South Americans sweep aside Saipa

AFC – Chilean striker Jose Luis Villanueva struck a hat-trick as Kuruvchi (Bunyodkor) demolished Iran's Saipa 5-1 at MHSK Stadium on Wednesday to secure a AFC Champions League semi-final berth.

Following a 2-2 draw with the 2007 Iran Pro League champions in Tehran last Wednesday, Villanueva opened the scoring for Kuruvchi after nine minutes and added a penalty seven minutes later before Brazilian midfielder Rivaldo also converted from the spot in the last minute of the first half.

Saipa pulled a goal back three minutes after the break through Saber Mirghorbani but Villanueva completed his hat-trick eight minutes before the hour mark before Brazilian defender Luizao sealed the win 15 minutes later.

Kuruvchi will face Adelaide for a place in the final after the Australian side edged out Japanese champions Kashima Antlers 2-1 on aggregate.

In the Uzbek capital, the game started at a high tempo as Kuruvchi's Shavkat Raimkulov fired a free-kick wide after four minutes before Saipa skipper Ebrahim Sadeghi fired over following a strong run two minutes later.

Kuruvchi opened the scoring as Server Djeparov’s left wing cross was played into Villanueva’s path by Timur Kapadze and the Chilean made no mistake as he headed home past Saipa goalkeeper Vahid Sheikhveysi.

Kuruvchi doubled the lead with just 16 minutes on the watch as Villanueva made no mistake from the spot after Hossein Kaebi was adjudged to have handled after Raimkulov’s cross was volleyed towards the Saipa defender by Jasur Hasanov.

Saipa’s German coach Pierre Littbarski responded to the early blow by introducing Malian midfielder Issa Traore for defender Saeed Beigi.

But the home side continued to dominate and added a third just before the break as Kazem Borjlou handled inside the area, allowing Rivaldo to step up and beat Sheikhveysi from the penalty spot.

Saipa finally produced a response to the onslaught as half-time substitute Mirghorbani played a neat one-two with Traore before beating Pavel Bugalo in the Kuruvchi goal.

However, Villanueva restored the three-goal cushion and completed his hat-trick as the striker headed home Hasanov’s cross.

And Kuruvchi wrapped up the scoring as Djeparov’s free-kick was headed home by Luizao.

The disappointing evening was completed for Saipa in the fourth minute of stoppage time as Kaebi picked up a second yellow card.