BUENOS AIRES, April 11 (Xinhua) -- Milton Gimenez converted a first-half penalty as Boca Juniors earned a 1-1 home draw with Independiente in Argentina's Apertura tournament on Saturday.
Matias Abaldo opened the scoring for the visitors in the ninth minute at the Bombonera when he struck from a difficult angle after combining with Gabriel Avalos.
The hosts equalized just before halftime through Gimenez after Sebastian Valdez brought down Alan Velasco.
Boca had several chances to take the lead in the second half but was denied by goalkeeper Rodrigo Rey, who made a series of sharp saves.
The result leaves Boca third in Group A with 21 points, three shy of leader Estudiantes. Independiente is seventh, three points further back.
Elsewhere in Argentina's top flight on Saturday, Barracas Central won 2-1 at Estudiantes de Rio Cuarto, Estudiantes won 2-1 at home to Union Santa Fe, Independiente Rivadavia cruised to a 3-1 home victory over Argentinos Juniors, and Instituto Cordoba prevailed 1-0 at Deportivo Riestra. ■
