GUAYAQUIL, March 6 (Xinhua) -- Janner Corozo scored twice as Ecuador's Barcelona SC edged toward the Copa Libertadores group stage with a 3-0 home win over Brazilian side Corinthians in the first leg of its qualifying playoff on Thursday.

Ecuador international winger Corozo converted a penalty on the stroke of halftime at the Monumental stadium in Guayaquil and Octavio Rivero doubled the advantage with an 80th-minute header after Bryan Carabali's cross.

The host put the result beyond doubt when Corozo's powerful shot deflected in off the outstretched right leg of goalkeeper Hugo Souza six minutes from time.

"This is a result that keeps our dream alive. It's an advantage. But we haven't won anything yet, and we now have a big game ahead of us in Brazil," Barcelona SC manager Segundo Castillo told a post-match news conference.

The return fixture will be played in Sao Paulo next Wednesday, with the winner on aggregate earning a berth in the 32-team main draw. Enditem

Related

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)