July 2001 Sport News Headlines

Friday, July 13, 2001 - Web posted at 11:20:32 GMT

Chile stun Ecuador as Copa kicks off

BARRANQUILLA - Hosts Colombia and struggling Chile launched their Copa America campaigns with wins on Wednesday as the trouble-plagued tournament kicked off amid blanket security.

Colombia eased past Venezuela 2-0 while Chile scored an upset 4-1 thrashing of in-form Ecuador in a Group A double-header at Barranquilla's Metropolitan Stadium.

With hundreds of armed soldiers policing the ground and sniffer dogs scouring the stadium before kick-off, the opening matches of the tournament passed off peacefully.

A second-half goal blitz sealed victory for Chile after they had taken the lead through Reinaldo Navia on 29 minutes in their match.

Navia pounced on a mistake by Ecuador's Alex Aguinaga to score and give the Chileans a 1-0 lead at the break.

Ecuador - who have been one of the revelations of South America's World Cup qualifiers - levelled soon after half-time when Kleber Chala rose to bury a pinpoint cross from Angel Fernandez on the right.

But thereafter it was all one-way traffic and Chile took every chance that came their way as Ecuador struggled desperately to pierce the opposing defence.

Chile regained the lead on 74 minutes when Cristian Montecinos unleashed a spectacular 30-metre shot that flew in from the left flank, giving Geovanni Ibarra no chance.

Montecinos helped put Chile 3-1 up in the closing minutes, chipping delicately for Marcelo Corrales to score on 86 minutes.

Montecinos doubled his tally in injury time, hooking in from close range after some good work by Corrales.

Ecuador struggled to find their normal rhythm throughout, and several key players including skipper Aguinaga looked short of match fitness.

They had started the match brightly, passing smoothly and frustrating Chile.

But for all Ecuador's slick movement they were unable to find a way through some resolute Chilean defending.

Colombia had no such problems as they wrapped up a clinical victory over Venezuela, the group whipping boys.

A 16th-minute effort from midfielder Freddy Grisales put the hosts on the way to victory, with Victor Aristizabal making sure with a penalty in the 60th minute.

The build-up to the Copa America was thrown into turmoil by the wave of violence that has swept across Colombia this year.

The tournament was postponed last week because of fears for the safety of teams taking part, but a spectacular u-turn by South American officials saw them decide to press ahead with the competition.

Argentina however have pulled out along with invited side Canada, dealing a blow to the prestige of the competition, already hit by the withdrawal of top South American stars based in Europe.

- Nampa-Sapa-AFP

•  Warriors not fit enough: Tom
•  Dawids, Van Wyk in showdown for chair
•  Notices Stars start training
•  Scolari in first taste
•  Benade off to Paralympics
•  Pakistan expects tri-series in SA
•  Boks make two changes