San Lorenzo tops Tigre in Apertura playoff opener
- by Ian Plenderleith @PlenderleithIan, Dec 18, 2008
San Lorenzo was 2-0 up inside 20 minutes on goals from Pablo Barrientos and Gonzalo Bergessio in a game played at the neutral Velez Sarsfield stadium. Tigre came back into the game when Liuni Lazzaro scored 15 minutes from time, but that was the end of the scoring.
There was still time for some chaos, though, with Tigre goalkeeper Daniel Islas red-carded for pushing Barrientos in the face close to the end of the game. The referee didn't see the incident, but one of his assistants did, and play was held up for several minutes of Tigre protest before Islas was dismissed. Tigre fans then showered the field with plastic seats, delaying the end for longer still.
Victory against Boca Juniors on Saturday will give San Lorenzo the title. A tie or a Boca win will the third game, between Boca and Tigre, will take place next Tuesday. Should the teams finish level on points, the title will be won by the team with the best goal difference.
Apertura Playoffs
Dec. 17: Tigre 1 San Lorenzo 2 (at Velez Sarsfield Stadium)
Dec. 20: San Lorenzo vs Boca Juniors (at Racing Club Stadium)
Dec. 23 (if necessary): Boca Juniors vs Tigre (at Racing Club Stadium)
