Group 4, behind leaders Fluminense who opened with victory over Arsenal de Sarandi.

Atletico Nacional
 2-0
 Universidad de Chile
Copa Sudamericana champions Universidad de Chile never threatened an upset in Medellin, as they were comprehensively beaten by an Atletico Nacional side inspired by the relentless Dorlan Pabon.

The match started at a hectic pace, and it was the home side that took the lead just before the half-hour mark with a cracking strike. The marking from Universidad could have been better, but it took nothing away from Juan Valencia who netted with a perfectly-executed volley at the back post. Nacional could have added another in the final minutes of the first half, but a low cross from Dorlan Pabon after a storming run could not find a green target and the Colombians had to settle for a one-goal advantage at the break.

Livewire Colombia international Pabon was the focus of most of the hosts' attacks, and the forward came close to doubling the advantage after half time. A flowing move with Macnelly Torres left the young star through on goal, but his shot drifted just wide of Jonny Herrera's right-hand post. Pabon finally made it onto the scoresheet with 10 minutes to go, as he held off his marker before firing beyond Herrera to kill the game off.

Nacional's victory puts the Colombians at the top of Group 8, while fellow participants Penarol and Godoy Cruz will meet in Mendoza on Thursday to complete the first round of fixtures.


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