Vasco da Gama and Universidad de Chile fought out a 1-1 draw in the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana semi-finals in Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday.
Universidad de Chile picked up a valuable point in their 1-1 draw with Vasco da Gama in the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana at the Sao Januario stadium in Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday.
Vasco pushed to the attack immediately from the kick-off as they searched for an early opener against the Chileans. With versatile attacking soccer on display, the Brazilians created several good goal-scoring opportunities, but they were continually kept out by Universidad goalkeeper Johnny Herrera, who was in fine form.
Juninho Pernambucano pulled the strings in the Vasco midfield, orchestrating his side's best attacking moves, while Felipe, Allan and Bernardo looked extremely dangerous each time they moved to the attack. After Elton struck the woodwork for Vasco it seemed that at any moment the Brazilians would go ahead.
After piling heavy pressure on the visiting goal, Bernardo finally opened the scoring for Vasco in the 32nd minute, when he latched onto a rebound from the Universidad defense and beat Herrera with a crossed shot on the turn.
In the second period Vasco faded somewhat, allowing the Chileans to take the game to them. Jorge Sampaoli's side were much more ambitious than in the first forty-five minutes as they did their utmost to draw level.
Eduardo Vargas was Universidad's main danger-man, while Matias Rodriguez and Marcelo Diaz also contributed in their progression. The Chileans dominated their opponents with confident one-touch soccer, and caused danger each time they moved to the attack from the flanks.
La 'U' were rewarded for their approach twelve minutes from full-time, when Osvaldo Gonzalez connected to a Marcelo Diaz free-kick with a backward header to draw them level.
After conceding the equaliser, Vasco had no option but to push forward in numbers as they searched for a late winner, but despite coming close to finding the goal through Alecsandro, Universidad could also have snatched the victory on the counterattack.
While Vasco will be disappointed with the draw, the result puts Universidad de Chile in a commanding position to confront the return leg of the semi-final in Santiago next week.
Vasco pushed to the attack immediately from the kick-off as they searched for an early opener against the Chileans. With versatile attacking soccer on display, the Brazilians created several good goal-scoring opportunities, but they were continually kept out by Universidad goalkeeper Johnny Herrera, who was in fine form.
Juninho Pernambucano pulled the strings in the Vasco midfield, orchestrating his side's best attacking moves, while Felipe, Allan and Bernardo looked extremely dangerous each time they moved to the attack. After Elton struck the woodwork for Vasco it seemed that at any moment the Brazilians would go ahead.
After piling heavy pressure on the visiting goal, Bernardo finally opened the scoring for Vasco in the 32nd minute, when he latched onto a rebound from the Universidad defense and beat Herrera with a crossed shot on the turn.
In the second period Vasco faded somewhat, allowing the Chileans to take the game to them. Jorge Sampaoli's side were much more ambitious than in the first forty-five minutes as they did their utmost to draw level.
Eduardo Vargas was Universidad's main danger-man, while Matias Rodriguez and Marcelo Diaz also contributed in their progression. The Chileans dominated their opponents with confident one-touch soccer, and caused danger each time they moved to the attack from the flanks.
La 'U' were rewarded for their approach twelve minutes from full-time, when Osvaldo Gonzalez connected to a Marcelo Diaz free-kick with a backward header to draw them level.
After conceding the equaliser, Vasco had no option but to push forward in numbers as they searched for a late winner, but despite coming close to finding the goal through Alecsandro, Universidad could also have snatched the victory on the counterattack.
While Vasco will be disappointed with the draw, the result puts Universidad de Chile in a commanding position to confront the return leg of the semi-final in Santiago next week.
