Alesandro Calero is the man that has Real Esteli F.C. within a 1-0 result of getting into 2011/12 CONCACAF Champions League group stage. The forward pounced on a Milos Kocic error at the 80th minute and registered a vital away goal for the Nicaraguan side against Toronto FC in the first leg.




“It was a good game, (Toronto) made the most out of their home advantage, winning 2-1, but we’ll keep working with our minds set on t
he next game,” Calero (pictured) told CONCACAF.com in the aftermath.




“Things will be different in (Esteli) … we are now playing in front of our people.”




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Toronto has never won three straight matches in CCL, but could do that Tuesday with a victory in Nicaragua. TFC’s streak dates back to a victory against Arabe Unido in the group stage of the previous edition of CCL.




Real Esteli has yet to record a victory in this tournament.




The Group Stage




Toronto is still 90 minutes away from getting to the CCL group stage. But last Thursday CONCACAF released a mini-schedule for the first two rounds of group matches.




The winner of Toronto-Esteli Tuesday night is slotted in Group C of the 16-team stage of the tournament.




The Reds or Real Esteli would open the group stage in Panama City on Thursday, August 18 for a date with Tauro F.C.  A night earlier, the other Group C match would pin Pumas of Mexico against either FC Dallas or Alianza FC of El Salvador.




Dallas presently holds a 1-0 edge over Alianza in their preliminary round.




The preliminary round victors would meet in the second round of group stage matches.
If Toronto should go through, the Reds will host Dallas or Alianza at BMO Field - Wednesday, August 24 for an 8 p.m. start.
Should Esteli upset TFC, they’ll be home to Dallas/Alianza at 10 p.m. in Nicaragua.




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