Cerro, Once Caldas and Libertad win in Copa Libertadores
February 10, 2010
Uruguayan side Cerro Porteño beat Deportivo Quito in the opening match of the 2010 Copa Libertadores. Once Caldas and Libertad were also victorious on day one.
While other teams were still playing for a berth in the group phase of this year’s Copa Libertadores, Group 1 outfits Cerro Porteño and Deportivo Quito kicked off the actual tournament in Uruguay’s capital city Montevideo.
An entirely Uruguayan Cerro took the lead through Claudio Dadomo in the 20th minute, making him the very first goalscorer this year’s tournament. Rodrigo Mora went on to add a second for 2-0 in the 62nd minute.
In Group 2, 2004 Libertadores champions Once Caldas earned a vital 0-2 win at Nacional in Paraguay. Jaime Castrillon put the Colombians in the lead after 23 minutes and Danny Mantoya made it 0-2 in the 65th.
The third and final match of the day had Libertad of Paraguay beat Lanus of Argentina 0-2 in Group 4. Rodolfo Gamarra broke the deadlock on 66 minutes and Pablo Velazquez doubled the advantage eight minutes later.
Tags: advantage, Argentina, berth, claudio, Claudio Dadomo, colombians, copa libertadores, Danny Mantoya, deadlock, deportivo quito, final match, gamarra, group phase, jaime castrillon, match of the day, Montevideo, mora, Nacional, Pablo Velazquez, paraguay, PorteÃ, Quito, Rodolfo Gamarra, rodrigo, Rodrigo Mora, uruguay, uruguayan, velazquezRelated posts
Liga de Quito close to Sudamericana victory
November 26, 2009
A year and a half after winning the Copa Libertadores, Ecuador outfit Liga de Quito are close to winning the Copa Sudamericana following a 5-1 crushing of Fluminense in the first leg of the final.
Fluminense had a perfect start in Ecuador’s capital city as Marquinho put the Brazilians in the lead in the very first minute.
But LDU recovered well and answered through no less than three goals from former PSV midfielder Edison Mendez, who found the target in the 20th, 44th and 60th minutes.
Franklin Salas then made it 4-1 in the 77th minute, and Ulises de la Cruz added a fifth and final goal with a few minutes left to play.
Although it is technically possible for ‘Flu’ to fight their way back into this clash in the return leg, which is to be played on December 2, it seems very likely that Liga de Quito clinch their second continental trophy in two years.
Jonathan Roorda
Tags: brazilians, clash, copa libertadores, copa sudamericana, Ecuador, Edison, edison mendez, few minutes, flu, Fluminense, franklin salas, PSV, Quito, return leg, trophy, ulises, ulises de la cruz, victoryRelated posts
Atlante looks ahead to Barcelona, but not too far
November 26, 2009
Atlante is looking forward to a potential match against FC Barcelona – just not too much.
“It’s an attractive possibility but we have a team to play before and we have to respect that team as well as preparing ourselves to play well and win,” captain and goalkeeper Federico Vilar said Wednesday. “Then we can think about that possible game against Barcelona.”
At a news conference to celebrate Atlante’s participation in the Club World Cup December 9-19 and send it off to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, Vilar expressed the mood of the CONCACAF Champions League winner, which will have to face the winner between UAE champion Al Ahli and Auckland City FC before it can think about a semifinal meeting against Barcelona.
“We have to be focused on our first game and not think about Barcelona because we have to win in order to play against them,” midfielder Santiago Solari said. “If the opportunity does arise, it will be great, and today in soccer everything is very even and anything can happen.”
The best any CONCACAF team has done at the Club World Cup was third place. Mexico’s Necaxa outlasted Real Madrid on penalties in 2000, and Saprissa beat Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad 3-2 for the No. 3 finish in 2005.
The past two years, Mexico’s Pachuca has represented CONCACAF, eliminated by Etoile Sportive du Sahel in its opener in 2007, and beating Egypt Al Ahly to open last year’s event before falling to Eucador’s Liga de Quito in the semifinals.
“I have prepared my whole life to play this tournament,” midfielder Gabriel Pereyra said. “This tournament is a showcase for every player and we are going to take advantage of it as much as we can. We have working hard, training twice each day and are very anxious to take part in the competition.”
MEXICO CITY
Concacaf
Tags: abu dhabi, Al Ahli, Al-Ittihad, attractive possibility, auckland city, Barcelona, champion al, club world cup, concacaf champions league, Egypt, egypt al, etoile sportive du sahel, eucador, fc barcelona, federico vilar, gabriel pereyra, league winner, liga de quito, MADRID, Mexico, mexico city, Necaxa, Quito, real madrid, Santiago, santiago solari, saprissa, saudi arabia, UAE, united arab emiratesRelated posts
Juventus beat Real to reach Peace Cup final
August 1, 2009
Juventus beat Real Madrid 2-1 Friday to reach the final of the Peace Cup as the big-spending Spanish club failed to shine in its first major pre-season test.
The Italians will meet Aston Villa on Sunday after the English Premier League side beat Porto of Portugal by the same score in Malaga.
Juventus got off to a flying start in the match in Seville when Fabio Cannavaro connected with a free kick from Alessandro del Piero to head the ball past Jerzy Dudek in the third minute.
Real leveled the score when the world’s most expensive footballer Cristiano Ronaldo scored his second goal — and second penalty — in a Real shirt.
The 23-year-old Portuguese star – who cost Real around 94 million euros when he joined from Manchester United — slotted the ball past Gianluigi Buffon in the 41st minute after Giorgio Chiellini brought down Raul.
Bosnian midfielder Hasan Salihamidzic restored the advantage for the Italians in the 49th minute with a glancing header from a corner by Alessandro Del Piero.
The match was Real’s first real pre-season test after matches against Ireland’s Shamrock Rovers, Saudi side Al Ittihad and Ecuador’s La Liga de Quito.
But three of the club’s big new signings — Kaka, Raul Albiol and Alvaro Arbeloa — and Iker Casillas and Sergio Ramos were not selected,
All had been allowed to extend their holidays after taking part in the Confederations Cup in South Africa in June.
But Real coach Manuel Pellegrini was able to count on French signing Karim Benzema, who had recovered from a knock picked up in the match against La Liga de Quito.
The former Lyon striker, who joined Real for 35 million euros (50 million dollars) earlier this month, was substituted in the 72nd minute by Argentine Gonzalo Higuain.
Twelve clubs took part in the prestigious pre-season Peace Cup tournament.
The tournament began life in 2003 and FIFA recognised it as an international event in 2007.
This year is the first time it has been held outside of South Korea.
SEVILLE, Spain (AFP)
Tags: Al-Ittihad, Alessandro Del Piero, alvaro arbeloa, Argentine, English Premier League, fabio cannavaro, gianluigi buffon, giorgio chiellini, gonzalo higuain, Hasan Salihamidzic, iker casillas, Ireland, jerzy dudek, Karim Benzema, liga de quito, MADRID, madrid 2, Malaga, Manchester, manuel pellegrini, new signings, peace cup, portugal, premier league, Quito, raul, raul albiol, real madrid, ronaldo, sergio ramos, seville, seville spain, shamrock rovers, South Africa, south koreaRelated posts
Ronaldo opens his account for Real as ´The Pirate´ steals the show
July 29, 2009
The world’s most expensive footballer Cristiano Ronaldo got off the mark for his club Real Madrid here on Tuesday as they ran out 4-2 winners over Ecuadorean side Liga de Quito in the Peace Cup.
The 23-year-old Portuguese star – who cost Real around 94million euros when he joined from Manchester United – won and then converted a penalty in the 48th minute as Real set up a semi-final on Friday with Italian giants Juventus.
However, it was one of Real’s less high profile signings of the close season Esteban Granero otherwise known as El Pirata or The Pirate, bought from Getafe, who stole the show with a goal and created another for German international defender Christoph Metzelder.
It will have come as something of a relief to both the Real fans and Ronaldo himself that he showed soem semblance of form as he had failed to shine in the first few friendlies including a 1-0 win over Irish semi-professional outfit Shamrock Rovers last week and had been taken off at half-time.
There was one concern for Real Madrid as another of their signings French international striker Karim Benzema – who scored the goal against Shamrock Rovers – limped off on the hour mark after shooting with his right leg.
Juventus had earlier become the first team into the last four when they disposed of Korean side Seongnam.
Brazilian playmaker Diego – a 24.5million euros signing from German side Werder Bremen in May – was the architect of their victory creating the first goal for Vincenzo Iaquinta, then scored the second in the 53rd minute while Nicola Legrottaglie added the third 20 minutes from fulltime.
MADRID (AFP)
Tags: 53rd, Bremen, christoph metzelder, club real madrid, Diego, el pirata, Esteban Granero, friendlies, german side, getafe, high profile signings, Karim Benzema, korean side, legrottaglie, MADRID, Manchester, manchester united, metzelder, Nicola Legrottaglie, peace cup, playmaker, professional outfit, Quito, ronaldo, semblance, shamrock roversRelated posts
Kaka begins pre-season training with Real
July 27, 2009
Real Madrid’s star signing Kaka trained with the club for the first time Monday along with Spain internationals Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos and Raul Albiol.
The four had been allowed to extend their holidays after taking part in the Confederations Cup in South Africa in June.
Kaka, signed from AC Milan for 65 million euros, and Albiol, who arrived from Valencia in the close season, had already been presented to the club.
After two disappointing matches, edging Shamrock Rovers of Ireland 1-0 and drawing 1-1 with Saudi side Al-Ittihad, Kaka’s arrival is good news for Real.
“What (Kaka) will bring goes without saying as we all know his quality and his ability to upset” opponents, coach Manuel Pellegrini said on Sunday.
Real Madrid plays its second match in the pre-season Peace Cup in Madrid on Sunday against Ecuador’s Liga de Quito.
Real Madrid also announced Monday the transfer of Daniel Parejo to Getafe.
But the club said it retains the right to buy back the player during the next two seasons.
MADRID (AFP)
Tags: ac milan, Al-Ittihad, confederations cup, Daniel Parejo, drawing 1, Ecuador, iker casillas, internationals, Ireland, kaka, liga de quito, MADRID, manuel pellegrini, match, Milan, opponents, peace cup, pre season training, Quito, raul, raul albiol, real madrid, sergio ramos, shamrock rovers, South Africa, Spain, two seasons, ValenciaRelated posts
Real Madrid, Juventus among teams at 4th Peace Cup
July 24, 2009
Some of the world’s top teams are about to face off in the fourth edition of the Peace Cup, which is to be played in the Spanish region of Andalusia and in the country’s capital, Madrid.
The Peace Cup was first held in 2003 and was since played every two years. The first three editions were all organized by South Korea.
No less than twelve teams participate in this tournament, of which the group phase consists of four groups of three. The winner of each group advances to the semi finals.
Group A contains Sevilla, Italian giants Juventus and South Korean side Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma. Sevilla have the advantage of playing both their games in their own city.
Most eyes will probably be on Real Madrid, who share Group B with 2008 Libertadores winners LDU Quito and Al-Ittihad of Saudi Arabia. Madrid play both of their games at their own Bernabeu stadium.
Malaga, the third and final Spanish team, face a tough challenge against Premiership side Aston Villa and Mexican outfit Atlante. All matches in this group are to be played at Malaga’s La Rosaleda.
The fourth group is extremely difficult to predict. Olympique Lyon, Besiktas and FC Porto are all candidates to finish in first place.
Action starts on Friday, July 24, and the group phase ends on the 29th. The two semi finals are to be played in July 31st and the final is scheduled for August 2, at Sevilla’s La Cartuja.
According to bookmakers, Real Madrid are favorites to win the tournament. Juventus are second in line, ahead of Sevilla and Porto.
PSV Eindhoven, Tottenham Hotspur and Lyon won the three previous editions.
By: Jonathan Roorda
Tags: Al, Al-Ittihad, bernabeu stadium, besiktas, capital madrid, Eindhoven, fc porto, group phase, Hotspur, Jonathan Roorda, july 31st, korean side, Libertadores, Lyon, MADRID, Malaga, olympique lyon, peace cup, phase ends, PORTO, psv eindhoven, Quito, real madrid, Rosaleda, saudi arabia, semi finals, SEVILLA, share group, south korea, spanish region, spanish team, team face, tottenham hotspur, WorldRelated posts
Brazil looming large for Maradona and Argentina
June 21, 2009
Is the fact that Brazil are Argentina’s next opponents in the World Cup qualifiers getting to Argentines worried by the precarious position of Diego Maradona’s team in the standings?
While Brazil enjoy more match practice at the Confederations Cup in South Africa, Argentina, their rivals in the 2005 final in Germany, are bickering over the pitch on which to host their arch-rivals in match that will have a major bearing on their World Cup ambitions.
The River Plate pitch was in a disgraceful state, Maradona said before his team, playing poorly, beat Colombia 1-0 in their last qualifier on June 10 just days after fans at a rock concert trampled all over it.
A 2-0 defeat away to Ecuador at altitude in Quito in a match Argentina, playing better than against Colombia, should have sewn up in the first half, had an unhappy Maradona once again harping on about the River Plate pitch where Brazil are due on the first weekend in September.
River Plate then brought their bitter enmity with Boca Juniors, the club Maradona played for and supports, into the issue.
They demanded from the Argentine Football Association (AFA) to see Maradona’s contract and proof that the former national team captain had undergone psychological tests before being appointed to the job last year.
AFA president Julio Grondona apologised to River over the aggressive tone of Maradona’s remarks.
“It’s all about a Boca and River issue in which the River people are complaining about some remarks made by a fervent supporter of Boca,” Grondona told radio La Red.
But he also reminded River that the AFA has first say over how the ground is used and had not been asked if the club could hold a rock concert there so close to a qualifier.
Grondona also admitted, though, that the AFA had been at fault in having only one stadium that fits FIFA specifications for World Cup matches and said it was applying for the ground of Rosario Central, in Argentina’s second city 400 km north of the capital, to be passed as a reserve stadium.
Newspapers then extended the debate to canvassing fans as to whether they thought Argentina might be better off playing Brazil in the more compact Central stadium where the arch-rivals drew 0-0 during the 1978 World Cup.
With four matches to go, Brazil lead the South American qualifying group with 27 points, one more than Chile, three ahead of Paraguay and five in front of Argentina in the four automatic qualifying berths for next year’s finals in South Africa.
Slipping down to fifth would put Argentina in a playoff berth against a team from the CONCACAF region of North and Central America and the Caribbean.
What also might help Argentina improve their position is playing better and for this Grondona believes it might be good to recall Boca playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme, who controversially quit the national team over critical remarks by Maradona in the media in March.
“Also, if possible we’ll make a move to have Riquelme back,” Grondona said. “It’s not a request of Diego’s, I haven’t spoken to him about this. But who wouldn’t want him back. I sent Riquelme a few hints, he’s a good kid,” said Grondona of the player who was the midfield fulcrum of the Argentina side that reached the 2006 World Cup quarter-finals.
The outspoken Maradona is paradoxically persona non grata at his beloved Boca because of his perceived role in Riquelme’s decision to quit and hasn’t been to his private box at the club’s Bombonera stadium since.
PHOTO: Argentina’s Diego Maradona reacts after an Ecuador goal during their World Cup 2010 qualifying match in Quito, June 10, 2009. REUTERS/Kevin Granja
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Tags: afa, ambitions, apologised, arch rivals, Argentina, argentine football, boca juniors, brazil, Caribbean, Central America, colombia, confederations cup, Diego, diego maradona, Ecuador, enmity, fervent supporter, football association, Germany, julio grondona, Kevin Granja, paraguay, precarious position, psychological tests, Quito, radio la red, river plate, Rosario, rosario central, second city, South Africa, South American, team captain, WC Qualifying South-AfricaRelated posts
Latin American complexities – Part Four: Ecuador
March 12, 2009
This is the final instalment in our look at the peculiarities of Latin American championships, after an introduction, a tour through Peru, and on to Uruguay and Mexico.
And so to Ecuador.
With three stages, bonus points and a two-leg final, Ecuador’s championship is a brave attempt to keep as many teams in with a chance of winning the title for as long as possible. In fact, getting knocked out takes some doing.
In the first stage, the 12 teams play each other twice and the top four qualify for the third (repeat third) stage. They also carry through bonus points — three for the winners, two for the second-placed side and one for the third-placed side.
If a team happens to finish bottom of the first stage, there’s no need to fret because there’s still the second stage to come.
This time, teams are divided into two groups of six and the top two in each also qualify for the third stage (joining the four teams from the first stage). Should one of these four teams have also finished in the top four of the first stage, the next-best team will also go through. One bonus point is awarded for the winner of each group.
The bottom two teams over the first two stages combined are relegated.
Meanwhile, the lucky eight who reached the third stage are divided into two groups of four and the winners of each group meet in a two-leg final.
There are several drawbacks to this system. A team which qualifies for the third stage in the first stage will have little to play for in the second stage, apart from one measly bonus point. And it’s quite possible for the eighth-best team over the first two stages to win the title.
As with Peru, it does avoid the possibility of one team running away with the tournament, though.
PHOTO: Deportivo Quito’s Oswaldo Ibarra celebrates after his team scored against Universitario de Deportes during their Copa Sudamericana soccer match in Quito August 5, 2008. REUTERS/Guillermo Granja
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Tags: american championships, bonus point, bonus points, brave attempt, complexities, Ecuador, Guillermo Granja, Ibarra, instalment, measly, Mexico, MLS, nbsp, oswaldo ibarra, peculiarities, peru, Photo, Quito, reuters, rsquo, second stage, third stage, time teams, winning the titleRelated posts
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)
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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, ViRelated posts
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