Chivas hold Arsenal to 0-0 draw

Buenos Aires:

Chivas de Guadalajara dominated early and then withstood a frenzied second half by Arsenal to earn a 0-0 draw with Argentine rival in the first leg of their Copa Sudamerican quarterfinal.

The result gives the Mexican side the advantage when it returns home for the second leg on Oct 25.

Playmaker Sergio Avila created several chances for Chivas early, but the Mexicans were unable to convert their opporunites from mid-distance.

Meanwhile, Arsenal had one good chance earlier when Jose Luis Calderon raced into the area in the eighth minute and hit a searing left-footed shot that Chivas goalkeeper Luis Michel managed to deflect.

But Chivas controlled the rest of the half with Avila instigating several attacks with crisp passing down the sides.

In the 16th minute, Alberto Medina threatened for Chivas, outwitting several Arsenal defenders to unleash a right-footed cross that went barely wide.

Arsenal had only one other first-half chance when Michel had to make a dramatic save on Dario Espinola's free kick.

In the second half, Arsenal had more of the possession and Pablo Garnier tested Chivas early with a shot just wide.

Avila counterattacked with his own close attempt, the ball skimming just outsidde the right post past Arsenal goalkeeper Mario Cuenca.

Calderon also missed in the 55th, sending a low shot that missed. And minutes later, Garnier headed a ball to Santiago Ryamonda, who sent it just over the crossbar.

The draw was the latest in a series of results for Chivas in Argentina. In 2005, Chivas beat Velez Sarsfield 2-1 and in 2006 it drew 0-0 against Boca Juniors.

"Things work well playing here," Michel said. "We did what we had to do."

The winner of the two-leg quarterfinal will face either America of Mexico or Brazilian club Vasco da Gama.

Arsenal is attempting to make the semifinals of a major international club championship for the first time.