RSS
ATOM
advertisement
Nacional 0-2 Sao Paulo: Washington Brace Condemns Paraguayans To Third Straight Defeat
The Paraguayans' continental campaign is now all but over after three defeats from three games...
| Bet: | Returns: | Club Nacional £18.00 | Draw £34.00 | Tacuary £40.00 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Club Nacional £18.00 | Draw £34.00 | Tacuary £37.50 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Club Nacional £18.50 | Draw £32.50 | Tacuary £38.00 |
|
Mar 11, 2010 11:59:00 PM
By Anthony Wright
Nacional succumbed to a third defeat in three games as Sao Paulo ran out comfortable 2-0 winners in Asuncion. Washington grabbed both goals for the Brazilians, who were in charge for much of the game.
O Tricolor Paulista started brightly, exerting pressure on the Paraguayans from the off, and nearly took the lead in the first 10 minutes.
Richarlyson picked up on a loose ball 30 yards from goal and after skipping past a weak challenge, he rifled a shot that cannoned back off the post with German Caffa stranded. The post was still vibrating as la Academia cleared the ball, but it was a statement of intent from the Brazilians.
The hosts needed to make the most of any opportunities they could fashion in order to pick up a result, but Victor Aquino wasted a golden chance as he failed to get decent contact on his free header in the box following an excellent cross by Fabio Ramos.
Caffa had to be sharp moments later when Marcelinho slid a ball across the box for Washington to strike at goal, but the Argentine shotstopper did well to get a foot to the low effort.
Sao Paulo were not having it entirely their own way in the first half, with Ramos' vision causing the Brazilians' defence to be pulled one way and then the other as he used his entire range of passing, but Rogerio Ceni had little to do in the opening 20 minutes.
A number of fouls were beginning to break up the game as the half went on, with Dagoberto picking up a yellow card, while neither side was really able to create a clear-cut opening. The visitors looked to get forward as often as possible, but their attacks were often prematurely halted by the assistant referee's offside flag.
Just before half time, Nacional nearly stole the lead when Miranda missed a cross from the right hand side to allow Orlando Bordon to fire a shot at goal from six yards out, but it was too close to Ceni and the keeper turned it behind for a corner.
Washingon scored O Tricolor Paulista's opening goal
Nacional started the second half well as Arturo Aquino tested Ceni with a first-time volley before Marcos Melgarejo dragged a long-range effort wide of goal. A fine flowing move opened up Sao Paulo just before the hour mark, but Bordon's final shot was well blocked by Cicinho.
Ramos brought another save from Ceni moments later, but just as O Tricolor Paulista looked to be struggling to contain the hosts, they took the lead. Dagoberto dribbled infield before playing a superb reverse pass for Washington, who neatly rounded Caffa before passing the ball into the net.
The pressure was now on Nacional to respond, as their Copa Libertadores future was handing by a thread. Dagoberto had the ball in the net midway through the second half after holding off his marker and slipping the ball past Caffa, but the referee had already blown his whistle for a soft foul by the Brazilian on the defender.
Sao Paulo were now in control of the game, and Dagoberto forced Caffa to make another good save with a shot from 20 yards as they looked to make the result safe. The 26-year-old then tried a spectacular overhead kick when another Junior Cesar cross was headed back across goal by Cleber Santana, but it was comfortable for Caffa.
The hosts' threat was rarely on show, although with 10 minutes to go Guillermo Beltran struck a fine shot from 25 yards that Ceni did well to save, while Dagoberto continued his one-man crusade to extend the lead at the other end with a fierce shot from 20 yards that fizzed just over the bar.
O Tricolor Paulista finally doubled the lead in the final minutes as substitute Fernandinho squared the ball to Washington, who was level with the last man as the ball was played, and the in-form striker tapped in from a matter of yards to seal the result.
Become a fan of Goal.com International on Facebook! Just click onto Facebook.com/Goal to join the beautiful game's leading fan community...
| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £100 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power for a free bet up to £50 |
|
Advertisement
Inside Goal.Com
-
Capello-Terry debacle won't be the last FA scandal
Keir Radnedge takes a trip down memory lane and concludes that the FA will continue to frustrate friend and foe alike following the England manager's resignation
-
AC Milan have one match to get back on track
The Rossoneri appeared to be building momentum ahead of the Derby della Madonnina but since losing to Inter the flaws that were evident at the start of the season have resurfaced
-
The Sweeper: Bale will not renew Spurs contract
Goal.com can also reveal that Guus Hiddink is ready to consider a return to club management and explains how West Brom's coaches are the poor relations of the Premier League
-
Why Real Madrid don't want to host the Copa final
The capital club are doing everything in their power to prevent their fiercest rivals from turning their famous ground into a Blaugrana base for the day against Athletic Bilbao
-
Cartoon: Maradona throws his toys out of the pram
Goal.com cartoonist Omar Momani gives us his unique take on the football news of the day ...
Advertisement
Advertisement
