Copa Libertadores Finals: São Caetano is halfway there in becoming Champions
Sao Caetano disrupted the Fiesta in Asunción, Paraguay at the Estadio Defensores del Chaco of Olimpia. Olimpia was in the process of celebrating their centenary, which is on Thursday, but the Azulao (the Blues) of São Caetano did the unbelievable. Many fans in Brazil thought the match would be a no way proposition, because there would be another Argentine Centre Judge (Horacio Elizonde) in charge of the match. Last week many Brazilians believed that Argentine Centre Judge Daniel Giménez prevented an All-Brazilian final, with a controversal ruling on a penalty kick in the Gremio-Olimpia match.
Sao Caetano disrupted the Fiesta in Asunción, Paraguay at the Estadio Defensores del Chaco of Olimpia. Olimpia was in the process of celebrating their centenary, which is on Thursday, but the Azulao (the Blues) of São Caetano did the unbelievable. Many fans in Brazil thought the match would be a no way proposition, because there would be another Argentine Centre Judge (Horacio Elizonde) in charge of the match. Last week many Brazilians believed that Argentine Centre Judge Daniel Giménez prevented an All-Brazilian final, with a controversal ruling on a penalty kick in the Gremio-Olimpia match. Even São Caetano's president, Nairo Ferreira, said he wouldn't be surprised if Olimpia wins it, because of a conspiracy theory that the Argentines are jealous with the Brazilians recent success at the World Cup and now the Copa Libertadores. The Copa Liberdores is the Granddaddy of all Club championships in South America, which began in 1960.
The two teams fought like a pair of Prize-fighters in a boxing ring, with both teams creating chances to score in the first half. However the goaltending by Ricardo Tavarelli and Silvio Luiz stopped both clubs from scoring and both teams went into their locker rooms with the score knotted at zero. The Paraguayans came out in the second half looking to score, but the defense of São Caetano was determined to stop them. Then in the 61st minute, Russo was able to gain possession of the ball and raced down the field on the right flank. Russo split two defenders and sent a cross to the far post, where fellow midfielder Ailton was awaiting. Ailton calmly headed the ball into the net and that was all the Brazilian squad needed.
With the one goal aggregate lead, you can be sure that the São Caetano faithful will turnout in the Estádio Cícero Pompeu de Toledo (aka Morumbi) of São Paulo to root their Azulao on. The reason for the match being played in São Paulo is so the Brazilians can accommodate the support for the final match. However, one can also be sure that Olimpia will come will all guns blaring to stop this small club from winning the most prized Club championship in South America. The winner of the Final will face Real Madrid in November in the Intercontinental Cup.