LDU Quito Give Themselves Another Reason to Celebrate.

By: Mauro | August 15th, 2008

Coming off winning the Copa Libertadores just weeks ago, LDU Quito were hosting one of the better teams from Bolivia, Bolívar. If one had no idea what LDU Quito had been up to since they won the Libertadores, you’d say after watching tonight’s match that they haven’t missed a beat.

It only took ten minutes for LDU Quito to show the difference on the score board that they had made on the pitch. Néicer Reasco made a great play on the right flank where he crossed the ball that the keeper punched out but midfield play maker, Damián Manso recovered it just outside the area and took a long left footed shot that Bolívar keeper Carlos Arias had no chance of stopping. 1-0 to LDU Quito.

But only four minutes later, Bolívar brought themselves level. Off a free kick, Colombian Arnulfo Valentierra took advantage of a poorly positioned José Cevallos for a fantastic struck goal. 1-1.

In the 36th minute, after a great play on the left stewarded by Luís Bolaños (I was wrong about him not being available for this match) but involving many of his teammates, Bolaños crossed the ball into the penalty area where Paul Ambrossi was there to knock it in with a nice header. 2-1 to LDU Quito.

The match continued on, same as before all the goals, LDU Quito dominating most of the play and Bolívar trying to make something happen. Near the end, Bolívar had one more chance to tie things up, but the ball went wide.

In the second half, Bolaños found the net himself. Reinaldo Navia, who looked really good and comfortable despite a really shitty experience with his prior club Racing Club, was brought down in the area by keeper Arias and Bolaños exchanged the penalty call for a goal. In the 63rd minute of the second half 3-1 to LDU Quito.

Navia was the man to score the 4th and final goal for LDU Quito in the 75th minute after a fantastic pass by Reasco that was only equaled by the Chilean striker’s finish. 4-1 to LDU Quito.

But not all was said and done. Bolívar’s chilean Renato Ramos was able to score another goal for his team to bring them within two. Since the away goal counts as two, this goal could help Bolívar cut the lead in the 2nd leg. Final score: 4-2 to LDU Quito.

I had this one going 2-0 to the local side, I got the difference right but not the correct final score. I’m getting closer.

The return match will be played next week in La Paz, Bolivia, where the altitude has had it’s effect on some teams.

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.