Brazil striker Fabiano leads Sao Paulo to 5-0 win

Sao Paulo, Jan 24 (IANS) Recalled Brazil international striker Luis Fabiano scored twice as Sao Paulo all but secured a berth in the group phase of the 2013 Copa Libertadores with a 5-0 victory over Bolivar at Morumbi Stadium.

Fabiano scored in the 20th minute Wednesday with a first-time finish, following a precise Aloisio assist before he doubled his tally on the stroke of half time with a close-range strike, reports Xinhua.

It was Fabiano’s first match since being recalled to Brazil’s national team Tuesday for next month’s friendly against England at London’s Wembley Stadium.

Osvaldo, Jadson and Rogerio Ceni also netted for the Brazilian side, who would enjoy a comfortable safety cushion during next Wednesday’s return leg in La Paz, on the way to qualifying for South America’s most prestigious club competition.

In Wednesday’s other pre-Libertadores match, midfielder Carlos Feraud’s 75th-minute goal gave Ecuador’s Liga Deportiva Universitaria de Quito a 1-0 victory over Brazil’s Gremio.

The Copa Libertadores’ group phase will begin Feb 12, comprising eight groups with four teams apiece.