RIO DE JANEIRO, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- A first-half goal from attacking midfielder Adson gave 10-man Vasco da Gama a 1-0 away win over Boca Juniors in the first leg of their Copa Sudamericana semifinal on Tuesday.
The visitors took the lead in the 25th minute at La Bombonera when Adson latched onto an Andres Gomez cross with a glancing header into the far corner.
But Gomez went from protagonist to villain in the 64th minute, receiving two yellow cards in quick succession. Despite its numerical disadvantage, the Brazilian side defended resolutely to secure a vital first-leg advantage.
"It's not easy to play here, especially when you go a man down, but we were able to absorb the pressure," Adson said after the match. "We haven't won anything yet. We still have plenty of work to do to win the next match and reach the final."
The decisive return match will be played in Rio de Janeiro next Tuesday. The winner on aggregate will play the victor of the other semifinal between Atletico Mineiro and Montevideo City Torque in next month's final in Barranquilla, Colombia. ■
