RIO DE JANEIRO, March 8 (Reuters) - Mexican side America
thumped Banfield 4-0 on Wednesday to revive their Libertadores
Cup campaign and erase memories of last week's 4-1 thrashing at
the hands of Libertad.
Chilean champions Colo Colo, who were among the
pre-tournament favourites, slumped to their second straight
defeat in Group Six as they lost 3-1 to LDU in controversial
circumstances.
Paraguay's Cerro Porteno were also left pointless after
losing 1-0 to Colombian provincial side Deportes Tolima in
Group Three.
Paraguay striker Salvador Cabanas, the competition's
leading scorer, struck twice for America at Mexico City's
Azteca stadium to take his tally to five.
Ricardo Rojas headed America in front in the 21st minute of
the Group One game and set up Cabanas's first goal two minutes
later after being released down the left by Cuauhtemoc Blanco's
backheel.
Cabanas struck again four minutes after half-time with a
low shot from just outside the area and Juan Mosqueda added the
fourth in the 52nd minute with a neat chip over Banfield
goalkeeper Cristian Lucchetti.
Paraguayan champions Libertad lead the group with seven
points from three games, one point ahead of America. Banfield
have three points and El Nacional one.
Colo Colo made a promising start in Quito when Humberto
Suazo put them ahead in the 31st minute.
Midfielder Alfonso Obregon levelled for LDU with a striek
from 35 metres two minutes after halftime and the game appeared
heading for a draw until the stormy ending.
The Ecuadoreans went ahead after Colo Colo defender David
Henriquez was judged to have handled although he claimed it was
accidental and was booked for dissent.
Franklin Salas converted the spot kick in the 80th minute,
then LDU's Cristian Lara and Henriquez were both sent off.
Joffre Guerron's 86th minute goal made sure of LDU's first
three points in the group, bringing them level with River Plate
of Argentina and Caracas FC of Venezuela who meet in Buenos
Aires on Thursday.
In Ibague, substitute Darwin Quintero scored five minutes
after coming on to give Tolima their first win in Group Three.
Quinteros scored comfortably from close range in the 64th
minute.
Tolima went level with Gremio on four points from two games
while their compatriots Cucuta have two points and Cerro
Porteno remain pointless and goaless.
