Despite suffering a heavy 3-0 defeat to Fluminense when down to nine men on Wednesday night at the Maracana stadium, Liga de Quito of Ecuador were crowned champions of the 2009 Copa Sudamericana. The Ecuadorians had won the first leg 5-1 in Quito last week, for a 5-4 aggregate victory.

Fluminense pushed to the attack immediately from the kick-off as they searched for an early goal that would put them in a better position to possibly turn the tie in their favour.

After much pressure, in the 14th minute Dieguinho put Fluminense ahead when his long range drive deflected past Liga goalkeeper Alexander Carabali.

Four minutes later Ulises De la Cruz reduced Liga to ten-men after bringing down Dieguinho with a violent tackle.

Dieguinho was having a sensational game, and moments later he found the back of the net with a fine header, but it was ruled out for offside.

In the 40th minute Fred almost doubled Fluminense´s lead but his quick shot on the turn from inside of the area was saved by Carabali.

However, two minutes before the break Fred was sent through on goal and the striker beat Carabali with a well-placed effort that went in off the right post.

After the break Flu continued their domination, with some incisive attacking football.

Liga absorbed heavy pressure, and only looked dangerous in the attack when Argentine striker Claudio Bieler had the ball.

In the 72nd minute Gum headed in Flu´s third goal, meaning the Brazilians only needed one more goal to take the game into a penalty shootout.

Despite having Fred sent off three minutes later, Flu continued to pile heavy pressure on the Liga goal.

When Jairo Campos became Liga´s second player to be dismissed in the 82nd minute, it inspired Flu to push their complete team to the attack, including goalkeeper Albert Da Silva.

However, Liga managed to hang on, and added to their Copa Libertadores trophy of 2008 with the Copa Sudamericana.

Gregory Sica

Southamericanfutbol.com

Despite suffering a 5-1 humiliation to Liga de Quito in the first leg of the final of the Copa Sudamericana in Ecuador last week, Fluminense believe that they have what it takes to thrash Liga and claim their first Copa Sudamericana title. Almost 45,000 tickets have already been sold for the game, as the Brazilians aim to pick up one of the biggest comeback victories in recent history.

Confidence is so high that Fluminense boss Cuca decided to announce a full-strength starting eleven, even if the Rio de Janeiro giants could still be relegated to the Brazilian second division on the weekend.

Fluminense will search for a miracle, and evidence that backs up their claims is that they won 4-0 against Vitoria in the Brazilian league on the weekend, a result that saw them jump out of the relegation zone for the first time after 27 rounds.

The Tricolor will also be looking to avenge their defeat to Liga de Quito in the final of the 2008 Copa Libertadores, where they suffered a heavy loss in Quito, but then forced a penalty shootout after a big win at Maracana. Flu went on to lose on penalties.

After last week´s result Liga de Quito can´t possibly be more confident about clinching the title. The Ecuadorians are arguably the most solid side in South America at the moment, and seem to have enough quality to pick up another victory in Brazil.

With so much talent in their squad, including Edison Mendez, Claudio Bieler, Ulises De la Cruz and Neicer Reasco, it is no wonder they are just a step away from claiming another international title.

A desperate Fluminense will pressure Liga straight from the kickoff, as they should, but they have to be careful of the speed the Ecuadorians boast on the break.

KEY PLAYERS

Former Lyon striker Fred has been in prolific form in recent weeks, and will be called upon to provide Flu´s firepower in the attack. Flu are in need of many goals, but they know that they count with an exceptional striker who constantly finds the back of the net. Argentine playmaker Dario Conca will also be important in the attacking third.

Liga´s main threat is PSV Eindhoven midfielder Edison Mendez, who converted a superb hat-trick in the first leg. Mendez was in outstanding form, and promises to have another memorable game in Rio.

PROBABLE STARTING XI

Fluminense: Rafael, Gum, Cassio, Dalton, Mariano, Diogo, Marquinho, Dario Conca, Diguinho, Alan and Fred.

Liga de Quito: Alexander Dominguez, Nolberto Araujo, Carlos Espinola, Jairo Campos, Neicer Reasco, Ulises De la Cruz, William Araujo, Diego Calderon, Edison Mendez, Walter Calderon and Claudio Bieler.

Referee: Carlos Amarilla (Paraguay)

Venue: Maracana, Rio de Janeiro

Kick off: 21:50 (local time)

PREDICTION:

Fluminense 2-1 Liga de Quito

Gregory Sica

Southamericanfutbol.com

Liga de Quito of Ecuador have practically assured themselves of the 2009 Copa Sudamericana after coming from behind in the first minute to thrash Fluminense of Brazil 5-1 in the first leg of the final at the Casa Blanca stadium in Quito on Wednesday.

Fluminense pushed to the attack straight from the kick off and they took a surprise lead inside the first minute when Liga goalkeeper Alexander Carabali couldn´t hold a powerful Fred drive and Marquinhos fired home the rebound from a difficult angle.

Liga reacted as soon as they conceded the goal, and Edison Mendez drew them level in the 21st minute when he powered an unstoppable long range drive past Fluminense goalkeeper Alberto Da Silva after a quick free-kick.

The goal inspired a motivated Liga side that went in search of another goal. Mendez, who was Liga´s most dangerous player, came close to scoring with another powerful effort that this time was saved by Da Silva.

Flu absorbed heavy pressure, and looked to break on swift counterattacks, with Fred being their most mobile player.

The Brazilians were looking for revenge, after Liga beat them in the final of the 2008 Copa Libertadores.

But two minutes before the break Mendez put Liga ahead when he reacted to a rebound off the wall from his own free-kick with a tremendous missile past Da Silva.

As soon as the second half commenced Liga piled heavy pressure on the Fluminense goal, with a Claudio Bieler effort flashing inches wide of the left post.

In the 60th minute Mendez completed his hat-trick when he met a precise right-wing cross from Nolberto Araujo with a well-placed header.

Six minutes later Argentine midfielder Dario Conca could have pulled a goal back for Flu, but his long-range drive was saved.

In the 77th minute Mendez was the provider, as substitute Franklin Salas added Liga´s fourth goal of the night.

Minutes later man-of-the-match Mendez left the field to a standing ovation from his team-mates and the 55,000 fans at the stadium.

Three minutes from full-time former Aston Villa defender Ulises De La Cruz completed the rout with an unstoppable drive that went into the left angle of the goal.

Gregory Sica

Southamericanfutbol.com

Liga de Quito advanced to the final of the Copa Sudamericana after crushing River Plate of Uruguay 7-0 in Ecuador on Thursday. Liga will meet Fluminense of Brazil in the final, which will be a repeat of the 2008 Copa Libertadores decider.

River Plate pushed to the attack in the early moments of the match, as they tried to take the hosts by surprise, but they wasted a couple of opportunities inside the first ten minutes.

But from then on it was all one-way traffic as Liga completely ripped them apart.

In the 17th minute Liga were awarded a dubious penalty kick, and Argentine striker Claudio Bieler made no mistake from the spot to put the Ecuadorians ahead.

Ten minutes later Carlos Espinola added their second when he beat River goalkeeper Luciano Dos Santos with a powerful header from a Edison Mendez corner-kick.

The 2008 Copa Libertadores champions kept at the attack, and in second half injury-time Miller Bolanos fired in their third from inside of the area.

After the break Liga continued to dominate, and in the 56th minute Mendez scored their fourth goal when he rifled the ball home from long-range.

River knew that they had to now score three goals to go through to the final, and although they looked more dangerous in the attack, Liga continued to be in control.

Ulises De La Cruz converted Liga´s fifth goal of the night in the 76th minute, with an unstoppable long-range missile.

Bieler completed his hat-trick with two further goals in the final eight minutes of the match.

The result was one of the most one-sided in the history of the competition.

Liga de Quito will meet Fluminense in the final of the Copa Sudamericana. It will be a repeat of the final of the 2008 Copa Libertadores, which Liga went on to win after a penalty shootout.

Gregory Sica

Southamericanfutbol.com

Fluminense defeated Cerro Porteno 2-1 with two goals in second half injury-time, to advance to the final of the Copa Sudamericana. It was a dramatic contest that sparked a violent confrontation with the Paraguayans and the local police.

Cerro Porteno went ahead in the 6th minute through Luis Caceres, but Fluminense never stopped fighting and won the game with late goals from Gum and Alan.

The Brazilians won the first leg 1-0 in Asuncion with a strike from attacker Fred.

Cerro Porteno started the better of the two sides, and they took a surprise lead in the 6th minute through Caceres, who slotted home from inside of the area.

After going behind Fluminense came more into the match, and they almost drew level with two efforts from Dario Conca and another from Fred. The former Lyon striker has scored ten goals in his last ten games.

In the second period both teams had their chances to score, as Cerro Porteno looked to seal the result, while Fluminense went for a goal that would send them through.

In second half injury-time defender Gum converted Fluminense´s equaliser, to the delight of the vocal crowd at Maracana stadium.

Seconds later Alan earned Fluminense a dramatic victory, when he dribbled Cerro goalkeeper Diego Barreto from almost half-way and fired the ball home.

Fluminense will meet the winner of the tie between Liga de Quito and River Plate in the final of the Copa Sudamericana.

Gregory Sica

Southamericanfutbol.com

River Plate proved superior to Liga de Quito, claiming a valuable 2-1 victory in the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana semi-final at the Centenario stadium in Montevideo on Thursday night.

Juan Ramon Carrasco´s side pushed to the attack straight from the kick-off as they searched for an early goal that would serve to settle some nerves.

After much pressure they finally went ahead in the 8th minute with a good finish from Australian-born striker Richard Porta after being sent through on goal.

River continued to pile heavy pressure on their opponents, but although they looked very dangerous in the attack, they couldn´t score a second goal.

Liga, the winners of the 2008 Copa Libertadores, hardly attacked their opponents, but on a rare break in the 33rd minute they drew level through midfielder Edison Mendez.

Minutes later Jorge Cordoba could have put River ahead for a second time, but his close-range effort struck the right post.

In the second period the Uruguayans continued to dominate, and after hitting the post again, they scored their second goal with a simple finish from Cordoba after a team-mate eluded the Liga defence with a smart dummy.

The match was played at an electric pace, with both teams creating goal scoring opportunities.

River played the better football, and caused heaps of problems for the Liga defence, especially in the final ten minutes of the match.

They tried their best to find a third goal, while the tired Ecuadorians were asking for time.

Gregory Sica

Southamericanfutbol.com

Fluminense moved closer towards the final of the Copa Sudamericana after picking up a valuable 1-0 victory over Cerro Porteno in the first leg of the semi-finals at the General Pablo Rojas stadium in Asuncion on Wednesday night. The only goal of the match was converted by in-form striker Fred in the second half.

Fred, who has been on top of his game for Fluminense in recent weeks, scored the match-winner in the 75th minute.

The Brazilians started the game strongly, and pushed to the attack searching for a goal straight from the kick-off. They came close to going ahead with efforts from Mariano, Dario Conca and Dalton.

Only towards the end of the half did Cerro Porteno threaten the Fluminense goal, with a shot from Argentine striker Roberto Nanni.

After the break the Paraguayans tried to take Flu by surprise with some exciting attacking football, and the action intensified as the Brazilians also went looking for a winner with quick breaks on the counterattack.

Former Lyon striker Fred handed Fluminense a crucial victory when in the 75th minute he found the back of the net with a crossed shot.

Fluminense will only need a draw when the teams meet in the return leg in Rio de Janeiro on Nov.18 to reach the final, where they will meet either River Plate of Uruguay or Liga de Quito of Ecuador.

Gregory Sica

Southamericanfutbol.com

Fluminense beat Universidad de Chile 1-0 in Santiago and sneaked into the semi-finals of the Copa Sudamericana, where they will meet Cerro Porteno of Paraguay, who on Wednesday ousted Botafogo in Rio de Janeiro. The Brazilians absorbed heavy pressure from the Chileans in the final minutes and snatched an unlikely win.

Liga de Quito of Ecuador also progressed to the final four, after coming from behind to defeat Argentine champions Velez Sarsfield 2-1 in Quito.

The Ecuadoreans will meet River Plate of Uruguay for a place in the final of South America´s second tier club competition, behind the Copa Libertadores.

Fluminense edged Universidad de Chile 1-0 with a strike from former Lyon striker Fred in the 60th minute. Fred connected to a precise cross with a fine header.

It was a very even contest, but it was the Brazilians who prevailed after dominating most of the goal mouth action.

Velez took a 43rd minute lead over Liga de Quito with a conversion from Uruguayan striker Rodrigo Lopez.  But goals from Enrique Vera (69th) and Carlos Espinola (76th) sent Liga through to the semi-finals.

The first leg in Liniers, Buenos Aires, ended in a 1-1 draw.

Liga won the 2008 Copa Libertadores, after beating Fluminense in the final.

Gregory Sica

Southamericanfutbol.com

Uruguayan minnows River Plate progressed to the semi-finals of the Copa Sudamericana after defeating Argentine giants San Lorenzo 7:6 on penalty kicks after levelling the series with a 1-0 win in Buenos Aires.

Juan Ramon Carrasco´s side knew that they had to claim a victory at the Nuevo Gasometro to stand a chance, and they played some very effective football to the frustration of the Argentines.

After a goalless first half, Australian-born striker Richard Porta put River ahead with a brilliant individual goal.

Porta pushed the ball past a defender, latched onto it with speed, and then fired it past a hapless Pablo Migliore in the San Lorenzo goal.

San Lorenzo were shell shocked with the goal, and Diego Simeone´s side pushed forward in large numbers searching for an equaliser.

They came close to scoring through Pablo Pintos and Bernardo Romeo, but both attempts were saved by River goalkeeper Luciano Dos Santos.

River almost put the result out of San Lorenzo´s reach in the final minutes, but Porta took too long to get himself into a scoring position when presented with space inside of the area.

In the proceeding penalty shootout, 18 spot kicks were taken with River converting 7 and San Lorenzo converting 6. Pablo Pintos, the Uruguayan defender who scored San Lorenzo´s winner in the first leg, missed the final penalty kick.

River Plate will meet the winner of the tie between Velez Sarsfield and Liga de Quito in the semi-finals.

Cerro Porteno of Paraguay also reached the semi-finals after beating Botafogo of Brazil 3-1 in Rio de Janeiro for a big 5-2 aggregate victory.

Gregory Sica

Southamericanfutbol.com

Velez Sarsfield progressed to the quarter-finals of the Copa Sudamericana after fighting from two goals down to force a 2-2 draw against Union Espanola at the Santa Laura stadium in Santiago, Chile.

The Argentine Clausura champions went through 5-4 on aggregate after the two legs. They won 3-2 in Buenos Aires last week.

Union Espanola went into the break two goals to the good after strikes from Jorge Ampuero and Gustavo Canales. The first goal was a low shot and the second a fine header.

The Chileans counted with a good advantage, but Velez slowly crept into the game and within seconds of the restart pulled a goal back through Leandro Caruso. Caruso fired the ball home after good work from Emiliano Papa.

Velez piled heavy pressure on the Union Espanola goal, but no matter how hard they tried couldn’t find a second goal.

Ricardo Gareca’s side threw everything at the Chileans, and the introduction of last week’s hero, Rolando Zarate, added an extra dimension to their already strong attack.

Finally in the 83rd minute Velez were rewarded for their fighting spirit, when Caruso took advantage of a defensive error in the Union Espanola back-line to force a 2-2 draw, and essentially book Velez’s ticket in the next round of the competition.

Fluminense also booked their ticket to the quarter-finals after thrashing Alianza Atletico of Peru 4-1 at Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro.

Their goals were converted by Dario Conca, Alan, and Adeilson on two occasions. Marcio Valverde had put the visitors ahead via the penalty spot.

While Fluminense received one red card, the Peruvians had three men sent off, with thirty minutes still left in the second half.

Gregory Sica

Goal.com

Southamericanfutbol.com