Snak

Jones´ goal lifts Trinidad to a 2-2 draw with El Salvador


http://www.youtube.com/w…b-Ii2Ldk2lg

HARRISON, N.J. -- Kenwyne Jones scored the equalizer in the 72nd minute to lift Trinidad & Tobago to a 2-2 Group B draw with El Salvador in the CONCACAF Gold Cup opener for both teams on Monday night.

The goal offset a two-goal performance by Salvadoran striker Rodolfo Zelaya in what proved to be an exciting encounter at Red Bull Arena.

Trinidad took the lead in the 10th minute when midfielder Carlos Edwards somehow sent the ball through to an advancing Keon Daniel to his right. Daniel used his length to win the ball from his marker and slotted it past an outstretched goalkeeper Dagoberto Portillo to give the Soca Warriors the lead.

Jones almost put Trinidad up 2-0 in the 19th minute but the dreadlocked striker headed a spot-on cross from Edwards over the net.

Trinidad started with Jones upfront as he supported by, Daniel with Kevon Carter and Edwards. The tandem looked threatening in the first 15 minutes but as the young El Salvadorians settled as the likes of William Romero and Rafael Burgos started to stamp their authority in the midfield.

The Soca Warriors´ lead proved to be short-lived as Honduras won a free kick in the 21st minute. Rodolfo Zelaya delivered a gem over the defensive wall into the corner of the nets past a diving Jan Michael Williams in goal.

That seemed to be the wake-up call El Salvador needed as the Central Americans took over the first half from that point on and almost went into the half leading as Burgos headed just wide of goal and struck the far post on the next play.

The second half saw the Salvadorans continuing where they left off. In the opening seconds Burgos again shot just inches wide of goal.
Their perseverance paid off in the 68th minute when Zelaya headed in a beautiful cross from Darwin Ceren, who advanced down the right side and placed a pass in the path of Zelaya.

That joy ended moments later. Jones, who watched El Salvador took the lead while he was being attended to on the sidelines, returned and collected a long ball from Joevin Jones 35 yards out. He turned on his marker Steve Purdy and slotted the ball well left of Portillo, who had no chance to save in the 72nd minute.

Edwards could have sealed three points for Trinidad in the 79th minute but his shot was well saved at point-blank range by Portillo.

El Salvador however almost had the last say in the 83rd minute as Romero hit the post and Mark Pineda somehow missed the rebound at an open goal. The entertaining Zelaya had one more bite for a hat-trick and to be the hero but his ambitious bicycle flick was parried over the bar by Williams.

Haiti will play Trinidad & Tobago in the first game of a doubleheader in Miami Gardens, Fla. on Friday, while Honduras and El Salvador tussle in the nightcap.

@Kayokay...

CONCACAF Gold Cup Wrap: Honduras ease past Haiti

http://www.youtube.com/w…MnD88gS0IZQ

Honduras have stormed to the top of Group B at the CONCACAF Gold Cup with a 2-0 victory over Haiti, who have yet to win in 2013.

Ronny Martinez and Marvin Chavez scored either side of half-time for Honduras as they ruined Haiti´s return to Gold Cup competition, while in the other Group B match, El Salvador drew 2-2 with Trinidad and Tobago.

The win on Monday handed Honduras three points and top spot in Group B with El Salvador and Trinidad and Tobago equal on one point, while Haiti were left bottom of the standings.

Haiti missed out on the 2011 Gold Cup, as they won just once in three qualification games held less than a year after the 2010 earthquake in the tiny Caribbean nation, but their return to the continental championships started badly and did not get any better throughout the 90 minutes.

Honduras hit the front in the fourth minute at New Jersey´s Red Bull Arena thanks to Martinez´s thumping strike after Haiti lost possession in their defensive half and Mario Martinez set up his namesake for the opening goal.

While Haiti had the edge in possession and took 17 shots to six, they were unable to break open Honduras´ defence.

Honduras wrapped up victory in the 78th minute when Brayan Beckeles passed to Chavez, who slid the ball under Haiti goalkeeper Frandy Montrevil.

Haiti have not won since December 2012, having lost six of their seven matches this year.

In the early game at Red Bull Arena, Trinidad and Tobago came from behind to secure a draw against El Salvador.

Keon Daniel gave Trinidad and Tobago the lead in the 11th minute but El Salvador overhauled their rivals thanks to Rodolfo Zelaya´s brace, including a stunning curling free-kick after 21 minutes.

But just four minutes after Zelaya gave his team the lead in the second half, Trinidad and Tobago struck back when Kenwyne Jones sprinted onto Joevin Jones´ long ball to fire home the equaliser.

Atlético Paranaense manager Ricardo Drubscky sacked

Atlético Paranaense´s manager Ricardo Drubscky has been sacked following his team´s draw with Grêmio on Saturday.

The Curitiba-based team are currently in 19th place in the league, having won only one match in six games, despite the board´s high expectations.

Ricardo Drubscky is quoted by Globo Esporte as saying: "I would highlight the fact we played beautiful football, favoring a passing game, and trying to play an efficient attacking style.

Unfortunately we could not get results in the first games in the league, but this is football, we don´t always win when we want.

We have to accept how things are and keep working the same way, seeking to improve those ratings.

The manager has added: "Atlético Paranaense was a jump in my career, and a great opportunity, where I could improve as a professional.

I am ending this stage of my career satisfied for having stayed for a considerable time at the club, 13 months, which is a record at the club in the last 10 years."

Abecasis se incorpora a Quilmes

BUENOS AIRES -- El lateral derecho Luciano Abecasis se convirtió este lunes en el primer refuerzo de Quilmes, según confirmó el presidente de la entidad cervecera, Aníbal Fernández, en su cuenta de la red social Twitter.

Como ya es costumbre, el senador nacional confirmó la llegada del ex River en la red social donde escribió: "Excusivo para cerveceros: El lateral derecho Luciano Abecasis es jugador de Quilmes".

En declaraciones a Radio FMQ, Abecasis confirmó su llegada a la entidad sureña y confió que está muy contento con la posibilidad de jugar en Quilmes porque "necesitaba continuidad y ganar confianza en la cancha".

Contó, también, que mantuvo una conversación con Nelson Vivas y que rápidamente llegaron a un acuerdo después de que el director técnico le contara el proyecto.

Por otra parte, Aníbal Fernández desestimó la posibilidad de que Diego Diellos deje el club al declararlo intransferible, también a través del twitter.

Ramón Díaz llamó a Teo Gutiérrez

BUENOS AIRES -- El entrenador de River Plate, Ramón Díaz, confió este lunes que no está ansioso y que espera la llegada de refuerzos importantes para conformar un equipo competitivo para afrontar el torneo Inicial y la Copa Sudamericana, entre los que destacó al colombiano Teófilo Gutiérrez, a quien llamó para convencerlo.

"Hay varias cosas que se están definiendo y son muy importantes para el armado del equipo. Por ejemplo, la llegada de Teo Gutiérrez. Es un jugador que me encanta. Ya hablé con él y me dijo que está muy entusiasmado en venir. Hay un tema contractual por resolver, pero vamos a tratar de solucionarlo con Cruz Azul. Nosotros lo queremos y el quiere venir, pero faltan resolver detalles", confió Díaz.

Luego se refirió a la renovación del contrato de Cristian Ledesma. "Hoy hablé con Diego Turnes y el tema Ledesma se va a definir en los próximos días. La diferencia no es grande y creo que se va a resolver positivamente", contó.

También se explayó sobre el caso Iturbe, quien regresó al Porto al final del semestre. "Juan tiene grandes chances de volver. Tanto el presidente como el vice están tratando de resolverlo. Passarella se fue a Europa para vender algún jugador y lo estamos esperando para ver qué novedades trae y ver cómo nos organizamos".

Como siempre, no se olvidó del hincha de River y le pidió que se quede tranquilo. "Queremos seguir dándole satisfacciones a la gente. Que se queden tranquilos que estamos armando un equipo con pretensiones. Es un semestre complicado, con elecciones, pero lo más importante es armar un equipo para que el simpatizante lo disfrute", dijo.

Luego habló de la negativa de Martín Demichelis de volver al club. "Me hubiera gustado que se hubiese manejado distinto. Lo llamé, le explique el proyecto y me dijo que le interesaba. Después entró el aspecto económico y todo se frustró", confió.

Con respecto a su relación con el presidente Daniel Passarella, aseguró que pasa por su mejor momento. "Daniel está muy contento con todo los que estamos haciendo, con el funcionamiento del equipo. Tenemos muy buena relación, de mucho respeto. Los dos siempre dimos lo mejor para el club", contó.

Finalmente confirmó que va a estar el sábado en el partido homenaje a Ariel Ortega. "Me invitó y no puedo faltar. Es un jugador que le ha dado mucho al club, uno de los grandes ídolos de todos los tiempos y tendrá un merecido homenaje".

Molina se ilusiona con Fabián Vargas

BUENOS AIRES -- El mediocampista colombiano Fabián Vargas está a un paso de sumarse a Racing, según deslizó este lunes el vicepresidente del club de Avellaneda, Rodolfo Molina.

El ex titular de La Academia se entusiasmó con la posibilidad de que el volante con pasado reciente en Independiente ocupe el lugar que dejó vacante Mario Bolatti, y adelantó que "fue una alternativa desde el inicio" porque "tiene mucha trayectoria".

"Vargas fue alternativa desde el inicio, es un jugador con mucha trayectoria y con virtudes importantes, como haber jugado en clubes grandes (Boca e Independiente) y sabiendo que si se pone la camiseta de Racing, que es muy pesada, la va a poder vestir muy bien", explicó Molina en una entrevista radial.

La dirigencia de Racing le envió el contrato a Vargas a Colombia, y esperan que en las próximas horas se sume a la pretemporada junto al plantel que dirige Luis Zubeldía.

Por su parte, Molina admitió que es "muy difícil" concretar el arribo del defensor de Vélez Emiliano Papa, por quien hicieron un ofrecimiento formal.

"Lo de Papa es muy difícil, pero mientras no firme con Vélez uno siempre tiene la ilusión de que acepte lo que le ofrece Racing", agregó Molina.

En Racing saben que para poder sumar refuerzos sin pasar sobresaltos económicos, deben vender algún futbolista, aunque según explicó Molina "no hay nada firme y mucho menos concreto".

"Hablamos de (Luis) Fariña y como alternativa (Ricardo) Centurión, pero por el momento esperamos una oferta que esté a la altura de lo que los chicos valen", señaló el directivo.

Además, el vicepresidente consideró "exagerada" la clausura de dos fechas al estadio de Avellaneda por los festejos desmedidos tras el descenso de Independiente, al considerar que "no hubo violencia" y que "es parte del folklore" del fútbol argentino.

"Creo que es exagerada y estaremos haciendo las presentaciones que corresponden. Más allá del mal gusto o no, fue una reunión entre hinchas de Racing en la que no hubo violencia, y sobre todo si uno lo compara con otros hechos, como lo que pasó en estadio de La Plata, donde murió una persona (el hincha de Lanús, Javier Jerez)", sostuvo Molina.

Molina intentó justificar el rol de la dirigencia en esos acontecimientos y señaló que "puede ser opinable si es de buen o mal gusto, pero no hubo violencia".

"Hay que ser contemplativos con algunas situaciones y entender que son parte del folklore del fútbol", precisó el ex titular del club de Avellaneda.

La APreViDe le aplicó dos fechas de clausura al Cilindro de Avellaneda, por lo que el equipo de Luis Zubeldía tendrá que jugar los dos primeros partidos del Torneo Inicial en condición de local fuera de su estadio y a puertas cerradas.

U. de Chile destituye a Darío Franco

SANTIAGO DE CHILE -- El entrenador argentino Darío Franco fue despedido este lunes de la Universidad de Chile debido a los malos resultados obtenidos desde que asumió al final del 2012.

El cordobés agotó la paciencia de los dirigentes de Azul Azul, la sociedad que dirige económicamente al club, tras la derrota del domingo ante el Ñublense por 4-2, en partido de la Copa Chile.

Franco llegó al banco de la U en sustitución del ahora seleccionador chilena, Jorge Sampaoli, a fines de 2012.

El equipo universitario llevaba cuatro partidos sin ganar, dos amistosos y dos correspondientes a la Copa Chile.

Durante su periodo fue eliminado en la fase de grupos de la Copa Libertadores, fracasó en el Campeonato, pero sí obtuvo el título de la Copa Chile que da un cupo para la Copa Sudamericana.

Es posible que Franco dirija su último partido este miércoles frente al Unión Española por la Supercopa del fútbol local.

Zarate: “It’s Velez or nothing”

Argentine striker, Mauro Zarate has stated on Twitter that despite other offers he wishes to return to his first club, Velez Sarsfield, having been a free-agent since his contract with Lazio expired. If the move goes through it would be a real coup for Velez….

The news will be welcomed by Velez Sarsfield as they look to cash in on young striker Facundo ‘Chucky’ Ferreyra. His move to Shakhtar Donetsk could be completed this week and what would have left a void in goal scoring responsibilites would be, more than suitably, filled by a player of Zarate’s calibre. This season Velez have struggled with injury keeping Ferreyra on the sidelines for much of the campaign, which left even-younger, Ezequiel Rescaldani shouldering the responsibility. Still only 26 years of age, Velez would be acquiring Zarate in, what should be, the peak years of his career.

Zarate has made it quite clear that this is his intention and if he is to be believed, there is little to stand in the way. He stated, “I want to play and be happy. I do not care about the money, just to play and be fresh and so Velez is my priority.”

He added “While there have been offers from England, I want to play. I will meet with representatives but in Argentina, it’s Velez or nothing.”

The “important” team in England is not known but leaves a little area of doubt over the move. Zarate, of course, had a spell with Birmingham City back in 2008 with a degree of success but now at 26 this career move would be far more important.

Velez coach, Ricardo Gareca is obviously keen to add Zarate and has been full of praise for him but we will have to see if it comes to anything. If Velez were to add Zarate and with the sale of Ferreyra bring on board a fit, Fernando Gago they could be a real threat over the next season.

Vargas set to switch red for blue in Avellaneda

Colombian midfield, Fabian Vargas looks set to further anger Independiente fans following his decision not to play in the Nacional B after the sides relegation as he now looks certain to join, arch-rivals, Racing Club. Plus any other transfer developments….

Racing’s Vice-President, Victor Blanco has stated that the deal is 95% done and looks to be completed imminently. It is understood that in signing for Racing, Vargas has rejected offers from Independiente, Estudiantes and also Barcelona of Ecuador. Blanco went on to say that tomorrow will be a key meeting to finalize some details, and then on Tuesday or Wednesday he will complete the medical.

Elsewhere, Boca have wrapped up the deal for Emmanuel Gigliotti, the former Colon front man, who topped the scoring charts in the Torneo Final. A good signing for Boca but now Gigliotti must cope with the immense pressure in La Bombonera.

Frustration for River as slow progress is made in the market

Ramon Diaz has returned from his holiday in Miami and is said to be frustrated at the lack of activity by River Plate following the final fixture in the Torneo Final. As President, Daniel Passarella travels Europe looking to off-load players and raise funds they have also had disappointment with moves coming the opposite direction. Diaz has made no secret of the reinforcements that he requires at El Monumental as the squad looks very short in certain areas….

With the purse strings tightened at River Passarella has looked to make a quick profit from assets, Eder Alvarez Balanta and Rogelio Funes-Mori. Colombian, Alvarez Balanta has just signed his contract and only played 9 games for the club but reports suggest that mega-rich, Monaco are willing to pay 14 million Euros for his signature. Funes Mori is linked with a move to Bundesliga outfit, Bayer Leverkusen, for a substantially less 5 million but would still provide some funds for Diaz to strengthen.

One area that has obviously disappointed Diaz is the failure to land, Malaga centre-back, Martin Demichelis. Former River player and Argentina International, Demichelis had previously suggested he was open to a move back to River but the move is now dead in the water with Demichelis opting to stay in Europe. ”I was surprised about Demichelis, much was made of his intentions to come, and we talked a lot with him, we gave him full guarantees and even explained what we had planned,” lamented Diaz. Now River must look elsewhere.

So far the arrivals have been Carlos Carbonero, Ican Pillud and Jonathan Fabbro but this week Diaz promises more.

One area where River are obviously short is in the goal scoring department. With Funes Mori being hawked around Europe and David Trezeguet not named in the squad for the forthcoming season it leaves just Carlos Luna and youngster, Federico Andrade. Hardly the strike force to challenge for honours.

Passarella hopes that negotiations with Porto can see Juan Manuel Iturbe’s loan continued as the pacy wide man showed some glimpses of his potential and scored some crucial goals but he too is not the central figure with whom River would rely on to fire them to glory. For this reason, selling first has taken such importance but with the money who would River look at?

The first name was Teo Gutierrez, the Colombian ex-Racing, striker, who initially sounded open to the idea but has since gone back on his comments slightly and now seems happy to remain in Mexico at Cruz Azul. This would have been a very good move for River but looks unlikely now but the other names mentioned also make interesting reading.

Lucas Barrios, the Paraguayan, now playing in China is a potential target as he appears to have slipped off the radar since his spell with Borussia Dortmund but for the financial outlay may be a bit of a risk if it is dependent on him finding the form that made him so dangerous when playing in Europe. Another option could be Franco Di Santo, a free agent following Wigan’s relegation from the Premier League. Never prolific in England’s top flight but still only 24 years of age and a good all round game as his physical presence offers a focal point to the attack. The final name on this list is Lisandro Lopez, the Argentine international striker, who is leaving Lyon this summer.

It will be an interesting week to see who River bring in….