Former Copa Sudamericana champions LDU Quito have qualified for the 2013 edition after finishing second in Ecuador s Primera A first stage.
LDU Quito won 2-1 away to Universidad Catolica on Sunday to wrap up second position in the Primera A s first stage, securing a berth in this year s Copa Sudamericana, as did Independiente, who thumped Manta 3-0 to claim third spot.
Independiente and LDU s victories in the final round ensured they stayed ahead of Deportivo Quito and Barcelona on the Ecuadorian league standings.
At Universidad Catolica s Estadio Olimpico Atahualpa, LDU – Copa Sudamericana champions in 2011 – hit the front in the 19th minute when Francisco Rojas burst through the middle of the home side s defence, played a one-two with Carlos Arboleda and finished into the bottom corner.
While Catolica equalised with three minutes left in the first half thanks to Federico Laurito s fine strike on the turn from Elvis Patta s right-wing cross, LDU wrapped up victory just after half-time when Carlos Feraud thumped the ball home from the edge of the box.
Emelec, who had already secured the title as first-stage champions, celebrated their success with a scoreless draw away to bottom club Macara, while Independiente qualified for South America s second-tier continental tournament with three second-half strikes against Manta.
Daniel Angulo gave Independiente the lead in the 46th minute before Armando Solis made it 2-0 five minutes later, while Fernando Guerrero wrapped up the scoring with a 72nd-minute goal.
In other Primera A results, Barcelona defeated Deportivo Quevedo 2-0, Deportivo Cuenca drew 1-1 with El Nacional and Deportivo Quito triumphed 2-0 over LDU Loja.
