Despite the LDU Quito Onslaught, Boca Juniors Advance.

By: Mauro | October 2nd, 2008

The match started off firing on all cylinders with LDU decidedly looking for the result to get an early jump on the 4-goal deficit they were staring at. But forced into their own penalty area and with 5 men on their back line, Boca was forced to play the counter with the space left to them by their opponents.

Just on the other side of the LDU midfielders, a few defenders were left and Boca exploited that to the best of their abilities. In the meantime, LDU forced themselves toward Boca keeper, Javier Garcia’s goal. With repeated opportunities on goal and none of them off well organized plays, LDU were coming at Boca with more heart than football.

And on the other end, long passes or defensive clearances found quick Boca offensive players who always had at least one passing option. Leaving themselves notably open at the back for very dangerous passing and speed that was the penchant of the Boca side in the first leg, LDU parked themselves way upfield and gambled on this strategy to try to score some goals.

While LDU attacked and created danger with Ambrossi and Bolaños on the left, and Manso and Urrutia in the middle, they crowded the penalty area with Claudio Bieler and Reinaldo Navia. But the long passes to the offensive Boca players where the passing was very precise proved to be deadly.

Ricardo Noir found the ball on the edge of the area and an LDU defender took him down once both were inside the penalty area. Dátolo took the kick and it went in to the left of the keeper Cevallos and into the side netting. 1-0 to Boca and LDU’s gamble has not paid off.

The second half was more of the same. LDU tried to fill the final third in front of Boca’s goal with their own players, only this time with a little more control and organization, and they still found trouble with the last touch, which was always a too harried to be struck just right.

LDU coach Edgardo Bauza subbed on Agustín Delgado for Reinaldo Navia to see if Delgado would have better luck. But Boca keeper Garcia was having a great night as well and had a few close calls but was able to keep the ball out.

Until, coach Bauza’s substitution was, in fact, validated. After a cross that was knocked around a bit in Boca’s penalty area, the ball ended up at Bieler’s feet, instead of taking a wild shot he smartly back-heeled it to Delgado who was all alone to pick his spot. Garcia had no chance and Delgado put it away into the top netting. 1-1.

The rest of the match was played out in much the same way. Boca defending with quite a bit of solvency and LDU coming forward with all they had. Near the end, LDU gave each other some space but there was almost always a Boca defender on each of them.

And in the end it was not enough. Final score: 1-1.

I had this match ending 2-1 to Boca with Boca advancing to the next round and if they had been a little more patient in the final third I think I would have got my way.

Boca face Inter of Porto Alegre in the Quarter-Finals.

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.