Wilstermann moves to South American group stage despite falling 3-0 to Guabirá

Jorge Wilstermann advanced this Thursday to the group round of the Copa Sudamericana-2022 despite losing 3-0 the rematch of the first phase to Guabirá, asserting the 4-0 victory won in the first leg of the Bolivian series.

With goals from Kevin Mina in the 20 and 50 minutes and a third by Layonel Figueroa in the discounts (90+3), the 'sugar producers' took the match played at the Gilberto Parada stadium in Montero, just outside Santa Cruz de la Sierra.

However, that result was not enough to reverse the 'aviadores' rout in the initial match and the overall was 4-3 in favor of the Cochabamba team.

- Guabirá, the surprise -

The 'devils of the north' came from a humiliating defeat to 'Wilster' in the first leg and needed to score at least four goals to reach a penalty kick, an unlikely challenge.

But the Montero team was about to turn the result around: it played a very different match from the previous one, the outcome of which had cost the then-coach, Victor Hugo 'Tucho' Antelo, his place.

Now with former Bolivian coach Mauricio Soria, Guabirá tried a miracle.

From the beginning, his attackers pierced Wilstermann's defense, but they lacked a lot of definition in the shot.

In the middle of the first half, Ecuadorian striker Mina managed to settle in after a bad clearance from the rival who left him the ball served.

The player would consolidate himself as the star of the match by scoring a second goal, shortly after the start of the second half.

The 'aviator' left spaces and could not replicate the strategy that led him to the rout of last Thursday's match, held at Félix Capriles in Cochabamba.

Guabirá's third goal, converted during the endless six minutes of additional time, made Wilstermann desperate.

Visitors were making more and more mistakes, as the cruceño rival bombarded his goal looking for the fourth goal needed to continue dreaming of the ticket to the group round.

But the effort and the changes made by the new coach were not enough: the referee whistled before Guabirá won the fourth goal.

The cry of their players on the floor in front of the Cochabambinos celebration marked the end of the match.

In the other round of the first phase between Bolivia's teams, Oriente Petrolero eliminated Royal Pari on Tuesday with a 6-2 aggregate.

msr/cl