LDU Quito vs Libertad Match Preview
Liga de Quito take on Libertad in an intriguing quarter-finals match-up between two teams that have grown dramatically over the last few years. Liga, winners of the competition in 2009, reach this instance after scraping past defending champions Independiente, and will have to work even harder in order to overcome an extremely difficult Libertad.
Liga knocked Libertad out of the competition before going on to win the title in '09, and will be hoping to repeat the feat. The Ecuadorians will try to take full advantage of the altitude in Quito, before traveling to Asuncion for the return leg.
Libertad dispatched of Brazil's Sao Paulo to reach the quarter-finals, after a 2-1 aggregate score. The Paraguayans overturned a 1-0 deficit, by playing extremely effective soccer in Asuncion. The fact that they knocked off one of South America's most successful clubs means that they could beat anyone.
LDU Quito vs Libertad Match Report
A bizarre injury-time goal from Luis Bolanos snatched Liga de Quito a valuable 1-0 victory over Libertad in the first leg of the quarter-finals of the Copa Sudamericana on Thursday. Libertad were on the verge of capturing a precious draw from their visit to La Casa Blanca, but ended up leaving empty handed.
Liga, winners of the 2009 Copa Sudamericana, looked to take full advantage of playing 2,850 metres above sea level in Quito, however, they were outplayed for large periods of the first half, as the visitors dominated possession.
Libertad controlled the flow of the match and almost went ahead in the 14th minute, but a good effort from Victor Caceres was saved by Liga goalkeeper Alexander Dominguez. Six minutes later Libertad were presented with another possibility to go ahead, but this time a shot from Victor Ayala was pushed out for a corner by Dominguez.
Moments later Libertad created their third goal-scoring opportunity, but Argentine midfielder Luciano Civelli shot off target from a corner-kick. Right before the break Caceres was presented with what looked a certain goal only to fire wide with the goal at his mercy.
After being completely dominated in the first half Liga picked up their game in the second, and should have gone ahead in the 63rd minute, but Paul Ambrossi was inaccurate with his finishing. Then, with ten minutes remaining on the clock Miller Bolanos wasted the best opportunity of the match when he fired the ball over the bar.
The game seemed destined for a goalless draw, however, a bizarre goal from Luis Bolanos on the stroke of full-time handed Liga an incredible victory. Midfielder Bolanos directed a seemingly harmless cross into the area from the left flank and to the amazement of the home fans the ball looped over a leaping Bernardo Medina before ending up in the back of the net.