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Franco Cángele: "Lo mejor es irme de Boca"

A un día de que Boca cierre su participación en el Torneo Inicial, el delantero Franco Cángele habló en ESPN Radio en Rivadavia y afirmó que "de palabra está cerrada la salida" para dejar el club en el mercado de pases de verano.

"Al no haber tenido la posibilidad de tener minutos, creo que lo mejor es irme de Boca. Es lo mejor para mí, como también para el club", expresó quien fue refuerzo de Boca a mitad de año, luego de ocho años fuera del club.

A su vez, Cángele manifestó que "volver y seguir con pocos minutos no sirve". "Después de la pretemporada, estaba ilusionado con jugar más. Pero no tuve la oportunidad y no se pudo dar", agregó.

"A Bianchi le estoy agradecido. Me hizo entrenar cuando más lo necesitaba y me fichó. Lo que no entendí es por qué nunca me pudo dar una oportunidad", señaló Cángele, quien apenas ingresó desde el banco de suplentes en cuatro partidos del actual campeonato.

Finalmente, Cángele confesó "Antes del partido con All Boys le fui a preguntar a Bianchi porque no jugaba y me dijo que no me veía para jugar 90 minutos". "Me queda la espina porque todos tuvieron su oportunidad", concluyó.

Franco Cángele, de 29 años, regresó a Boca en el último mes de junio tras ocho años fuera del club. En dicho período pasó por Independiente y Colón, en Argentina, y Sakaryaspor y Kayserispor, en Turquía.

Omar De Felippe: "No esperaba estar en zona de ascenso"

BUENOS AIRES -- El entrenador de Independiente, Omar De Felippe, afirmó que desde que llegó al club tenía como objetivo terminar lo más arriba posible pero "no esperaba estar en puestos de ascenso".

Independiente cerró el año en la tercera posición del torneo de la B Nacional, luego de ganarle como visitante a Patronato de Paraná y de que Crucero del Norte empató frente a Independiente Rivadavia de Mendoza, por lo que si el torneo terminara de esta mañana conseguiría el esperado regreso a Primera.

"No esperaba estar en los puestos de ascenso, aunque si cerca, porque si los de arriba (Banfield y Defensa y Justicia) se mantienen va a ser difícil pelear por un solo lugar", dijo De Felippe.

El ex técnico de Quilmes contó que no imaginaban "la cantidad de puntos y la campaña de los chicos" desde que llegaron.

"La verdad es que estamos agradecidos, porque la exigencia fue muy grande y han logrado levantarse porque las cosas no estaban bien", destacó De Felippe.

Luego de señalar que los jugadores "se hicieron cargo" de cambiar la imagen del equipo, De Felippe contó que "la confianza" era lo primero que querían recuperar.

"Todavía podemos rendir más y confiamos mucho en esta pretemporada", dijo el técnico del "Rojo".

Brazil tries to ease violence fears

SAO PAULO -- As video of Brazilian fans kicking, beating and using metal bars to pummel supporters of a rival team spread across the globe, officials moved quickly to assure people considering coming to the 2014 World Cup that they won´t see that type of violence at the global tournament.

A day after four people were hospitalized following clashes in a key match in the final round of the Brazilian league, World Cup organizers said Monday that fan safety will not be a problem during the World Cup.

"We can assure that the safety of this event will be guaranteed," said Andrei Augusto Passos Rodrigues, one of the Brazilian government´s officials in charge of security during major events. "The lamentable scenes such as the ones that happened yesterday will not be repeated."
But violence around Brazilian football is growing, including about 30 deaths this year. In July, a referee in a village match fatally stabbed a player after an argument. The referee was then stoned and decapitated by the crowd.

In the Brazilian league this year, police and fans clashed in and outside stadiums at least once a month. In most Brazilian games, anyone with a ticket can sit anywhere in the stadium. Rival fans take up separate sections, and taunting and physical confrontations often erupt where the two groups meet.

On Sunday, hundreds of supporters from first-division clubs Atletico Paranaense and Vasco da Gama charged against each other in the southern city of Joinville on Sunday, exchanging punches, kicks and using homemade weapons in the fight that stopped the match for more than an hour. A police helicopter had to land on the field to airlift a man with a serious head injury.

Sunday´s match was played in Joinville instead of Atletico Paranaense´s base in Curitiba because the club had been punished for fan fighting earlier this year.

The disturbing images from the fight came just two days after FIFA held the draw for the World Cup with an extravagant ceremony in a luxurious resort in northeastern Brazil.

"This is very sad for Brazilian football," FIFA said in a statement. "FIFA and the local organizing committee condemn any form of violence and such incidents should not happen in any football stadium."

But the scenes were not new to Brazilians. Authorities are unable to contain rival fan groups that go to stadiums mostly to fight. A recent study by Rio de Janeiro sociologist Mauricio Murad showed that at least 30 people have been killed in incidents across the country this year alone, more than in 2012.

Confrontations are likely in nearly every match, from the most high-profile ones to the least watched. Cruzeiro´s title celebrations a few weeks ago had to be canceled because of fan fighting.

Few troublemakers are ever arrested, and those who are will rarely stay in prison. Punishment usually comes from Brazil´s sports tribunal, which bans teams from playing at home after fan violence.

"Violence in football is treated differently than it is in society," said Leonardo Bertozzi, a commentator with ESPN Brasil. "You need to arrest those who take part in this type of violence and that doesn´t happen."

Only three of the hundreds of fans seen fighting on Sunday were arrested.

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff called for an end to lack of punishment.

"The country of football cannot live with violence in stadiums anymore," Rousseff said on Twitter.

Many of the fights are pre-arranged by rival groups on the Internet and are not only related to teams´ poor performances. Authorities know that many criminals are part of the fan groups but have been unable to ban them from stadiums.

Brazilian authorities argue that the 12 new World Cup stadiums will help drive out hooliganism and violence.

"We could discuss here for days the reasons why violence erupts in the stadiums," Rodrigues said. "But we believe that with the new events ... we will be able to overcome these issues and have safer stadiums to go to in Brazil. We hope that can change the old idea of a stadium as a place where violence can happen."

Security in Joinville was handled by private guards instead of police, similar to what is planned for the World Cup. Stewards are responsible for fan safety inside stadiums during FIFA events, with authorities usually in charge of security outside. Sunday´s fighting only stopped after police fired rubber bullets to disperse the crowd.

"For the 2014 FIFA World Cup a very comprehensive security concept is in place in an integrated operation between private and public security authorities to ensure the safety for fans, players and any other stakeholder involved in the event," FIFA said in a statement. "The concept has worked very well during the FIFA Confederations Cup and is built on models used at previous FIFA World Cups."

While there were only about 80 security guards separating the crowd in Joinville, the local organizing committee said nearly 900 private security agents worked in every match during the Confederations Cup, a warm-up for the World Cup.

Most of FIFA´s security concerns have been focused on protests outside of the venues. The fan groups common to club matches are not expected during World Cup games, in part because of the high prices of tickets.

Only Leon stands in way of America´s 12th title

Go ahead, hate Club America. Hate them for their gigantic stadium, which was hopping Sunday with frenzied fans encouraging them to overturn a one-goal disadvantage to Toluca. Azteca Stadium is an imposing venue for international matches, but to Las Aguilas, it’s home sweet home. Sunday was the time to turn that intimidating atmosphere against their opponents.

Hate Club America for their players. The club can afford many of the best in Mexico, and it’s not an accident the bulk of the domestic-based Mexico squad that qualified El Tri for the 2014 World Cup are from the club. The silky crosses of Miguel Layun, the effervescent scoring agility of Raul Jimenez, the uncanny ability of goalkeeper Moises Munoz to contribute when most needed meshed easily into a Mexico team fans could be proud of at the end of a shameful and frustrating year. Yet Club America also boasts top-level foreign talent as well, with the dynamic Rubens Sambueza leading the way.

Hate Club America for their coach, Miguel Herrera, who turned the star players into a cohesive unit, and who has helped the team bounce back from losing last season’s league scoring leader, the late Christian Benitez. Herrera is demonstrative and yet analytical, skilled in both motivating players and the tactics of the game. Even in a year interrupted by a national team stint, Herrera has remained faithful to getting the job done at Club America.

Above all else, fans of any other Liga MX team can hate Club America for the prize that is now within their reach -- an unprecedented full dozen championship titles, more than any other club in league history.

America defeated Toluca 2-0 to take a 3-2 aggregate victory Sunday, while Leon drew 2-2 against Santos Laguna to win 5-3 over the two legs.

The first leg of the Liga MX Apertura tournament final is Thursday in Leon, with the return leg in Estadio Azteca next Sunday. America is tied with Guadalajara rival Chivas on 11 league titles, while Leon, promoted to the first division in 2012, hasn´t won a championship since 1992.

It wasn’t as if Toluca didn’t try to deny America that 12th title. The pace of the match was frenetic from the start, with goalkeeper Alfredo Talavera doing well to deny chances for Las Aguilas, while Toluca struck fast on the counterattack.

But with intense fan support urging them on, Las Aguilas struck early. Aquivaldo Mosquera rose high in the box to head home a Sambueza pass that left Talavera no chance.

Toluca needed only one goal to swing the momentum back in their favor. Antonio “Zinha” Naelson and Isaac Brizuela were especially active in attempting to get it. Toluca took control in the second half, though Munoz reacted well in goal to keep America’s advantage. As the time ticked down, however, Toluca began to tire. Las Aguilas secured the vital second goal that assured advancement with barely five minutes left in regulation. Like Mosquera, Jesus Molina scored on a header.

Now Herrera, the coach once known as a man capable of good results but unable to claim the big prize, has his team poised to win back-to-back championships.

There was less suspense in the other Liga MX semifinal, since Leon had pushed out to a sizable advantage. Santos Laguna ended up scoring two goals, but that wasn’t enough, since Leon kept pace by scoring two of their own.

The tight game in the first half, which was scoreless, gave way to a scoring frenzy in the second. Oribe Peralta came through with the first goal for the Laguneros, but the next two were for Leon. A late consolation goal for Santos Laguna ended the scoring.

Leon may get love from neutral fans in the final partly as the last chance to keep the 12th title away from Club America, but they have a solid shot at the championship as well. Though not as flashy as Las Aguilas, Leon´s players are strong as a unit and have had a great season together.

Still, something seems preordained in the way that Club America has led Liga MX from the start this season. The players have dialed in the formula to win, and it will be difficult to knock them off course. Even the hate from others seems to only fuel them along.

America and Leon present a fascinating final

MEXICO CITY -- A unique soccer culture. A unique national team. A unique final.

In what other country in the world would the national team coach bring his club team to the final of his country´s league tournament with 16 national-team players, from both clubs, on the field?

Yes: America (and Mexico national team) manager Miguel Herrera has 11 national-team players on his America side. And he had five players from the opposing team, Leon, under his tutelage during Mexico´s World Cup qualifying playoff games against New Zealand.

The first leg of the America-Leon Apertura tournament final is slated for Thursday in Leon, with the return leg on Sunday in Estadio Azteca.

Does Herrera´s situation seem like an unquestionable advantage? It´s actually relative. And let´s see why.

1. Herrera became familiar with the strengths and weaknesses of the spinal column of the Leon team during El Tri´s preparation stage, and during the team´s call-up and games against the Kiwis.

Having directed, observed, assessed, judged and spent time personally with five Leon players, Herrera (and 11 of his 23-man squad) should know Rafa Marquez, Jonny Magallon, Luis Montes, Gullit Pena and Edwin Hernandez intimately, inside and out.

Herrera coached and trained with the core of Gustavo Matosas´ Leon squad.

2. But the five Leon players also obtained in-depth knowledge of the tactical requirements Herrera demands from his players, or at least from seven of them directly on the field.

And if we add that the Leon players possess that spark of intelligence that defines players who can improvise tactically, they will surely have valuable information for their coach.

There is no doubt that Marquez, Gullit and Montes, more so than Edwin and Magallon -- who were cut out of the process -- could fill Matosas in on the instructions that Herrera gives regarding movements on the field.

Clearly, Herrera, without knowing it, had five friendly and loyal partners in the buildup and subsequent playoff against New Zealand, without knowing they would turn into efficient spies as his daunting adversary in the final of the 2013 Apertura.

And watch out, because Matosas has proven that he is as good or better a coach as Herrera.

And be warned: It was not a normal get-together. The relationship between the components of this emerging national team, tasked with rescuing qualification for the World Cup, must have been intense.

Intense because the mutual understanding of the group, and the commitment that they showed, makes it clear that they formed a perfect understanding of each other´s movements on the field.

Who will make the best use of this state of affairs?

The information Herrera and his 11 America players were able to memorize in those days of intense cohabitation with those five Leon players? Or the report the five Leon players can deliver about Herrera´s tactical habits, preferences and demands regarding where and how to play?

Really, it´s unique, it´s strange, it´s abnormal, it´s insane and crazy, it´s unbelievable -- but that´s what happened: Key players from both teams were heroic partners during Mexican soccer´s time of need, and they were able to meld together in an unprecedented way while shouldering their shared task.

But even though it is so dramatic and unique, in the end, because of the aggressive nature of both teams and because they know each other so well, the two games of the final will probably be even more fascinating and compelling.

And this, all of this, could only have happened in Mexico.

And to quote the brilliant Ney Blanco de Oliveira for the umpteenth time: "In Mexico, things happen that even God doesn´t believe."

Unforgettable week for Costa Rica’s Oviedo

LONDON, England – Until recently, the only action that Bryan Oviedo had seen with English side Everton during the 2013-14 season was two matches in the League Cup and one in the Premier League as a second-half substitute.

But that has all changed over the last nine days for the Costa Rican international, who completed a run of three superb outings this weekend with the Toffees’ 1-1 draw at top-of-the-table Arsenal.

Oviedo was slotted into the starting line-up after stalwart left-back Leighton Baines suffered a fractured toe in a 3-3 draw against rival Liverpool on November 23.

It was an opportunity that the 23-year-old has seized with both hands.

On November 30, Oviedo played 90 minutes and scored his first goal of the season in a 4-0 win over Stoke City.

Four days later, the former FC Copenhagen and Saprissa star made history for the Liverpool-based side, netting in the 86th minute to give Everton its first triumph at Manchester United since 1992.

The good times continued on Sunday against Arsenal, as Oviedo was once again a main figure, assisting on Gerard Deulofeu’s brilliant equalizer with six minutes left in regulation.

Three matches, two goals, one assist. For Oviedo, it has been a week to remember.

“I think it has been my best week in England and I am so happy for this,” Oviedo told the club’s website. “But I am very happy for the team because we are playing very well.

“The fans have been very important for me because they have given me more motivation. I am so happy with the support because they are important for us in every match.”

Interestingly, Friday’s World Cup draw produced a pairing between Costa Rica and England next year in Brazil. The match will pit Oviedo against some of Everton teammates, including Baines.

“I am happy to get to play against England,” beamed Oviedo. “It is a difficult group. We have to play hard for the next six months so we are prepared.”

Everton will return to action on Saturday at home against Fulham, a game that could see Oviedo square off against countryman Bryan Ruiz.

Central America Recap -­ December 9, 2013

Real España captured the first leg of the Honduran final at home, while Guatemala and El Salvador now have their finalists.

HONDURAS

Real España got two goals Bryan Rochez and another from Claudio Nicolas Labariñas Cardozo to defeat Real Sociedad 3-1 in the first leg of the Honduran Apertura final on Sunday at the Estadio Francisco Morazan in San Pedro Sula.

Rochez opened the scoring in the 15th minute, reacting well to strike from seven-yards out off a cross from the left side of the box by Allan Aleman. The 18-year-old forward netted his second 17 minutes later with a header from the edge of the six-yard box.

Real Sociedad was able to cut the deficit in the 58th minute courtesy of a penalty converted by Elkin Gonzalez. Three minutes prior, home goalkeeper Luis Lopez brought down Rony Martínez in the area and the referee did not hesitate to point to the spot.

Four minutes later, Labariñas Cardozo sealed the win, controlling a ball from Rochez with his thigh and firing in with his right foot.

Head coach Hernán Medford’s team will now look to become champion next Sunday, when the return leg is contested at the Estadio Francisco Martinez Duron in Tocoa.

GUATEMALA

Comunicaciones and Heredia are the finalists in Guatemala following second leg play in the Apertura semifinals this past weekend.

Comunicaciones followed up a 1-0 first-leg loss to Marquense with a 4-0 win at home on Saturday. A penalty kick by Juan Jose Paredes, plus additional goals from Paolo Suárez, Jairo Arreola and Jonathan Marquez, paved the way for a comprehensive Cremas triumph.

On Sunday, visiting Heredia completed a 4-1 aggregate triumph over Municipal with a a 1-1 draw at the Estadio Manuel Felipe Carrera, El Trebol. A 17th minute goal by Mario Rodríguez goal gave the Rojos hope of a momentous comeback, but Manuel Lopez’s equalizer five minutes before the break ensured that Heredia advanced comfortably.

Heredia will host Comunicaciones in the first leg of the final on Thursday at the Estadio in the Estadio Del Monte. The two sides also met in the 2013 Clausura final, which was won by Comunicaciones, 2-1 on aggregate.


EL SALVADOR

After surviving an entertaining Sunday of second leg, semifinal action, Isidro Metapan and FAS will meet in the Salvadoran Apertura final.

At San Salvador’s Estadio Cuscatlan, ten-man Metapan rallied late from a two-goal deficit to earn a 2-2 draw with Atletico Marte and progress 3-2 on aggregate. Marte took advantage of Narciso Orellana’s 21st minute ejection, when Christopher Ramirez poked home from close range off Otoniel Salinas’ left-sided cross 11 minutes later. Ramirez doubled the advantage in 73rd minute on the second attempt, chipping in from four-yards out after his initial attempt was blocked.

With five minutes left in regulation, Metapan’s Milton Molina made it 2-1, sharply heading in a corner kick from seven yards.

Two minutes later, Andres Flores delivered a cross just outside the six-yard box that Puerto Rico international Hector Ramos headed into an empty net to seal Metapan’s place in the final.

In Santa Ana, Jefferson Viveros scored a goal in each half to lead FAS to a 2-1 win over visiting Juventud Independiente, giving the Tigers a 4-3 aggregate triumph. The Colombian struck for the host in the 31st and 81st minutes, while Oscar Ceren netted for Juventud in the 63rd.

The single-game final will be played on Sunday at the Estadio Cuscatlan with the winner earning a place in the next CONCACAF Champions League.

Gareca probó un equipo de Vélez con Romero y Cáseres

BUENOS AIRES -- El delantero Ramiro Cáseres y el volante Lucas Romero asoman como titulares en Vélez Sarsfield el domingo próximo en el decisivo partido ante San Lorenzo por el torneo Inicial, al formar parte del primer equipo que dispuso en la práctica Ricardo Gareca.

Cáseres aparecía desde la semana pasada como el postulante principal para ocupar la vacante que dejó Mauro Zárate por su expulsión ante Colón, relegando a Ezequiel Rescaldani al banco de suplentes.

En tanto, cuando alumbraba la chance de Ariel Cabral en el medio tras recuperarse de un traumatismo en un pie, en la práctica de fútbol en la Villa Olímpica fue Romero el que ocupó el puesto junto a Leandro Desábato.

Gareca dispuso formar el equipo con Sebastián Sosa; Fabián Cubero, Fernando Tobio, Sebastián Domínguez, Emiliano Papa; Agustín Allione, Desábato, Romero, Federico Insúa; Cáseres y Lucas Pratto.

Guillermo Barros Schelotto: "Estoy muy ilusionado con ser campeón"

BUENOS AIRES -- Guillermo Barros Schelotto, entrenador de Lanús, se mostró muy ilusionado con la posibilidad de ser campeón el miércoles por primera vez en su rol de técnico, cuando su equipo reciba a Ponte Preta de Brasil, por la revancha de la final de la Copa Total Sudamericana.

"Estoy muy ilusionado con ser campeón como técnico. Gané muchos títulos y Copas como jugador, pero es mi primera competencia internacional como DT y me ilusiona pensar que podré cumplir el sueño de todo técnico", explicó Guillermo, ex jugador de Gimnasia de La Plata y Boca.

Con Boca, equipo en el que jugó una década y ganó 16 títulos, Barros Schelotto festejó las Copas Libertadores 2000, 2001 y 2003 y la Intercontinental 2003, entre otros logros internacionales.

"La chance del título como técnico me genera a la vez mucha ansiedad. Pero, como sabe todo el plantel, tenemos que estar concentrados y tranquilos para que Lanús pueda hacer en el campo de juego lo mejor que pueda", comentó el Mellizo, de 40 años.

"Hay mucha expectativa porque varios jugadores del club viven esto no solo como profesionales sino como hinchas. Eso te puede dar un plus pero a la vez hay que manejar ansiedad", agregó.

Para el entrenador, Lanús debe "tener la pelota y buscar ser protagonista del partido. No puedo definir el equipo titular porque hay jugadores con molestias, pero no vamos a cambiar esquema táctico, con los habituales tres delanteros".

Sobre el rival, Ponte Preta, con quien igualó 1-1 en el encuentro de ida en Brasil, Barros Schelotto consideró que "hay que cuidarse de su salida rápida, se cierra bien en defensa y te puede salir con un contraataque peligroso por el buen dominio de pelota que, de por sí, tienen los brasileños".

Además, el Mellizo` recalcó que deben tener cuidado con el factor "sorpresa" de los brasileños. "Siempre te sorprenden con algo, como nos pasó en la ida que teníamos todo controlado y con un tiro libre Bastos nos empató. Y después el mismo Bastos casi nos gana el partido con otro tiro libre", aclaró.

Lautaro Acosta podría ser titular

BUENOS AIRES --Con la mente puesta principalmente en la final de la Copa Sudamericana, la cual definirá este miércoles a las 20.50 en su propio estadio ante Ponte Preta, el plantel de Lanús se entrenó en la mañana del martes, en la que Lautaro Acosta, una de sus figuras, se mostró recuperado y con chances de ser titular. El delantero sufrió un desgarro en el bíceps femoral de su pierna izquierda hace 12 días, en el partido de vuelta por las semifinales, ante Libertad de Paraguay.

En la práctica, el ex Boca jugó recostado sobre la derecha acompañando a Santiago Silva en ataque. Luego, el entrenador Guillermo Barros Schelotto incluyó al juvenil Oscar Benítez en su lugar. Además, Lucas Melano no participó de la práctica por precaución, al padecer una molestia en el pubis, y su puesto fue ocupado por Ismael Blanco.

Por otro lado, la única duda táctica se presenta en el mediocampo, ya que el Mellizo aún no definió si jugará Jorge Ortíz o Víctor Ayala. En consecuencia, los once serían: Marchesín; Araujo, Goltz, Izquierdoz y Velázquez; Diego González, Somoza y Ortiz o Ayala; Acosta o Benitez, Silva y Melano.

Teniendo en cuenta que en la final no se considera el gol de visitante, Lanús será campeón directamente con una vicoria, tras el empate 1 a 1 en el partido de ida en Brasil. El Granate busca su segundo título internacional, tras la obtención de la Copa Conmebol en 1996, de la mano de Héctor Cúper.