Mexico’s América drew goalless with Olimpia of Honduras on Wednesday and qualified for the round of 16 of the CONCACAF Champions Cup, in a match with little offensive action.
América had won the first leg 2-1 and thus stayed alive and eliminated a dedicated Olimpia, who stopped the powerful opponent at home, at 2,240 meters above sea level.
America dominated possession, but lacked decisiveness
In the first half, America had possession of the ball, 77-33 in their favor, but there were no shots on goal.
For the second half, Eagles manager Andre Jardine sent Brazilian Raphael Veiga onto the field in search of goals.
He came close to getting his goal in the 49th minute, when goalkeeper Edrick Menjívar saved his team from a right-footed shot by Chile’s Víctor Dávila, off a pass from Kevin Álvarez.
Olimpia responded with a long-range shot by Edwin Rodríguez in the 56th minute, saved by goalkeeper Luis Ángel Malagón.
América stepped up the attack, Brian Rodríguez missed a good offensive opportunity in the 78th minute.
Veiga missed from outside the box in the 88th minute as frustrated fans chanted the homophobic shout often repeated by fans in various parts of Mexico, with no consequences.
The Eagles finished with two shots on goal in 90 minutes; Olimpia with one.
America awaits opponent between Philadelphia and Defence Force
Match with few offensive chances
QuéOnnda.com
In the round of 16, América will face the winner of the series between Trinidad and Tobago’s Defence Force and Philadelphia of the MLS.
Technical data
0. América: Luis Ángel Malagón; Kevin Álvarez (Isaías Violante m.72), Israel Reyes, Sebastián Cáceres, Cristian Borja; Rodrigo Dourado, Jonathan Dos Santos (Raphael Veiga m.46), Alexis Gutiérrez (Henry Martin m.59); Erick Sánchez; Brian Rodríguez, Víctor Dávila (Raúl Zúñiga m.72).
Coach: André Jardine.
0. Olimpia: Edrick Mejívar; Facundo Queiroz, Juan Hernández, Carlos Sánchez, Kevin Güiti (Félix García n.85); Jorge Álvarez, Agustín Mulet (Clinton Bennett m.64), José Pinto (Josmán Figueroa m.85), Edwin Rodríguez (Raúl García m.64); Yustin Arboleda (Jerry Bengston m.70), Jorge Benguche.
Coach: Eduardo Espinel.
Goals: There were none.
Referee: Drew Fischer. Yellow cards for Agustín Mulet and Yustin Arboleda.
Incidents. Second leg of the first round of the CONCACAF Champions Cup, held at the Ciudad Deportiva in the Mexican capital, 2,240 meters above sea level.
With information from EFE
For more information, visit QuéOnnda.com
