More Preliminary Round Action From Copa Libertadores

The first week of preliminary round action in the 2009 Copa Libertadores concluded Thursday:

At Sao Paulo, Brazil:

Kerison got the ball rolling as he scored twice in the first half (3', PK-20') to lead Palmeiras to a 5-1 home fistbeating of Bolivian club Real Potosi in game one of their two-set preliminary round series.

At Lima, Peru:

Thanks to goals from Roberto Palacios (40') and Hector Hurtado (53'), Sporting Cristal opened up their two-match set with a 2-1 home win over Argentina's Estudiantes.

At Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela:

Fabian Espindola (11') got the ball rolling with his goal as Deportivo Anzoategul racked up a 2-0 home win in game one over Deportivo Cuenca of Ecuador.

All six of these series will conclude next Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, with the winners advancing to the group stage.

Copa Libertadores Under Way

Believe it or not, amigos, this week marked the beginning of preliminary round action in the 2009 Copa Libertadores as six two-game home-and-away series were scheduled to get underway:

Tuesday:

At Quito, Ecuador:

Jorge Nunez scored twice (56', 85') as Nacional (Paraguay) blasted hosts El Nacional (Ecuador) 5-0 in game one of their two-match set.

Wednesday:

At Santiago, Chile:

Marcelo Diaz scored the opening game's only goal (7') as Universidad de Chile defeated visiting Pachuca (Mexico) 1-0.

At Medellin, Colombia:

Jackson Martinez's hat trick (15', 18', 46') played a big role in Independiente Medellin's 4-0 game-one frontier-styled home fistbeating of Uruguay's Penarol.

Three other two-match sets are scheduled to get under way on Thursday:

Real Potosi (Bolivia) travels to Sao Paolo, Brazil for a meeting with Palmeiras.

Estudiantes (Argentina) visits Sporting Cristal at Lima, Peru.

At Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela, Deportivo Anzoategui will entertain Deportivo Cuenca of Ecuador.