Cruzeiro crush Potosi to advance to Libertadores group phase

February 4, 2010

Brazilian outfit Cruzeiro scored no less than seven goals in their home match with Real Potosi of Bolivia to secure a spot in the group phase of the Copa Libertadores.

Last week’s first leg in Bolivia ended in a 1-1 draw but at home, Cruzeiro were of a different class.

Marquinhos Parana put the Brazilians in the lead after 28 minutes, shortly followed by a goal from Thiago Ribeiro for 2-0. Kleber added a third in the 39th minute for a 3-0 half time score.

The second half began in exactly the same manner as the first half had ended as Cruzeiro continued to dominate and Jonathan made it 4-0 in the very first minute after the break.

The worst was yet to come for the visiting side as Eliandro (88), Bernardo (89) and Joffre Guerron (92) added late goals for a 7-0 final score.

The Bolivians were not helped either by two red cards. Argentinian Gerardo Yecerotte received a direct red card in the 46th minute and Gonzalo Galindo followed with a second yellow in the 74th.

In the group phase, Cruzeiro meet with Velez Sarsfield of Argentina, Nacional of Uruguay and Deportivo Cuenca of Ecuador.

Tags: Argentina, bolivia, bolivians, brazilians, copa libertadores, cuenca, Deportivo, deportivo cuenca, Ecuador, final score, galindo, gerardo, Gerardo Yecerotte, Gonzalo, group phase, half time, home match, jonathan, red cards, sarsfield, second half, Thiago Ribeiro, time score, uruguay

21/07/09: Transfer Rumors

July 21, 2009

‘Roman Pavlyuchenko’s agent has dismissed reports linking the Tottenham striker with a move to Roma.’ – ForzaRoma website

‘Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti is confident he can tie up a swap deal for Barcelona striker Samuel Eto’o which would see Zlatan Ibrahimovic move the opposite way. Inter will also receive about £39m and Alexander Hleb on a season-long loan.’ – Inter Milan website

‘Tottenham and Manchester City will offer England midfielder David Beckham a chance to return to the Premier League from the United States when Los Angeles Galaxy’s Major League Soccer season finishes in October.’ – The Sun

‘Manchester City’s Brazilian midfielder Elano, 28, could move on a season-long loan to German club Cologne or Inter Milan after being told not to join the club’s pre-season tour of South Africa.’ – The Independent

‘Barcelona striker Eto’o is just a million away from being an Inter Milan player, as both the parties met to discuss a possible switch’ – Marca

‘Nicolas Otamendi, is close to joining Real Madrid for 15m euros, as Real negotiate with Velez Sarsfield for a possible switch’ – DYN

Jorge Andrade, who was released from Juventus due to recurring injury problems, has been offered a ten day trial by La Liga side Malaga’ – Marca

‘Klaas-Jan Huntelaar has reached an agreement with Stuttgart, but the transaction is pending due to liquidity issues with Real Madrid’ – Bild.

‘And City are still confident they can complete a deal for Chelsea defender John Terry, with the Eastlands outfit ready to up their offer to £40m for the 28-year-old.’ – Daily Star

‘Everton defender Joleon Lescott will plead with manager David Moyes to allow him to speak to Manchester City over a move, with City expected to make an improved £18m offer for the England international.’ – The Times

‘Everton are on the verge of signing Sweden international midfielder Rasmus Elm, 21, from Kalmar.’ – Daily Mirror

‘Aston Villa boss Martin O’Neill wants Tottenham midfielder Jermaine Jenas in a £10m deal.’ – The Sun

‘And 26-year-old Jenas is also a target for Inter Milan, who will use some of the £40m they expect to receive from Barcelona for striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.’ – The Guardian

‘Aston Villa midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker is a £3m target for Championship side Middlesbrough. Boro would also consider taking the 25-year-old as part of a a swap deal for Turkish striker Tuncay Sanli, who they value at £5m.’ – Daily Mirror

‘Tottenham look likely to miss out on Real Madrid’s Dutch striker Klaas Jan-Huntelaar, who is set for £18m move to Stuttgart.’ – Daily Mirror

‘Former Lyon and Fluminense striker could join Sevilla, as the La Liga side search for a replacement for the eminent departure of Luis Fabiano’ – Marca

‘Danijel Ljuboja is back in France, and could sign for Grenoble in the next few hours, after being released from Stuttgart.’ – L’Equippe

‘Bordeaux’s Morocco international striker Marauane Chamakh, 25, has given up hope of signing for Arsenal but will still consider a switch to the Premier League, with Sunderland, Blackburn, Tottenham and Fulham all interested.’ – Daily Mirror

‘Liverpool defender Andrea Dossena is being targeted by Italian side Napoli.’ – The Times

‘Bolton manager Gary Megson has made a £2m bid for Hull midfielder Sam Ricketts, 27.’ – Daily Star

‘Sunderland manager Steve Bruce will end his interest in Wigan midfielder Lee Cattermole after failing with a £6m bid.’ – Daily Star

‘And Sunderland expect to find out on Tuesday whether they have been successful in their £12m bid to sign Portsmouth striker Peter Crouch.’ – The Telegraph

‘Portsmouth want Espanyol’s former Liverpool defender Steve Finnan, 33, to replace Glen Johnson, who has moved to Anfield.’ – Daily Mirror

‘Birmingham have lined up a £4m offer for Reading’s 27-year-old winger Stephen Hunt.’ – Daily Star

‘Leicester boss Nigel Pearson wants former Reading striker Leroy Lita. The 24-year-old is a free agent.’ – Daily Star

‘Benfica are close to recruiting Brazilian striker Weldon from Sport Recife.’ – Record

‘Promoted Serie A side Livorno are trying to sign American international striker Landon Donovan of the LA Galaxy’ – L’Equippe

‘Rangers’ Algerian international defender Madjid Bougherra has snubbed a £4m move to Bordeaux and will only leave the Scottish side for a team in the English Premier League.’ – Daily Record

‘Hearts target Adam Nemec will decide whether to make a move from Genk to Tynecastle in the next 48 hours.’ – Daily Record

‘Croatin striker Ivan Klasni? could return to Germany, after just one year with Ligue 1 outift Nantes. The former Werder Bremen player has become a top priority for Dortmund since Alexander Frei’s departure to FC Basel.’ – L’Equippe

By: Abhimanyu Rajput

Tags: 10m deal, alexander hleb, daily mirror, england international, german club, inter milan, jenas, jorge andrade, klaas jan huntelaar, los angeles galaxy, Major League Soccer, martin o neill, otamendi, president massimo moratti, real madrid, samuel eto o, sarsfield, soccer season, swap deal, sweden international

Referee’s apology does little to calm Huracan

July 8, 2009

As Estudiantes bid to give Argentina the South American crown by winning the Libertadores Cup final, the fallout from Sunday’s Clausura title decider continues at an intensity not unlike that which followed Chelsea’s elimination by Barcelona in their Champions League semi-final.

It was not a final as such, but Huracan went into their last game of the season a point ahead of Velez Sarsfield who they happened to meet in a title decider at Velez. The home side got the win they needed to overtake Huracan on points with a goal scored by Maxi Moralez six minutes from time.

Referee Gabriel Brazenas apologised on Monday for mistakes he realised he made when he saw TV replays in the comfort of his armchair, saying he missed a penalty he should have awarded Velez and a foul in the build-up to the winning goal which he said should not have stood.

This was of little comfort to Huracan’s Angel Cappa, the normally measured coach who lost his cool in the closing minutes of the match after his side fell behind and said “the referee handed Velez the title on a tray”.

Velez coach Ricardo Gareca has countered that, and said he was surprised by Brazenas’s apology. Moralez shot the loose ball into the net after a collision between Huracan keeper Gustavo Monzon and Velez substitute Joaquin Larrivey, which Gareca argued was 50-50 and the keeper was to blame for misjudging his sortie.

And all of this after:
1. The match went ahead despite the H1N1 flu scare that has claimed at least 60 lives and a government recommendation to people to avoid public gatherings.

2. It was halted for half an hour after 19 minutes when the skies opened to pour torrential rain and hail onto that part of Buenos Aires but at no point did it seem likely play wouldn’t resume. This affected Huracan’s flowing style more than the combative football that suited Velez.

3. There was a pitch invasion at the end by Velez fans which made it impossible for the team to do a lap of honour.

It was the only match that really mattered last weekend — even if Rosario Central and Gimnasia-La Plata fans would disagree since their teams were fighting for their top flight survival –- and got the magnifying glass treatment.

Media and neutral fans have been divided as to the referee’s mistakes which also included disallowing an early Huracan goal for offside which TV replays showed should have stood.

He should also have given Velez a second penalty –- their first was saved by Monzon –- when left back Carlos Arano clattered badly into Fabian Cubero and risked being sent off.

Many argue that Velez were worthy champions, playing solid football and were the team with the best defence –- 13 goals conceded in 19 matches, unbeaten at home and with only one defeat in the tournament.

Huracan have been praised as the best team, playing the football most people like to see with a passing game and 35 goals in their 19 matches, although they lost five. The consensus, win or lose, is that they are good for the Argentine game.

What the “final” certainly did was highlight numerous ills of Argentine domestic football even if it did not suffer from the worst on this occasion – fan violence.

Organisation though was poor with the large contingent of police doing nothing to control the huge number of Velez “extras” hovering close to their team’s bench in the narrow area between the pitch and the stands.

They then spilt onto the field to celebrate Moralez’s strike and the midfielder was sent off for taking off his shirt in jubilation, his second yellow card.

Cappa complained that after the goal some of the “extras” hid the match ball, causing an eight minute delay before play was resumed, and he was shown on TV insulting the perceived culprits.

So even Cappa, the neatly groomed “different” coach who learnt his trade in Spain and espouses the stylish football associated in Argentina with Cesar Luis Menotti but referred to long before him as “la nuestra” (our way), got sucked into the mire.

This after spending the two-week build-up receiving praise for the team he has built in six months and extolling the virtues of his rivals.

As for the referee, there has been no announcement of a sanction, but the head of the refereeing body, Jorge Romo, was quoted as saying: “Brazenas played badly so that’s why he didn’t take part in the draw for the promotion playoffs.”

That might be good news for Rosario Central and Gimnasia-La Plata.

PHOTO: Velez Sarsfield’s Hernan Lopez lifts the trophy after their victory against Huracan in Buenos Aires July 5, 2009. REUTERS/Santiago Pandolfi

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Tags: Angel Cappa, apologised, apology, Argentina, armchair, Barcelona, BUENOS AIRES, Carlos, Cesar Luis Menotti, champions league, clausura, decider, Fabian Cubero, Gabriel Brazenas, half an hour, joaquin larrivey, Jorge Romo, last game, libertadores cup, loose ball, monzon, pitch invasion, public gatherings, rain and hail, referee, replays, Rosario, Santiago, sarsfield, six minutes, South American, Spain

Argentinian Super Clasico ends undecided

April 20, 2009

Argentinian arch rivals Boca Juniors and River Plate held each other to a 1-1 draw in Sunday’s Super Clasico.

Always a trigger for great passion in Argentinian football, the two met at Boca’s Bombonera stadium and both sides were set to give it their all in an attempt to overpower their nemesis.

No goals were scored in the first half but former Villarreal player Martin Palermo struck from outside the penalty area to hand Boca a 1-0 lead in the 59th minute.

River did not give up though and Marcelo Gallardo equalised from a free kick just ten minutes later.

After ten matches in the Argentinian Primera Division, River Plate are in fifth place while Boca are to be found in 12th. Velez Sarsfield lead, ahead of Colon de Santa Fe.

Written by: Jonathan Roorda

Tags: arch rivals, Argentina, argentinian football, argentinian primera division, attempt, Boca, boca juniors, bombonera, Clasico, Colon de Santa, colon de santa fe, free kick, half, jonathan, martin palermo, minute, nemesis, passion, player, river plate, sarsfield, trigger, Villarreal

S. America Under-20: Argentina eliminate Peru

January 24, 2009

Argentina clinched their first win of the South American Under-20 Championships in Venezuela, coming back from behind to beat Peru 2-1.

Peru had already lost their first two matches and only a miracle could help them at this point. The underdogs had a great start with Luis Trujillo opening the score after only three minutes.

But the Argentinians came back through Velez Sarsfield forward Jonathan Cristaldo in the 25th minute and Eduardo Salvio (Lanus) netted the winner with 14 minutes left to play.

Argentina now share second place in this group with Colombian, whom they are set to face on Sunday. Peru are out of contention and finish their tournament against Venezuela in two days from now.

Written by: Jonathan Roorda

Tags: Argentina, argentinians, Central American, contention, Cristaldo, Eduardo Salvio, jonathan, Jonathan Roorda, lanus, Luis Trujillo, miracle, peru, roorda, S. America, sarsfield, score, South American, three minutes, trujillo, underdogs, venezuela

Solano returns to Peru

January 7, 2009

LIMA (SW) – Peruvian footballer Nolberto Solano returns to his home country after spending twelve years abroad, to join Universitario in Lima.

Solano received an offer from Argentinian side Velez Sarsfield but his family preferred to return to Peru.

The 34-year-old left Peru to play for Boca Juniors in 1997, and since represented Newcastle United, Aston Villa, West Ham United and Larissa. The player spent eight years – divided over two stints – at Newcastle, where he scored a total of 37 goals in 230 games.

‘La U’ won the 2008 Apertura, which gives them access to this year’s Copa Libertadores where a veteran playmaker like Solano could certainly make a difference. In the Clausura tournament, Universitario finished 11th.

Written by: Jonathan Roorda

Tags: access, apertura, aston villa, Boca, boca juniors, copa libertadores, difference, footballer, games, jonathan, Jonathan Roorda, Libertadores, Lima, NEWCASTLE, newcastle united, peru, playmaker, roorda, sarsfield, stints, sw, total, twelve years, Villa, west ham, west ham united, World Cup

Carlos Bianchi set for Boca return

December 31, 2008

BUENOS AIRES (SW) – Former Boca Juniors manager Carlos Bianchi is expected to return to La Bombonera to become the side’s technical director, the club announced on Wednesday.

Chairman Jorge Amor Ameal, who also took a moment to announce that manager Carlos Ischia extended his contract with one year, confirmed this on Boca’s official website.

Argentinian sides usually don’t appoint a technical director, but Boca plan to break with that tradition: "Our idea is to internationalize our image. And Bianchi is a well known man abroad. He is our ambassador," Ameal said.

Bianchi is one of Boca’s most successful managers, having won four Argentinian league titles, three Copa Libertadores and two Club World Cups with the blue-yellow side.

He also won three domestic titles and a Copa Libertadores with Velez Sarsfield.

Written by: Jonathan Roorda