Palmeiras win on penalties and save coach's job

Palmeiras beat fellow Brazilians Sao Caetano on penalties to reach the Libertadores Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday and almost certainly saved coach Celso Roth his job.

Roth, the subject of angry protests by Palmeiras supporters over his team selections, had been under enormous pressure and was expected to be dismissed if his side were knocked out in the second round tie.

But Palmeiras, Libertadores Cup champions in 1999 and runners-up last year, rescued their boss by beating Sao Caetano 1-0 in Wednesday's second leg to level the tie at 1-1 on aggregate, then won 5-3 on penalties.

Colombian striker Leon Dario Munoz, whose absence from the regular team has been one of the main motives for the discontent, won the game with an individual goal eight minutes from time.

Munoz, who came on as a halftime substitute, slipped between two Sao Caetano defenders in the penalty area then fired a low and powerful shot past goalkeeper Silvio Luiz.

Sao Caetano's Serginho was the only player to miss in the shootout when he shot his team's third effort weakly wide. Palmeiras will meet Cruzeiro, another Brazilian team, in the quarter-finals.

Sao Caetano began brightly but had midfielder Ailton sent off in the 18th minute for punching an opponent. Palmeiras rarely looked dangerous until the last 20 minutes, when the brought several good saves from Silvio Luiz.

On Saturday, a group of Palmeiras fans from the notorious Mancha Verde (Green Stain) supporters group, invaded the team's training camp to protest at Roth's recent team selections. They promised to return and "smash the place up" if Palmeiras did not beat Sao Caetano.

Roth has also been insulted during games with Palmeiras fans chanting "idiot, idiot".