|
It had been seven
years after the last time Cobreloa played the Libertadores Cup,
and it could not have been worse. Although it was not the first
time Cobreloa was eliminated in the first round, the difference
was that in 1983 only one team qualified, and in 2000, two in
the group qualified.
The first two games helped to keep the hope alive. A visitor tie
with Bellavista (Uruguay) and a a home victory over Atletico Mineiro
(Brazil) were good signs. Until that everything was O.K., but
the game against Bolivar (Bolivia) in Calama would be the beginning
of the disaster. After the first half, Cobreloa was leading 3
- 0, but in the second half, Bolivar tied the game 3 - 3.
After that, Cobreloa's performance went down the hill. Cobreloa
tied at home with Bellavista, in an incredible game, in which
everything was given to allow the victory: a penalty kick (not
scored) and one more player during most of the game.
The only things obtained in the visits to Bolivia and Brazil were
a great amount of goals. A 6 - 0 against Atletico Mineiro and
a 4 - 1 against Bolivar sealed Cobreloa's elimination and, in
turn, resulted in the dimission of the coach, Arturo Salah.
|
