Copa Sudamericana wrap: Anzoategui, Catolica make second round

Second-leg wins to Deportivo Anzoategui and Universidad Catolica on Tuesday sealed their progress into the second round of the Copa Sudamericana.

Both ties were precariously balanced from the first leg, with Chilean outfit Catolica earning a 1-1 draw at Uruguyan opponents Bella Vista and Venezuelan club Anzoategui returning from their trip to Deportivo Quito with a 1-0 loss.

The return leg was more straight-forward for Catolica, who coasted by Bella Vista 3-0 in Santiago.

But it took a 93rd-minute own-goal to send Anzoategui through, courtesy of a 2-0 win in front of their home fans in Puerto La Cruz.

Qualifying for the Sudamericana courtesy of their third placing in the 2010/11 Venezuelan Primera Division Clausura, Anzoategui’s victory ensured they moved to the second stage of a continental competition for the first time in their nine-year history.

They began the second leg on the perfect note, with Argentine midfielder Evelio Hernandez squaring the tie after just 30 seconds with his first goal for the club.

With the rain crashing down in the second half, Deportivo Quito tried desperately to find the goal that wrestore their lead in the tie.

They went close when Anzoategui goalkeeper Jose Morales failed to hold a long-range free kick, but somehow Argentine striker Julio Bevacqua failed to convert.

And it was Anzoategui who were able to claim the tie, when a cross from veteran midfielder Pablo Ricchetti – another Argentine – was turned into his own goal by Quito defender Luis Checa.

A double from Argentine striker Cesar Carignano sandwiched Uruguayan midfielder Matias Mier’s goal in Catolica’s win, helping the new signings endear themselves to their home fans.