Last Year’s Champs, Arsenal, Through to the Round of 16.

By: Mauro | September 5th, 2008

Arsenal had very little to play for last night. A win would have put a nice exclamation point on this match up and it would have been enough to see them through to the next round. Hell, a 3-0 loss would have been enough. But the Honduran side was so bad in the first leg that in the lead up to last night’s match, it seemed impossible that they could find a way to bridge the footballing gulf between the two sides and at very least force penalties.

Arsenal took advantage of the lead they created in the first leg and fielded some of their substitutes from the start. But this time, Motagua seemed like another team. They showed a good level of football, one that was respectable and they seemed determined to make amends with their fans. They had plenty of the possession but did not take many shots on goal. Still they were able to get a goal in and give their fans something to celebrate.

In the 15th minute, a smart play by Motagua striker Jocimar who took advantage of poor defensive communication on the part of Arsenal, the Brazilian striker beat his defender and keeper Cristian Campestrini to the ball to head it past both of them. 1-0 to Motagua and the stadium explodes.

But while the team’s were still reeling from the go ahead goal, a long pass and a fantastic run by Alejandro Gomez, the Arsenal striker scored a goal by striking the ball with sublime beauty. Drawing out Motagua keeper Donaldo Morales with his run and then chipping it over the diving keeper. 1-1 and Arsenal were level.

In the second half, with Javier Yacuzzi pulling the strings in the midfield, Alejandro ‘Papu’ Gomez dominating on the left and Facundo Coria up front holding the ball with his back to the goal, it seemed Arsenal could possibly score at will since they reached their opponent’s penalty area with such ease. Still they preferred to stay back to defend while playing the counterattack.

However, Arsenal’s own poor finishing kept this match very close. But they had very little trouble getting to the front door of the penalty area where they could either play a through ball or take a longer range shot on goal. It seemed that when they decided in one direction, the other was more appropriate.

Unfortunately for Motagua, they would not be able to pull it together long enough to make a dent in the 4-0 loss, even in front of their own fans. They had trouble keeping possession in the late stages of the match and gave up a late penalty kick to give the visitors the lead and win in the end.

They gave up a penalty kick near the end of the second half when Facundo Coria faked out most of the Motagua’s defenders but was taken down in the penalty area. Coria took the kick and exchanged it for a goal. 2-1 to the Arsenal.

The difference between these two clubs was quite large over the two legs with the Argentine side being very much superior. Even the fans knew that, that’s why with 10 minutes to go in the match, they all headed for the gates.

This match ended 2-1 to the South American Arse (6-1 on aggregate), with Motagua going home and thanks very much for playing. Arsenal didn’t have to mess up their hair in this one to know that they were through to the next round.

I had this one going 2-0 to Arsenal and was pretty damned close. Still, a win’s a win.

This result sets up quite the round of 16 match up against Juan Sebastián Verón and former Arsenal striker, José Luís Calderón with his new side, Estudiantes de La Plata. Be sure to tune in for that one.

In the meantime, 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.