Lucas Pratto’s first-half strike proved enough to see Velez claim the first overall league championship play-off in Argentina since 1991 – when Marcelo Bielsa’s Newell’s defeated Boca Juniors on penalties - after Ignacio Scocco saw his penalty saved by Sebastian Sosa in the Velez goal shortly before half-time.
“We beat a good team,” said Velez coach Ricardo Gareca. “The heart of my team is incredible.
"We came through a very difficult match. This is for the fans because it was a very tough year.”
Pratto echoed his coach’s sentiments, adding that he felt his side had a point to prove after surrendering a 1-0 first-leg lead to Newell’s in the Copa Libertadores last month.
“We wanted to prove that we could beat them,” he said. “They’re a great team and very good on the ball.
“After Sosa saved the penalty [we believed].”
The result means Torneo Inical champions Velez qualify for the 2013 Copa Sudamericana and will also join Newell’s in the 2014 edition of the Copa Libertadores.
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