<p>A last minute goal ruined what would have been an ideal night for the defending Argentine champs in their debut in the Copa Sudamericana. Still with the away goal and the sensation of coming from behind ended up being as tepid as the Buenos Aires winter for both sides. Albeit it was an acceptable result for San Lorenzo, coach Ramón Díaz knew that they deserved more. For Gustavo Alfaro it was just as hollow. No one ever said going to Sarandí was a gimme, but <span style="font-style: italic;">El Ciclón</span> had their chances and could not cash in. To make matters worse, to have that victory escape them in the dying moments of the match makes it still a tough yet smaller pill to swallow. <br />
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Both sides played a wait and see, like two cats pawing at each other analyzing their next move. It was a battle of midfields and neither was able to dominate. If there was a side that went more on the attack, it was San Lorenzo. Arsenal countered every offensive move with a defensive stand. <br />
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So in a match that tactically even there was only one way the ball was going to hit the back of the net- via set pieces. That was exactly what happened. San Lorenzo opened the scoring in the 22nd minute when Osmar Ferreyra´s freekick went through everyone- literally. The ball passed 10 players before Andrés Silvera put it away for that all important away goal. <br />
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Regardless of being stunned, Arsenal showed more will than skill throughout the 90-plus minutes, but luck was their lady when Caseglione´s freekick ended up past Orión and keeping them in the fight.<br />
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A scoreless draw will suffice for the 2002 champs as they would end up playing the winner between Goiás and Cruzeiro. The winner of this match up will be defined when these two face off on September 9th at the Nuevo Gasómetro. <br />
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Arsenal (1)- Cuenca, Espínola, Casteglione, Mosquera, Díaz, Garnier, Damonte, San Martín, <br clear="all" />
Yacuzzi, Villar, Calderón<br />
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San Lorenzo (1)- Orión, González, Méndez, Bottinelli, Torres, Ortiz, Alvarado, Hirsig, Ferreyra, Fernánadez, Silvera <br />
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Goals: SL-Silvera (22´); Casteglione (90´+2´) <br />
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Bookings- ARS: Calderón, Espínola, Díaz; SL: Alvarado, Ortiz<br />
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Referee: Saúl Laverni<br />
Venue: Estadio Julio H. Grondona</p>
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