Liga de Quito cruised into the final of the 2011 Copa Sudamericana after defeating Velez Sarsfield in Argentina for a clear aggregate victory.
Liga de Quito reached the final of the Copa Sudamericana for the second time after defeating Velez Sarsfield 1-0 at the Jose Amalfitani stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Tuesday. The Ecuadorians won the series 3-0 on aggregate over the two legs.
Edgardo Bauza's side came into the match with a comfortable 2-0 advantage from the first leg in Quito last week, and they utilised defensive tactics as they did their utmost to preserve their lead in the first half an hour.
Velez, who haven't reached the final of a major international competition since winning the Copa Libertadores and the Intercontinental Cup in 1994, pushed to the attack immediately from the kick-off as they searched for a goal that would settle some early nerves.
The Argentines threw everything that they had at the Ecuadorians and almost went ahead through striker Guillermo Franco in the 19th minute, but his close-range shot was pushed out for a corner kick by Liga goalkeeper Alexander Dominguez.
Moments later centre-back Sebastian Dominguez was presented with two opportunities to find the back of the net, first with a header and then with a shot, but both efforts were off target.
Towards the end of the half, Liga commenced to inflict some pressure upon the Velez goal, and almost went ahead through Argentine striker Hernan Barcos, but his powerful header from a Ezequiel Gonzalez cross flashed inches wide of Marcelo Barovero's left post.
Liga continued where they left off at the beginning of the second half, and took a surprise lead in the 49th minute when Barcos took advantage of a mistake from Dominguez, controlled the ball in the area and blasted the ball past a hapless Barovero. Barcos had scored both of Liga's goals in the first leg last week.
With that goal the series was more than decided as now Velez had to score four times in just over forty minutes to go through. Velez tried to end the match with some pride by attempting to score a consolation goal, but continued to struggle in the attacking department. Liga, on the other hand, waited patiently for opportunities to arise as they looked to extend their advantage on the break.
Liga de Quito held onto the win, and will go on to face the winner of the semi-final showdown between Universidad de Chile and Vasco da Gama in the grand final of the 2011 Copa Sudamericana.
Edgardo Bauza's side came into the match with a comfortable 2-0 advantage from the first leg in Quito last week, and they utilised defensive tactics as they did their utmost to preserve their lead in the first half an hour.
Velez, who haven't reached the final of a major international competition since winning the Copa Libertadores and the Intercontinental Cup in 1994, pushed to the attack immediately from the kick-off as they searched for a goal that would settle some early nerves.
The Argentines threw everything that they had at the Ecuadorians and almost went ahead through striker Guillermo Franco in the 19th minute, but his close-range shot was pushed out for a corner kick by Liga goalkeeper Alexander Dominguez.
Moments later centre-back Sebastian Dominguez was presented with two opportunities to find the back of the net, first with a header and then with a shot, but both efforts were off target.
Towards the end of the half, Liga commenced to inflict some pressure upon the Velez goal, and almost went ahead through Argentine striker Hernan Barcos, but his powerful header from a Ezequiel Gonzalez cross flashed inches wide of Marcelo Barovero's left post.
Liga continued where they left off at the beginning of the second half, and took a surprise lead in the 49th minute when Barcos took advantage of a mistake from Dominguez, controlled the ball in the area and blasted the ball past a hapless Barovero. Barcos had scored both of Liga's goals in the first leg last week.
With that goal the series was more than decided as now Velez had to score four times in just over forty minutes to go through. Velez tried to end the match with some pride by attempting to score a consolation goal, but continued to struggle in the attacking department. Liga, on the other hand, waited patiently for opportunities to arise as they looked to extend their advantage on the break.
Liga de Quito held onto the win, and will go on to face the winner of the semi-final showdown between Universidad de Chile and Vasco da Gama in the grand final of the 2011 Copa Sudamericana.
