A Poor Performance Puts Palmeiras in the Quarter-Finals.

By: Mauro | October 2nd, 2008

In an ugly match, one of the leaders of the Brasileirao, Palmeiras, fielded an alternate squad to face the sole Peruvian side remaining in this competition. Sport Ancash are coming into this one with the pride of having held off one of the top clubs in Brazil to zero goals in the first leg and are fielding the very best XI they have.

Seriously, CONMEBOL, give me a break with this five-matches-in-one-day shit. You’re killing me.

This match was pretty evenly match and the final score line accurately reflects that. While this match will not go down in the history annals of either of these two clubs,

Palmeiras, fielded five substitutes, including 2002 World Cup Champion, Roque Junior, who had never played with his teammates before. Coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo’s side was held by Ancash’s suffocating defense that kept play in the Palmeiras side of the pitch.

But the match turned ugly with hard fouls and referee Martín Vázquez doled out 8 yellows and one straight red to try to keep the peace. The rainfall that had started prior to the match, and intensified in the second half, didn’t make matters any better either since some portions of the pitch were puddled over.

The first half was pretty boring and neither side was able to create any danger on the other’s penalty area. Near the end of the first half, Palmeiras had a shot at Johnny Vegas’ goal but he was able to keep the wet slippery ball out of his goal.

The second half began with Luxemburgo making a few changes and sent on Kléber and Diego Souza for Maicosuel and Thiago Cunha respectively. The coach’s hope was the Kléber and Diego Souza would be able to add creativity to his squad and both possessed a great shot from outside the penalty area.

Still, in the 50th minute, Sandro Silva fouled the shit out of Luis Collantes, a foul that was more appropriate in a TaeKwonDo class than on a football pitch. The ref didn’t hesitate and sent the animal to his cage. Straight Red Card for Palmeiras.

With a man advantage, the visitors found more space and were able to get their first shots on goal. But nothing came of them, one went over the cross bar and the other, Palmeiras keeper Bruno was able to keep out.

With the Peruvians tiring, Palmeiras were able to get in a few chances themselves and it was near the end when Sergio Ubillús was sent off, as well, with his second yellow card. Red Card for Sport Ancash.

After the red card, Ancash relented a bit and that was all the window that Jumar needed to finish this match and series off. After juking two Ancash defenders in the penalty area, Jumar had a great finish that Vegas could not keep out. 1-0 to Palmeiras.

Final Score: 1-0 to Palmeiras. Palmeiras reluctantly advance to the Quarter-Finals.

I had this one going the opposite way. 2-1 to Ancash. No way that was going to happen in this rain and with this type of play. I am not having the best luck on this day.

Palmeiras face Argentinos Juniors in the Quarter-Finals first leg that will take place on October the 22nd in the Estadio Palestra Italia and the second leg that will take place in the Estadio Diego Armando Maradona on November 2nd.

Feel free to check the CONMEBOL website for results and information about upcoming matches and for those of you in need of a bracket to get your heads around the competition, get one here.