Copa Sudamericana 2012: Olimpia and Tacuary unable to find the net

It was a mixed night for the Paraguayan sides who both failed to score, the difference being Olimpia earned a credible draw in Montevideo while Tacuary slumped to a 1-0 loss at home. The likelihood that the latter will progress to the next round is very low considering they will be playing in Calama at 2600 metres altitude. Olimpia on the otherhand can be pleased with a solid result, riding their luck at times, and will expect to overcome Danubio in Asunción.

Danubio vs Olimpia
Estadio Luis Franzini
(0-0) 0-0

Danubio nor Olimpia couldn’t warm up the crowd with a goal – Photo: D10.com.py

Gregorio Perez got his second spell at Olimpia underway with a decent draw in Montevideo against Danubio that puts them in the driving seat for the return leg. The Uruguayans had the better chances, hitting the woodwork three times, and the best player on the pitch was undoubtedly 21-year-old Leonardo Melazzi who looked the most likely source of a goal. For most of the game El Decano were restricted to shots from distance, Richard Ortiz and Maxi Biancucchi both forcing saves, but their best chance came with nine minutes to go. Substitute Arnaldo Castorino broke at pace and fed the ball through to Julio Santa Cruz but Roque’s younger brother was unable to make the difference as his shot was saved by the outstretched leg of goalkeeper Goicoechea.

Olimpia XI: Martín Silva; Alfredo Rojas, Julio César Cáceres, Salustiano Candia, Sebastián Ariosa; Eduardo Aranda, Carlos Humberto Paredes, Fabio Caballero, Richard Ortiz; Maximiliano Biancucchi, Julio Santa Cruz

Subs: Miguel Amado for Fabio Caballero, Arnaldo Castorino for Maxi Biancucchi, Osvaldo Hobecker for Eduardo Aranda

Return Leg: 07/08/2012, 20.45 (01.45 BST) in Para Uno, Asunción

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Tacuary vs Cobreloa
Estadio Roberto Bettega, Asunción
(0-0) 0-1 – Patricio Troncoso

The Chileans got the better of Tacuary – Photo: EFE

As expected a defensive-minded affair between two sides looking to capitalise on a mistake by the other side, Tacuary were strong in defence for the most part and as ever their dependable goalkeeper Carlos Servín made some excellent saves when called upon. However, even he couldn’t stop Patricio Troncoso’s ferocious shot which broke the deadlock and looks certain to have earned the Chileans passage into the next round.

Tacuary XI: Carlos Servín; Gustavo Gimenez, Ronald Huth, Diego Viera, Gregor Aguayo; Reinaldo Ocampo, Gustavo Noguera, Marcos Gimenez, Marcos Acosta Rojas, Raúl Román; Jorge Ortega

Subs: Juan Nuñez for Gregor Aguayo, Nicolas Martinez for Gustavo Noguera, Fabian Caballero for Raúl Román

Return Leg: 07/08/2012, 18.15 (23.15 BST) in Estadio Municipal de Calama, Calama

By Ralph Hannah