Sudamericana: Boca, Estudiantes open with wins

Despite fielding a complete reserve side in order to keep its first team fresh for the domestic Argentine competition, Boca Juniors put on an oustanding display, and cruised to a comfortable 4-0 victory over a vulnerable Liga de Quito.

Boca's young side pushed to the attack straight from the kickoff, and it went ahead in the 27th minute when Juan Forlin beat Jose Cevallos with a powerful header.

Carlos Ischia's side dominated the midfield, and created several clear-cut goal-scoring opportunities before Liga defender Gabriel Espinoza converted an own-goal to put Boca two goals ahead.

After the break it was much of the same, as the Argentine giants piled heavy pressure on the Liga goal, as they went looking for another goal.

In the 49th minute Pablo Mouche extended Boca's lead to the frustration of Liga coach Edgardo Bauza, who couldn't believe his eyes.

The Ecuadorians, who won the Copa Libertadores just a few months ago, could barely create an attack, and were completely dominated by their Argentine counterparts.

Nicolas Gaitan put the result out of Liga's reach in the 82nd minute when he fired the ball into the back of the net from close range.

Boca were well worth its comfortable victory and has one leg in the quarterfinals of the Copa Sudamericana.

Mauro Boselli scored twice to lead Estudiantes de La Plata to a 2-1 victory over Arsenal de Sarandi in the first leg of their Copa Sudamericana tie on Wednesday.

Estudiantes, who are struggling in the Argentine domestic competition this season, received a sign of things to come with new coach Leonardo Astrada.

The side from La Plata, province of Buenos Aires, started the stronger of the two teams, and created several clear-cut goal-scoring opportunities before Mauro Boselli finally put it ahead in the 39th minute with a well-taken goal.

Arsenal, the defending champs of the competition, came more into the match as the half progressed, but lacked authority when moving forward and failed to find the back of the net.

In the 57th minute Boselli, who joined Estudiantes from Boca Juniors in the offseason, beat Arsenal goalkeeper Cristian Campestrini with his second goal of the night, and it seemed that Estudiantes were cruising to a comfortable victory.

However, Cristian Pellerano pulled a goal back for Arsenal in the 64th minute with a well-placed long-range effort, as the visitors went looking for a late equalizer with less than half an hour left on the clock.

But Estudiantes stood firm in the defense, and take a narrow but well deserved lead into the second leg of the tie that will be played in Sarandi, Buenos Aires.