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South American Round-up: Libertad continue unbeaten run
The Paraguayans followed up a convincing Copa victory with another win back in the Apertura, while Atletico Nacional continue to impress
Feb 13, 2012 2:55:00 PM
By Daniel Edwards
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CHILE |
The big guns in Chile's Primera Division all failed to record three points in a draw-heavy weekend, with Universidad de Chile's clash in particular finishing in shameful circumstances. The champions 1-1 draw with Deportes Iquique was cut short with 53 minutes played, when the match officials decided it was unsafe to continue due to the massive use of flares in the Azul stands, believed to be part of an organised protest against a rise in ticket prices. The game was suspended and Universidad face seeing their support banned from attending matches for a lengthy period.
Universidad Catolica were another grande who had to settle for a point, as they were held 1-1 at home to Union de San Felipe. Colo Colo, meanwhile, conceded a 94th minute penalty to be pegged back by Cobresal and shared the spoils in an entertaining 2-2 draw.
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COLOMBIA |
Atletico Huila surged to the top of the Apertura table with a commanding victory, which leaves
them unbeaten after the first three matches of the Liga Postobon. A double from Milton Rodriguez inspired Huila to a 3-0 win over Deportes Tolima, ending the away team's 100 per cent record and pushing them down to fourth. Atletico Nacional lie one point behind the leaders in second after Luis Mosquera's two goals and another from Dorlan Pabon were the key behind a crushing 4-0 triumph at home to Chico FC. Elsewhere, two goals in the space of five minutes for Santa Fe led them past Cucuta, Edwin Cardona and Yulian Anchico hitting the net in the second half. Deportivo Cali thought they were on the way to an impressive win on the road against Real Cartagena, having led 2-0 moving into injury time. The hosts had other ideas, however, and hit back through Angelo Rodriguez and Pedro Tavima to rescue an unlikely point.
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ECUADOR |
LDU Quito and Emelec remain as the only teams in the Primera Fase with 100% records, as the pair both repeated opening-day victories on the league's second weekend. Liga celebrated a hat-trick from Argentine striker Claudio Bieler as they destroyed Olmedo 5-0, leaving them top of the league on goal difference. Bieler also stands alone as the league's top scorer, having netted four times in the opening two matches.
Emelec, meanwhile, mounted a remarkable second-half comeback to claim all three points at home to Macara. The Guayaquil side were 2-0 down and playing with 10 men at the break, but turned the game around to eventually win 3-2. Marlon Pavon's strike in the 81st minute sealed victory after two efforts from Edner Valencia had levelled proceedings.
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PARAGUAY |
Libertad followed a brilliant start to the Copa Libertadores with further good form domestically, downing Sportivo Luqueno to record their second win in as many games. Fresh from a 4-1 defeat of Alianza Lima midweek, the Repolleros were spurred by Cristian Menendez's solitary strike to win 1-0, a result which keeps them at the top alongside Sol de America and Rubio Nu.
There was less joy for Libertad's Asuncion rivals Olimpia, who were held to an uninspiring draw away to Cerro Porteno PF. Cerro Porteno, meanwhile, were happy to record their first win of the season. Having gone down on the first weekend, the Ciclon needed a last-minute effort from Pedro Benitez to beat Carpegua 2-1 away from home.
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