Olimpia hold Fluminense in Libertadores quarters

Lorenzo Aranda (L) of Olimpia receives a red card during their Copa Libertadores quarter final first leg  against Fluminense at Sao Januario stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on May 22, 2013. (Getty Images)

Rio de Janeiro, May 23 (IANS): Olimpia raised hopes of an unlikely semi-final berth after holding Fluminense to a 0-0 draw in their Copa Libertadores quarterfinal first leg.

The Paraguayan outfit was reduced to 10-men at the Sao Januario stadium in the 82nd minute Wednesday when midfielder Eduardo Aranda received his second yellow card for a foul on Rhayner.

Despite dominating possession and creating a number of second-half chances, the reigning Brazilian top-flight champions were unable to find a way past Olimpia’s Uruguayan goalkeeper Martin Silva.

“They played with a five-man defence which made it very difficult for us to go forward,” Fluminense coach Abel Braga said after the match.

“But it isn’t a disaster. There is still a match to be played there and their tactics will have to change. The tie is still wide open.”

In Wednesday’s other match, Colombia’s Independiente Santa Fe defeated Peru’s Real Atletico Garcilaso 3-1 away.