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Chile Primera Division Wrap: Audax Italiano break drought

Audax Italiano have moved off the bottom of the Chile Primera Division with their first victory in 12 matches.

The capital-based club had started the league season with a 4-0 thumping of Colo Colo but had to wait until round 13 to taste success again as they thumped Everton 4-1 to end a six-game losing streak.

Gamadiel Garcia and Felipe Mora scored in the first half for Audax Italiano before Ivan Vasquez and Juan Francisco Cornejo struck after the break to take the hosts four goals clear.

While Angel Rojas got his name on the scoresheet for Everton in the 86th minute, the visitors never had a chance to recover after Audax Italiano´s powerful start and slumped to their sixth defeat in seven matches.

The victory on Saturday took Audax Italiano to 11 points and saw them overhaul Rangers and Huachipato on the table.

Huachipato lost 1-0 to Antofagasta to drop to last place with nine points, while Rangers lost 3-2 to Palestino to drop behind Audax Italiano on goal difference.

League leaders Universidad Catolica needed an 82nd-minute winner from Jose Luis Munoz to overcome Cobreloa 2-1 on Sunday, which kept the university-based club three points clear at the top of the table.

Michael Fabian Rios opened the scoring for Catolica in the 28th minute but the Santiago de Chile-based club let Cobreloa back in the match with 15 minutes remaining when Rene Lima put the ball into his own net.

But Munoz came off the bench in the 78th minute and scored after four minutes on the pitch to clinch Catolica´s fifth win in six games in all competitions.

Catolica moved to 30 points, while O´Higgins remain second on 27 after thrashing Cobresol 4-0 and Universidad de Chile (22 points) leapfrogged into third above Cobreloa (21) with a 3-0 victory away to Union La Calera.

In a weekend full of goals, Universidad de Concepcion started the round with a 4-1 victory over Colo Colo, while Union Espanola defeated Santiago Wanderers 3-1 and Deportes Iquique cruised to a 4-1 win over Nublense.

Uruguay Primera Division Wrap: Five-star Penarol maul Miramar Misiones

Penarol have notched their first victory in five matches in the Uruguay Primera Division with a 5-0 thrashing of Miramar Misiones.

The Uruguayan giants moved from third bottom to 12th with the emphatic victory, which was set up by a second-half double from Antonio Pacheco.

Penarol took the lead just before half-time at the Estadio Centenario in Montevideo through Luis Aguiar but the home side blew Miramar Misiones apart early in the second half as Jonathan Rodriguez struck in the 50th minute, followed by a brace from Pacheco in the 55th and 59th minutes.

Carlos Nunez completed the rout with 22 minutes remaining, leaving Miramar Misiones winless from nine games in the 2013-14 season.

At the top of the table, Penarol´s arch-rivals Nacional saw their winning streak end at four games as Liverpool knocked off the league-leaders 2-1.

An own goal from Liverpool defender Andres Lamas gave Nacional the lead 11 minutes into the second half but the visitors fought back thanks to strikes from Martin Bonjour and Rodrigo Aguirre, with the latter coming in the 86th minute.

Liverpool then had Alejandro Pena and Gonzalo Freitas sent off after they took the lead but held on to claim a shock win.

The victory extended Liverpool´s unbeaten run to five matches and they moved within five points of Nacional (21 points) on the table.

The second- and third-placed clubs in Uruguay´s top tier, Danubio and River Plate were unable to take advantage of Nacional´s defeat as they also lost their respective matches at home.

Danubio were stunned 1-0 by Wanderers, while Rentistas claimed three points at River Plate´s Parque Federico Omar Saroldi.

In other results, Racing defeated Defensor Sporting 1-0, El Tanque Sisley were held to a 1-1 draw by Sud America, Fenix thumped Juventud de Las Piedras 4-2 and Cerro Largo overcame Cerro 2-1.

mål

http://www.youtube.com/w…paQm5J8mgWE

Argentina Primera Division Wrap: Estudiantes extend River Plate struggles

Estudiantes have increased River Plate´s pain, overcoming the Argentine giants 2-1 in the Primera Division.

River Plate entered Sunday´s fixture without a win in five matches, including four straight in the Primera Division but their luck looked to have turned when Juan Carlos Menseguez gave them the lead after just eight minutes.

But goals from Roman Martinez and Carlos Auzqui, either side of a red card to River Plate´s Cristian Ledesma, ensured Estudiantes led at half-time, and the visitors from La Plata held on in the second half to extend the hosts´ winless run.

River Plate remain in 14th position in Argentina´s top tier and have fallen 12 points behind leaders Newell´s Old Boys, who drew 2-2 with Colon.

At the Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti, Menseguez finished off Ariel Rojas´ good lead-up work to give the home fans something to cheer about early but Estudiantes equalised in the 17th minute after River Plate failed to deal with a cross from the left wing.

After River Plate goalkeeper Marcelo Barovero made an initial save, the ball bobbled around in the six-yard box before Martinez poked the ball home.

In the 29th minute, a second yellow card saw Ledesma sent off, before Auzqui put Estudiantes in front with seven minutes until the break, tapping in a cross at the back post after a top move down the left involving Jonathan Silva and Patricio Rodriguez.

The victory took Estudiantes up to sixth on the table with 22 points ahead of Godoy Cruz and Atletico Rafaela.

Godoy Cruz drew 1-1 with Belgrano, while Rosario Central came from behind to stun Atletico Rafaela 3-2.

With Newell´s having to fight back for a draw away to Colon thanks to a late brace from David Trezeguet, San Lorenzo moved with two points of the league-leaders with a 1-0 win over Boca Juniors.

Angel Correa scored the goal for San Lorenzo, as they moved up to second above Arsenal, who were held to a 1-1 draw by All Boys.

In other results, Argentinos Juniors thumped Olimpo 4-0, Racing Club won 3-1 away to Gimnasia La Plata and Lanus edged out Tigre 3-2, while Quilmes and Velez Sarsfield played out a 1-1 stalemate.

mål

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@ TR1986

San Lorenzo defeat Boca to close on Newell’s at the top

San Lorenzo against Boca Juniors is always a big deal in Argentine football but with both teams breathing down the neck of league leaders, Newell’s Old Boys, today’s clasico had an even greater significance. The absence of Fernando Gago and Juan Roman Riquelme for Boca proved costly as San Lorenzo dominated from kickoff. Despite being in the ascendancy it was only Angel Correa’s smart finish early in the second half that separated the sides. In the closing minutes Boca had a wonderful opportunity to steal a draw but Chiqui Perez saw his penalty saved by Sebastian Torrico. San Lorenzo now trail Newell’s by just 2 points and with the two sides meeting next weekend, the title is very much up for grabs.

With Newell’s and Arsenal both dropping points earlier this weekend, the winners of today’s fixture knew that 3 points would firmly put them back in the title race. San Lorenzo have been without the attacking prowess of Martin Cauteruccio and Gonzalo Veron for some weeks but it was Boca’s missing players that had a greater impact on today’s game.

With Fernando Gago and Juan Roman Riquelme both absent through injury, El Ciclon were able to dominate the midfield from kickoff and Boca were never able to take a foot hold and keep possession.

The first half began in bizarre circumstance as San Lorenzo Captain, Pablo Alvarado was shown a yellow card before kickoff for bringing a child onto the pitch without permission, drawing the ire of the locals and Manager, Juan Antonio Pizzi. However, as the game got underway the home side were supremely dominant from the outset.

Bianchi’s 4-4-2 was static and never got hold of the ball and perhaps on another day San Lorenzo’s busy, attacking duo of Hector Villalba and Angel Correa could have really punished them.

Walter Kannemann came closest to breaking the deadlock when his glancing header came back off the inside of the post but the best chance of the first half fell to Leandro Romagnoli. When Cristian Erbes handled the ball in the box, referee, German Delfino had no choice but to award a penalty. However, Romagnoli’s effort lacked any real conviction allowing Boca keeper, Agustin Orion to palm it away.

With such a one-sided half finishing goalless it was difficult not to think that Boca would make the home side pay for such profligacy. However, with the second half just minutes old, San Lorenzo took the lead. Ignacio Piatti’s low cross from the left found Angel Correa, whose fine first touch took him away from Daniel Diaz and created the space to smash the ball into the roof of the net.

A one goal lead is always precarious and it almost proved costly. With 2 minutes remaining, German Delfino pointed to the spot for the second time, after Emanuel Gigliotti was wrestled to the ground. Up stepped, Chiqui Perez but he too saw his penalty saved, as Sebastian Torrico dived to his right to keep it out.

Next weekend’s clash in Rosario against Newell’s Old Boys will no doubt have a major impact on the championship. A win against Newell’s would put San Lorenzo firmly in the driving seat.

http://www.youtube.com/w…j2ryzNv3e0E

Arsenal eye San Lorenzo’s Correa in January swoop

A host of European clubs including Arsenal are reportedly keeping tabs on San Lorenzo’s young attacker, Angel Correa after the 18-year-old burst into the first team last season. The pacy wideman has impressed in El Nuevo Gasometro and could now be the next Argentine export to light up one of Europe’s top leagues.

If some of the British tabloid press are to be believed Arsenal, in addition to Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid are tracking Correa and could be set to make an offer when the European window opens in January.

At only 18 years of age Correa only came into the first team during the Torneo Final, earlier in the year, but scored 4 goals in his 13 appearances. His form has continued into this Torneo Inicial and he has added another 3 goals to that tally so far.

The diminutive striker is deceptively strong and coupled with his pace has made him a real threat to defences in the Primera Division. However, any talk of doing this in Europe at present would seem a little premature as Correa is still a little raw. For any of the sides mentioned it would appear to be one for the future rather than an instant impact on first team football.

That being said, San Lorenzo would be loathed to lose one of their brightest young players and so a fee of around $4.5 million has been mentioned.

Gareca valoró el empate de Vélez

BUENOS AIRES -- El entrenador de Vélez Sarsfield, Ricardo Gareca, destacó que su equipo tuvo "el mérito de no resignarse nunca" en el partido que logró empatar sobre el final ante Quilmes, aunque reconoció que su rival lo superó futbolísticamente.

"Vélez tuvo el mérito de no resignarse nunca. Fue a buscar el empate hasta el final, incluso en inferioridad numérica y terminó encontrando su premio", señaló Gareca.

El técnico admitió que "en el juego nos vimos superados. Los jugadores dejaron todo y por eso sacamos un resultado importante en una cancha difícil", dijo Gareca.

"Uno quiere ganar siempre, pero el rival también juega. Ellos están peleando la permanencia y tienen un técnico que está haciendo sus primeras armas en Primera división y sabe armar equipos aguerrido. Por eso valoro el punto", puntualizó.

Gareca también se refirió al partido del próximo jueves ante el Ponte Preta de Brasil por la Copa Sudamericana.

"Ahora tenemos que pensar en el siguiente compromiso que es por una instancia decisiva frente a un rival duro, como se vio en el partido de ida. Esta vez no podremos contar con Mauro (Zárate) y en los próximos días veremos quién es el encargado de reemplazarlo", señaló.

Barros Schelotto criticó los últimos cinco minutos de Lanús vs. Tigre

BUENOS AIRES -- El entrenador de Lanús, Guillermo Barros Schelotto, cuestionó fuertemente la actitud de sus jugadores en los últimos minutos por haber puesto en riesgo una victoria que era holgada por tres goles y que terminó angustiosamente.

"Tuvimos 85 minutos muy bueno pero en cinco minutos no podés ganar 3-0 y terminar 3-2. No se puede regalar nada en un futbol tan parejo. Si vas ganando por tres goles tenés que tener la pelota", resaltó Guillermo sin medias tintas al término del partido en Victoria.

Con un equipo que cambió a los diez jugadores de campo de los que vienen jugando como titular, Lanús ganó su tercer partido consecutivo en el Torneo Inicial, con lo cual quedó a seis puntos del Newell´s, líder en las posiciones.

Sin embargo, por ahora, sostuvo Guillermo, "sólo pensamos en el partido del miércoles" frente a River por la Copa Sudamericana pero que también definirá entre ambos equipos una plaza en la próxima Libertadores.

En cuanto al torneo local dijo: "estamos lejos, no nos ilusionamos con pelear el campeonato pero sí descontarle puntos a los que están arriba".

Pizzi: "Estamos muy contentos"

BUENOS AIRES -- El entrenador de San Lorenzo de Almagro, Juan Antonio Pizzi, consideró que la victoria ante Boca Juniors por 1-0 les "da una inyección anímica" que "puede ser muy positiva" en la lucha por el título del Torneo Inicial.

"No creo que nos hayamos sacado a un rival de la lucha del campeonato, pero sí esta victoria nos da una inyección anímica que, si la sabemos administrar, puede ser muy positiva", valoró Pizzi, tras el 1-0 ante los xeneizes, en el Nuevo Gasómetro, que les sirvió para escoltar a Newell´s Old Boys a dos puntos de distancia.

Boca, el vencido de turno en este cotejo que correspondió a la 14ª fecha, pasó a quedar a cuatro unidades de los rosarinos, y por eso el éxito del Ciclón se torna desde todo ángulo revitalizador.

"Newell´s, San Lorenzo, Boca y Arsenal tienen todos partidos muy dificiles y el campeonato está muy parejo", advirtió Pizzi en la conferencia de prensa, al referirse a los cuatro principales candidatos que pasó a tener esta competencia doméstica.

"Estamos muy contentos porque hicimos un buen partido. Hubiese sido injusto que no ganásemos y, a pesar del poderío del rival, desde el inicio nos impusimos y lo superamos", sostuvo el director técnico de los azulgranas al exponer argumentos para el triunfo que se consiguió por el gol que marcó el promisorio Angel Correa, en el nacimiento del segundo tiempo.

Pero es cierto que Boca, aunque sin merecerlo, pudo haber empatado sobre el epílogo, porque Sebastián Torrico le atajó un penal a Claudio Pérez. "Son circunstancias del partido y si la superioridad no se refleja en el marcador a veces te deja un gusto amargo", admitió el conductor de los Santos.

Pero Pizzi también remarcó que, aunque el único gol se hizo esperar hasta el principio del segundo período, en el entretiempo estaba muy satisfecho porque el rendimiento de su equipo le permitía esperar la segunda etapa con optimismo.

"Cuando tenés un rendimiento alto como el que tuvimos lo único que hay que hacer es esperar, tener paciencia, el premio va a llegar", subrayó el director técnico.

Además, Pizzi lamentó una vez más las ausencias por serias lesiones del goleador uruguayo Martín Cauteruccio y del juvenil Gonzalo Verón, pero enfatizó que están demostrando que son "de primer nivel" quienes tomaron la posta, Correa y Héctor Villaba.

"Lamentamos las ausencias de Cauteruccio y Verón, pero Villalba y Angel (Correa) están teniendo un buen nivel y su evolución nos pone muy contentos. Son jugadores jóvenes, con un gran porvenir", subrayó.

En cuanto a lo negativo, Pizzi opinó que al árbitro Germán Delfino le "faltó sentido común" al amonestar al zaguero Pablo Alvarado antes de que comenzara el clásico, debido a que el equipo salió a la cancha acompañado por "mascotas".

"Me parece una falta de sentido común amonestar a un jugador antes de un partido que se juega con una gran intensidad. Esas son cosas que no dependen de nosotros", se defendió.

Bianchi: "Seguimos peleándola"

BUENOS AIRES -- El entrenador Carlos Bianchi afirmó que la victoria de San Lorenzo de Almagro fue "lógica" porque los dirigidos por Juan Antonio Pizzi "jugaron mejor", pero advitió que Boca "todavía" tienen "posibilidades" de pelear por el título del Torneo Inicial dado que en la próxima fecha se enfrentarán Newell´s Old Boys y el Ciclón.

"Podríamos haber llegado al empate, pero no pudimos y creo que la victoria es lógica. No me voy preocupado, pero ellos jugaron mejor que nosotros. En el segundo tiempo la manejamos mejor nosotros, ellos jugaron de contra, pero en el fondo es una victoria lógica de San Lorenzo", comentó Bianchi en rueda de prensa, luego del partido, tras el revés por 1-0 en el Nuevo Gasómetro.

Sin embargo, el director técnico xeneize conserva la ilusión de mantenerse en la discusión por el título hasta el final y remarcó que seguirán "peleándola".

"Seguimos peleándola. Todavía las posibilidades están, Newell´s juega contra San Lorenzo y ahora tenemos que ganar los cinco partidos que quedan", analizó Bianchi.

El Virrey evitó poner como excusa las recurrentes lesiones de sus jugadores, que le impidieron repetir formaciones a lo largo del torneo, y dijo que deben "buscar soluciones".

"Fernando (Gago) y Román (Riquelme) tienen mucho fútbol, pero no nos vamos a lamentar cuando tenemos los problemas, tenemos que buscar soluciones", insistió el conductor.

Y argumentó: "El funcionamiento de un equipo se gana jugando con una formación que sea titular la mayoría de las veces y es lógico que juguemos un día bien y otro no tanto".

Por último, Bianchi precisó que contaron con una gran chance de empatarlo sobre el epílogo, aunque no lo merecían.

"Con el penal podríamos haber empatado. No era merecido, pero pudimos conseguirlo. Ahora quedan 15 puntos en juego y vamos a tratar de sumar los tres que vienen (frente a Tigre)", remarcó quien es el entenador más exitoso de la historia boquense.

La chance de la que dispuso Boca sobre el epílogo fue el penal que ejecutó Claudio Pérez, pero Sebastián Torrico lo frustró al desviar el crucial remate.

Report: Caesar wants QPR exit

Want away Queens Park Rangers goalkeeper Julio Caesar wants to end his year nightmare in London by securing a move away from Loftus Road to include himself in Scolari’s Seleção for the 2014 World Cup.

The 34 year old has not made an appearance for the R’s this season after his move from Inter Milan in the winter of 2013, and is looking for a move back home to improve his chances for a starting place in the 2014 Seleção World Cup squad, Sky Sports reports.

"God willing I´ll move to another team to help Scolari and Parreira as they are helping me a lot," Cesar is quoted by SportTv. "Now, I have to help them.

"I have not received any offer yet, but considering my situation, everything would be welcome.

"Brazilian domestic football is very competitive, I would be closer to everything, including criticism. It would be good. But I don´t rule out clubs from England and Italy. I´ll consider the best offers."

A move to Internacional seemed to be on the cards but the clubs Director of Football, Cesar Souto de Moura, has been quoted in Esporte Interativo saying: "No, we have not sounded him out, we are not trying to get information about him and I don´t even know who Julio Cesar´s agent is.

"We have never considered the possibility of signing him. It’s just speculation.

"We won´t be a shop window for anyone. We know Julio Cesar is a great goalie, but we also know he will have to have physio until February. He will be fine after that.

"Imagine bringing in that kind of expensive player, so we pay the costs of his treatment only for him to then play for Brazil´s national team. That makes no sense.

"We understand the player´s dilemma, we respect him, but there is nothing."