Brazil s Gremio win Recopa Sudamericana

Porto Alegre (Brazil) Feb 22 (IANS) Brazil s Gremio defeated Argentine side Independiente on penalties to win their second Recopa Sudamericana here on Thursday.

After a 1-1 draw in last week s first leg in Buenos Aires both teams were in a cautious mood early at Arena Gremio in southern Brazil reports Xinhua.

Just like in the first match Independiente were reduced to 10 men before halftime after Fernando Amorebieta was shown a straight red card for a bad foul.

Despite their numerical disadvantage the visitors defended resolutely in the second half and in extra-time to force the match into penalties.

Both sides converted their first four spot kicks before Gremio goalkeeper Marcelo Grohe saved Martin Benitez s shot to secure his team the title at nearly 12.30 a.m. local time.

The Recopa Sudamericana is played annually between the winners of the Copa Libertadores -- South America s top club competition -- and the Copa Sudamericana the continent s second-tier tournament.

Gremio who won last year s Copa Libertadores also lifted the Recopa Sudamericana trophy in 1996.

--IANS
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