Huachipato strike first blow in Copa Chile

It´s advantage Huachipato after the first leg of their Copa Chile semi-final against Universidad Católica – but there´s still all to play for.

Talcahuano – The acereros wanted to make the most of their home advantage in the opening 90 minutes of the tie and got off to a flying start.

Ex-Cruzado Juan José Morales headed home to give Huachipato the lead after just five minutes and they could have added to their lead in the first half.

Católica upped their game in the second half, but striker Matías Jadue, one of a number of changes in boss Rodrigo Astudillo´s starting line-up, couldn´t take advantage of the chances that came his way.

Católica keeper Franco Costanzo prevented Huachipato extending their lead before the visitors almost snatched a dramatic equaliser in the closing moments when Dario Botinelli´s free-kick struck the woodwork.

It means Huachipato, much-improved under new manager Mario Salas, take a one-goal lead to San Carlos de Apoquindo for the second leg next Wednesday, February 5.

Midfielder Botinelli said: “We were superior in large parts of the game, but couldn´t score. In the return, we must be protagonists like we were in the second half tonight.”

One piece of good news for the Cruzados yesterday was that the ANFP have overturned first-choice keeper Cristopher Toselli´s red card in last Saturday´s 1-1 draw at Audax Italiano.

Toselli was controversially dismissed for a handball outside his area, but the ANFP decided it wasn´t intentional. It means the highly-rated keeper will be available for Friday´s night important home clash against in-form Palestino.

Meanwhile, Primera B side Unión San Felipe will seek to spring an upset tonight when they host Deportes Iquique in the first leg of the other Copa Chile semi-final.