Cerro Porteno gains edge in Copa Libertadores qualifier
LIMA, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Midfielder Robert Piris da Motta converted a first-half penalty to give Paraguay's Cerro Porteno a 1-0 away win over Peruvian side Melgar in the first leg of its Copa Libertadores qualifier on Wednesday.
Piris da Motta held his nerve in the 34th minute at the Monumental stadium after Carlos Caceda brought down Juan Iturbe with a bad foul in the area.
The hosts controlled 66 percent of possession and had 17 shots on goal but failed to find a way past Paraguay international goalkeeper Gatito Fernandez.
"Our players showed great character to get this result given that we haven't been at our best lately," Cerro Porteno manager Diego Martinez told a post-match news conference.
"Melgar is a tough opponent with an established way of playing. But we were up to the challenge and the players deserve a lot of credit."
The second leg will be played in the Paraguayan capital Asuncion on March 12. ■
