QUITO, Oct. 21 (Xinhua) -- Substitute Dudu struck late as Brazil's Atletico Mineiro salvaged a 1-1 away draw with Ecuadorian side Independiente del Valle in the first leg of their Copa Sudamericana semifinal on Tuesday.
Junior Sornoza converted an early penalty for the hosts after Patrick Mercado was brought down by Ruan Tressoldi.
Dudu, who replaced Bernard in the 62nd minute, equalized in stoppage time by tapping home from close range after a slick exchange with Hulk.
"We've got a tough game ahead of us but we'll have the advantage of playing at home and I hope our fans come to support us," Dudu said after the match.
"Our goal is to reach the final and finish the year by winning the trophy," the 33-year-old former Brazil international added.
The return leg will be played in Belo Horizonte next Tuesday with the winner on aggregate advancing to the final in Asuncion, Paraguay, on November 22. ■
