Caracas stun River Plate in Libertadores Cup
By Brian Homewood
RIO DE JANEIRO, March 8 (Reuters) - Caracas FC rode their luck to pull off a stunning upset in the Libertadores Cup on Thursday, beating Argentina's River Plate 1-0 away in Buenos Aires.
In the evening's other tie, Julio Cesar Uribe, named as coach of Peru earlier in the day, celebrated in style as his Cienciano side came from behind to thrash Bolivar 5-1.
Caracas produced a rare Venezuelan win after striker Ivan Velasquez swept home the only goal in the 10th minute of their Group Six game.
A low cross from the left was flicked on by Wilson Carpintero for the Colombian striker to hook in from six metres.
After that, the Caracas hero was goalkeeper Javier Toyo who repeatedly kept Daniel Passarella's team at bay.
Toyo produced a superb stop before halftime when he dived to keep out a header from defender Nelson Rivas but saved his best for the second half.
River should have gone ahead in the 47th minute when Ernesto Farias's shot was parried by Toyo and the rebound fell to Victor Zapata, but the midfielder miscued badly with the goal at his mercy.
Farias headed against the post, then Toyo produced another outstanding stop to tip Farias's effort over the crossbar after Marco Ruben had also headed against the woodwork.
River's frustration continued as Danilo Gerlo's effort was headed off the line from close range.
Caracas, who started as rank outsiders, lead with six points from two games and River are level with Ecuador's LDU on three points. Chilean champions Colo Colo have lost their first two matches.
Bolivar, who produced a rare away win for Bolivia when they beat Toluca 2-1 in Mexico last week, appeared set for a repeat performance when Adalberto Cuellar fired them ahead after 16 minutes in Cuzco, 3,400 metres above sea level in the Peruivan Andes.
But Cienciano, who lost their first two games in Group Seven, hit back with five goals in a remarkable final half hour.
Miguel Mostto equalised in the 63rd minute and Juan Carlos Marino put the Peruvians ahead from the penalty spot six minutes later. In between, the visitors had Ruben Melgar sent off for a second bookable offence.
Mostto and Marino then scored another goal apiece, both set up by William Chiroque, before Jaime Ruiz completed the scoring in the 88th minute.
The result left Argentina's Boca Juniors and Bolivar level on four points with Cienciano and Toluca one point behind.
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