Snak

Pekerman: "Esto es maravilloso"

BARRANQUILLA -- El seleccionador de Colombia, José Pekerman, reconoció que su equipo jugó el peor primer tiempo desde que está bajo su mando, pero expresó su orgullo por el grupo que empezó perdiendo 0-3 con Chile y al final igualó el partido 3-3.

"Yo estoy al frente de un grupo de jugadores del cual tengo mucho orgullo, porque he visto pocas veces en el fútbol una selección en este tipo de partidos de eliminatoria que pueda levantar un 0-3, por eso tengo mucho orgullo de estar con ellos, es un grupo maravilloso", dijo al final del partido en el Estadio Metropolitano.

El técnico argentino dijo que su equipo nunca se resigna y por eso luchó en el segundo tiempo hasta conseguir el empate que le aseguró con una jornada de anticipación su clasificación al Mundial de Brasil 2014.

"Jugamos el peor primer tiempo de nuestra etapa, pero podíamos remontarlo, y siempre les tengo confianza", señaló.

Según Pekerman, sabía de antemano que el partido con Chile iba a ser uno de los mejores de las eliminatorias sudamericanas, "por los dos equipos, por lo que han venido haciendo", y eso se vio en el campo de juego.

El técnico manifestó: "hoy tuvimos dos tiempos, uno de Chile absolutamente, y uno de Colombia absolutamente, eso para ser concretos".

"Tenemos muchas cosas para disfrutar porque esto es maravilloso", dijo sobre la generación de jugadores que dirige.

Tras los 16 años que debió esperar el país para volver a clasificarse a una Copa del Mundo, a la que acudió por última vez en 1998 en Francia.

Pekerman reconoció que "es una lástima que pase tanto tiempo sin que Colombia vaya a un Mundial porque siempre tiene que estar entre los mejores".

Markarián: "Fue una actuación digna"

BUENOS AIRES -- El entrenador uruguayo del seleccionado peruano de fútbol, Sergio Markarián, reiteró este viernes que no continuará en el cargo tras estas Eliminatorias Sudamericanas y aseguró que su equipo tuvo una actuación "digna" en la derrota 3-1 ante Argentina.

"Conforme no puede estar nadie que pierda, sabíamos que iba a ser difícil y teníamos la dificultad de muchos debutantes. Tuvimos una presentación digna porque el rival creó y nosotros también lo hicimos", argumentó el director técnico en conferencia de prensa.

Sobre su puesto, Markarián, precisó: "Si no clasificaba al Mundial dije que me iba y eso haré. A fin de mes termina mi contrato y me iré a mi casa".

En cuanto al partido contra Argentina, el técnico comentó: "Los errores que cometimos son conceptuales y hay que corregirlos, pero requieren trabajo de formación".

Después, Markarián se refirió al último cotejo por Eliminatorias que será el martes contra Bolivia.

"Queremos jugar lo mejor posible y ganar ese partido para terminar las Eliminatorias decorosamente", resaltó el director técnico.

Sabella: "Merecíamos terminar así"

BUENOS AIRES -- El entrenador del seleccionado argentino de fútbol, Alejandro Sabella, sostuvo este viernes que su equipo "se merecía terminar las Eliminatorias de buena manera" como local.

"Los jugadores hicieron un gran partido y el grupo se merecía terminar las Eliminatorias de buena manera. A pesar de estar clasificados, teníamos que dar lo mejor porque tenemos una responsabilidad hacia la camiseta del país", expresó el técnico en conferencia de prensa.

Además, el entrenador dejó entrever que "los jugadores que compitieron en estas Eliminatorias" serán los que llevará al Mundial de Brasil 2014.

"Tengo una idea de la lista, pero es prematuro y sería irresponsable de mi parte dar nombres propios. Pero, le doy la derecha a los jugadores que compitieron en estas Eliminatorias", admitió el director técnico en conferencia de prensa, luego de la victoria 3-1 sobre Perú, en el estadio Monumental.

Tabárez: "No pudimos y se acepta"

GUAYAQUIL -- El seleccionador de Uruguay, Oscar Washington Tabárez, aceptó la derrota por 1-0 sufrida en Quito contra Ecuador por las eliminatorias sudamericanas del Mundial de Brasil 2014.

"La verdad es que hoy no pudimos y se acepta", dijo Tabárez en una rueda de prensa, y añadió que "a la hora de jugar los partidos se terminan todos los adjetivos. No quedo contento, pero sí agradecido por seguir pelando la posibilidad de clasificar al Mundial".

Agregó que cree "que Ecuador jugó mejor, obviamente que impuso sus condiciones especialmente en el orden físico. No fue posible tener claridad", indicó.

"La repesca está hecha para nosotros, tras los otros resultados, prácticamente nos quedará disputar la clasificación contra Jordania", aseguró.

"No me sorprendió esta derrota en Quito porque Ecuador ha terminado invicto ganándonos a todos, con excepción del empate que cedió ante Argentina", comentó.

Jimenez stunner keeps Mexico alive

A last-gasp scissor-kick goal from Raul Jimenez gave Mexico a 2-1 win over Panama to keep their World Cup qualifying hopes alive.

Mexico needed a victory to maintain their chances of progressing directly from the CONCACAF qualifying zone and must now wait for the last round of fixtures, when they face Costa Rica, to discover their fate.

Attacker Javier Hernandez set up forward Oribe Peralta to finish past goalkeeper Jaime Penedo and fire Mexico ahead five minutes before the break.

Near the hour mark, Hernandez had a golden opportunity to secure the win from the spot, but Penedo saved.

Forward Luis Tejada then silenced the Azteca stadium as he evaded the Mexico defence and beat Guillermo Ochoa to level 10 minutes from the end.

But parity lasted just five minutes before Jimenez, who had only just stepped off the bench, connected with a superb scissor kick to seal the match.

Honduras beat Costa Rica 1-0, giving them the chance to fight for direct qualification going into the final round.

Forward Jerry Bengtson connected with Roger Espinoza´s long ball to score the winner near the hour mark.

"This is wonderful and I am enjoying it," he said. "Thank God I could score and give the triumph to my people."

The United States, who had already qualified, saw off Jamaica 2-0 thanks to goals from Graham Suzi and Jozy Altidore.

On Tuesday, Honduras visit Jamaica, Panama meet the USA and Costa Rica host Mexico.

Honduras are in prime position to join the U.S. and Costa Rica in sealing direct qualification as they occupy the third and final automatic spot, three points clear of Mexico.

The fourth-placed team faces a play-off against New Zealand, with Panama three points behind Mexico.

Falcao brace sends Colombia through

Two Radamel Falcao penalties saw Colombia come from three goals down to clinch their place at the World Cup with a 3-3 draw against 10-man Chile.

Radamel Falcao celebrates his goal which sent Colombia to the World Cup.
Nestor Pekerman´s side reached the 27-point mark and secured their place in Brazil next year alongside Argentina, who had already qualified, while Chile will have to wait until the last round of matches.

During the first half, the Cafeteros started better, but Chile began to cause problems on the counterattack and in the 17th minute goalkeeper David Ospina felled striker Eduardo Vargas inside the box. Midfielder Arturo Vidal did not fail from the spot.

Chile took advantage of Colombia´s confusion after the goal and five minutes later forward Alexis Sanchez doubled the advantage after great work from playmaker Jorge Valdivia.

Before the half-hour mark, Barcelona´s Sanchez clinched the third for La Roja after he connected with Marcos Gonzalez´s header near the six-yard box. Colombia came out fighting in the second half and Chile needed goalkeeper Claudio Bravo to produce a string of saves to preserve their three-goal advantage.

However, in the 65th minute Chile midfielder Carlos Carmona saw his second yellow, and three minutes later River Plate forward Teo Gutierrez scored to put his side back in it. Visiting defender Francisco Silva pushed playmaker James Rodriguez inside the box in the 74th minute and striker Falcao pulled another one back from the spot.

Then with seven to go, keeper Bravo fouled James Rodriguez and Falcao, once again, converted the spot-kick to level the encounter and the the Barranquilla stadium exploded.

In Quito, Ecuador joined Chile on 25 points with a 1-0 triumph against Uruguay, which put them on the brink of World Cup qualification.

Ecuador broke the deadlock when a long ball from Manchester United´s Antonio Valencia was pushed into the net by Jefferson Montero near the half-hour mark.

It left Uruguay on 22 points and looking at a two-legged playoff against Jordan.

Venezuela´s chances of going to Brazil were ended as they drew 1-1 in Paraguay in their final qualifier.

Meanwhile, Ezequiel Lavezzi scored twice as an under-strength Argentina came from behind to beat Peru 3-1.

Coach Alejandro Sabella was without the likes of Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain, Fernando Gago and Javier Mascherano, and it appeared to be hurting them as Claudio Pizarro gave Peru the lead.

But Lavezzi netted twice before the break to turn things around and Rodrigo Palacio added a third at the start of the second half. Peru coach Sergio Markarian fielded several debutants with an eye on the future but it was veteran striker Pizarro who opened the scoring after 20 minutes, beating Sergio Romero with an outstanding effort from outside the box.

The lead lasted just two minutes though as Lavezzi took advantage to sink the rebound when Diego Penny blocked a goalward header from Argentina defender Federico Fernandez.

And 10 minutes before the break the turnaround was complete when Palacio advanced down the left and found Paris St Germain striker Lavezzi for an easy finish. Palacio connected with Marco Rojo´s cross immediately after the restart to net Argentina´s third, but despite struggling to contain the attacking talents of Palacio, Lavezzi and Sergio Aguero, the Peru defence did not concede again.

"I am very happy that I could take advantage of the boss´ support," said Lavezzi. "I think we are doing well and that gave us confidence for the future.

The last round will be played on Tuesday when Uruguay meet Argentina, Colombia visit Paraguay, Chile host Ecuador and Peru face Bolivia.

In desperate times, a hero rises to the occasion

Too often, games with a lot at stake turn into an affair of frigid nerves, more often settled by a nervous defensive mistake than by anything else. But with the final playoff World Cup spot from CONCACAF at stake between Mexico and Panama, a hero rose to the occasion. With only five minutes left in regulation, Raul Jimenez nailed the winning goal in spectacular fashion, scoring with a bicycle kick that would have made Hugo Sanchez, who scored a few in his day, very proud. Mexico claimed the 2-1 victory and sole possession of fourth place in the Hexagonal table.

It was fitting, perhaps, that the clash between Panama and Mexico -- despite featuring occasional disjointed play, a poor penalty by Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez and a possible offside by him -- was decided by a goal of such power and beauty.

If Mexico qualifies for the World Cup, it´s likely that much of the difficult road to get there will be forgotten, but Jimenez made sure that his goal would be remembered. He may have saved El Tri´s qualifying campaign, and he did it in a way that made every Mexico fan proud.

Part of the reason Jimenez´s goal was so memorable is because the rest of the match was so forgettable. Mexico did not start well. Though there were flashes of lively play, especially on attacks by Miguel Layun, the final pass to threaten the goal was missing far too often. Javier Aquino was active on the other wing, but his passes lacked precision. Giovani dos Santos, who has been one of Mexico´s brightest spots during qualification, had a sub-par game.

As the scoreless minutes ticked by, the atmosphere in the not-full Azteca Stadium became noticeably tense, with thousands of anxious faces in the stands. When Mexico finally managed to score the opening goal, via Oribe Peralta in the 39th minute, it was a huge relief to El Tri supporters. Yet given that the referee missed an apparent offside on Hernandez on the scoring sequence, Mexico fans couldn´t exactly enjoy in their team´s attacking superiority.

The game opened up after the first goal, and Mexico had the opportunity to claim a more comfortable lead when Aquino was knocked down by Harold Cummings in the 57th minute. Hernandez stepped up to the penalty kick, but his strike lacked both power and placement and was knocked away by Panamanian goalkeeper Jaime Penedo.

That left Mexico with a slim lead, and missed shots by other players, including Christian Gimenez, didn´t help the cause. A number of fans in the stands optimistically started singing verses of "Cielito Lindo," but the song lacked the usual sense of celebration.

Certainly, the celebration seemed premature when substitute Luis Tejada was able to knock in the equalizer for Panama in the 82nd minute.

The air went out of the huge stadium. As Panama celebrated, a huge pall fell over the crowd. A draw, the curse of Azteca this year, would be nearly as deadly to Mexico´s hopes as an outright loss.

Mexico tried to regroup and yet avoid the deja vu of the Honduras match, when, in trying to regain the victory, El Tri gave up the winning goal.

Against Panama, however, Jimenez was the hero. Perhaps playing in his home stadium gave him the confidence to attempt his audacious shot. It was so thrilling, that at first the crowd was completely stunned before giving into gleeful, unabashed excitement and joy.

Mexico´s hold on the fourth spot is not secure, since a 1-0 Panama win against the United States in the final Hexagonal matches combined with an El Tri loss to Costa Rica by the same scoreline would leave Mexico behind again on goal differential. Even if fourth place is held, there is still the matter of the playoff against New Zealand.

El Tri fans can worry about all that later. For one glorious night, it should be enough that a talented player answered the call and the challenge to save the squad´s mission to Brazil 2014. Supporters should celebrate the first victory in Azteca this year and the fact that they are singing and not crying.

International Friendly: South Korea 0 Brazil 2

http://www.youtube.com/w…7MlesTPeMoI

Brazil chalked up their third victory in a row as goals from Neymar and Oscar guided them to a 2-0 friendly victory over South Korea.

Luiz Felipe Scolari´s side were far from their fluent best at the Seoul World Cup stadium on Saturday, but still managed to overcome a stubborn challenge from the home side.

After a first period devoid of clear-cut chances, Neymar lit up the game with a sublime free-kick on the stroke of half-time.

And the encounter was put beyond doubt shortly after the break as Oscar rounded goalkeeper Jung Sung-Ryong and fired into the open net.

Scolari named an attacking starting XI with Neymar and Hulk partnering Jo in a front three.

South Korea boss Hong Myung-Bo left Bayer Leverkusen forward Son Heung-Min on the bench, although Sunderland midfielder Ki Sung-Yeung started.

Brazil made a lacklustre start to the game and could have gone behind in the third minute when Koo Ja-Cheol fired wide from the left of the box after Ki´s neat throughball.

The visitors´ first glimpse of the Korean goal came when Hulk played a one-two with Jo before shooting, but his strike was smothered by Jung.

Chelsea midfielder Oscar then hit a snap shot on the turn from 25-yards that cleared the crossbar.

Brazil´s failure to create clear-cut chances led to a spell of increased pressure from South Korea.

David Luiz crucially headed an exquisite Lee Chung-Yong cross away from Koo, before a surging run from Kim Bo-Kyung resulted in the midfielder firing straight at Jefferson.

But the hosts failed to make this period count and Brazil stole ahead on the 44th minute.

Neymar was felled by Lee Yong on the right and the Barcelona star picked himself up to curl a superb 25-yard free-kick into the corner on the stroke of half-time.

And Scolari’s men doubled their lead four minutes after the interval.

Oscar collected a defence-splitting pass from Paulinho and deftly beat the goalkeeper before shooting into the empty goal.

Brazil then went close to extending their lead on the hour mark. Neymar´s cross caused panic in the South Korea box and Luiz Gustavo made a late run to power a header goalwards with Lee Yong making a crucial deflection.

South Korea nearly reduced the arrears from a corner with 20 minutes remaining, but Lee Chung-Yong put his near-post header wide.

Hernanes could have added a third in the dying stages, but the Lazio midfielder hit a tame effort straight at Jung from the edge of the box.

This made no difference to the result though, as Brazil built on victories over Australia and Portugal in their last two fixtures.

Scolari´s men will now switch their focus to Tuesday´s friendly with Zambia in Beijing.

Pekerman proud of Colombia fightback

Jose Pekerman was proud of his Colombia side after they fought back against Chile to secure their place at the FIFA World Cup.

Colombia trailed 3-0 at the break in their qualifier after Alexis Sanchez scored twice, and Arturo Vidal netted from the penalty spot in the first half.

Pekerman´s side staged a stunning comeback in the final 25 minutes though, with Teofilo Gutierrez´s 69th-minute effort stirring them.

Radamel Falcao then scored two late penalties as Colombia´s draw in Barranquilla helped them reach their first FIFA World Cup since 1998.

A delighted Pekerman said: "We knew beforehand this would be one of the best games of the qualifying round because of the two teams and how they´ve been playing. And we saw that, we saw it was exactly that.

"We also knew that both teams were capable of doing damage. Today we had two halves - one was absolutely Chile´s. And the other was undoubtedly Colombia´s.

"I am with a group of players that I am very proud of. I am very proud. In football, very few times have I seen a team in qualifying come back from 3-0 down. For that reason I am very proud of them.

"We know we´ve had good games and had bad games. We have had some surprises. We have defects and good qualities. It´s very important that the team has always has felt and acted in this manner."

Pekerman also praised the spirit within his squad - highlighting their ability to mix talent with hard work.

"No one thinks they are they are best. You have to be prudent and we always have been," he continued.

"Of course the people suffer because they saw with shock the first half, I understand that, but football is like this.

"I´ll repeat: I am proud of this team and what the team did. It´s very difficult in football to have these two things: to have players with talent, good players, and to have this rebellious attitude and to get such a result, facing it head on. It´s marvellous."

Colombia face Paraguay on Wednesday in their final qualifier knowing that, even with a defeat, the lowest they could drop is to third.

Chilensk kampreferat.


Chile a point away from Brazil 2014 after electric draw in Colombia

‘La Roja’ relinquishes a three goal lead after an astonishing first half display in Barranquilla, gifting Colombia a World Cup berth courtesy of a Falcao-led fightback.

A draw in Colombia is a fine result for many top international sides. Yet when the final whistle sounded in Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez on Friday night, Chile trudged off the pitch wondering how “Los Cafeteros” could have reversed a seemingly unassailable lead.

Alexis Sánchez’s first half double followed Arturo Vidal’s opener from 12 yards, leaving a belligerent Colombian side shell-shocked as they walked into the tunnel at halftime. Forty-five-minutes later, Colombian heart, Chilean nerves and contentious refereeing decisions saw the home team secure the solitary point needed to send them to Brazil — concluding arguably the most memorable Conmebol World Cup 2014 qualifier thus far.

Chile will face Ecuador on Tuesday, and must come away with one point to ensure automatic qualification to the World Cup finals. Off the back of the team’s first-half performance Friday night, Jorge Sampaoli will be encouraged that this goal is achievable, though the manager will not require the final result to remind him that football is a cruel game.

Sampaoli ’s team led for two thirds of the game, before midfielder Carlos Carmona’s second yellow card preceded Colombia’s opener.

“We played a great first half and in the second we had control until the red card,” Sampaoli said to press after the match. “After that we couldn’t take advantage of space and they overcame us.”

Space is what Chile used to devastating advantage in the first half. Wingbacks Mauricio Isla and Eugenio Mena held a high line as they had done in the demolition of Venezuela, pinning back Colombia’s fullbacks and affording Arturo Vidal and playmaker Jorge Valdivia time to sit on the ball and wait for openings.

Chile’s relentless pressure paid dividends in the 17th minute — Valdivia released Eduardo Vargas into the box, and the striker made the most out of mild contact from an outstretched David Ospina. The goalkeeper received a yellow, and failed to block Vidal’s spot-kick from a penalty for the opener.

If Chile’s fans were shocked by a lead in the pressure cooker that is Estadio Metropolitano, its players continued as if a one goal margin was paltry at best. “La Roja” bombed forward, and just five minutes later a sublime chipped center from Vargas found Sánchez bearing down on goal and the Barcelona player’s composed finish made it 2-0.

Colombia — a side so dominant in the latter stages of its qualification campaign — became visibly agitated, giving up the ball through careless passing and ceding needless fouls, particularly through petulant midfielder Juan Cuadrado who was lucky to finish the match on the pitch.

Capitalizing on opposition in disarray, Chile struck again on the half-hour mark. Valdivia swept a corner into the box that Sánchez met with a vicious diving header — somehow Ospina kept the attempt out, though defender Marcos Gonzálex nodded the rebound back to Sánchez who was far more assertive on his second attempt.

By majority, Chile’s second-half demise came through Colombia rediscovering the form that has the side second in the qualifiers, behind only footballing powerhouse Argentina. In part, Chile hesitated, possibly not believing the dominant position it was in.

From the restart Colombia held the ball, and Chile was no longer hunting to reclaim it. While Sampaoli claimed Carmona’s soft second yellow on the edge of the box in the 67th minute was the game’s turning point, Colombia had been threatening until then. The resultant free-kick saw a tangle in the box, and defender Jose “Pepe” Rojas’ poor clearance led to Teofilo Gutiérrez and Colombia’s opener.

Late in the game, Chile chose to absorb the blow and sit back. It was the wrong decision — the side could not weather the storm — though the team cried out in injustice when the referee pointed to the spot in the 75th minute. If Vargas made the most out of his exchange with Ospina, striker James Rodríguez’s response to a collision with Chile substitute Francisco Silva was pure theater. A penalty was nonetheless rewarded, and Sánchez’s former River Plate teammate Radamel Falcao scored from the spot.

Chile panicked and Colombia smelt blood. Neutrals while bemoan that such a frenetic match be decided through a penalty, though when Claudio Bravo was adjudged to have brought down Rodríguez in the box the yellow stands erupted. Converting his second penalty, Falcao ripped the shirt from his body and the roar from Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez broke through the air toward Brazil.

A draw against Ecuador on Oct. 15 will take Chile through to the World Cup finals.