Snak

Liga MX Wrap: Tigres surprise America in quarter-finals

Tigres have surprisingly held America to a 2-2 draw in the Liga MX quarter-finals, while Toluca thumped Cruz Azul.

America had topped the Apertura league standings after 17 rounds but needed an 89th-minute goal from Aquivaldo Mosquera to secure a draw away to Tigres, who qualified for the finals in eighth position.

Tigres had not lost at home since October 5 heading into Sunday´s quarter-final first leg but the Monterrey-based club suffered an early blow when Juan Carlos Valenzuela glanced a header into the net from a corner to give America the lead in the 14th minute.

The hosts hit back just after the half-hour mark, however, when Alan Pulido superbly volleyed home from the penalty spot after a whipped left-wing cross by Jorge Torres Nilo.

The visitors could barely gather themselves before Tigres hit the front as a corner was headed down to Guido Pizarro and the 23-year-old midfielder thumped the ball past America goalkeeper Moises Munoz.

But Tigres were denied an impressive victory in the penultimate minute of regulation time when Mosquera flung himself at a hopeful cross and his outstretched leg lifted the ball over Enrique Palos for the equalising goal.


http://www.youtube.com/w…njcpAESjdtw


In Toluca de Lerdo, the home side set up a three-goal lead over Cruz Azul ahead of next week´s second leg with a 3-0 result.

Oscar Rojas, Pablo Velazquez and Francisco Gamboa scored for Toluca, while in the other two matches on Sunday, Morelia recovered from 3-1 down to draw 3-3 with Leon and Santos Laguna held on for a 3-2 win away to Queretaro.



http://www.youtube.com/w…gAmv-lgLkJ8

http://www.youtube.com/w…KwaBiLqIvEk

http://www.youtube.com/w…FA7M4Kqk-nc

Swansea eye January swoop for Hector Moreno

Michael Laudrup continues to scour the Spanish market in his efforts to bolster his impressive Swansea side and the latest player to be linked with a move to the Swans is Espanyol’s Mexican international, Hector Moreno.

The 47-times capped Mexican international, centre back is strongly linked with a January move to Swansea and after impressing at the heart of Espanyol’s defence in La Liga he would be a great addition to the Welsh side in their efforts to improve upon their excellent last season.

Despite only being 25 years of age, Moreno has a wealth of experience and a deal could be wrapped up in the next few weeks in an effort to complete business early and avoid any other competition.

Moreno moved to Espanyol in the summer of 2011 for around £3.5 million from Dutch side AZ Alkmaar and so the Barcelona outfit would be looking to recoup their money at least, although Swansea will be hoping to take advantage of their precarious financial position.

Moreno burst onto the scene as part of the Mexican Under 17 side that won the World Cup and after impressing for Pumas a move to Europe quickly presented itself. AZ Alkmaar snapped up the youngster and in 2009 they were crowned Eredivisie champions.

Further good performances prompted a move to Espanyol and after his first season in Barcelona, Moreno was named ‘Player of the Year’, playing 35 times in La Liga and scoring 3 goals.

Moreno could prove another piece of astute business for Laudrup and Swansea and the physical test of the Premier League would help to further progress the players education, which can only benefit himself and El Tri.

Costa Rica Primera Division Wrap: Alajuelense gain confidence in final round

Alajuelense will enter the Torneo de Invierno´s final stages in the best form of the four clubs after a 4-0 thumping of Perez Zeledon.

While the other three clubs that will compete in the Invierno semi-finals of the Costa Rican Primera Division drew in the final round, Alajuelense warmed up with an impressive victory on the road.

Alajuelense will take on Deportivo Saprissa over two legs for a spot in the Invierno final and should have plenty of confidence after registering their fifth straight victory in the league.

Maurim Vieira de Souza kick-started Alajuelense´s big win with a goal in the 10th minute but the visitors had to wait until the final half hour to complete their rout of Perez Zeledon.

Juan Gabriel Guzman notched a brace in the space of five minutes after the hour mark, while Camilo Aguirre capped off the victory in the 88th minute.

The win saw Alajuelense finish on 47 points, two adrift of leaders Herediano, who came from behind to draw 2-2 away to Carmelita, while Saprissa (42 points) were held to a 1-1 stalemate by fourth-placed Cartagines.

Herediano will face Cartagines over two legs for the other spot in the Invierno final.

In other final round results, Belen Siglo XXI finished with a 1-0 win away to Uruguay but remained bottom of the table, Santos de Guapiles defeated UCR 3-1 and Puntarenas won 1-0 over Limon.

Colombia Primera A Wrap: Late strikes send Deportivo Cali clear

Fainer Torijano and Carlos Rivas have struck to help Deportivo Cali take control of Group B in the Colombia Primera A Clausura semi-finals.

Torijano and Rivas struck in the 82nd and 88th minutes respectively as Cali came from behind to overcome Once Caldas 2-1 and clinch their third win from as many games in the finals series.

http://www.youtube.com/w…8nwFpXNwDOg

The win on Saturday saw Cali move to nine points halfway through the group stage, six points clear of second-placed Millonarios, who have a game in hand.

The top teams from each group will play off for the Clausura title and Cali look well-placed to claim a berth in the final.

Once Caldas struck just before half-time at the Estadio Palgrande but Cali continued their brilliant finals form with a late flurry.

In the other Group B fixture over the weekend, Millonarios defeated Deportivo Pasto 2-0 to leave both teams on three points.


http://www.youtube.com/w…KNFxb-XYtsI


Millonarios will play their game in hand against Once Caldas on Wednesday.

In Group A, Junior maintained their three-point lead at the top with a scoreless draw versus second-placed Atletico Nacional, while Santa Fe defeated Itagui 2-1.

http://www.youtube.com/w…W43RwtfMGaI


Junior sit top of Group A with seven points with Atletico Nacional (four points), Santa Fe (three) and Itagui (zero) taking up the other positions.

Atletico Nacional and Santa Fe have only played two matches but will complete their game in hand on Thursday.

Ecuador Primera A Wrap: Independiente keep title race alive

Independiente del Valle have kept their title hopes alive in Ecuador´s Primera A with a 2-2 draw against leaders Emelec.

Daniel Angulo notched a brace for Independiente as the home side came from behind twice to draw with Emelec, who remain six points clear at the top of the table.

Independiente moved up to second with the point on Sunday above Universidad Catolica but they have plenty of work ahead of them to overhaul Emelec with three games remaining in the second stage of the season.

Denis Stracqualursi opened the scoring for Emelec in just the second minute when he got free at the back post to tap home from Polo Wila´s cross.

Independiente levelled the scores 12 minutes later with Angulo slamming the ball into the roof of the net from Fernando Guerrero´s cut-back.

Just before half-time, Emelec struck again with Wila again teeing up Stracqualursi but after going into the break behind, the hosts started the second half brilliantly with Angulo turning his defender 35 metres from goal, bursting forward and then finishing calmly past visiting goalkeeper Cristian Arana.

While the draw ensured both Independiente and third-placed Catolica can still catch Emelec, the result also suited the leaders as they can wrap up the second-phase title with a point at home against LDU Loja in the next round.

Emelec also won the first phase of the Primera A, meaning if they claim the second-phase title they will automatically be crowned overall champions.

If either Catolica or Independiente finish top in the second phase, they will take on Emelec in a championship-deciding final.

Catolica started the weekend´s action with a shock 2-1 loss away to Manta, who had not won in their six previous matches.

In other results, LDU Loja thrashed Macara 4-1, Deportivo Quito prevailed 1-0 away to El Nacional, Deportivo Quevedo defeated Deportivo Cuenca 3-1 and Barcelona won 1-0 over LDU Quito.

Mål

http://www.youtube.com/w…vOBzoqLv8Kk

LFPB Wrap: San Jose eyeball Bolivar at top

San Jose have moved level with Bolivar on points at the top of the Liga del Futbol Profesional Boliviano (LFPB).

While Bolivar remain top of the Bolivian league on goal difference, their loss away to Club Universitario allowed San Jose to join them on 31 points after a draw away to Oriente Petrolero.

Oriente Petrolero led San Jose from the ninth minute of their game on Sunday following Pablo de Muner´s goal but Carlos Saucedo struck with 16 minutes remaining to ensure the visitors went home with a point and increased the pressure on Bolivar.


http://www.youtube.com/w…jtOIKfmTEWA

Saucedo´s goal was his 12th of the Apertura campaign and saw him draw level with team-mate Marcelo Gomes at the top of the league goal-scoring charts.

The Strongest, who sit third, moved within a point of the leading two clubs with a 2-0 victory over Nacional Potosi but the reigning Apertura champions left it late to secure the three points.

Enrique Parada notched the opening goal for The Strongest in the 88th minute before Daniel Chavez wrapped up the victory in second-half stoppage time.

http://www.youtube.com/w…jtOIKfmTEWA

In Sucre, Universitario overcame Bolivar 2-1 thanks to Mauricio Saucedo´s second-half brace.

A ninth-minute strike from Juan Miguel Callejon saw Bolivar lead at half-time but Saucedo equalised immediately after the break and then completed Universitario´s comeback with 14 minutes left.

http://www.youtube.com/w…jtOIKfmTEWA

Wilstermann could have moved up to 30 points too but were stunned 1-0 at home by Blooming, who sit second last on the table.

http://www.youtube.com/w…jtOIKfmTEWA

In other results, Real Potosi thrashed Aurora 4-1 and Guabira defeated Sport Boys 1-0.

http://www.youtube.com/w…jtOIKfmTEWA

http://www.youtube.com/w…jtOIKfmTEWA

Chile Primera Division Wrap: Antofagasta hand O´Higgins a title lifeline

Antofagasta have opened up the Chilean title race by stunning leaders Universidad Catolica 2-0, allowing O´Higgins to draw level at the top.

O´Higgins struck twice in the final 20 minutes to win 2-1 away to Union La Calera to join Catolica on 33 points at the top of the Primera Division, although the latter remain top of the league on goal difference.

In Antofagasta, Catolica suffered their second loss in three matches in all competitions with the hosts scoring twice after half-time through Kevin Harbottle and Jorge Javier Elizondo.

Catolica had won their past five league games but their slip-up on Saturday saw O´Higgins draw level with two rounds remaining in the Apertura season.

In La Calera, O´Higgins had to come from behind after Leandro Benegas had given the home side the lead in the 17th minute.

Pablo Calandria started O´Higgins´ comeback in the 70th minute and Pedro Pablo Hernandez made it 2-1 with five minutes left.

Only Catolica or O´Higgins can win the Apertura title with the former facing 10th-placed Colo Colo and Union La Calera - who sit 16th - in the final two weeks, while the latter must play Union Espanola (fourth) and Rangers (15th).

Catolica also have eight goals worth of goal difference up their sleeve, should there be a tie on points.

Nublense claimed the win of the round, thumping Palestino 6-3, while Cobresal defeated Audax Italiano 3-1 and Everton won 2-1 away to Cobreloa.

In other results, Universidad Chile defeated Huachipato 1-0, Santiago Wanderers held Colo Colo to a scoreless draw, Union Espanola edged out Universidad Concepcion 1-0 and Rangers drew 0-0 with Deportes Iquique.

Mål

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

Så har vi en paraguyansk mester i Cerro Porteño.

Paraguay Division Profesional Wrap: Cerro Porteno clinch title

Cerro Porteno have been crowned champions of Paraguay after their closest rivals Deportivo Capiata lost 5-3 to third-placed Guarani.

Guarani´s Fernando Fernandez and Derlis Gonzalez effectively handed the title to Cerro Porteno as they combined to score all five of their team´s goals to end Capiata´s chances to reaching top spot with two rounds to play.

Cerro Porteno picked up a point with a 1-1 draw against Libertad, which saw the Division Profesional-leaders move nine points clear of Capiata (37 points), while Guarani could still claim second having risen to 33 points.

Capiata had needed three points and for Cerro Porteno not to win to stay in the hunt for the title.

In Asuncion on Sunday, Cerro Porteno led at half-time in front of their home fans through Angel Romero´s 32nd-minute strike but Libertad secured a draw thanks to Brian Montenegro´s goal just after the hour mark.

http://www.youtube.com/w…adk7cVeXAig

That result opened the door for Capiata but they fell behind to the home side in just the seventh minute to a strike from Fernandez.

Dionisio Perez struck back for Capiata three minutes later and the visitors hit the front in the 19th minute through Nestor Gonzalez.

Three goals in the final 20 minutes of the first half - two to Fernandez to complete his hat-trick, plus one to Capiata´s Julio Cesar Irrazabal - saw the score reach 3-3 at the break.

But in the second half, Guarani took control with Gonzalez scoring twice, including from the penalty spot in the 71st minute.

Sportivo Luqueno triumphed 4-2 away to Sol de America and Nacional Asuncion defeated Cerro Porteno PF 1-0, while General Diaz and Rubio Nu were both held to 1-1 draws at home by Olimpia and Deportivo Carapegua respectively.

mål

http://www.teledeportes.…s-los-goles

Palencia appointment raises questions at Chivas

Paco Palencia is moving from Chivas USA to Chivas Guadalajara to serve as sporting director.

This week Francisco ´Paco´ Palencia was named Guadalajara´s new sporting director, leaving his post at Chivas USA to become the main link at Chivas between the sporting president Dennis te Kloese and the first team.

Palencia will be announcing who will coach Guadalajara, sorting out details of incoming and outgoing transfers and attempting to put in place a first team at Chivas next season that can do substantially better than its 16th place finish in the Apertura.

On the face of it, having someone with the 40-year-old Palencia´s pedigree exclusively working in Guadalajara is a positive. He is well-respected after an exemplary career at Chivas, Chivas USA, Pumas and Espanyol and has the raw ingredients to become a top sporting director.

But in terms of putting together a team at a club where relegation is a latent possibility in the near future, his inexperience also represents a risk.

"This is a winning team, we don´t think about relegation, we think about going for the title," was Palencia´s take on a relegation situation that Chivas is likely to confront in 2015.

Palencia is a newcomer to the role and will head to the offseason draft as such, with Chivas in absolute desperate need of wrapping up a number of intelligent signings. He is certainly being thrown into the deep end.

The first task is that of finding a coach, with Palencia non-committal on Juan Carlos Ortega´s future, simply indicating that the name of the Chivas manager for next season will be named in "the next few days."

Palencia did give a profile of what the club is looking for.

"He needs to know the club, the players and the identity of the player that is required here," stated Palencia.

That seemed to rule out a host of names and was an apt description of Jose Luis "Guero" Real, whose return to the bench would be a huge decision, considering he´s occupied various positions in the institution throughout all the turmoil over the last few years.

Palencia is also stepping into a job that is a poisoned chalice at a club with a rotating door of "sporting directors."

With his painted nails, long hair and stylish attire, Palencia looks a bit different than the others, but history tells us he´ll need to make a quick impact if he wants to avoid becoming just another name on that ever-expanding list.

Rumors flying:

Sporting president -- different than Palencia´s role as sporting director -- Te Kloese announced that there will be important news in coming days and weeks and that the club has been "doing a lot but saying little" so far this offseason.

Until there is hard news on transfers coming out of the club, here´s a wrap of the rumors flying around Guadalajara: Marco Fabian close to Europe; Pavel Pardo offered sporting director´s job; Carlos Salcido to return after Tigres´ season is over; Miguel Sabah heading to Leon. Remember, these are only rumors.

Torneo Inicial: All Boys shock Boca, Newell’s & Arsenal draw and Racing beat awful River

There were four matches on Sunday in the 2013 Torneo Inicial. First, Lanús had their amazing recent run halted by Gimnasia, who scrambled a 0-0 draw out of their visit to El Granate.

After that, there was a surprise in La Bombonera, as Boca Juniors – who had one of the league’s best home records – fell victim to All Boys’ first away win of the season, as Ricardo Rodríguez got a 2-0 win in his first match as manager.

Championship rivals Newell’s Old Boys and Arsenal de Sarandí drew 1-1, and in the day’s last match Racing claimed a 1-0 win over River Plate. All five goals are right here.


Boca 0-2 All Boys

Juan Román Riquelme had to be substituted just fifteen minutes in with an injury, and in his absence Boca couldn’t create anything; two second half goals, from Roberto Battión and a penalty from Mauro Matos, gave All Boys the victory.

https://www.youtube.com/…dDWs2OE6bzQ

Newell’s 1-1 Arsenal

Marcos Cáceres pulled out a fine finish to send the hosts in at the break with the lead, but yet again they dropped points thanks to Mariano Echeverría’s headed equaliser early in the second half. Newell’s at one point this season looked like they were strolling towards a successful defence of their title, but they now haven’t won in six matches.

https://www.youtube.com/…euYJ6VfNgJs

Racing 1-0 River

There’s not much to say about this. Bruno Zuculini headed River into the lead in the 13th minute, and thereafter River put in an awful performance, dominated possession but totally unable to create anything at all.

https://www.youtube.com/…RbnDGFxumlc