Snak

After late defeat, Canada aims to rebound against Mexico

SEATTLE -- Borjan Milan fell to his knees, sat on his heels and began to pound the Rose Bowl turf with his hands in frustration.

The Canada goalkeeper had just seen a blazing shot by Martinique’s Fabrice Reuperne dent the back of his net in a game that seemed destined to be scoreless. Instead, Reuperne’s goal gave the Caribbeans the win with only 10 seconds remaining in second-half stoppage time.

Canada interim head coach Colin Miller doesn’t want the bitter disappointment of that loss to carry over into upcoming games. Thus, he called an early morning meeting with his players on Monday, hoping to refocus them and begin preparations for Thursday’s Group A match against Mexico at CenturyLink Field in Seattle.

“We’re all feeling very, very disappointed about the way that we lost yesterday,” Miller said. “We don’t want to make excuses but we are devastated about the result but we now need to regroup as a squad and a staff.”

Miller attributed a handful of items as reasons for Canada’s recent struggles. A mixture of young and veteran players, along with not reaching the hexagonal round of World Cup qualifying and coaching changes, have all played a role.

The 48-year-old former Canadian international hopes to begin changing the script during this Gold Cup, before newly hired Benito Floro takes over as full-time head coach.

“We are going through a real transition period, not just what happened the last few days,” Miller said. “It’s a real rebuilding process in Canada. It will be a while before we fix it.”

And perhaps a good time to fix it is against Mexico, a team that is looking to rebound from a loss as well. El Tri fell 2-1 to Panama on Sunday, its first-ever setback against the Central Americans.

But Miller is not underestimating the Mexico.

“We have to be prepared for a Mexican team that, like ourselves, will be very disappointed with their [last] result,” Miller said. “It’s not very often they lose.”

And it is not often Canada gets a shot at redemption against the two-time defending Gold Cup champion.

Despite losing the first game of the tournament, Miller remained confident in his players.

“We have a lot of character in this group," Miller said. "It wasn´t from a lack of effort yesterday. The players, in some cases, ran until they dropped. We now need to get everything back in the tank and be ready for Thursday."

Facundo Ferreyra se va al Shakthar

BUENOS AIRES -- El goleador argentino Facundo Chuky Ferreyra fue presentado este martes como nuevo jugador del Shakhtar Donets, de Ucrania.

Ferreyra, de 22 años, afrontará su primera temporada en el fútbol europeo y proviene de Vélez Sarsfield, club con el que se coronó en el Torneo Inicial 2012 y en la Súper Final 2012-2013.

"Estoy muy felíz, intentaré compensar con bonitos goles toda la confianza que el Shakhtar depositó en mi", expresó el ex atacante de Banfield en conferencia de prensa.

Por la operación, el club ucraniano desembolsó nueve millones de dólares, que Vélez y Banfield se repartirán en partes iguales, por ser los dueños del pase.

Gandín regresa a Colón

SANTA FE -- El delantero Darío Gandín se convirtió en el sexto refuerzo de Colón de Santa Fe de cara al comienzo del Torneo Inicial, tras llegar a un acuerdo con la dirigencia Sabalera.

"Chipi" se incorporará este miércoles al plantel Sabalero y será presentado en una conferencia de prensa a las 12.30 junto con otros dos futbolistas que arribaron en las últimas horas: el marcador central Oscar Carniello y al mediocampista Jacobo Mansilla.

Este será el tercer paso de Gandín por el conjunto santafesino luego de las experiencias entre 2004 y 2005, y entre 2007 - 2008.

Además de sus pasos por el Negro, Gandín vistió otras camisetas en su carrera: Platense, Argentinos Juniors, Gimnasia de Jujuy, Independiente, Necaxa, León (ambos de México) y el Atlético de Rafaela, de donde proviene.

Los otros tres refuerzos que capitalizó la dirigencia rojinegra hasta el momento son los ex Vélez Germán Montoya y Mariano Bittolo, además de Lucas Landa quien arribó desde San Martín de San Juan.

Romero deja Colón por Atlante

SANTA FE -- El defensor Mauricio Romero rescindió este martes su contrato con Colón de Santa Fe y viajará a México para firmar con el Atlante.

De esta manera, Romero, de 30 años, regresará a México, dado que allí jugó cinco años en el Morelia, con el que ganó la Súper Liga Norteamericana 2010.

En Argentina, este defensor también jugó en Lanús, de 2002 a 2007.

Romero será compañero en Atlante del mediocampista argentino Martín Galmarini y podría serlo también de Walter Erviti, quien está en la mira de la institución azteca.

Olimpia er klar til Copa Libertadores finalen...

Olimpia book place in final

http://www.youtube.com/w…mRDjnnXYAsM

Paraguayan giants Olimpia made it into the Copa Libertadores final despite a 1-0 defeat to Santa Fe in their semi-final second leg in Colombia.

In a thrilling game that became even more intense in the second period after Wilder Medina´s goal, Olimpia held on for a 2-1 aggregate win.

It earned them a place in their seventh Libertadores final, where they will seek a fourth title.

After a 2-0 defeat in Asuncion last Tuesday, hosts Santa Fe had little option but to attack from the first minute of the game.

They lost midfielder Emanuel Molina to injury just seven minutes in, though, with Cristian Martinez-Borja taking his place.

Medina went close to the opening goal just after the half-hour but his bicycle kick from Martinez-Borja´s cross went just wide.

That was the best chance prior to their 75th-minute goal, which came after Olimpia keeper Martin Silva turned Omar Perez´s free-kick on to the post.


Medina´s follow-up was also beaten away by Silva but Uruguayan referee Martin Vazquez and his assistant ruled the ball had already crossed the line.

The 48,000 Santa Fe supporters at the Estadio El Campin urged their players on in search of the goal that would have taken the match to penalties.

But Silva saved a number of shots and Martinez-Borja struck the left post in the 83rd minute.

The goalkeeper was stunned by his side´s triumph and told Fox Sports: "It still has not sunk in. This is a very important achievement.

"We achieved this because of the squad Olimpia have, the heart this team have and because we are convinced of what we are able to do."

Olimpia, who won the Libertadores title in 1979, 1990 and 2002, now await either Brazilian side Atletico Mineiro or Argentinians Newell´s Old Boys, who also hold a 2-0 first-leg lead going into tomorrow night´s semi-final second leg in Belo Horizonte.

Olimpia boss Ever Hugo Almeida does not have any preference and said: "Tomorrow we´ll analyse the rivals, when the tie is defined.

"Now it is time to celebrate. I cannot imagine how happy people in Asuncion are right now."

Silva agreed: "I don´t care who we face, but I know the stadium will be an amazing thing because Olimpia people are so passionate. We are in the Copa Libertadores finals and it will be crazy."

Og den engelske version...


Ferreyra joins Shakhtar in $9m deal

Striker Facundo Ferreyra has joined Shakhtar Donetsk on a five-year deal worth $9million.

The 22-year-old made the switch from Argentine Primera Division champions Velez Sarsfield on Tuesday night, marking his first foray into European football.

"I am very happy," he told the club´s official website.

"I was flattered by the interest expressed by Shakhtar and I will try to fully compensate for the trust with my performance on the pitch and with good goals. You can expect a lot of goals from me."

The young forward scored 31 goals in 78 league games in Argentina´s top flight for Velez and previous club Banfield, and he has insisted that the transition will not prove too testing.

He added: "My previous team, Veles, used the same formation as Shakhtar do. We also had four defenders, two holding midfielders, three attackers and a forward on the offensive end.

"So, I think, it won’t be difficult for me to adapt to Shakhtar’s system – I operated in a similar way lately."

Shakhtar start their Ukrainian Premier League title defence at home against Hoverla on Sunday.

Cruzeiro er så godt som sikker på en plads i 4.runde af pokalen efter en hjemmesejr på 5-0 over Atlético-MG.
De små 20.000 tilskuere fik sig en griner, da gæsternes Klumbe-Dumpe-massør strøg på banen midt under spillet lige op til Cruzeiros første scoring
http://youtu.be/6PanQr4h7Cs

Castillo: It is a dream to play in Spain

Nery Castillo has spoken of his delight after securing a transfer to Rayo Vallecano.

The attacking midfielder moved to Vallecano on a free transfer from Mexican outfit Pachuca on Tuesday.

Castillo has spent spells at the likes of Manchester City, Shakhtar Donetsk and OIympiakos during his career, but revealed that it had been a lifelong ambition to ply his trade in Spain.

"My intention was to return to Europe," he told the club´s official website. "I had the chance to be in the best league in the world, which works very well and plays good football.

"I always wanted to play in Spain, it was a dream, it is the best league in the world for players and teams. It is football of play, not of strength and shock."

Mexican Castillo is eager to play at the 2014 FIFA World Cup and feels that a strong season with Rayo will allow him to do that.

"We must all do a bit to make this succeed. Everyone has to contribute what they can. I like (to) win and be at the top," he added.

"Most importantly, try to give 100 per cent in every match. I think that if you play well, you have the chance to be selected (for the World Cup).

"The decision to come to this team was not just made thinking about the selection. I think playing here I know I can do well and if I have the possibility of going to the World Cup then that´s better."

Club duties fulfilled, Perez ready to represent Panama

SEATTLE -- If the Panama team that beat Mexico last Sunday was considered green then, “ La Marea Roja” ripened a little Tuesday.

Veteran Blas Perez joined his Panama teammates for a morning practice at CenturyLink Field. He comes to the CONCACAF Gold Cup after missing Panama’s historic 2-1 win over Mexico Sunday in Pasadena, California. The forward agreed to remain with his club, Major League Soccer’s FC Dallas, for a match against the LA Galaxy that was only a few dozen miles away at the StubHub Center (formerly the Home Depot Center) in Carson.

“I was warming up when I saw that they had scored on a penalty kick,” Perez said of the Gold Cup match. “Then the sporting director told me we had taken the lead in the second half. It was nice to know we won. It’s nice to be back.”

Perez participated in the warm-up drills before Tuesday’s practice, of which only the first 15 minutes were open to the media. The 13-year national team veteran, spoke with reporters afterwards.

“I am here available for my team. I want to play the 90 minutes but the coach decides,” said the 32-year-old, who is participating in his fourth Gold Cup. “The team is doing well. I have to wait my turn.”

That turn may come as early as Thursday against Martinique in the first game of a Group A doubleheader. Mexico faces Canada in the second match.

Panama is coming off its first-ever win against Mexico in any official competition, giving the Central American nation a confidence boost heading into its match against the Caribbean side. The team appeared to be in a relaxed mood at the start of Tuesday’s practice.

A group of players ran around in circles chasing one another, play fighting near midfield. There were kicks on the rear, slaps on top of the head; smiles and laughs were plenty. Once the media was asked to leave the field, Panama went to work.

“We are working our best to not be overconfidence,” Panama defender Juan Perez said. “Mexico is in the past and we are looking into Martinique. We didn’t see much of them but we know they are a strong team. You have to respect every team. We know they came to win and if you want to advance in this tournament, you have to respect your opponent.”

Perez likes that the younger players are respecting what veterans have to say.

“The team is here to wok. It listens to the coach and the veteran players,” he said. “That is motivating to see those youngsters listen to the older guys. Panama has grown in every aspect. The new players and the veterans are benefiting from it. They get a chance to showcase what they can do here on this team.“

Blas Perez adds firepower to Panama’s attack. He has scored 29 times in 79 international games. It could be intriguing to see him paired with up-and-coming striker Gabriel Torres, who scored both goals against Mexico.

“Gaby is going through a good moment and I am happy for him," Perez said. “He had been waiting for this opportunity.”

Torres was called to the Gold Cup after a strong showing in the Venezuelan 2013 Clausura. He was the league’s leading scorer with 20 goals while playing for league champion Zamora FC.

The addition of Perez, Torres’ scoring capability and Alberto Quintero’s nose for feeding strikers fluid passes from midfield could prove to be strength for coach Julio Dely Valdes’ team.

Perez and his teammates, though, are not looking too far ahead.

“Mexico is in the past. We can’t live in the past,” he said. “Martinique is in our sights now. We have to remain grounded. We haven’t won anything yet.”

Walter Erviti deja Boca por Atlante

CANCÚN -- El club Atlante confirmó que llegaron a un acuerdo para hacerse de los servicios del volante argentino, Walter Erviti, quien llegará procedente del Boca Jrs.

Erviti se suma a los fichajes de los también argentinos, Martin Galmarini y Mauricio Martín Romero, quien llega procedente de Monarcas Morelia.

"Estamos muy entusiasmados con Erviti, y ahora podemos confirmar la transferencia de Walter", confirmó el presidente del equipo, José Antonio García. "Tengo excelentes referencias de Erviti, durante su paso por el Monterrey, y confiamos en que llegue a sumar para armar un gran grupo, que nos ayude a lograr un muy buen torneo en el Apertura 2013".

Erviti jugó en Monterrey del 2002 al 2008, acumulando 12 torneos con el equipo y fue pieza clave en el cuadro que se consagró campeón en el 2003 bajo el mando de Daniel Passarella. Posteriormente volvió a Argentina donde fue parte de Banfield y Boca Jrs.

El ex-Banfield y Boca llegará a México el próximo domingo para hacerse la revisación médica y física, y firmar su contrato, ya que el campeonato comienza el próximo 20 de julio.