Football: Corinthians win first continental cup

SAO PAULO: Brazilian club Corinthians won the Copa Libertadores for the first time, defeating Argentina’s Boca Juniors 2-0 in the second-leg of the final. Corinthians prevailed 3-1 on aggregate as the two teams drew the first leg 1-1 in Buenos Aires last month. Striker Emerson scored twice in the second half, denying Boca Juniors a seventh continental crown in their 10th appearance in the final of South America’s elite club competition. The Sao Paulo side had never previously gone past the semi-finals of the Copa Libertadores. But they won plaudits this year by beating Neymar inspired Santos 2-1 on aggregate in the last four, and remaining unbeaten throughout. “It’s great to be here, to wear this jersey,” said goal-scorer Emerson.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 6^th, 2012.