The 2011 Copa Libertadores de Fútbol Femenino was the third edition of the Copa Libertadores de Fútbol Femenino, CONMEBOL's premier annual international women's football club tournament. It was again held in Brazil from 13 to 27 November 2011.[1][2]Santos were the defending champions.
The competition was won by the local team São José for the first time. Two-time champion Santos finished in third place. Caracas' Ysaura Viso won the top-scorer award, having scored nine goals in her team's five matches.[3]
Changes from 2010
The tournament was expanded from 10 to 12 teams. This allowed for Santos to enter and be able to defend their title. As well as a local team from the host city to join the competing teams.[4]
Format
The twelve teams are divided in three groups of four. The teams then play each other once. After that the group winners and the best runner-up qualify for the semi-finals. Those as well as the final are single-legged, i.e. no home and away matches.[4]
Qualified teams
There have been talks to expand the competition to 12 teams, give one spot to title holders Santos and one spot to the Japanese 2011 L. League champion.[5] Ultimately it was decided to give the twelfth spot to a local team of the host city.[4]
Each team was allowed to nominate 20 players for the tournament.[15]
First stage
The group winner and the best runners-up advanced to the semifinals. The draw and fixtures were announced on 1 November 2011.[16]
Key to colors in group tables
Group winners and runners-up advanced to the semi-finals
Tie-breaker in case of equal points is:
Goal difference
Goals scored
Match between tied teams
If still tied the organisers may decide how to proceed. In case two team are tied after having played each other the last matchday, the tie is decided by a penalty shootout.
Santos meets São José in the semi-finals.[17] That is contrary to the initial regulations, as only on 14 November 2011, during the tournament, it was decided that if two teams from the same country make the semi-finals they would be paired in the semi-final so there would be no national final.[18]
^"Interview with Formas manager" (in Spanish). mundodelfutbolfemenino.blogspot.com. 30 October 2011. Retrieved 18 November 2011. Confederation set up a play-off against Sarmiento Lora.
^"Liga de Quito debuts in Copa Libertadores" (in Spanish). eltiempo.com.ec. 14 November 2011. Archived from the original on 15 November 2011. Retrieved 18 November 2011. LDU gained entry by winning the 2010 Copa Credifé femenina