Snak

Serious depth tests ahead for Uruguay, Colombia

In South America´s marathon World Cup qualification campaign only one outfield player -- Ecuador left-back Walter Ayovi -- started all 16 of his country’s games. Two goalkeepers were also-ever present -- Fernando Muslera of Uruguay and Colombia´s David Ospina. Yet as luck and coincidence would have it, both have picked up injuries that now keep them out of this month´s international matches.

This is a more serious development in Uruguay´s case. They have not yet booked their place in next year´s World Cup and must face Jordan in a home and away play-off, a nervy occasion in which to blood a new goalkeeper.

Martin Silva is the most likely stand in. He has been in excellent form. Indeed, he was one of the main reasons behind the Paraguayan club Olimpia´s run all the way to the final of the Copa Libertadores, South America´s equivalent of the Champions League, where they only lost on penalties to Atletico Mineiro of Brazil. Especially praiseworthy was Silva´s quiet domination of his penalty area -- he often looked more secure on crosses than Muslera, and some were even calling for Silva to be elevated to the position of Uruguay´s first-choice keeper regardless.

All the same, Silva is coming in cold. He made his debut in a 1-0 defeat to Algeria back in September 2009. Since then he has often been in the squad but was only given one other game -- against Tahiti in this summer´s Confederations Cup, when the ball hardly crossed the half-way line. With Uruguay strong favourites, there will probably be little for him to do in the two legs against Jordan -- but if scores are tight then that can make things worse for a goalkeeper who is new to the level. It becomes an examination of his concentration and mental strength.

Colombia need have no doubts about the big match temperament of their stand in goalkeeper. This month David Ospina will probably be replaced by Faryd Mondragon -- who gave a magnificent display in the last World Cup game his country played. Back in France ´98, when Colombia were eliminated after a 2-0 defeat to England, only the excellence of Mondragon stopped the scoreline from looking embarrassing as time and time again he produced wonderful saves to thwart the opposing forwards.

But that was more than 15 years ago. At the age of 42, can he still come up with that kind of form? It is a question that may well be answered over the next few days. Colombia are throwing themselves into the deep end with visits to two of Europe´s most dangerous and in-form sides, Belgium and Holland. It will be an examination not only of their reserve goalkeeping resources, but also of the solidity of their defensive unit.

For a long time in qualification Colombia´s goals-against column was looking very healthy. But it always seemed too good to be true -- and conceding five times in the course of an hour against Uruguay and Chile may have confirmed the fact.

Meanwhile, Mondragon is not the only veteran in the squad. Centre-back and inspirational captain Mario Yepes is approaching 38 years old. His frequent defensive partner, Luis Amaranto Perea, is 34. Former Colombia coach Jorge Luis Pinto, now in charge of Costa Rica, commented recently that he would prefer to see the land of his birth play with a more compact line-up -- the problem here is that Yepes, in order to protect the inevitable lack of pace at this stage in his career, drops so deep that a gap can open up between the lines of defence and midfield.

Yepes has been a truly magnificent player -- he was exceptional when Colombia won the 2001 Copa America without conceding a single goal. Yet he has never played in a World Cup. Few players deserve it more. But time is catching up with him, and Colombia coach Jose Pekerman needs to think of alternatives -- if only to step in for his captain if Yepes picks up yellow cards and is suspended during the course of the World Cup.

After making his name in his homeland with Deportivo Cali -- Mondragon´s current club -- Yepes grew as a player with Argentine giants River Plate, who now have another Colombian centre-back seemingly destined for great things in 20-year-old Eder Alvarez Balanta. Like Yepes, Balanta is left-footed. But there is a more natural comparison with another River Plate great, former Argentina captain Daniel Passarella. Club coach Ramon Diaz, who played with Passarella, was pointing out the similarities earlier this year after the youngster had played just a handful of games for the club.

Quick, strong, determined and constructive, Alvarez Balanta has made a huge impression. But he is still raw and inexperienced -- he can dive in too early and be caught on the wrong side of the striker. Is he ready for the World Cup? He has been given his first international call-up and will surely feature at some point against Belgium and Holland. All eyes will be upon him -- and the goalkeeper old enough to be his father.

Liga MX Roundup: All set for Liguilla playoffs

All has been said and done in the Liga MX season, and now only the playoffs remain. Obviously, Club America is in it to win it, since they not only made the liguilla, but topped the league table practically all season long.

The defending champions had a bit of a quiet outing in their final match, drawing 1-1 with Toluca. Still, it was an impressive result, given that so many key members of the squad are on duty with Tri-America. Ecuadorian Narciso Mina had the equalizing goal for Las Aguilas, and he could potentially play an important role in the upcoming playoff games. Club America’s first playoff opponent is Tigres.

Toluca, of course, is also safely into the playoffs, qualifying in fifth position in the league table. Their upcoming liguilla competition is Cruz Azul, who also drew their final game, 2-2, versus lowly Pumas. The draw prevented Pumas from gaining enough points to avoid finishing dead last in the league. It was a sorry end to the season for one of the most storied clubs in the league.

Plucky Atlante, who spent most of the season as the league’s worst squad, managed to close on a high note, winning 2-0 versus Chiapas FC. The loss cost Chiapas their spot in the playoffs, since Tigres was able to snatch a 1-0 victory against Atlas that resulted in a points tie with Chiapas that was broken by the better goal difference of Tigres.

Of all the clubs, however, Leon waltzed into the playoffs with the most style, smacking down former champions Tijuana in a 5-0 blowout. Leon starts the liguilla against Morelia, who also won its final regular season match against Puebla, but with a more modest scoreline of 1-0.

Santos is the club that qualified in second place, and the club finished up the season with a 2-2 draw versus Veracruz. Santos has been safely secured in second place for some time, and the motivation against an already-eliminated Veracruz was probably tepid. It’s now time for the Laguneros to look ahead to their upcoming playoff matchup against Queretaro.

Queretaro took care of business with a victory over the weekend, winning 0-1 against Pachuca.

One match that didn’t involve any playoff hopefuls was Guadalajara versus Monterrey. It was an end to a terrible season for Chivas, since they actually led most of the match, but then managed to lose the game in the final 10 minutes.

So the playoff teams that move on are Club America, Santos Laguna, Leon, Cruz Azul, Toluca, Morelia, Queretaro, and Tigres.

The 10 teams left out and on the sidelines are Chiapas, Tijuana, Monterrey, Veracruz, Puebla, Pachuca, Atlas, Chivas, Atlante, and Pumas.

Because much of the liguilla was set before the final weekend of matches, the regular season ended not with a bang, but with more of a whimper. Many of the matches lacked much competitive tension since there was little at stake for the teams involved.

It’s now up to the playoffs to provide more excitement, and Club America’s chase for a record title should provide it.

Of course, many of the club’s members have a little bit of business versus New Zealand to take care of first. The matches that will settle Mexico’s fate for Brazil 2014 are looming, and that outcome will decide if the Liga MX playoffs start out under a dark cloud or sunny rays of happiness.

Mexican cauldron to reach boiling point for New Zealand

New Zealand are preparing to embark on one of the toughest tests in football, as they head to Mexico for their World Cup play-off first leg.

The All Whites topped their World Cup qualification group in Oceania with six wins from as many games, to earn the two-leg date with the fourth-placed nation in CONCACAF qualifying.

However, their upcoming battle on Wednesday stands in stark contrast to their most recent qualifying clash - a 2-0 win over the Solomon Islands in front of 5,600 people in Honiara.

The Estadio Azteca in Mexico City has a capacity of 105,000, is perched 7,200 feet above sea level and will be packed full of parochial Mexicans doing their utmost to distract the visiting Kiwis.

All Whites team doctor Mark Fulcher said they were prepared for the quite literal uphill battle they were set to face in Mexico.

"It´s harder to breathe (at altitude), the respiratory rate changes, your heart rate goes up... essentially for any level of exercise, you are potentially more fatigued," Fulcher said.

"For athletes, the simple equation is that you will become more fatigued, more quickly and performance will drop off over a period of time."

Midfielder Leo Bertos said the Kiwis had recent experience playing at altitude and would be better for the exposure to it come Wednesday.

"We have some experience of being at altitude in recent years, which will help," the Wellington Phoenix man said.

"We know it is going to be tough but we can´t be intimidated. It´s a huge challenge for us."

Further disadvantaging Ricki Herbert´s side is the fact that Mexico have lost one qualifying match at the venue in their history, a 2-1 defeat to Costa Rica in 2001 - which makes New Zealand´s chances of taking a lead to the second leg in Wellington the following Wednesday all the more unlikely.

A draw of any calibre would undoubtedly go down as ´advantage NZ´ heading to Westpac Stadium, as they aim to reach consecutive World Cups for the first time.

From the hosts´ point of view, they will be hoping to reach the finals for the sixth time in succession, after disappointing their fans by not qualifying automatically from CONCACAF´s final group.

They won just two games of 10 in the final stages of qualifying, to finish fourth behind the USA, Costa Rica and Honduras.

Mexico´s head coach Miguel Herrera has named a squad of only local-based players for the intercontinental play-off, in the hope he gets some continuity from them across the 180 minutes.

The irony there being Herrera became Mexico´s fourth coach in six weeks in October, as they toyed with Luis Fernando Tena and Victor Manuel Vucetich to replace Jose Manuel de la Torre, before settling on the Club America coach.

All Whites captain Winston Reid will miss the clash due to an ankle injury sustained while training for Premier League club West Ham.

Herrera must decide on who will partner Oribe Peralta up front after shunning the likes of Manchester United´s Javier Hernandez in his squad as he stuck with Liga MX players only.

Peralta is set to be joined by either Aldo de Nigris or Raul Jimenez.

Argentina Primera Division Wrap: Lanus overcome 10-man Arsenal

Lanus defeated 10-man Arsenal 2-0 on Monday, to climb above their opponents into fourth spot in the Argentina Primera Division.

Arsenal´s trip to the Estadio Ciudad de Lanus was looking like a fruitful one with 10 minutes to play, as they had their eyes on a valuable away point to boost their title chances.

However, the effect of Arsenal defender Hugo Nervo´s dismissal on 64 minutes was felt late on, as Nicolas Pasquini and Santiago Silva both found the back of the net to send Lanus within four points of league leaders Newell´s Old Boys.

Pasquini´s 83rd-minute goal was followed by Silva´s on-target shot three minutes later.

Lanus´s fourth straight win sees them to 25 points, with Arsenal fifth only on goal difference.

Earlier in the weekend, top two sides Newell´s and San Lorenzo played out a 1-1 draw to blow open the race for the Torneo Inicial title - with four matches to play in the season.

The hosts at the Estadio Marcelo Alberto Bielsa in Rosario led on 25 minutes when David Trezeguet struck, only for Ignacio Piatti to equalise for San Lorenzo five minutes later to keep the league leaders within reach.

San Lorenzo are two points behind Newell´s in second, while Boca Juniors are third - level on 27 points with San Lorenzo - after a stunning late show to beat Tigre 2-1.

Tigre had their eyes on all three points from their trip to the Estadio Alberto Jacinto Armando in Buenos Aires, after a Claudio Perez own goal in the 18th minute gifted them the lead.

However, the visitors lost attacker Matias Perez Garcia to a red card eight minutes after the interval, and despite keeping out Boca for the most part, the dam wall broke in the final stages.

Leandro Paredes equalised on 85 minutes, before Daniel Diaz struck in the second minute of injury time to give Boca hope of titles in consecutive years after their Apertura success in 2012.

Atletico Rafaela chalked up their first league win in four matches, with a 3-1 result at home to Godoy Cruz.

A Diego Vera brace consolidated Diego Ferreira´s opener for Rafaela, with the win taking them to 24 points.

Estudiantes are one point behind fifth-placed Rafaela in sixth, after a 1-1 draw at home to Rosario Central (ninth).

Rosario led on 51 minutes via a Paulo Ferrari goal but the points were split after defender Alejandro Donatti got the final touch into his own net seven minutes later.

Argentinos Juniors continued their stellar form, making it three wins from their past four with a 1-0 win away at Racing Club.

Hernan Boyero was the hero for Juniors, as they moved to 23 points and eighth spot on the table.

In other results, Quilmes had a 1-0 win away to Olimpo, All Boys were too good for Gimnasia La Plata 2-1, Belgrano´s Cesar Pereyra scored both goals in his side´s 2-0 win over Colon, while River Plate´s trip to Velez Sarsfield ended 0-0.

mål

http://www.youtube.com/w…l-hpLpPcdvg

Soccer Roundup: Colo Colo wins Superclásico with dramatic late goal

Colo Colo victorious over Santiago rival Universidad de Chile in the league’s most heated derby, while Católica stays top of the division with three games left.

Colo Colo 3-2 Universidad de Chile

Twice a year conversations over league standings, current form and off-field drama are put on hold for 90 electric minutes. For Chile and Santiago’s biggest rivals Colo Colo and Universidad de Chile, winning “El Superclásico” is akin to winning a cup final in itself.

That said, the celebrations that swept through Estadio Monumental as soon as Felipe Flores’ shot rippled the back of the net in the 89th minute were especially wild this season, as the win saw Colo Colo dash “La U’s” title hopes and ensure its bitterest of enemies ends this term trophiless.

One of Sunday’s unexpected side plots was the match-winning performance of 23-year-old midfielder Esteban Pavez, who scored the first and had a hand in the third Colo Colo goal. The youngster has endured a frustrating career since coming up from the club’s youth ranks in 2009, consistently loaned out by managers and only given a chance this season due to injuries in the squad.

“I dreamed of this, to score in a packed stadium in front of the home crowd,” Pavez said after the match. “When the manager puts his confidence in young players we have to respond. After I scored it did cross my mind, all the suffering I have gone through.”

The loss now means “La U” can no longer win the league, and will end the season without silverware for the first time in three years, having already been eliminated from both the Copa Chile and the Copa Sudamericana.

To some extent, the visiting side was the architect of its own downfall. “La U” always plays a high line and presses in the attacking third of the park, though did so Sunday with a particular recklessness at the back that left the team vulnerable to Colo Colo’s signature counter-attacking soccer.

Colo Colo got off to the perfect start — Pavez was teed up on the edge of the area in the eighth minute and afforded time to open up his body and fire off a beautiful curling effort that evaded Luís Marin’s desperate dive.

“La U” chased the equalizer, though Colo Colo stood firm and cut through the opposition easily when in possession. In an effort to shore up his failing midfield, Universidad de Chile manager Marco Antonio Figueroa opted for a rare first-half tactical substitution, replacing attacker Sebastián Ubilla with central midfielder Sebastián Martínez, leaving the former seething on the bench.

The change instigated a passage of sustained “La U” pressure, and Charles Aránguiz almost tied up the game, his shot beating Justo Villar before being cleared off the line by defender Luis Pavez.

The equalizer soon came, though arrived courtesy of the linesman rather than a passage of play — Luis Pavez was adjudged to have handled in the box when the ball in fact struck his side. Aránguiz dispatched the controversial spot kick and the game went into halftime all square.

After the restart, “La U” maintained its high line and was almost immediately punished. The opposition lost possession on a foray forward, and the irrepressible Emiliano Vecchio was allowed to run the length of the pitch uncontested. With “La U’s” backline in tatters and three breaking colleagues to chose from, the Argentine picked forward Juan Delgado who swept a bending strike beyond Marin.

Curiously, Figueroa brought off another striker for a midfielder half way through the second period, and again the change paid dividends. Ramón Fernández had been on the pitch for Isaac Díaz for little over a minute when he made it 2-2, guiding a free kick beyond a sluggish Villar — who perhaps shouldn’t have been on the pitch due to a thigh strain.

The closing stages were cagey, with both sides nervous to slip up, though on the balance of chances Colo Colo deserved its 89th minute winner. Having scored just twice in over 500 minutes of play this season, the much maligned Felipe Flores became an instant hero after he latched on to Esteban Pavez’s through ball and fired in low and to the right.

The neighborhood of Macul shook with the strength of 30,000 celebrating Colo Colo fans, rejoicing both the win and the death blow to “La U’s” season.

Universidad de Chile sits in fifth with a chance at a Copa Libertadores play-off spot, while Colo Colo is ninth.

Everton 0-2 Universidad Católica

The championship is Universidad Católica’s to lose following Sunday’s routine victory against Everton. Católica still has Antofagasta, Colo Colo and Unión La Calera to play for the final three league games of the season.

Midfielder Michael Ríos grabbed his fifth goal of the season as he expertly placed the ball into the top corner from outside the box on 34 minutes to put Universidad Católica one up.

Defender Cristian Álvarez ran from his own half to hammer the ball between the Everton goalkeeper’s legs ten minutes later to seal another victory for his team who are occupying top spot in the table.

Católica continued to dominate after the break and defender Enzo Andía missed the simplest of headers when he rose six yards out and unchallenged from a corner. Everton did have a couple of chance late as a free kick fizzed narrowly wide and Emiliano Romero sent a left footed shot just past the post following a strong run.

Sunday’s result means Everton drop a place to 15th while Católica earns another three points to maintain some breathing space between it and second placed O’Higgins.

O’Higgins 1-0 Cobreloa

O’Higgins maintained the heat on first placed Universidad Católica with yet another one nil win.

Friday night’s matchup at Estadio Municipal de La Pintera was a tame affair for the majority of the first half with chances few and far between. Cobreloa came close when Jaime Grondona sliced wide after the O’Higgins defence fell asleep at the back

Things heated up in the second as both teams went for the win and O’Higgins slowly began to work a foothold on the game. A speculative cross shaved the top of the crossbar before striker Pablo Calandria forced visiting goalkeeper, 35-year-old Luciano Palos, into an acrobatic save, tipping his header over the cross bar.

However, Palos was powerless to prevent the inspired Pablo Hernández on 80 minutes when the Argentine rose above the Cobreloa defence to head home the game’s sole goal. Midfielder Hernández has been instrumental in O’Higgins’ success this term scoring five goals and setting up another.

The narrow victory means that O’Higgins are now only three points behind Universidad Católica at the top of the table. This Thursday will see the two teams battle it out in a Copa Chile tie in what is to be an eagerly anticipated match given their proximity in the overall standings with only three league games to play.

Palestino 2-1 Cobresal

Palestino built upon the impressive win away to Rangers last Friday with a hard fought victory against mid-table Cobresal on Saturday. The away team got off to a great start at the Estadio Municipal de La Cisterna when rangey, 26-year-old midfielder Mariano Torres pickpocketed the ball from Pablo Tamburrini on the right-hand flank, shrugged off the striker’s attempts to win back possession before rocketing an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net from a tight angle.

Cobresal’s lead lasted until midway through the second half as midfielder César Valenzuela danced around two challenges and turned to get a deflected shot away, which should never have made it past the palm of Leonel Cuerdo in goal but somehow ended up in the back of the net.

The goal appeared to give Palestino the momentum and five minutes later substitute Matías Ramírez converted a low powerful cross from the right side to seal victory and all three points for the home team.

Iquique 2-1 Audax Italiano

Rodrigo Díaz illuminated the Estadio Tierra de Campeones on Saturday night the moment he thumped home a 76th minute penalty sending Iquique into the lofty heights of fourth place and the Copa Libertadores playoff places. The home team came out on top despite trailing 1-0 and ending the game with only nine men after strikers, Misael Dávila and Manuel Villalobos, were sent off in the 17th and 84th minute respectively.

Iquique keeper Jaime Bravo produced a superb save down to his right- hand side to keep out a fierce Cristian Bogado drive early on. Felipe Mora then brought Audax Italiano into the lead when he controlled a knockdown from midfielder Gamadie Garcia to slot past the Iquique keeper. Substitute Gerson Martínez replied no more than four minutes later with a clever chip over the oncoming keeper Rodrigo Naranjo to make it all level with most of the second half remaining.

Defender Sebastián Silva handed the home side a penalty when he steamrollered Rafael Caroca to the floor with a clumsy challenge. Díaz duly converted the spot kick to heap further misery on an Audax Italiano side who isn’t able to buy a win of late.

Unión Española 1-0 Unión La Calera

Substitute Lorenzo Faravelli’s cool finish ensured Unión Española continued its impressive run of form and are now unbeaten in five games, winning four.

Both teams limited each other to speculative long range efforts until the 20 year old Argentine — who replaced compatriot Matías Abelairas shortly into the second half — wrapped his right foot around the ball from just outside the area sending it curling into the top corner on 68 minutes, sparking wild celebrations from the majority of the 2000 in attendance. Visiting goalkeeper Arnaldo Giménez could do nothing but watch helplessly as the ball glided past his outstretched glove.

Saturday’s win was Española’s seventh of the season who now have the momentum going into the last three games of the season to make the Copa Libertadores spots. Unión La Calera manager Néstor Craviotto will be concerned after losing five of the last six games with only two wins from their last thirteen league matches.

Santiago Wanderers 0-3 Rangers

Forward Mauricio Gómez scored a debatable penalty in the sixth minute of Saturday’s tie between Santiago Wanderers and Rangers to effectively win all three points for a Rangers side who now have 14 points from 14 games. Wanderer’s good work against Ñublense during last weekend’s 3-2 victory was all too easily undone as Rangers capitalized on some calamitous defending to edge away from the bottom of the table.

Wanderers handed the away team its second goal on a plate as substitute Esteban Ciacchieri rounded keeper Mauricio Viana following a series of comical defensive errors just before the break.

Seven minutes into the second half Gómez found himself unmarked in Wanderers’ box to drill home his second of the day and fourth of the season. Wanderers slip to 14th after four defeats in six outings — the player’s hopes of finishing in the top five shrinking by the week — while Rangers jump from 17th to 14th.

Ñublense 2-1 Antofagasta

On Sunday striker Javier Elizondo headed in his sixth goal of the season in the 55th minute to put Antofagasta 1-0 up only for fellow Argentine Luciano Vázquez to register the first of his brace with another close range header two minutes later. Vázquez then scored the winning goal in the 76th minute when he rolled the ball past Jorge Broun’s near post from outside the area condemning Antofagasta to a second defeat in three games and leaving the team 13th in the overall standings. Ñublense’s win keeps alive faint hopes of reaching the Copa Libertadores play-off places.

Huachipato 0-0 Universidad de Concepción

A drab goalless draw was played out between Huachipato and Universidad de Concepción on Saturday as both teams lacked the creativity to find the back of the net. The first 45 minutes witnessed Huachipato midfielder Francisco Arrué denied by the upright after carving out some space with a neat turn while Daniel González’s free kick was brilliantly saved by Concepción keeper Cristian Muñoz in the second half. Concepción rallied late on when Gabriel Vargas’ header licked the wrong side of Nery Veloso’s far post. Huachipato remain rooted to the bottom of the table as Concepción stay eighth.

Apertura upcoming fixtures:
Nov. 22, 6:30 p.m: Universidad de Concepción vs. Unión Española
Nov. 22, 9 p.m: Rangers vs. Iquique
Nov. 23, 4 p.m: Palestino vs. Ñublense
Nov. 23, 6:30 p.m: Antofagasta vs. Universidad Católica
Nov. 23, 9 p.m: Unión La Calera vs. O’Higgins
Nov. 24, 4 p.m: Cobreloa vs. Everton
Nov. 24, 4 p.m: Cobresal vs. Audax Italiano
Nov. 24, 4 p.m: Santiago Wanderers vs. Colo Colo
Nov. 24, 6.30 p.m: Universidad de Chile vs. Huachipato


mål

http://www.cdf.cl/videos/

Hugo Campagnaro fue desafectado

BUENOS AIRES -- El defensor Hugo Campagnaro, quien juega en Inter de Italia, fue desafectado este lunes por la noche de la nómina de convocados para la gira que el seleccionado argentino de fútbol realiza en Estados Unidos, según informaron los directivos de la Asociación del Fútbol Argentino.

Campagnaro, de 33 años, fue eje de una polémica la semana pasada entre Inter y el director técnico del elenco albiceleste, Alejandro Sabella, porque lo convocó al seleccionado pese a no encontrarse totalmente recuperado de una lesión.

Sabella, días atrás, justificó la citación señalando que habló con el jugador y que le informó que "estaba recuperado", pero que le "faltaba ritmo futbolístico", y aseguró que quería tenerlo "porque hay pocos partidos hasta junio y hay que reforzar el vestuario".

Al respecto, el club italiano respondió: "Nuestro jugador Hugo Campagnaro no participó en el partido ante Cagliari del 29 de setiembre por una distensión muscular en la pantorrilla izquierda. Y en la semana siguiente, antes del partido ante Roma, no pudo participar por una lesión en la fascia plantar".

"Posteriormente acude a la citación para su selección, a pesar de no haber estado disponible en los últimos dos partidos. No participa ante Perú pero juega contra Uruguay. De regreso, en un entrenamiento previo al partido ante Torino del 20 de octubre sufre una lesión en el muslo derecho y se pierde tres partidos para la rehabilitación", señaló en un comunicado.

Y agregó: "Por lo tanto, el jugador no participa de los entrenamientos con el equipo y solo hace trabajos con el preparador físico para su recuperación, y nunca estuvo a disposición del cuerpo técnico. Esto fue dado a conocer al cuerpo médico de la Asociación de Fútbol Argentino antes de la reciente convocatoria. Inter no acepta que se haya puesto en duda la honestidad profesional del cuerpo técnico y el cuerpo médico".

No obstante, el defensor permaneció en la nómina de convocados para la gira pero finalmente anoche, desde Nueva Jersey, la AFA publicó la baja de Campagnaro para estos dos partidos que el seleccionado disputará ante Ecuador el viernes y Bosnia el lunes, este último en Saint Louis.

Aún no se informó si se convocarán a nuevos futbolistas debido a que a la ya baja conocida de Lionel Messi se sumó hoy la de Campagnaro y también Ever Banega llegará el miércoles, pero con una dolencia que seguramente le impedirá jugar por no encontrarse al ciento por ciento.

Francisco Maturana opina sobre la Selección Colombia de cara al Mundial

MADRID -- Francisco Maturana, entrenador colombiano que marcó una época en el fútbol de su país, dijo que hay una incertidumbre en la manera de jugar de su selección y que "ha habido alguna interrogación respecto a su real potencial".

"Del actual momento, yo diría que hay un poquito de incertidumbre. Más allá de los resultados, creo que futbolísticamente ha habido alguna interrogación respecto al real potencial de Colombia", señaló en una entrevista publicada este lunes en el sitio oficial de la FIFA.

Pese a que la selección colombiana, que dirige José Pekerman, logró volver a un Mundial, Maturana consideró: "No importa si ganan o pierden. Se puede jugar bien y perder un partido. Pero pierdes ese. En cambio jugando bien, con una idea determinada, lo más normal es que ganes la mayoría de los partidos. Cuando estás a la espera de lo que puedan resolver las individualidades, todo se transforma en un albur".

El extécnico hizo sus apuestas para el Mundial. Situó en la parte alta a Uruguay, "el mejor equipo de América" en Sudáfrica. "Si tenemos la referencia del último Mundial, fue cuarto. Y enseguida volvió y quedó campeón de América", ponderó.

A pesar de esa consideración, "no se puede no respetar a Argentina, aunque no está como uno la vislumbra. ¿Cómo no vas a respetar a un equipo que tiene al mejor jugador del mundo?", señaló el colombiano, que cree que Colombia también puede ser una opción.

Según Maturana, la ventaja de Brasil no es tener a un jugador como el barcelonista Neymar, sino el hecho de ser anfitrión: "Hay que respetarlo, pero si la final de la Copa Confederaciones se juega en otra parte la gana España", declaró.

Repechaje Stories my father never told me

Forgive this innocuous lapse into nostalgia – but this is what “El Repechaje” does, like Thanksgiving in the United States, El Repechaje is a mixed bag of goodies – sure it doesn’t secretly celebrate the Indian genocide like Thanksgiving does in the United States but it celebrates the last place finish, the “Whoops, we almost forgot about you” and it now comes every four years sorta like Leap Year. This has become Uruguay’s badge of honor and stain at the same time… why? Because we’re almost good enough to get in, not quite so ready to get in via direct qualification.

So “El Repechaje” is a time of reflection. A time to take stock in what has come before and what will surely follow.

2001

The internet wasn’t what it is today in fact 2001 wasn’t anything Kubrick said it would be back in 1968, live streaming didn’t exist, no Roja Directa websites back then, internet radio broadcasts weren’t compatible with dial-up modems. And back then no one cared two shits if Uruguay went to the World Cup, television wasn’t interested period. And if you were interested, you’d have to scrounge around the internet to follow it. Back then Montevideo.Comm was the only site even offering live box scores of what was going on, and there I was, in the early morning hours (4 or 5 a.m.) waiting nervously to see who scored, something came on – penalty to Australia, Kevin Muscat scored. Australia 1-0 Uruguay.

And then it was the return leg in Montevideo, having had to work that Sunday, I had to settle for Jorge Ramos, a Uruguayan expat, and dangerously psychotic Danubio supporter who broadcasted the game on the radio for New York audiences. Finally after years of having been told Uruguay were just not good enough, Uruguay thanks to El Chino Recoba, thanks to El Chengue Morales, drove 3 past Australia. Uruguay were in the World Cup. Memory burn for life.

2005

Circumstances changed of course, Uruguay were still not being shown on television, it didn’t matter to me, I bought me an airplane ticket and made sure I’d be there to see this live. So there I was, a night after I had drunk myself into an alcoholic stupor, sitting with relatives in El Centenario with the biggest hangover you could imagine, watching a testy game where the Australians weren’t as bad as I’d imagined them to be. Dario Rodriguez scored off a Recoba set-piece. Uruguay won 1-0 but I now had my doubts. Relatives were filling my head with nonsense, it didn’t matter that the score was so low. We had El Chengue they said, we still had Recoba, so what if Forlán was injured… my flight back to NY was scheduled for the afternoon, which meant I could watch the away match on television.

Watch I did, I saw an inspired Lugano terrorize Australia, I saw Uruguay holding on despite Marco Bresciano’s goal. When we reached the penalties, my cousin called me on the telephone, “Watch out for Schwarzer, he’s too tall.” Well duh, the since retired Schwarzer was and is a lean 6′ 5″… The warning though is still tattooed in my head. Carini kept diving to the same side, Rodriguez and Zalayeta missed theirs, Australia had over-come the odds, with John Travolta in attendance, it was Australia in the World Cup, Uruguay had just become the second South American country to lose in the playoffs.
2001, I didn´t see the game, but I fondly remember Jorge Ramos´ radio broadcast of the match… in 2005, John Travolta was paraded on television as Australia´s guest of honor! I´ll keep Jorge Ramos biased broadcast, thank you very much.

I didn’t see the game in 2001, but I fondly remember Jorge Ramos’ radio broadcast of the match… in 2005, John Travolta was paraded on television as Australia’s guest of honor! I’ll keep Jorge Ramos biased broadcast, thank you very much.

2009

No more psychotic 12 hour flights to Montevideo with a 2 hour layaway in Brazil, this Repechaje was available on Pay-Per-View, and there I was, paying a ridiculous $29.95 for the first leg, Lugano the same man who Australia had no answer for in 2005 scored. Lodeiro, the man touted as the next Messi wasn’t really anywhere near that billing. But for the first time in the Repechaje era, Uruguay won the away match.

And then the return leg in Montevideo. René Simoes, Costa Rica’s Brazilian coach, a character who looked like one of Peter Sellers’ clever disguises in the Pink Panther movies was talking big, talking of actually winning this game. The game was supposed to be a lock for Uruguay, Abreu’s header which was followed by wild hysterical sobs from the Uruguayan big man was quickly history when Walter Centeno scored just four minutes later. But like in 2005, Uruguay held on, with a draw at home and the away win in Costa Rica, Uruguay were in the World Cup. $29.95 well spent!

2013

Who knows, Uruguay has done this so many times now, the opponent has been blurred out of the picture, we no longer have to play against Australia because it got a little too heated. We no longer have to play a CONCACAF nation because Mexico’s fragile ego wouldn’t have survived the two-legged contest. Instead they play New Zealand, we get Jordan. The possibility of playing an everything or nothing contest in the Azteca and then the Centenario was instead replaced by an “OK, get through these guys and you’re in” series. I’m not sure either Mexico or Uruguay would’ve benefited from playing against each other, I do know it would’ve been more entertaining. But this is the bittersweet Repechaje, if FIFA gets their way, the intercontinental playoffs will be eradicated so that more underdeveloped countries can get into the World Cup benefiting UEFA of course.

As things stand, this will be Uruguay’s last Repechaje. With that said, lets us bid adieu to the Repechaje and hope that Uruguay gets its act together in the 2018 qualifiers.

Viva El Repechaje, Viva Uruguay and Viva 5th place!

Much Ado about “El Proceso” (or When is it the Right Time to Replace OWT)


Here I am in a lousy mood, sitting in a ratty economy class seat soaring over the Canadian prairies, sipping on a warm Coke, refusing to pay extra for a stale airline sandwich and my mind is thinking “que ya no rompan los huevos hablando del proceso de Tabarez”. I read the article recently referred to by Yorugua and finally found someone other than this blog that is not happy with Tabarez (although Tenfield was quick to be critical of the political undertones).

I am extremely frustrated of yet another World Cup qualifier which sees us going into the playoff with a team that still has no creative midfield and relies heavily on the genius of one or two players.The papers are full of stories about the successful run of our U17 team and although none of them was discovered or developed by OWT (kudos to the local clubs for that), I keep reading that OWT somehow contributed to their success. At the same time, the U23 which qualified Uruguay for an Olympics after 84 years and OWT personally managed (or mis-managed) at the Olympics, their failure falls squarely on the shoulders of the kids. Never mind the coach allowed them to stand hours during the inauguration ceremonies while other teams were resting, never mind the team looked disorganized and the chemistry was missing. To me, it looks like a personal vendetta. The current NT is full of footballers who as U20s weren’t able to qualify Uruguay for the Olympics, but they are good enough to be part of the NT.

OWT is getting paid the big bucks to “perform”, so let’s look at the facts. Uruguay finished fifth in a Brazil-less Conmebol qualifiers behind Argentina, Colombia, Chile, and Ecuador, qualifying for the playoff against Jordan. Not the direct qualification which was expected after the World Cup result and the Copa America victory. In any other World Cup qualifier with Brazil in the mix, the fifth would probably have been a sixth which would have meant no playoff, no World Cup. Furthermore, if you believe the recent FIFA rumblings about Russia 2018, Conmebol will lose its half berth, which means that potentially Uruguay could be at home watching the World Cup on the TV.

Now the coaches and players will “round the wagons” and say it does not matter how you get in, which is a smoke-screen. All those years when the best we could do for friendly competition was Algeria or Indonesia, instead of getting to choose our competition during the November FIFA dates, Uruguay is forced to play lowly Jordan in a home-and-away must-win playoff situation. The directly qualified teams like Colombia, for example, will use those dates to experiment and fine tune against tough highly ranked teams. So who will arrive better prepared at the World Cup? Which “process” makes more sense?
So maybe the standings don’t show it but perhaps there was improvement? At 25 points (7W-4D-5L, 25GF/1.56 per game, 25GA/1.56 per game), there was only a one point improvement over the past qualifiers when OWT experimented with Eguren, Fernandez and Amado in the midfield, Carini and Castillo at goalkeeper, Bueno and Abreu at the forward position until he established his equipo de memoria. Last qualifiers, having to play two extra games against Brazil (which Uruguay lost), Uruguay still finished with 24 points (6W-6D-6L, 28GF/1.56 per game, 20GA/1.1 per game). These qualifiers, Uruguay actually had an extra loss against non-Brazil sides.

On more than one occasion, Uruguay has been saved by Conmebol’s leading scorer Suarez and more, recently, by Cavani. Cavani seems to have finally found his mojo with the national team. Due to another OWT stroke of genius of playing him as a forward! What other coach in his right mind would play one of the world’s premier strikers in the defensive role that Cavani has had to endure? To Cavani’s credit, he has always been a true team player, playing wherever OWT wants to play him and never complaining. Other coaches would never bury their best assets like that, could you imagine Messi or Falcao in a similar role. But even with Suarez and Cavani available, at 25 goals, Uruguay still scored fewer goals than Argentina (35), Chile (29) and Colombia (27). Ecuador lags behind us at 20 and we’re very, very fortunate that Venezuela has absolutely no goal scorers and are the lowest scoring Conmebol side with 14 because a goal here or there could have translated to extra wins or draws for them that could have bumped Uruguay out of fifth place.

OWT’s supporters will argue that OWT has modelled his team on the “old” Italian approach to football, strong defense and counter-attack. They will argue that with the double cinco pit bull midfield, Uruguay plays a more defensive style of football than many of our rivals. But look at the ledger and you find that isn’t so, we have given up more goals at 25 than Colombia (13), Argentina (15), Ecuador (16) and even Venezuela (20)! We are tied with a Chilean side that continues with the ultra-offensive 3-4-3 that Bielsa incorporated years ago which is supposed to be a defensive liability and we are only one better than Markarian’s Peru (26). We gave up 5 more goals that the previous qualifiers despite playing two games less against Brazil! That’s difficult to understand considering that in past qualifiers, we had to endure some terrible performances from Carini and Castillo.

So, the results have been mediocre, not unlike previous coaches, who had to deal with meddling teams and agents, player disharmony, drunken players, etc, etc. Looking at the past and present WCQ,

- 2014 WCQ: 25 points (7W-4D-5L, 25GF, 25GA)
- 2010 WCQ: 24 points (6W-6D-6L, 28GF, 20GA)
- 2006 WCQ: 25 points (6W-7D-5L, 23GF, 28GA)
- 2002 WCQ: 27 points (7W-6D-5L, 19GF, 13GA)
- 1998 WCQ: 21 points (6W-3D-7L, 18GF, 21GA)
- 1994 WCQ: 10 points (4W-2D-2L, 7GF, 3GA)* – teams were split into 2 groups, wins were 2 pts.
- 1990 WCQ: 6 points (3W-0D-1L, 7GF, 2GA)* – teams were split into 3 groups and Uruguay was grouped with Peru and Bolivia.
- 1986 WCQ: 6 points (3W-0D-1L, 6GF, 4GA)* – teams were split into 3 groups and Uruguay was grouped with Chile and Ecuador.

It looks like we are stuck in a plateau; we need change to break through to the next level.

Yet, OWT has tremendous support from the AUF and the 3 million coaching collective known as Uruguay. Maybe, just maybe I just don’t get it. I mean, it’s not like I can buy the “Dummies Guide to OWT Football” and find a chapter on the subject. On the internet, I was able to find a presentation prepared by OWT after the success of the 2010 World Cup where he reviewed the progress of his Masterplan for the Uruguayan national team. You can find the complete slideshow under this link: “Intitucionalización de los Procesos de las Selecciones Nacionales y de la Formación de sus Futbolistas. Versión actualized para el período 2010 – 2014.” To be honest, it’s not exactly mind-blowing stuff.

I know… I supported OWT whole-heartedly after the 2010 World Cup. I knew what he had to endure during those qualifiers. OWT re-juvenated the NT, with the addition of key players like Caceres, Suarez, Cavani and Rodriguez. And he had to qualify because of the huge amount of bonus money available. So he went through his revolving door of players and tried almost every formation, 3-5-2, 4-2-2-2, 4-4-2 diamond, 3-4-3. And the NT qualified. But these three years since the Copa America were supposed to be about entrenching a formula for future success, including continuing to re-juvenate the NT by gradually incorporating the young players whenever the opportunity arose. And in my opinion when Uruguay went through 2012 looking like it wouldn’t qualify, he had ample justification to experiment. He just does not “walk the talk” anymore. He preaches a playing style with short passes with the ball on the ground, but he contradicts himself by continuing to employ pit bull midfielders like Perez, Gonzalez and super-sub Eguren, midfielders with poor passing ability and whose inability to find open spaces forces the defense to play long bombs to the forwards. He talks about slowly incorporating the younger players but even after 3 years, “veterans” to the process like Lodeiro and Ramirez are lucky to be starters and Hernandez has completely been forgotten. OWT is being congratulated for his insertion of Stuani and Gimenez. Gimenez played a great game as centre back against Colombia but he was a “last minute” gamble by OWT. Why do I say that, because Gimenez didn’t met OWT’s self-imposed requirement of playing in Europe (or any other league except the local league) when he was called up, he had just recently signed with Atletico Madrid. And Stuani who has performed well is another player being asked to play out of position. I still believe Castro would be better in that role but kudos to Stuani.

I have been reading Tenfield’s interviews with all the coaches in Primera Division. The coaches were asked who they emulated or who had the greatest influence on them; only one mentioned OWT! Tenfield also asked if there was a “escuela del futbol Uruguayo”; most coaches made reference to the “garra” or never die attitude, but with few exceptions, were not able to answer the question. Some clubs have their own historical styles like Danubio or Defensor who emphasize possession and are true to them. Other clubs have recently hired coaches that were groomed by Defensor and Danubio and so have tried to import their style. Most coaches agreed that ball possession is important, you expend less energy trying to recuperate the ball and you will likely have more scoring opportunities. Not only is the NT’s style of tough defense and opportunistic forwards not very eye-pleasing, at times, it can be very ineffective. And it can’t be a long-term plan to have to rely on being to consistently produce strikers of Suarez and Cavani’s calibre. Aragones was able to re-invent the Spanish team’s style; Low did the same thing for the German team, Prandelli for Italy and to a lesser extent, Pekerman with Colombia. That is what great coaches do!

Are we resigned to being fifth or sixth best in Conmebol, behind Chile, Ecuador and Colombia, with the quality of players we have?

Una de fantasmas
River y la nostalgia promovida por la crisis

BUENOS AIRES -- Ahora que River sigue en caída libre, surgen los sucesivos fantasmas. Visiones del pasado que, de todos modos, no alcanzan como consuelo.

Es cierto que a River es difícil encontrarle méritos. A su falta de ideas, se le suma la escasa voluntad (¿convicciones débiles?, ¿temores?), lo cual redondea un producto chirle, casi indescriptible. En la noche con Vélez presentó una versión aún más anémica que la vista ante Lanús en la eliminación de la Sudamericana.

Entonces, como desquite módico por la serie de decepciones, la hinchada exhuma nombres que, en comparación con el triste presente, suenan a utopía.

El público mentó a Trezeguet, que la viene metiendo en Newell´s. Y también a Cavenaghi, que se baraja como un posible repatriado.

Más permeable a la crítica que en los momentos de fortaleza, Ramón Díaz tuvo que aclarar que el delantero francés fue despedido en su momento por motivos futbolísticos, no por caprichos, ni vendettas, ni internas familiares como le gusta repetir a las malas lenguas.

Ramón es proclive a mirar hacia el pasado del club, pero sólo para rescatar con orgullo una grandeza que él dice conocer e interpretar mejor que nadie. En cambio, no parece que de las disputas aún frescas vaya a surgir ninguna solución.

Trezeguet, Cavenaghi y el Chori Domínguez han quedado en el archivo como víctimas de una injusticia. Del entrenador en el primer caso y del presidente en los otros dos.

Como los tres pusieron el hombro (y un apellido de jerarquía) cuando River cursaba el peor momento de su historia, son objeto de reivindicación.

Aunque el añorado Trezeguet convierta en Newell´s los goles que River necesita como el aire, es justo decir que en el equipo de Díaz no rindió como en el ascenso y que sus lesiones impiden apostar a una continuidad confiable (también en su nuevo club estuvo inactivo por problemas físicos).

Quiero decir, hay que enfocar sin distorsiones idealistas. No sólo porque la nostalgia rara vez resulta constructiva, sino para reconocer que River, que fue convenientemente reforzado a pedido de su entrenador, tiene ahora mucho más potencial que en cualquiera de las temporadas recientes.

No está mal demostrar gratitud por los futbolistas desterrados. Pero me animo a conjeturar que ellos no cambiarían las cosas si decidieran regresar.

Con uno de los mejores arqueros del torneo (si no el mejor), con Álvarez Balanta, Vangioni, Lanzini, el prometedor Kranevitter, Carbonero y dos delanteros de lujo como Mora y Teo Gutiérrez, entre otros, River no tendría que estar echando mano a los recuerdos sino extremando las exigencias con su cuerpo técnico para cambiar esta anodina actualidad. ¿Cuántos planteles del fútbol argentino tienen este surtido de nombres?

La falta de elaboración en ataque, de explotación de los laterales (Carbonero está desperdiciado), de solidez anímica y de deseo es una factura para Ramón, cuyas decisiones tácticas y su capacidad de contagio están dejando que desear.

La conducción política que asuma tras las elecciones deberá esmerarse en el diagnóstico deportivo y en sacarle jugo a sus inversiones (conversación larga con Díaz de por medio), antes de pensar en nombres fáciles para impactar en la sensibilidad el hincha.