Copa Sudamericana – The Draw Of First And Second Round

Last night’s draw of the Copa Sudamericana in Paraguay has produced quite a few interesting games around South America. The procedure of the games is as follows: In the first round, the eight countries’ teams (not Brazil & Argentina) enter the competition and, split in North and South, face each other. The winners move on to the second round, where Argentinians and Brazilians take part as well. Scroll to the bottom to see the full list of matchups.

In the Northern zone, Emelec visits León de Huánuco. The Ecuadorians enjoyed a fine Copa Libertadores season which only ended after a quarterfinal loss to the strong Mexicans from Tigres UANL. For the upcoming Sudamericana, they will have to be regarded as one of the title favorites. The Peruvians from Huánuco meanwhile are clear outsiders in this matchup.

Another good first round game should take place between Zamora (VEN) and Liga de Quito (ECU). Both are some of the best teams in their respective countries.

Finally, Santa Fe (COL) will be visitor to Liga de Loja (ECU). The Colombians followed previously mentioned Emelec into the quarterfinals, only to be eliminated by Internacional. Next to Emelec and Zamora, they are the best team in the Northern zone, and you can expect them in the second barring some upset.

When looking South, we’re finding a lot of traditional teams, three of the prime matchups see a battle between Uruguay and Bolivia. Oriente Petrolero face Uruguayan champions Club Nacional in a game between two already qualified clubs for the 2016 Libertadores. Both want to go far in this competition, now we already have it in round 1.

Defensor Sporting (URU) could have a tough time with Bolívar. The Bolivian champions might indeed be early favorites to go through, but you can’t just count out a Uruguayan team that knows how to fight.

The third one sees Juventud (URU) host Real Potosí (BOL). 

Most of all, we should mention Paraguay. They have some of the most famous clubs in the competition this season. Libertad visit the Chileans from Santiago Wanderers, Nacional host Universidad de Conceptión from the same country, and finally Olimpia will play against Huachipato.

While the winners will all face each other in the second round, the other places will be filled by inter country matchups in Argentina and Brazil. The seeding in Brazil is not determined yet. Argentina sees games between Belgrano and Lanús, Arsenal and Copa Libertadores record champions Independiente as well as Tigre and Huracán.

Here are all the games that have been determined (winners of each line to face each other):

Olimpia vs Huachipato / Águilas Doradas vs Unión Comercio

Oriente Petrolero vs Nacional (URU) / Liga de Loja vs Santa Fe

Zamora vs Liga de Quito / Nacional (PAR) vs Universidad de Concepción

Carabobo vs Deportes Tolima / Junior vs Melgar

Universidad Católica vs Danubio / Santiago Wanderers vs Libertad

Defensor Sporting vs Bolívar / Universitario vs Deportivo Anzoátegui

León de Huánuco vs Emelec / Juventud vs Real Potosí

Universidad Católica vs Deportivo La Guaira / Aurora vs Sportivo Luqueño

Belgrano vs Lanús

Arsenal vs Independiente

Tigre vs Huracán