Defeat leaves Santos with mammoth task

Two goals in each half gave the hosts a healthy lead going into the second round on February 27. Santos' assistant coach, George Mogopodi said his team played well but was undone by what he termed unfair decisions from the referee which gifted Costa Do Sol with the win.

"First he awarded a penalty which in our view was not a penalty. The referee then gave our player a red card, which was harsh," Mogopodi said via telephone from Mozambique yesterday. He said his team is determined to overturn the deficit in the return leg.