The future of Deportes Tolima in this year’s edition of the Copa Sudamericana seems uncertain after the side lost 1-0 at Bolivia’s Oriente Petrolero.
Tolima made their tournament debut in the second round, as the third Colombian team to make its appearance after Atletico Huila and Santa Fe.
For a long time it looked like Tolima were leaving Bolivia with a 0-0 draw in the pocket, but the home side struck late to give themselves a potentially vital advantage ahead of the second leg.
With just ten minutes to go at Santa Cruz’ Ramon Aguilera Costas stadium, it was 25-year-old midfielder Mauricio Saucedo to break the deadlock in Petrolero’s favor.
The two sides will meet again in Ibague on September 21.
Bogota outfit Santa Fe begin their second round campaign against Caracas of Venezuela this Thursday, while Huila play their second leg against Bolivian side San Jose on September 22.
