MONTEVIDEO, May 18 - Modest Danubio won the
Uruguayan championship by beating Penarol on penalties following
a 1-1 draw.
The result, in a playoff on Thursday night, meant that
Danubio won the second stage of the tournament and took the
title because they also won the first stage.
Penarol and Danubio had finished the second stage level on
points.
After a goalless first half on a chilly night at the
Centenario stadium, Penarol went ahead in the 64th minute
through Egidio Rios.
Danubio equalised with 10 minutes left when a long throw-in
found Jadson Viera and he chested the ball down for Hamilton
Ricard to fire home.
Former Middlesbrough and Colombia striker Ricard turned
villain seven minutes later when he was sent off for a second
bookable offence.
There was no further scoring in extra time and Danubio won
the penalty shootout 4-3 when, after both teams had already
missed one attempt each, Sergio Perez blasted Penarol's last
kick against the post.
Danubio have won the title three times since Uruguayan
football turned professional in 1932. Penarol, who last won the
championship in 2003, have 36 titles followed by Nacional on 30.
(Writing by Brian Homewood in Rio de Janeiro)