RIO DE JANEIRO, April 8 (Xinhua) -- Goalkeeper Gabriel Brazao scored an own goal as Ecuador's Deportivo Cuenca clinched a 1-0 home win over Brazilian side Santos in their Copa Sudamericana opener on Wednesday.
The hosts went ahead on the hour when Brazao unwittingly parried the ball into the back of the net while trying to keep out Lucas Mancinelli's in-swinging corner.
The visitors controlled most of the possession and had four shots on target, but could not find a way past Argentine goalkeeper Facundo Ferrero.
Santos was without star forward Neymar, who is recovering from a regenerative knee procedure undertaken last month.
In Bolivia, Anthony Vasquez scored a second-half equalizer to earn Blooming a 1-1 home draw with River Plate.
The Argentine side played almost the entire match with 10 men after Lucas Martinez Quarta was shown a red card for a bad challenge on Bayron Garces.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, the Argentine team took the lead through Sebastian Driussi's 35th-minute strike.
Vasquez put the hosts on level terms in the 53rd minute with a close-range effort following Moises Villarroel's cross.
Elsewhere in the Copa Sudamericana on Wednesday, Puerto Cabello won 2-1 at home to Atletico Mineiro, Torque secured a 1-0 home win over Gremio, Olimpia prevailed 2-0 at Audax Italiano and Deportivo Riestra was held to a goalless home draw by Palestino. ■
