Medellin earn draw at Cerro Porteño

February 12, 2010

Cerro Porteño of Paraguay and Colombian side Independiente Medellin held each other to a 1-1 draw in Group 1 of the Copa Libertadores on Thursday, the first group game that ends undecided.

Poor defense from Cerro allowed Medellin’s Felipe Pardo to put the away side in the lead after a well-performed combination in the 17th minute.

Medellin’s lead would not last however as a left-winged effort from Pablo Zeballo on the left wing surprised keeper Aldo Bobadilla and sailed in at the second post on 56 minutes.

The Colombians continued to dominate at Asuncion’s General Pablo Rojas stadium and created several more opportunities, but were unable to restore their lead in the remaining 34 minutes.

The other two teams in this group, Corinthians of Brazil and Racing Club of Uruguay begin their Libertadores campaign on February 24.

Tags: aldo bobadilla, brazil, colombians, copa libertadores, corinthians, Felipe Pardo, General Pablo Rojas, group game, medellin, Pablo Zeballo, paraguay, uruguay

Argentine Bielsa becomes Chile’s unlikeliest sex symbol

October 10, 2009

Marcelo Bielsa’s feats – leading Chile’s national team to the third spot in the World Cup qualifiers and just one win from a ticket to South Africa 2010 – have turned him into one of Chile’s most beloved figures. Men say he should run for president; women rank the introverted coach a sex symbol.

His popularity is backed by numbers. A poll in El Mercurio newspaper ranks Bielsa the best trainer in Chile’s soccer history, above Nelson Acosta who took the team to the second round of France 1998 and Fernando Riera who led “La Roja” to the third spot in Chile 1962.

But passion for the Argentine transcends the soccer pitch and enters the realm of the altar.
In the most recent act of fervour, a group of fans is asking the Vatican to canonise him. The site asks fans to support the effort by lighting 100,000 virtual candles for “San Marcelino.”

Bielsa, who is pictured with a halo on an altar, wearing the red jumper of the Chilean squad, even has prayers in his honour. “Blessed San Marcelino, lead your serious glare towards our fans and fill our nation with your glory,” reads one of them. It adds: “The nation you’ve chosen to change history and bring only triumphs to La Roja.”

The site asks for three miracles from “the saint”: Chile’s classification to the next World Cup, reaching round two, and winning the tournament.

The first miracle could be granted if “Saint Marcelino’s” Chile beats Colombia in Medellin on Saturday. For now fans can only pray and hope the miracle is achieved and their team can come back to a World Cup after 12 years of purgatory.

PHOTO: Chile’s coach Marcelo Bielsa listens to a question during a news conference at Santiago August 31, 2009. REUTERS/Ivan Alvarado

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Tags: acosta, Argentine, beloved figures, Chile, colombia, el mercurio, feats, Fernando Riera, France, Ivan Alvarado, marcelo bielsa, medellin, Nelson Acosta, photo chile, president women, purgatory, reuters, riera, s chile, Saint Marcelino, San, san marcelino, Santiago, sex symbol, soccer history, soccer pitch, South Africa, Vatican, world cup qualifiers

Libertadores: Cuenca win, Medellin and Defensor draw

February 25, 2009

Deportivo Cuenca easily beat Paraguayan side Guarani 4-0 in the Copa Libertadores on Tuesday, while Independiente Medellin and Defensor held each other to a goalless draw.

Ecuador outfit Deportivo Cuenca beat Guarani Asuncion of Paraguay 4-0, and collect their first three points of the tournament.

Rodrigo Teixeira put the home side in the lead just before the break, and Jose Granda added a second shortly after the hour. Ismael Villalba and Christian Cordero then went on to score for a convincing 4-0 result.

Colombian side Independiente Medellin, who drew with Sao Paulo last week, hoped to earn their first win this time around but visiting side Defensor of Uruguay held them to a goalless draw. With four points from two games, Defensor remain in first place in Group 4.

Written by: Jonathan Roorda

Tags: asuncion, christian cordero, copa libertadores, cuenca, defensor, Ecuador, four points, granda, independiente medellin, jonathan, Jose, medellin, paraguay, rodrigo teixeira, sao paulo, two games, uruguay, villalba, World Cup

Liga de Quito, Boca Juniors and Everton win in Copa Libertadores

February 18, 2009

Defending champions Liga de Quito got off to a good start in their 2009 Copa Libertadores campaign, beating Palmeiras 3-1. Boca Juniors defeat Deportivo Cuenca and Everton Viña del Mar were too good for Caracas FC.

LDU were mostly inspired by Diego Calderon, whose 24th-minute goal was cancelled out by Willians Santana in the 28th but the defender restored the advantage seven minutes later.

Edmilson then levelled for the Brazilians early in the second half but Damian Manso netted Liga’s winner close to the hour mark.

Argentinian giants Boca Juniors needed only 12 minutes for 27-year-old Rodrigo Palacio to score what turned out to be the only goal of the match against Ecuador outfit Deportivo Cuenca.

And in Chile, Everton beat Caracas thanks to a goal from forward Roberto Gutierrez, just before the half time whistle.

Other matches to be played this week:

Wednesday

Nacional Asuncion (PAR) – Club Nacional (URU)

Colo Colo (CHL) – Sport Recife (BRA)

Sao Paulo (BRA) – Indep. Medellin (COL)

Thursday

Cruzeiro (BRA) – Estudiantes (ARG)

Universitario (PER) – San Lorenzo (ARG)

Written by: Jonathan Roorda

Tags: Argentina, asuncion, boca juniors, brazilians, calderon, Caracas, Chile, chl, colo colo, Copa, cuenca, Damian Manso, deportivo cuenca, Diego Calderon, Ecuador, everton, half time, ldu, liga de quito, manso, medellin, minute goal, PER, Quito, Recife, Roberto, rodrigo, Rodrigo Palacio, roorda, San, san lorenzo, santana, sao paulo, sport recife, uru, Vi

MLS Red Bulls ink new deal with Angel

February 17, 2009

NEW YORK (AFP) – Colombian forward Juan Pablo Angel, the 2007 Major League Soccer Most Valuable Player, signed a contract extension with the New York Red Bulls on Monday.

Angel has scored 33 goals in 47 games since signing with the Red Bulls in 2007, missing seven games last year with an injury but still leading the MLS Eastern Conference with 14 games in 23 appearances.

"We’re thrilled," Red Bulls managing director Erik Stover said. "Juan Pablo has established himself as the top forward in the league. We’re excited to have him lead our team in the coming years as we compete for a championship."

Angel, who led the Red Bulls to the 2008 MLS final, has 33 caps for Colombia. He began his career at Nacional Medellin from 1993-97 then went to Argentina’s River Plate from 1997-2000 and then to England’s Aston Villa.

"I’m very excited," Angel said. "I think that the league is very competitive and is growing every year."

Written by: AFP

Tags: AFP, angel, Argentina, aston villa, caps, colombia, contract, contract extension, Eastern Conference, England, Erik Stover, Juan, juan pablo angel, League, Major League Soccer, managing director, medellin, missing seven, MLS, Nacional, nacional medellin, new deal, New York, new york red bulls, Pablo Angel, river plate, seven games

Libertadores: Medellin trash Peñarol in qualifier

January 29, 2009

Colombian side Independiente de Medellín have practically qualified for the group phase of the Copa Libertadores, beating Peñarol of Uruguay 4-0 in the first leg of the qualifying round.

Man of the match was without a doubt Jackson Martinez, who netted a hat-trick for the home side. The forward first netted on 16 minutes and added a second three minutes later.

Ivan Corredor scored Medellin’s third in the 34th minute, and Martinez completed his hat-trick two minutes after the break.

The return leg is to be played in Uruguay on February 4th.

Written by: Jonathan Roorda