Sao Paulo urged to waste time, harass referee

RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) -- Sao Paulo believe that time-wasting and harassing the referee are the keys to success in Wednesday's Libertadores Cup tie at Deportivo Tachira.

The Brazilians take a 3-0 lead to the Venezuelan Andes for the quarter-final second leg game but are taking nothing for granted.

"We have to use some gamesmanship," said striker Luis Fabiano, the competition's top-scorer with six goals.

"We must do what they do here," he said, referring to visiting teams from other South American countries.

"Lie on the ground when we're fouled, make the time go by and be intelligent."

Coach Cuca said putting pressure on Peruvian referee Gilberto Hidalgo was also important.

"When the Tachira players are fouled, they run to the referee. We don't," he said.

He also criticised his players for being too passive when the referee blew the final whistle as they were about to take an injury time free kick in Sunday's 2-1 Brazilian championship defeat by Cruzeiro.

"Everyone kept quiet, exchanging shirts with Cruzeiro," he said. "I had to go on to the pitch to talk to them. We need to react in these situations."

Tachira are attempting to become the first Venezuelan team to reach the semi-finals of South America's top club competition.

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