Snak

River hará oferta formal por Teo

BUENOS AIRES -- El vicepresidente primero, Diego Turnes, adelantó que el club elevará "una oferta formal" para comprar el 50 por ciento de los derechos federativos del delantero colombiano Teófilo Gutiérrez, la obsesión del DT Ramón Díaz.

"En los próximos días, vamos a elevar una oferta al Cruz Azul de México para comprar el 50 por ciento. Estamos preparando una buena oferta económica", anunció el dirigente en el programa "Rock & Closs".

Además, Turnes confió en que "entre mañana (sábado) y el domingo se va a concretar" la llegada a préstamo del mediocampista Jonathan Fabbro, procedente de Cerro Porteño.

Sobre la posible llegada del lateral derecho Iván Pillud, el dirigente se defendió de las críticas de sus pares de Racing, al asegurar que el jugador, con vínculo vigente en Avellaneda, "fue ofrecido por un grupo inversor".

"Es una ventaja que el futbolista quiera venir a River", consideró Turnes. Por otra parte, el vicepresidente primero afirmó que "no hay nada concreto" en relación a la posible venta del defensor colombiano Eder Alvarez Balanta.

Y por último, lamentó la separación de los mellizos Rogelio y Ramiro Funes Mori, quienes fueron excluidos de la pretemporada por no arreglar sus contratos.

"Nuestra intención era que se queden, les habíamos ofrecido un contrato", concluyó

Godoy Cruz: Palermo pidió "recambio"

MENDOZA -- El director técnico de Godoy Cruz enfatizó sobre la necesidad de sumar "más refuerzos" para garantizar "el recambio" en un plantel que deberá afrontar la próxima temporada el desafío de la permanencia en Primera División.

"Por suerte mantuvimos la base del equipo anterior, pero tener recambio será muy importante para el torneo que viene", declaró el entrenador de Godoy Cruz, que ya sumó seis caras nuevas a sus filas.

Las incorporaciones hasta el momento fueron el arquero Jorge Carranza (Ferro Carril Oeste); el defensor David Achucarro (Douglas Haig); los volantes Federico Pintos (Defensor Sporting de Uruguay), Santiago Gallucci Otero (River Plate) y Claudio Aquino (Defensa y Justicia); y el delantero Jonathan Ramis (Aldosivi).

En su primera conferencia de prensa tras las vacaciones, Palermo se mostró conforme con la realidad del plantel mendocino de cara a una temporada que pronosticó "muy difícil" por la existencia de "todas finales".

Godoy Cruz partirá en la tabla de promedios desde el puesto 16, sólo por encima de Argentinos Juniors y los tres recientes ascendidos (Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata, Olimpo de Bahía Blanca y Rosario Central).

"Los partidos los tendremos que jugar con mucha más inteligencia que la del torneo pasado para alejarnos de la zona baja de los promedios, que dependerá de nosotros", opinó.

"Veo bien al grupo, en las próximas semanas, cuando juguemos algunos amistosos, iremos encontrando el equipo", confió.

Sobre los nuevos pedidos de incorporaciones, Palermo priorizó "jugadores de experiencia" pero aceptó que "las opciones las va dando el mercado".

"Eso no quiere decir que si vienen de la B Nacional no se puedan acoplar a la Primera División. Los que hemos elegido son jugadores importantes y confiamos en ellos, pero la jerarquía la tendrán que demostrar dentro de la cancha", advirtió.

Al respecto, mencionó que "como volante por derecha una de las posibilidades es Marcos Gelabert, que no será tenido en cuenta en Estudiantes".

En cuanto al delantero, explicó que "se hizo hincapié en Joaquín Boghossian", el uruguayo con última trayectoria en el Cercle Brugge de Bélgica.

Sin embargo, aclaró que "el que venga la tendrá que pelear de atrás, porque el 9 será Mauro Obolo".

Sobre la continuidad del marcador central Nicolás Sánchez, que aún no llegó a un acuerdo contractual con la dirigencia, Palermo señaló: "Lo esperamos, él es la prioridad, si no se da, podría ser lo de Bruno Valdez", un marcador central paraguayo de 20 años, que juega en Sol de América.

Godoy Cruz completó su primera semana de trabajo en doble turno en Mendoza y el domingo a las 20.30 viajará a Buenos Aires, donde realizará en el predio de Bosques, perteneciente al club Defensa y Justicia, la parte más exigente de la pretemporada.

Palermo confirmó que el martes 23 jugará un amistoso ante Independiente, que se suma a los que ya estaban previstos con Defensa y Justicia, Huracán y Lanús.

Trezeguet estaría cerca de Central

ROSARIO -- El delantero franco argentino David Trezeguet le comunicó este viernes a su entorno que le gusta la propuesta que le hizo Rosario Central y hasta se especula con que este fin de semana viajará a Rosario para firmar su contrato con los Canallas.

Trezeguet aún tiene vínculo con River Plate hasta junio de 2015, pero como el entrenador Ramón Díaz no lo tendrá en cuenta para esta temporada el atacante que fue campeón mundial con Francia se tuvo que buscar un nuevo club.

Hace una semana Trezeguet tuvo una reunión en la Ciudad de Buenos Aires con el director técnico Miguel Angel Russo, quien le explicó el proyecto deportivo de la popular entidad rosarina y así empezó a convercerlo.

El delantero se tomó unos días para pensarlo y este viernes, extraoficialmente, se conoció que le gustó la propuesta y que hasta se la comunicó a su entorno. Trezeguet también tenía chances de ir a Estudiantes de La Plata, ya que Juan Sebastián Verón lo había sondeado para ficharlo.

"Está casi listo", dijo Sergio Fortunato, el representante de David al portal Ahora Deportes de Rosario y deslizó que el sábado es posible que firme el vínculo con el club rosarino, que se prepara para afrontar el torneo Inicial, luego de tres temporadas en el Nacional B.

Eso sí, Trezeguet no podrá realizar la pretemporada porque fue operado el lunes 15 de abril por una tendinitis rotuliana en su rodilla izquierda y el alta médica lo tendría recién para octubre. No juega de manera oficial desde el sábado 30 de marzo, en el empate sin goles entre River y Vélez Sarsfield.

De todos modos, parece arriesgado incorporar a un jugador que se perderá prácticamente la mitad del Torneo Inicial 2013, dado que el objetivo primordial del conjunto rosarino será sumar la mayor cantidad de puntos para tener un buen promedio y evitar así padecimientos relacionados con la lucha por la permanencia en la categoría.

Igualmente, si se llega a concretar, Trezeguet será una incorporación de jerarquía y enriquecerá al plantel auriazul.

TREZEGUET MANTIENE EL SUSPENSO

"Me gustaría definir mi situación la semana que viene. Hablé con muchos clubes, por suerte. De Rosario Central charlé con (Miguel) Russo, y Estudiantes, desde la vuelta de (Juan Sebastián) Verón, se maneja como un club Europeo", dijo Trezeguet en diálogo con un portal deportivo que lo tiene contratado.

Luego el delantero afirmó: "Debo elegir, ojalá lo haga bien y pueda llevar mi juego a otro club. Quiero jugar en Primera en un club grande, que sea muy apasionado y que tenga mucha gente".

"(Juan Román) Riquelme, (Matías) Almeyda y Verón me llamaron para darme fuerzas cuando se enteraron de mi exclusión. Hablé con Almeyda, le agradecí el ofrecimiento. Quiero terminar mi carrera en Primera", reconoció.

Trezeguet destacó: "Me han contactado equipos de países como Uruguay, México, Brasil y Chile, y eso me pone muy bien. Me estoy preparando bien. La lesión pasó a segundo plano y estoy muy motivado".

"No me quedan muchos años como jugador y los quiero disfrutar al máximo. Hay muchos equipos interesados en mí y eso es importante", manifestó.

Maurice double gives Haiti its first three points

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. -- Haiti launched itself back into contention for a quarterfinal berth at the CONCACAF Gold Cup behind a 2-0 Group B victory over Caribbean rival Trinidad & Tobago at Sun Life Stadium on Friday.

Jean-Eudes Maurice scored both goals for the Haitians, one in each half.

The win gave Haiti (1-0-1, 3 points) its first points of the competition with one group-stage game left to play against El Salvador in Houston on Monday. Trinidad, which drew 2-2 with El Salvador on Monday, has one point.

Knowing that anything less than a victory was necessary to remain in realistic contention for a quarterfinal place, Haiti started the game by attacking the right side of the Trinidadian defense through the attacking duo of Jean Philippe Peguero and Maurice.

Those tactical and personnel choices paid dividends in the 16th minute, when midfielder Jeff Louis fired a 25-meter shot that was initially saved by goalkeeper Jan Michael Williams. The ball fell perfectly in line for the left foot of Maurice, who hammered the ball to the back of the net.

Trinidad’s backline was regularly placed under pressure, which made it difficult to kick-start the offense. Daryl Roberts, however, did send an attempt wide right from in front of the Haitian goal, following a fluid build-up orchestrated by Carlos Edwards.

Shortly after the break, Trinidad nearly equalized as Edwards broke away down the left flank and fired a cross to Kenwyne Jones, whose header struck the far post.

That miss proved costly in the 53rd minute. Williams deflected a searching cross from Yves Desmaret into the path of Maurice, enabling the 27-year-old to double his team’s advantage..

On Monday, Trinidad faces a must-win situation against Honduras in the last group game for each at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston.

NOTES: Maurice became the first Haitian to score two goals in a Gold Cup game after 14 all-time encounters … Trinidad & Tobago is winless in its last 11 Gold Cup outings (last win came against Costa Rica, 2-1, in a quarterfinal match on February 20, 2000).

Late Claros goal helps Honduras past El Salvador

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Jorge Claros scored a dramatic goal two minutes into stoppage time to lift Honduras to a 1-0 victory over El Salvador and into the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup on Friday.

The Catrachos (2-0-0, 6 points), who can finish no worse than second place in Group B, solidified their lead over second-place Haiti (1-0-1, 3 pts.), 2-0 winners over Trinidad & Tobago (0-1-1, 1 pt.) in the first game of a doubleheader at Sun Life Stadium. El Salvador fell to 0-1-1 and has one point from two games.

With time running out in added time between these two Central American rivals, Claros collected a deflected free-kick from teammate Alexander Lopez and hammered it past outstretched goalkeeper Dagoberto Portillo to seal the game.

Honduras came close to drawing first blood in the 10th minute, when Rony Martinez raced down the right flank, only to hit his shot inches wide of goal.

El Salvador responded almost immediately after as its leading tournament goal-scorer Rodolfo Zeyala escaped his marker and fired a shot at goal that was well saved by Donis Escober.

The Hondurans thought they have taken the lead in the 21st minute. Mario Berrios turned just inside the 18-yard box and volleyed the ball into the ceiling of the Salvadoran net for what looked like the goal of the tournament. After a lengthy celebration, he looked back to see the assistant referee’s flag raised.

Honduras came out of the break with increased urgency in attack, but the Cuscatlecos’ backline of Victor Turcios, Marcelo Posadas and Mardoqueo Henriquez held strong.

With two minutes left in regulation, El Salvador nearly went ahead when Kevin Santamaria’s effort from 20-yards crashed of the post. Several minutes later, Claros found the range.

Hondurans take on Trinidad & Tobago in their final group stage match in Houston on Monday, while El Salvador plays Haiti.

NOTES: Honduras won its opening two Gold Cup matches for the first time since 2000, when it posted 2-0 wins over Jamaica and Colombia…Claros’ goal was his 1st ever in Gold Cup play…El Salvador’s Gold Cup unbeaten streak was snapped at four games

Donovan in Gold Cup groove for U.S.

SANDY, Utah – Looking to gauge how Landon Donovan is feeling in his return to the United States national team after an 11-month self-imposed sabbatical?

Check out how he takes his penalty kicks.

“As forwards, when we’re pressing or things aren’t going our way, you tend to be more tense in front of goal,” Donovan said. “If you have a cool, calm demeanor it probably means you’re comfortable with where you’re at and right now I feel very good and very confident.”

In his return, Donovan has scored from the spot in back-to-back games, including a 6-1 Group C victory over Belize in the team’s CONCACAF Gold Cup opener in Portland Tuesday night.

The LA Galaxy standout isn’t trying to put any undue pressure on himself, but it is clear the microscope is squarely on him ahead of World Cup qualifiers in September.

“I don’t view it that way,” Donovan said. “I think all the guys here view it as an opportunity to further their national team careers. In an obvious sense it means being part of the qualifiers coming up and in the bigger scheme it means furthering your chances to be a part of the World Cup team.”

No doubt there’s also a direct correlation between Donovan’s return and the U.S. squad’s scoring outburst of late. He has three goals and set up another three goals in a pair of six-goal victories.

When he netted against Belize, Donovan became the first player to score in six different Gold Cup tournaments and he’s also the only player in U.S. history to score at least 50 goals with at least 50 assists.

“I think [Herculez Gomez] said it well the other day, whenever you have a chance to play for your national team it’s an opportunity,” Donovan said. “Jurgen [Klinsmann, the coach] has made it very clear that your performance dictates whether you get called in again or not. I think that’s the way we all approach it.”

Klinsmann has been particularly impressed with Donovan’s return.

“He came back in this group, he’s very comfortable and he picks up the rhythm of the group,” Klinsmann said. “It helps us obviously with his two recent games to get a good rhythm, get confidence for the entire group knowing every game gets more and more difficult.”

Donovan has had particular success historically against Cuba in the Gold Cup. In the 2002 Gold Cup, he scored in a 2-1 win over Cuba in the opening game of group play and a year later, Donovan struck for four goals in a 5-0 victory in the quarterfinals.

That outburst, he said, came after a personal scoring drought.

“I remember the first goal [Brian] McBride got in alone and rolled me one, a tap-in in front of the goal. That sort of opened the floodgates,” Donovan said. “It was a fun day, a day I’ll remember and if we can duplicate that again that would be great.”

Cuba rested and ready for U.S.

SANDY, Utah – Cuba is looking forward to Saturday’s CONCACAF Gold Cup clash against the United States at Rio Tinto Stadium for multiple reasons as soccer’s development at all levels on the island becomes increasingly apparent.

“There’s always been a sporting rivalry (between Cuba and the U.S.), but it’s nothing political,” Cuban head coach Walter Benitez said before his team’s training session on Friday. “Everything around soccer and whatever soccer generates, everything is positive.”

Cuba enters the match well rested, which wasn’t the case for its opener against Costa Rica Tuesday night in Portland. The team arrived only a day before the game, impacting its preparation.

“I think what also affected us in the first match was that we arrived too close to the game so we were tired,” Cuban defender Jorge Luis Clavelo said. “I think for this match we need more movement tactically and take advantage of any opportunity that we get so that we can score.”

After a scoreless first half, Costa Rica struck for three goals in the second half at JELD-WEN Field.

“We had a long flight, very tiring,” Cuban defender Renay Malblanche said. “We didn’t have enough time to recuperate from the travel. It was one of the factors of the second half performance in Portland.”

The Cubans arrived in Salt Lake City Wednesday afternoon and believe physically and tactically they are better prepared for the challenge of facing the United States.

“We’ve transitioned,” Malblanche said. “We’ve analyzed the things we’ve done bad in the first game and now we’re going to overcome those challenges in this match.”

Benitez said this high-profile match against the United States, as well as the rest of the Gold Cup, is a positive for Cuban soccer. There’s more awareness of the sport in the country, both from the national team’s success as well as internationally with UEFA Champions League matches televised in the country.

“It is doing so well because anything we get through television, through communication, through media, we see a lot of soccer and the country is talking about soccer a lot,” Benitez said. “This will definitely help us improve and get that highlighted.”

Benitez said there’s a national center in Cuba that helps identify younger players. He’s hoping to have some symmetry between the team that’s here for the Gold Cup and the squad that just competed in the FIFA Under-20 World Cup. While his goal is to reach the quarterfinals of the Gold Cup for a second time, Benitez said the post-Gold Cup plan is to hopefully arrange more international friendlies.

For Cuba, the more soccer, the better.

“At this time, there’s a good soccer ambiance in Cuba,” Benitez said. “You have kids playing on the corners, in the street. It’s taking a great amount of space. Baseball has competition now because we’re winning more space in the community. That’s very important for us because we have to take advantage of any opportunity to keep developing.”

“Right now,” he added, “soccer is in good health.”

Mario Berrios scorede årets mål, inden der desværre blev dømt offside. Han bliver forhåbentligt også udtaget næste gang.

Ellers en lidt halvkedelig kamp, hvor der var mest action de sidste 15min. El Salvador skulle havde scoret til sidst i kampen, men i stedet løb Honduranerne med sejren på et mål i overtiden.

Ja de har været lidt uheldige i overtiden...men der er stadigvæk alt at spille for i den sidste runde nu hvor Les Grenadiers kørte Voodoo-stilen og slog både Trinidad OG Tobago, med deres engelske "lejesoldater"....

Interessante kampe i dag...USA- Cuba er altid god for underlig, Frankrig -Uruguay iU-20 finalen...og Fluminense -Internacional.

iøvrigt spændende runde hvorGremio - Fogo tørner sammen søndag, Corinthians de regerende verdensmestre tager i mod Atl. mineiro. ...og så er der senere Clássico dos Milhões mellem Fla og Vasco.

South America has won 11 of the 18 previous U-20 World Cups

South America has won 11 of the previous 18 U-20 World Cups before this nineteenth edition in which Uruguay will face France on Saturday in Istanbul in the final. CONMEBOL could add a new success if Uruguay pulls out the victory.

South American football has also won eight of the last ten editions. Argentina (six titles) and Brazil (five) have shared all the trophies for the continent since the first tournament, played in Tunis in 1977.

The Argentinean team, that incidentally did not qualify for Turkey despite hosting the Sudamericano, won titles in Japan-1979, Qatar-1995, Malaysia-1997, Argentina-2001, The Netherlands-2005 and Canada-2007. They have won these titles with some of the biggest names in football including Diego Maradona (1979), Lionel Messi (2005) and Sergio ´Kun´ Agüero (2005, 2007).

For their part Brazil has won in Mexico-1983, Soviet Union-1985, Australia-1993, The United Arab Emirates-2003 and Colombia-2011.

Only Spain and Ghana broke the South American dominance in the last ten editions, taking the trophy respectively in Nigeria-1999 and Egypt-2009.

France has the opportunity to break a fourteen year UEFA drought in the Under-20, since the ´Old Continent´ has not raised this trophy since Spain.

The other five titles were for the Soviet Union (Tunisia, 1977), Germany (Australia, 1981), Yugoslavia (Chile, 1987) and Portugal (Saudi Arabia, 1989 and Portugal, 1991).

Uruguay and France have never won this competition but Uruguay was in the final of Malaysia in 1997 where they lost 2-1 to Argentina.