6/30/2008 3:20 AM
Liguilla Pre-Libertadores: Nacional Hold Defensor, Penarol Win
Newly-crowned Uruguayan champions Defensor Sporting fought out a 1-1 draw with Nacional in the first round of the Liguilla Pre-Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana...
Defensor edged Penarol for the Uruguayan championship only last Wednesday, but they found it tough against a solid Nacional side at the Centenario stadium.
Jorge Da Silva's side went ahead in the 48th minute through Mario Risso, but Nacional's Diego Vera hit-back in the 61st minute, and that's how the match ended.
Uruguayan giants Penarol may have lost the title decider, but they commenced the Liguilla with a convincing 2-0 victory over Danubio.
Penarol dominated their opponents, and won the match with goals from Antonio Pacheco (51') and Brazilian debutant Nasa (77').
While River Plate edged Rampla Juniors 2-1 with goals from Diego Silva (39') and Sergio Souza (85'). Martin Peula scored Rampla's only goal of the match.
In the second round of the Liguilla Defensor face Penarol in a repeat of the Uruguayan final, Danubio meet Rampla Juniors, and Nacional clash with River Plate.
The winner of the competition will qualify for the 2009 Copa Libertadores, while the second-placed team will enter the 2008 Copa Sudamericana