Nine-Man Palestino Hold Colo-Colo In Fiery Final (Goal.com)

Despite playing with nine men for almost an entire half, Palestino came from behind to force a 1-1 draw with Colo-Colo in the first leg of the final of the Chilean Clausura Championship…

Palestino, who played with nine men from the 50th minute, drew 1-1 with Colo Colo in the first leg of the final of the Chilean Clausura Championship at the Estadio Nacional de Santiago.

Argentine striker Lucas Barrios fired Colo Colo ahead in the 28th minute from the penalty spot. Ruben Selman, the match referee, ejected Palestino goalkeeper Felipe Nuñez, for the foul that led to the penalty.

Nine-Man Palestino Hold Colo Colo In Fiery Final
Nine-Man Palestino Hold Colo-Colo In Fiery Final

Francisco Ibañez scored Palestino’s unlikely equalizer in the 78th minute, from a swift counterattack.

At the beginning of the first half Palestino coach, Luis Musrri, was sent off after a confrontation with the referee.

In the 50th minute, Selman dismissed Palestino midfielder Roberto Bishara.

Despite their massive disadvantage, Palestino managed to force a draw late on in the match, and they are in a good position to claim the title going into the return leg.

Prior to the goal, Colo-Colo piled heavy pressure on the Palestino goal, but Luis Rogel, the replacement goalkeeper, responded with a number of fine interventions.

Towards the end of the match Colo Colo continued to push forward, but with little luck.

The championship decider will be staged at the Estadio Monumental on the 20th of December.

Source: ‘Nine-Man Palestino Hold Colo Colo In Fiery Final’, Goal.com, 2008-12-14
Link: http://www.goal.com/en/news/1699/chile/2008/12/14/1013549/nine-man-palestino-hold-colo-colo-in-fiery-final