BUENOS AIRES, May 5 (Xinhua) -- Fernando Zuqui converted the decisive spot kick as Estudiantes clinched Argentina's Professional League Cup title on Sunday by beating Velez Sarsfield on penalties.
Eros Mancuso gave Estudiantes an early lead at Estadio Unico in Santiago del Estero with a long-range effort after combining with Colombian winger Edwuin Cetre.
Velez were reduced to 10 men just before the hour when Damian Fernandez was shown a second yellow card for hacking down Cetre.
Despite the handicap, the Buenos Aires outfit equalized four minutes later through Alejo Sarco, who sent a cool finish into the bottom-left corner following Thiago Fernandez's pass on the counterattack.
The match took another turn in the 70th minute when Estudiantes defender Gaston Benedetti was also booked for a second time for an ugly challenge on Francisco Pizzini.
Velez dominated proceedings in the final minutes but failed to breach Estudiantes' defense as the match went to a shootout.
Roberto Garcia, Santiago Caseres and Alvaro Montoro missed their attempts for Velez while Pablo Piatti, Marcelo Correa, Cetre and Zuqui held their nerve for the La Plata outfit.
"It makes me proud to manage this group of players," Estudiantes head coach Eduardo Dominguez told a news conference after the match.
"We have a tight-knit group that works hard for each other. We don't want to stop here. We want to keep our feet on the ground and continue to build something."
The result means Estudiantes are guaranteed of a berth in next year's Copa Libertadores, South America's premier club competition. ■
