Chivas’ Keeper Gives Up Two But Manages a Draw Against Paranaense.

By: Mauro | September 25th, 2008

Chivas had not been playing particularly well and had not shown to be the team that their history or their fan base requires them to be. But Atlético Paranaense was not much to write home about either. They squeaked by a devalued São Paulo on penalties to get to this stage. They were going to need more than defense and penalty kicks to make a impression here.

The first goal happened almost out of the dressing rooms. Off a total gaff on the part of the Chivas goal keeper Sergio Rodriguez, Pedro Oldoni was able to knock in a goal for his squad. 1-0 to Paranaense and the crowd went silent.

But shaking off the bucket of cold water, Chivas came back and only allowed the Brazilians to keep their lead for about 5 minutes. On a similar type play, Paranaense keeper, Vinicius Barriivieira, failed to clear a shot from Ramón Morales and left to for Omar Arellano to knock home for the draw. 1-1.

With the score level we had a fresh match. But Chivas failed to make more a match of it. Not because they didn’t try but because of their lack of creativity.

The second half was more of the same story, Paranaense defending well and Chivas attempting to break the stalemate. But in the 59th minute, another error by Sergio Rodriguez allowed the visitors to go up a goal again. This time Antonio Carlos took advantage of Rodriguez’ late reaction off a free kick to make it 2-1 to Paranaense.

But almost an instant later, Chivas tied the match up, yet again, when Marco Fabián found substitute Alberto Medina with a beautiful backward lobbing cross. Medina buried a left footed shot into the back of the net for the draw. 2-2. A fantastic goal.

The match got really good after this goal because it seemed that both teams saw that either one, with a little more effort, could win this match. But the defense and keepers kept the score the same til the end of the match.

Final Score: 2-2.

I had this one going to Chivas 1-0 and had originally had it going 2-1 because I figured it was going to be a low scoring affair. Ah well. I guessed wrong.

Next week? I’ll bring you action from the Estadio Arena da Baixada in Curitiba, Brazil.

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.