South American Roundup: Olimpia break 11-year title drought with Paraguayan Clausura victory

Messi's cousin Maxi Biancucchi set the Decano on the way to victory in Asuncion, while Universidad take the advantage in Chile's clasico and America mourn an historic relegation

Dec 19, 2011 2:10:00 PM

By Daniel Edwards

Vladimir Marin - Olimpia
-
CHILE

Universidad de Chile's dreams of a brilliant treble in 2011 remain on track, after a Clasico Universitario victory in the first leg of the Clausura semi-final. The Apertura and Copa Sudamericana champions bounced back from a goal down to beat Universidad Catolica 2-1, in a game played at midday to prevent violence between fans of the two bitter rivals. Catolica took the lead through Kevin Harbottle, but indiscipline saw two men sent off and the U took the advantage thanks to goals from Charles Aranguiz and Eugenio Mena.

The other semi clash saw Colo Colo upset in Santiago in a riveting match against Cobreloa. The game was tied 2-2 with only seconds to go, before the away team secured a vital victory thanks to a last-gasp effort from Nicolas Trecco, which puts the Calama side in the driving seat as they bid for a ninth Primera Division title.

COLOMBIA

The biggest news from Colombia came at the bottom end of the table, where America de Cali were relegated for the first time ever following a penalty shootout defeat by second-tier side Patriotas. Jaime Cordoba and Jairo Castillo failed from the penalty spot to condemn the four-time Copa Libertadores runners up, and in grave incidents that followed nine people were injured and hundreds of properties damaged as fans battled police in the streets of Cali.

Meanwhile, the first leg of the Finalizacion final left Junior with a slim advantage. The Barranquilla side, who turned around a 3-0 deficit to defeat Millonarios in the last-four, saw Carlos Bacca net twice from the penalty spot to defeat Once Caldas 3-2 in the Estadio Metropolitano. The championship's destiny will be decided in Caldas' Manizales home on Wednesday.

ECUADOR

Deportivo Quito cruised to the 2011 Serie A title, overcoming Emelec at home to wrap up a 2-0 aggregate victory across the two legs. Having triumphed 1-0 in Guayaquil, the capital side kept an iron grip on proceedings and only the exertions of Emelec goalkeeper Wilmer Zumba prevented them from running away with the tie.

The decisive goal arrived in the final minutes of the game, when Javier Alustiza hit home to double the advantage and give Deportivo an unassailable lead. It is the Chullas' third title in the last four years, and caps a brilliant first six months on the bench for Argentine coach, and former Boca Juniors man, Carlos Ischia.

PARAGUAY

Olimpía made sure that an 11-year championship drought would end on Sunday evening, when they picked up the necessary win to pip Cerro Porteno to the 2011 Clausura. Lionel Messi's cousin Maxi Biancucchi made it a great day for the family, adding to his relative's Club World Cup glory by scoring the first goal in a 2-1 win over Rubio Nu. Francisco Najera doubled the lead, before a late consolation from Rubio could not change the destiny of the championship.

Cerro's chances were extinguished by the victory of their great rivals, and the Ciclon could only draw away to Sol de America. A late double strike from Pedro Benitez and Fredy Bareiro put the visitors 2-1 up and fed their hopes of an unlikely win, but Cecilio Dominguez pounced in the final minute to earn Sol de America a 2-2 draw and finally end Cerro's title aspirations.

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