Snak

Kan huske Venezuela havde en fairly decent spiller ved navn Stalin Rivas i 90´erne, Ecuadors Lenin "La Sangre" Porozo så i den sammenhæng kudos til Costa Ricas Yeltsin Tejeda....

Costa Rica picks full-strength squad for WCQs

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica – Head coach Jorge Luis Pinto has included all 14 players that appeared in Costa Rica’s last World Cup encounter – a 1-1 draw at Jamaica that, combined with a 2-2 draw between Honduras and Panama the same day, qualified it for next year’s World Cup finals – on his 22-man roster for the remaining two matchdays of the CONCACAF Hexagonal.

The announcement came on Friday as the Ticos look ahead to upcoming games at third-place Honduras on October 11 and home against Mexico four days later.

Forwards Joel Campbell and Alvaro Saborio, who have each appeared in a team-high 13 qualifiers, were included in the selection.

Costa Rica, which missed out on South Africa 2010 after falling to Uruguay 2-1 on aggregate in an Intercontinental Playoff, currently sits second in the table with 15 points, one behind the United States.

The current Central American champion will open its training camp on Monday.


COSTA RICA ROSTER

(World Cup Qualifying – October 11, 2013, away v Honduras; October 15, 2013, home v Mexico)

GOALKEEPERS: Keylor Navas (Levante/Spain), Patrick Pemberton (Alajuelense)

DEFENDERS: Johnny Acosta (Alajuelense), Junior Díaz (Mainz/Germany), Oscar Duarte (Club Brugge/Belgium), Cristian Gamboa (Rosenborg/Norway), Giancarlo Gonzalez (Valerenga/Norway), Carlos Johnson (Cartagines), Bryan Oviedo (Everton/England), Michael Umaña (Saprissa)

MIDFIELDERS: Michael Barrantes (Aalesunds/Norway), Cristian Bolaños (FC Copenhagen/Denmark), Celso Borges (AIK/Sweden), Diego Calvo (Valerenga/Norway), Jose Miguel Cubero (Herediano), Yeltsin Tejeda (Saprissa)

FORWARDS: Randall Brenes (Cartagines), Joel Campbell (Olympiakos/Greece), Víctor Núñez (Herediano), Bryan Ruiz (Fulham/England), Alvaro Saborío (Real Salt Lake/USA), Rodney Wallace (Portland Timbers/USA)

Sampaoli: "No podemos especular"

SANTIAGO DE CHILE -- El seleccionador de Chile, Jorge Sampaoli, afirmó que su equipo tiene la obligación de buscar la clasificación al Mundial en el partido del viernes frente a Colombia y no puede especular con obtener el billete a Brasil 2014 en la última jornada, cuando reciba a Ecuador en Santiago.

"Chile tiene que buscar el partido y la clasificación, no podemos especular con que lo podemos ganar acá (en Chile)", dijo el técnico argentino en una rueda de prensa.

Sampaoli alabó al equipo colombiano, que se hace especialmente fuerte como local en la ciudad de Barranquilla y que ha mejorado su rendimiento desde que llegó al banquillo el argentino José Pekerman.

"El escenario de Colombia ha sido casi imposible para todos los rivales que fueron allí", sostuvo Sampaoli, quien agregó que el combinado colombiano "ha hecho muchos goles de local y no le han convertido", lo que le convierte en "un rival de mucha consideración".

Pese a esto, Sampaoli consideró que la trayectoria ascendente de Chile en los últimos partidos "ha achicado el favoritismo" de Colombia, segundo en la liguilla de clasificación al Mundial con 26 puntos, dos más que Chile, que es tercero.

Al ser preguntado sobre las duras condiciones climáticas que se encontrará Chile en Barranquilla, con calor y humedad, el seleccionador le quitó importancia al asunto y aseguró que este tipo de condicionantes solo sirven para justificar una derrota.

"Cuando tienes como objetivo el sueño de un Mundial, eso es un tema menor", afirmó.

Pese a estar muy cerca de acceder a Brasil, Sampaoli recalcó que hay que rematar la faena y que, por ahora, la Roja tiene "el mismo nivel de necesidad y estrés de otros equipos que están buscando la clasificación directa", como Uruguay o Ecuador.

Existe además la presión de la gente, ilusionada con alcanzar por segunda vez consecutiva un Mundial, algo que no pasa inadvertido para el plantel ni para el cuerpo técnico.

"La necesidad que nos hace sentir la gente es que están muy esperanzados y esto genera obligaciones", explicó Sampaoli.

El técnico no dio demasiadas pistas de la alineación y el dibujo táctico que puede disponer el viernes frente a Colombia, aunque reconoció que quedó muy satisfecho con el trabajo que hizo en la última jornada Jorge Valdivia en la posición de falso delantero centro.

También dijo que la presencia en la convocatoria de los arietes Mauricio Pinilla y Humberto Suazo le ofrece un amplio abanico de alternativas que pueden ser muy útiles en el transcurso del compromiso.

Soccer roundup: Chile’s Católica rips Rangers to pieces

Universidad Católica reclaims league’s top spot after thrashing Rangers 5-1, while O’Higgins remains level on points after draw at Universidad de Chile.

Universidad Católica 5-1 Rangers

Universidad Católica got its season back on track with its first win in three league games Sunday, humbling Rangers 5-1 at Estadio San Carlos de Apoquindo. The early season front-runner returns top of the table above O’Higgins on goal difference, while the loss sees Rangers languishing second from the bottom of the league.

The home team scored twice in the first half and three times in the second though, in typical fashion, manager Martín Lasarte downplayed his team’s dominance and highlighted the game’s first 20 minutes in which Católica was lucky not to concede.

“We won with authority but I don’t think it was our best game [of the season],” Lasarte said to press after the match. “The team calmed down a lot after the first goal — we began to manage the ball better and play with patience.”

Católica was slow off the mark, and Cristopher Toselli was called upon twice in the opening exchanges — the closest call came in the 18th minute when the keeper turned a shot from Rangers striker Pablo Vegetti onto the crossbar.

The narrow miss jolted Católica into life, and five minutes later the team was ahead, when midfielder Tomás Costa’s delightful free-kick took the subtlest of touches off the head of defender Hans Martínez into the net.

The second goal just after the half-hour mark was purely of Rangers’ making — quite how Nicolás Castillo was five yards from his nearest marker in the box when a cross arrived from deep in midfield is anyone’s guess. The striker will not score an easier header all season.

Eight minutes after the break, Católica got its third — midfielder Fernando Meneses’ free-kick delivery was too easily allowed to sail into the 12 yard box, though nothing should take away from defender Enzo Andía’s fine volleyed finish.

Rangers were now belly-up in submission, and it was just a case of how many more the home team would thump in. In the 56th minute, the visitors were undone yet again by an aerial attack when striker Ismael Sosa rose above the rest to head home his team’s fourth.

With an assertive reminder that Católica is actually more dangerous with the ball on the ground, Castillo capped off a barnstorming run from midfield with a rocket into the top right corner 20 minutes from time. Castillo’s second goal of the match placed the striker in a three-way tie for the league’s top scorer on six goals with teammate Sosa and Universidad de Chile forward Patricio Rubio.

Rangers midfielder Sebastián Sciorilli superb technical finish with the outside of his boot gave his team a consolation goal on the 86th minute, and Rangers fans were enjoyably spirited in their celebrations, though the day was Católica’s and the team sent out a strong signal to rival title hunters.

Universidad de Chile 1-1 O’Higgins

O’Higgins relied on a fine performance from keeper Paulo Garcés and wasteful finishing from its opposition to eek out a draw against “La U” on Saturday. The result sees O’Higgins go level with Católica at the top of the table on 21 points, though falling to second on the goal difference, while Universidad de Chile falls to seventh.

The first half was a tense encounter — both sides gave as good as they got and Garcés and opposite number Johnny Herrera pulled off some spectacular leaping catches to keep the game level into the break.

“La U” drummed up the majority of possession in the second half, though was either repelled by Garcés or frustrated by inaccurate marksmanship. O’Higgins drew first blood on the hour mark via a rare defensive error from captain Jose “Pepe” Rojas. The defender miscalculated the level of his team’s offside trap during an O’Higgins counter attack, allowing Pablo Hernández to get a yard on him and slot home a lateral pass from fellow midfielder Gonzalo Barriga.

Losing a game they felt they should have been ahead in, “La U” pumped men forward in search of an equalizer. The goal came in the 71st minute — a searing attack saw four blue shirts descend on the O’Higgins box, and midfielder Charles Aránguiz sent a ball to the far post where attacker Sebastián Ubilla dispatched a header.

O’Higgins will be happy in taking a point away from Estadio Nacional, while “La U” is five points from the top with eight games to go — a narrow margin, though faltering forwards must start firing if the team is to challenge for the only piece of silverware left available to it.

Cobreloa 2-3 Iquique

Title contender Cobreloa lost its second league game in a row and suffered its first home defeat since April after twice relinquishing the lead against Iquique on Sunday. The loss was made even more deplorable for the home side as Iquique played almost the entire game with ten men after midfielder Misael Dávila was sent off after four minutes.

For the second weekend running, Cobreloa coach Jorge Gárcia was left fuming at the referee, who sent off goalkeeper Luciano Palos late in the second half and awarded the visitors two penalties. For its part, Iquique continued the fighting spirit that saw the side score two late goals and salvage a point against Católica last weekend.

The game started well for Cobreloa — Dávila’s sending off was the result of an infraction in the box, and midfielder Jonathan Chávez powered home the resultant penalty.

Iquique then profited from a spot-kick of their own ten minutes later, when Palos was adjudged to have committed a foul when contesting a cross into the box — defender Cristian Bogado dispatched the dead ball to level the score.

After the break, Cobreloa pulled in front once more when defender Sebastián Roco was quick to net a rebound off the crossbar.

The team looked set to claim all three points, though Iquique pulled two late goals out of the bag for the second time this season against top opposition. Iquique midfielder Santiago Romero smashed home a scorcher in the 81st minute to equalize, and then disaster struck for Cobreloa three minutes from time when Palos brought down Manuel Villalobos to earn himself a red card. Midfielder César Pinares duly scored the penalty, bringing his team to fifth in the league, level on points with Cobreloa and Palestino, who both sit above them on goal difference.

Huachipato 0-2 Palestino

Palestino extended its win streak to three games against Apertura whipping boy Huachipato on Friday. Huachipato has now lost four consecutive games and has only registered one win all season.

Out of its six losses this season, the home side may feel this one stings the most, as the team outplayed Palestino in nearly all areas of the field, including chances created. Defender Claudio Muñoz’s lobbed shot in the first half went a whisker wide, and midfielder Rodríguez Marcos was sure his long range strike was destined for the back of the net before José Quezada’s acrobatic save denied him.

The team was then undone by a simple ball over the top of the backline that found Palestino’s Roberto Gutiérrez in the 79th minute — the striker coolly cutback to evade his marker and slot home the opener. Midfielder Pablo Tamburrini’s strike two minutes from time only served to rub salt in Huachipato’s wounds and the game ended 2-0.

The win takes Palestino to fourth in the league.

Colo Colo 2-0 Unión La Calera

Colo Colo went some way to ease the pain of back-to-back losses with a victory over Unión La Calera on Sunday. To the pleasure of the home crowd, the game’s two goals were some of the best scored in the league all season.

Minutes after the start, Colo Colo midfielder Jason Silva lofted a long ball into the box — never taking his eye off the ball and turned away from goal, Javier Toledo swivelled and guided a side footed volley into the top left corner of the net. Half an hour later, a team goal reminded fans of what Colo Colo were once regularly capable of doing. Breaking from midfield, a beautiful display of one touch football saw Emiliano Vecchio and Toledo combine four passes in a pair of one-twos, the former then teeing up striker Nicolás Canales for a tap-in.

La Calera flickered briefly in the second half, and keeper Justo Villar was worked on a few occasions, though Colo Colo was always in the driver’s seat.

The home side move to 12th, and La Calera sink to 15th in the league.

Ñublense 2-3 Santiago Wanderers

Both teams were looking to extend a two-game win streak to three Saturday, and it was visiting side Wanderers who came out on top against Ñublense.

Before the match, a look at the recent records of either sides’ season promised goals. Both teams average three a game in the Apertura, and Saturday’s match did not disappoint.

Wanderers went ahead early on when midfielder Boris Sagredo belted in from outside the box in the 18th minute, though Ñublense soon leveled the score through a Luciano Vázquez penalty after a handball in the box.

Wanderers’ Gastón Cellerino then put his team back in front on 32 minutes, and fellow striker Matías Donoso extended the side’s lead with a header just five minutes later. Midfielder Jonathan Cisternas did justice to some lovely Ñublense build-up play with a goal in the 68th, though it wasn’t enough and Wanderers took home three points to move it to ninth in the league, five places above Ñublense.

Everton 0-1 Cobresal

Everton continues to plummet down the table, suffering a sixth loss in seven games at home to Cobresal on Saturday.

Both goalkeepers earned their paychecks in an offensive encounter, and something had to give after a series of unlikely saves at either end. Cobresal forward Álvaro Navarro broke the deadlock just before the hour mark, moving his team to sixth in the league — Everton is now 13th.

Audax Italiano 0-2 Unión Española

Española overwhelmed Italiano in a one-sided affair Saturday evening.

The defending champion took control of the game from the off. Defender Nicolás Berardo’s drive into the crossbar was the shot across the bow, and soon after Italiano took real damage. Gustavo Canales dinked a ball over the back line, and fellow striker Francisco Castro did well to lob the keeper after the bounce. Striker Sebastián Jaime’s messy goal on 78 minutes killed the game for Italiano, who came closest to scoring just before the final whistle when Marco Medel’s free kick was denied by the woodwork.

The good result in an awful title defending season for the visitors sees Española moves to 10th in the league, while Italiano is third from bottom.

Antofagasta 1-1 Universidad de Concepción

Antofagasta and Concepción shared the spoils on a hot afternoon in the North on Sunday.

Concepción continue to defy the odds — the newly promoted side has lost just twice all season, and sits comfortably in eighth position in the league. The visitors could in fact have been higher, were it not for a late wonder-strike from Apertura second top scorer Javier Elizondo. His 87th minute bicycle-kick cancelled out Concepción striker Gabriel Vargas’s 54th minute opener.

Antofagasta is 11th in the Apertura.

Apertura upcoming fixtures:

Oct. 18, 8 p.m: Audax Italiano vs. Ñublense
Oct. 19, 12:30 p.m: Unión Española vs. Palestino
Oct. 19, 5 p.m: Universidad de Concepción vs. O’Higgins
Oct. 19, 7:30 p.m: Universidad Católica vs. Santiago Wanderers
Oct. 19, 10 p.m: Iquique vs. Universidad de Chile
Oct. 20, 4 p.m: Antofagasta vs. Rangers
Oct. 20, 4 p.m: Cobresal vs. Huachipato
Oct. 20, 4 p.m: Unión La Calera vs. Everton
Oct. 20, 6:30 p.m: Colo Colo vs. Cobreloa

Golazo’s Torneo Inicial September Awards

Slightly delayed, but as always here are the decisions of Golazo Argentino for Manager of the Month, Player of the Month and Goal of the Month. Read more and feel free to disagree (in a polite manner)….


MANAGER OF THE MONTH

In spite of losing their main centre forward to injury for the rest of the season, San Lorenzo have maintained a strong title challenge. Juan Antonio Pizzi seems to have continually down-played his sides chances but at the half way point they are just 3 points behind favourites Newell’s.

September proved to be a fruitful month for El Ciclon. No goals conceded and 3 wins from 4 have kept them on the coat tails of Newell’s. Pizzi must take some credit for the hugely organised defence and the vast array of goal scorers that his team possesses.

PLAYER OF THE MONTH

The stand-out performer in the Primera for some time now has been Maxi Rodriguez and so after an exceptional September, thought it was time to honour Newell’s Old Boys main man.

Maxi didn’t play in the one defeat Newell’s experienced in the month but since returning has scored a goal in all 3 victories, including a superb match winner against Racing.

Undoubtedly the star man in what is a fantastic Newell’s side and has fully justified why Alejandro Sabella still calls upon him for the national side.

GOAL OF THE MONTH

As was mentioned earlier, Goal of the Month is going to Maxi Rodriguez for his solo effort to give Newell’s a late win in Avellaneda against Racing.

http://www.youtube.com/w…Zlxi8hWDzC8

Boyz conduct light training session in cool Kansas

KANSAS CITY, Kansas --- Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz conducted their first training session in cool Overland Park here Tuesday morning after arriving Monday evening for their decisive CONCACAF World Cup qualifying match against the USA.

The match, to be played at Sporting Park, is scheduled to kick off at 5:30 Jamaica time.

At the light workout conducted by physical trainer Andre Waugh under the watchful gaze of head coach Winfried Schafer, the players were taken through exercises aimed at achieving recovery after long air travel periods.

A more detailed session is planned for Johnson County Community College Tuesday evening as momentum builds in the preparation for Friday’s game.

“Our training this morning (Tuesday) was all about recovery as the players had to do a lot of travelling to get here, some of them making many connections,” said Schafer.

On the same day that the Boyz face the USA, Honduras host Costa Rica in San Pedro Sula, while Mexico and Panama clash at high altitude Azteca in Mexico City.

Along with the USA on 16 points, Costa Rica on 15 points have also booked their Brazil 2014 World Cup spot. Honduras follow in the race with 11 points and are on the verge of clinching the third automatic qualifying spot.

Panama and Mexico, eight points each, and Jamaica at the bottom with four are fighting for the fourth-place play-off spot.

Jamaica will close out their Brazil 2014 campaign next Tuesday in a home game against Honduras.

Guarded attack

Boyz will hunt goals — Blaine

CHICAGO, Illinois — Though it is the obvious, assistant coach Vin Blaine felt the need to reiterate that the Reggae Boyz´s game plan in their campaign-rescuing encounter against the USA on Friday in Kansas City has to be one of an attacking nature.

In the pursuit of three critical points, Blaine suggested that the only way to get them is to win the game, and that goal can only be achieved by putting the ball into the back of the net -- most preferably repeatedly.

"Well, we definitely need three points first and foremost... from a coach´s perspective that´s what you would want... we are still hanging by a thread as it will depend on what Mexico and Panama do. We have to go out there and do what we have to do and hope we can get the three points.

"For the first 15 minutes we would want to see what they will do, but we can´t just sit behind the ball... we have to go on the hunt for goals as it is better for us to lose four love than to have not tried to score at all," said Blaine in Miami yesterday as the team headed for Kansas City.

Still, the former Harbour View FC coach said while the offensive mindset is already cast as the suitable approach, the plan cannot be executed at the expense of other key elements of the tactical layout.

"When you think about all-out attack, you are talking about guarded attack also. But yes, there is only one way now and that is to go forward and score and try to pull this USA team apart," Blaine told the Jamaica Observer.

With some six players missing from the squad that faced Panama and Costa Rica in two quickfire matches in September -- including the strike pair of Marlon King and Luton Shelton -- Blaine believes that enough firepower is available in the current 23-man squad.

"I don´t think it will affect us much as I think it was about two starters who will be missing, and as you can see, we have ample replacements. If these (new) guys come in they will be hungry...you have Tuffy (Jermaine Anderson), who scored in the last game and he is very confident that he can do it again.
"We have Deshorn Brown, who is playing in the US and he is doing very well as he was Rookie of the Year, so I don´t think that will affect us too much... if we can attack in numbers, we should be okay," said the head of the women´s programme, who was recently given added responsibility as head coach Winfried Schafer´s assistant.

Meanwhile, the charismatic frontman Anderson agreed that a full-scale attacking game is the way to go. "We have to go out there and attack from the first whistle... this is not the game that we can afford to be defensive in. We have to just go out there and run at them," Anderson said on board

American Airlines flight 2263 bound for Chicago O´Hare International Airport.
Blaine said the cool climes expected for the match at Sporting Park, with kick-off set for 5:30 pm, will not be a problem for the players, especially those coming out of Europe.

"We will be playing in very adverse conditions, but the English-based players are used to this kind of weather, so it shouldn´t affect them that much," the assistant coach said.

In today´s first training session where all players are expected to be in camp, Blaine said apart from rehearsing the tactical game plan, special emphasis will also be paid to "getting the vibe up and the players acclimatised" to the cool conditions, which could drop to as low as 50 degrees Fahrenheit by Friday.

On the same day the Boyz face the USA, Honduras host Costa Rica in San Pedro Sula, while Mexico and Panama clash at high altitude Azteca in Mexico City.

Along with the USA on 16 points, Costa Rica on 15 points have also booked their Brazil 2014 World Cup spot. Honduras follow in the race with 11 points and are on the verge of clinching the third automatic qualifying spot.

Panama and Mexico, eight points each, and Jamaica are fighting for the fourth-place play-off spot.

Jamaica will close out their Brazil 2014 campaign next Tuesday in a home game against Honduras.

The top three teams will qualify directly for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Finals, while the fourth-placed team will play a home-and-away series against New Zealand, the winner of Oceania.

´Tuffy´ ready for US goal rush

CHICAGO, Illinois — Charismatic Waterhouse striker Jermaine ´Tuffy´ Anderson says he´s looking forward to playing his part in Jamaica´s goal rush in Kansas City, USA on Friday afternoon as they attempt to salvage a dying Brazil 2014 World Cup campaign.

"If I get a chance I am going to just go out there and do what I do best and get some goals. Only goals can help us now, this game can´t be about a draw because that will put us out (of the qualifiers)," he said on board American
Airlines flight 2263 bound to Chicago O´Hare International Airport, en route to Kansas City on Monday.

Anderson, 34, who gave Jamaica a lifeline in 1-1 draw against Costa Rica at the National Stadium, said a full scale attacking game is the only way to go.

"We have to go out there and attack from the first whistle.
“This is not the game that we can afford to be defensive in. We have to just go out there and run at them," Anderson said in his typical colourful style.

Jamaica sit at the bottom of the six-nation play-offs on four points and must win their game against Brazil-bound USA on Friday, then against Honduras at the National Stadium Tuesday, October 15, and hope that other results go in their favour to snatch the fourth-place spot.

The USA (16 points) are joined by Costa Rica (15) as automatic qualifiers to
Brazil 2014, while Honduras are in third on 11 points. Panama and Mexico follow on eight points apiece.

Full squad — DuWayne Kerr, Daniel Gordon, Lloyd Doyley, Marvin Elliott, Jermaine Johnson, Ryan Johnson, Joel Mcanuff, Darren Mattocks, Theo Robinson, Shaun Cummings, Jermaine Taylor, Westley Morgan, Alvas Powell, Adrian Mariappa, Je-Vaughn Watson, Rodolph Austin, Demar Phillips, Deshorn Brown, Richard McCallum, Gariece McPherson, Jermaine Anderson, Romario Campbell, Kemar Lawrence.

Finally! - H´View score first win, P´more first point

Their luck had to change some time and the fourth round of the 2013 Red Stripe Premier League was as good as any.

´Better late than never´ as the adage goes, and after dominating local football for many seasons it took defending champions Harbour View until Sunday´s fourth round of the Red Stripe Premier League to garner their first win of the 2013/2014 season.

In the battle of permanent resident and returning resident, visitors Harbour view edged Rivoli United 1-0 in a keenly contested game at the Spanish Town Prison Oval.

Also beating the rut and taking their first point of the season were many time champions Portmore United, who played to a goalless draw against former champions Tivoli Gardens in a late kick-off on their home ground at Ferdie Neita Park, Portmore, in St Catherine.

With the point gained, Tivoli moved one place up to join Cavalier on six points and in sixth position in the standing.

While the proverbial accustomed leaders are taking a back seat, Humble Lion, who were in a struggle to avoid relegation last season, turned a new leaf and continue to lead the standing on nine points, albeit narrowly from four games. This was after travelling to Stadium East where they beat Cavalier SC 2-0 and hand the former joint leaders with themselves, their second defeat on successive Sundays.

Cavalier have now slipped to sixth position on six points from their capitulation.

Boys´ Town, who picked up their first win of the season against Cavalier the previous Sunday, fought gallantly to salvage a point in a 2-2 draw against Montego Bay United at Collie Smith Drive. The point moved the Red Brigade into joint seventh place on five points.

Montego Bay United, who led Boys´ Town by two goals up to the 60th minute, eventually surrendered two late goals to the fighting spirit of the Red Brigade to remain joint second on seven points along with Waterhouse FC, who themselves also drew, but goalless, against August Town, at Drewsland.

At the Anthony Spaulding Sport Complex, Arnett Gardens, who were struggling on two points, came firing on all cylinders to beat ninth-placed Sporting Central 4-1 with Newton Sterling clobbering a double.

The defeat pitched Sporting Central one from the bottom on three points just above Portmore, who are on one point.

Red Stripe Premier League Points Standing

TEAMS P W D L GF GA GD Pts
Humble Lions FC 4 3 0 1 5 1 4 9
Montego Bay United 4 2 1 1 5 3 2 7
Waterhouse FC 4 2 1 1 3 1 2 7
August Town FC 4 1 3 0 3 2 1 6
Tivoli Gardens FC 4 1 3 0 3 2 1 6
Cavalier SC 4 2 0 2 2 3 -1 6
Arnett Gardens FC 4 1 2 1 7 5 2 5
Rivoli United FC 4 1 2 1 2 2 0 5
Boys´ Town FC 4 1 2 1 4 -1 5 5
Harbour View FC 4 1 1 3 2 4 -2 4
Sporting Central Acad. 4 1 0 3 3 6 1 3
Portmore United FC 4 0 1 3 0 4 -4 1

Merlo admitió contacto con Racing

BUENOS AIRES -- Reinaldo Merlo reconoció que mantuvo una reunión "leve" con dirigentes de Racing Club y expresó sus ganas por volver a la institución de Avellaneda, con la que se consagró campeón del Torneo Apertura 2001.

"Me pone muy contento que Racing se haya fijado en mi como entrenador. Tuve una reunión leve y ojalá que termine todo bien. Racing es un club que quiero mucho y que me dio la gloria como entrenador", dijo Merlo.

Mostaza aseguró además que no le molesta que los dirigentes dialoguen con otros técnicos antes de tomar la decisión final de quien reemplazará a Carlos Ischia.

"Los dirigentes tienen que escuchar a todos los entrenadores y después ver que es lo mejor para el club. Si se arregla todo rápido no tengo problemas en asumir", resaltó el técnico que hace semanas dejó Douglas Haig para dirigir Aldosivi, donde sólo comandó dos prácticas antes de renunciar por un problema personal.

Por último, dijo que cree que el problema que tiene el plantel de Racing "es anímico", aunque admitió que "hay que estar adentro para conocer lo que pasa".

En Racing, Merlo tuvo dos pasos, en la temporada 2001-2002, logrando un título, y en 2006-2007, período en el que no logró buenos resultados y tuvo que retirarse de la institución.

Sciacqua asume como interino en Colón

BUENOS AIRES -- Durante la tarde del martes, Mario Sciacqua tomará en carácter interino, el cargo de entrenador de Colón de Santa Fe, vacante tras la renuncia de Ruben Forestello, tras la derrota ante Arsenal durante la tarde del lunes.

La decisión fue tomada en una reunión de comisión directiva, presidida por el vicepresidente Rubén Moncagatta, a cargo por la ausencia por motivos de salud de Germán Lerche.

En la misma, se comenzaron a analizar algunos candidatos a ocupar el puesto de entrenador y también se resolvió que los dirigentes Ruben Moncagatta, Osvaldo Pradolini y Marcelo Maglianesi formen una subcomisión de fútbol, que será nexo entre el cuerpo técnico y el plantel profesional con la dirigencia.

Colón jugará el próximo sábado, desde las 16:20 hs., ante All Boys, en condición de visitante. El conjunto santafesino, que suma diez puntos en el Torneo Inicial, buscará con Sciacqua ponerle fin a la racha de cinco derrotas en las últimas presentaciones. Cabe recordar que Sciacqua estuvo al frente, anteriormente, en cuatro interinatos y una vez de manera definitiva (entre el Clausura 2011 y el Apertura 2011).