Snak

der er Clasico Capitalino i Honduras mellem C.D. Olimpia og Motagua. 0-0 står der efter 55min.

Hr Kostbar scorede iøvrigt i går i El Clásico Sampedrano.....

Chivas crushed by clinical Cruz Azul

GUADALAJARA -- Both Chivas and Cruz Azul are two of Mexico´s "big four", but La Maquina´s 2-0 victory over Guadalajara left nobody in attendance with any doubt as to which of the two is most likely to be challenging for trophies come the end of the season.

Marco Fabian was the main focus of the pregame build-up after having switched from Chivas to Cruz Azul in December. From Saturday´s evidence, he´s stepped up a level, with Chivas showing not just the same impotence in the attacking third, but displaying problems all over the field.

Cruz Azul, on the other hand, lived up to its "Machine" nickname and clinically took apart Chivas in front of just over 38,000 spectators inside the Estadio Omnilife. It was a mature performance from a side likely to mount a fight for the title.

The game could´ve been a major positive for Chivas in terms of this season. It could´ve sparked them into life and injected a real belief that Chivas can compete at the top end of this Clausura championship.

As it happened, the defeat was a crude wake-up call and a stark reminder that there is a lot of work still to do. It was a kick in the teeth for the club´s aspirations and premature talk of competing for the title.

It isn´t easy to know where to start when analyzing the performance.

There were the obvious errors for Cruz Azul´s goals, especially the second, but it was the overall ineptitude of Chivas as a unit that stuck out most. The lack of creativity in the final third was again evident, with Rafael Marquez Lugo being taken off at halftime -- with the score still 0-0.

"Cruz Azul was better, but we could´ve fought more," said Jose Luis "Guero" Real in the postgame press conference, adding that Marquez Lugo´s substitution was tactical due to Cruz Azul having an extra man in midfield.

There seemed little danger that a Chivas player would be played in behind the Cruz Azul defense, with the lack of options leading to balls being pumped into Aldo De Nigris, who battled unsuccessfully all night long with Colombian center back Luis Perea.

On the wings, Omar Bravo and Carlos Fierro were quiet, not producing chances and struggling to link up with De Nigris and Marquez Lugo.

In midfield, Israel Castro didn´t do much wrong, but Giovani Hernandez alongside him doesn´t seem ready for the responsibility as a regular in the center. He looks like he needs a season or two in the second division under his belt before he can become the kind of game-changer that many who follow Chivas believe he has the potential to become.

Elsewhere, an injury to Gerardo Rodriguez meant Edgar Solis stepped into the left back position, but neither he nor right back Nestor Vidrio added much support to the wingers going forward.

When Chivas fell behind to two swift goals from Mauro Formica and Rogelio Chavez at the start of the second half, the bench again highlighted the lack of depth in the squad. There was nowhere obvious to turn and not for one moment did you think Chivas could get back in the game.

The honeymoon period is very much over for Real, whose main task has to be finding a solution to the lack of creativity.

Sambafoot Sunday: Brazilian sides struggle to reach Copa Libertadores heights

The two Brazilian teams get off to losing starts in the Copa Libertadores preliminaries.

Brazilian sides Atlético Paranaense and Botafogo kicked off their continental campaigns in the Copa Libertadores this week, as they played the away legs of their qualifying matches. The winners of these two legged ties will qualify for the group stages of the tournament, but both Brazilian sides struggled to make an impact.

Atlético Paranaense managed to score what could be a vital away goal in the shape of an Éderson penalty, but still fell to a 2-1 defeat to Sporting Cristal in Lima, Peru.

The team who finished third in last season’s Brasileirão will hope to overturn this deficit in this week’s return leg in Curitiba on Wednesday night.

For Botafogo, the opening round of the competition was even more disappointing. A tepid performance resulted in a 1-0 defeat to Deportivo Quito in the heights of the Ecuadorian capital, and the home side could have had more. The altitude in Quito often excuses poor performances from visiting teams, but Botafogo were so poor that questions need to be asked beyond this.

The Rio side were helped to the fourth place Libertadores qualification spot in the league by the experienced Clarence Seedorf, and his departure to Milan seems to be affecting them already. Despite the Dutchman’s slight dip in form last season, you can now see what he brought to the team collective, even if his individual performance wasn’t always outstanding.

A lack of patience, composure and confidence in the final third was typified by new signing Juan Ferreyra early on in the game. Through on goal it seemed that all the striker needed to do was pull the trigger to give Botafogo the lead, but instead he waited for the chasing defender to foul him in order to win a penalty. The defender executed a good tackle and the chance was gone.

This only added to Botafogo’s poor start to 2014, as they’ve also struggled in their state championship fixtures. After four games in the Carioca against supposed lower quality opposition, they’ve only managed one win. Their games this week will give them a chance to turn this form around, as they play local rivals Vasco da Gama today (Sunday), and the Libertadores return leg against Deportivo Quito in the Maracanã on Wednesday night.

The Brazilian sides enter the preliminary round of the Copa Libertadores having played only a handful of low-tempo games in their respective state championships, but this can’t really be used as an excuse for below par performances. The Peruvian season is yet to start, and the campaign in Ecuador is only a few games in, so this is a rusty period for many teams on the continent.

Turning around these deficits won’t be easy for the Brazilian teams if the first legs are anything to go by, even though they are expected to do just that. The games on Wednesday night could be an early season wake-up call for both, as they go into 2014 with higher expectations given last season’s heroics.

Venezuela Primera Division Wrap: Zamora cruise past Tucanes

Zamora claimed an important 3-1 win over Tucanes in the Venezuela Primera Division as Deportivo Tachira were held to a draw.

Juan Falcon´s brace helped Zamora to the top of the table with the victory over the third-placed side, who were previously unbeaten.

John Murillo opened the scoring on the quarter-hour, and the lead was 2-1 at half-time after Falcon and Argenis Gomez struck.

But Falcon restored Zamora´s two-goal advantage in the 49th minute and Noel Sanvicente´s side were never troubled again.

Deportivo Tachira´s three-match winning run to start the campaign was ended with a 0-0 draw at home to unbeaten Deportivo Lara.

Aragua bounced back from their loss to Trujillanos with a 3-0 victory over Llaneros de Guanare thanks to Alexander Rondon´s double.

Trujillanos remain unbeaten but were held to a second draw, a scoreless one at Deportivo La Guaira.

Carlos Quintero struck twice in Deportivo Petare´s 4-2 victory over Yaracuyanos, who had Havinson Escobar score a brace.

Deportivo Anzoategui and Atletico Venezuela played out a 1-1 draw and Walter Aguilar´s late penalty saw Zulia hold Carabobo 1-1.

Mineros de Guayana kept Estudiantes de Merida winless with a 2-0 victory.

Bolivia Liga del Futbol Profesional Boliviano Wrap: The Strongest leapfrog Blooming

Blooming saw their perfect start to the Liga del Futbol Profesional Boliviano season come to an end as The Strongest went top on Sunday.

Real Potosi scored either side of half-time as they upset Blooming, who had won twice to start the campaign, with a 2-0 victory.

http://www.youtube.com/w…bXxqvt3qGAU

Juan Carlos Sanchez opened the scoring eight minutes before half-time and Miguel Angel Hurtado doubled the advantage.

So early in the season, the loss saw Blooming slip to sixth on the table, with Real Potosi jumping up to third.

The Strongest took advantage of Blooming´s slip-up by moving top courtesy of a 2-1 win at Aurora.

Boris Alfaro struck a first-half brace and the visitors held on despite Eduardo Vallecillo´s 63rd-minute goal.

http://www.youtube.com/w…E3VRyIA83Hw

Along with Nacional Potosi, The Strongest have played a game more than the other teams and sit on nine points.

Club Universitario are two points adrift of top in second after Alejandro Bejarano´s goal gave them a 1-0 win at Oriente Petrolero.

http://www.youtube.com/w…RvAzjq7K1Ho

Sport Boys returned to winning ways thanks to Leandro Ferreira, whose 84th-minute winner saw them edge San Jose 1-0.

http://www.youtube.com/w…7Hy7hpFrW_0


Bolivar did likewise with a come-from-behind 2-1 victory at home to Wilstermann and Darwin Rios´ brace helped Guabira to their first points of the campaign with a 2-0 victory over Nacional Potosi.

http://www.youtube.com/w…hUMr1bjX5Uk

http://www.youtube.com/w…WcJ-X28mE3Q

Ecuador Primera A Wrap: Catolica reel in Olmedo, Emelec stay perfect


Universidad Catolica capitalised on Ecuador Primera A leaders Olmedo´s draw to close in on top spot, while Emelec won again.

In a thrilling encounter, Elvis Patta scored an 80th-minute winner to see Universidad Catolica past Independiente del Valle 4-3.

http://www.youtube.com/w…bz4SWSHp2FU

With Olmedo held to a 0-0 draw by Deportivo Quito, the win lifted Catolica level on points with the league leaders, but they remain behind on goal difference.

Emelec hold the only perfect record in the league as a 3-0 win over Deportivo Cuenca made it two from two.

http://www.youtube.com/w…s0xJ68WYBc8

Denis Stracqualursi, Miller Bolanos and Marcos Mondaini scored for Emelec but the Guayaquil-based club remain behind Olmedo and Catolica, having played one less game this season.

Catolica fell behind at home to Independiente on 10 minutes as Andi Caicedo scrambled home from a corner.

The equaliser was a stunner courtesy of Facundo Martinez just 11 minutes later.

Receiving the ball 35 yards from goal, Martinez unleashed a right-footed rocket into the top corner.

Diego Benitez put the hosts ahead for the first time on 27 minutes as he poked in from close range before Jonathan Gonzalez equalised just before half-time when he tapped in.

The goals continued to flow in the second half as Catolica restored their lead through Armando Wila, who used his strength to turn his marker before firing into the bottom corner.

Daniel Angulo drew the visitors level on 78 minutes but Patta had the final say when he got free at the back post to score the winner.

On Saturday, Olmedo failed to find a way through at home to Deportivo Quito, who are yet to score in two games this season and collected their first point.

LDU Loja and Barcelona played out a 1-1 draw, Mushuc Runa and Manta drew 1-1 and LDU Quito edged El Nacional 1-0.

http://www.youtube.com/w…I79F0Z4c1qc

http://www.youtube.com/w…jhq2oDM4ryA

http://www.youtube.com/w…tXITAHMLvb0

Chile Primera Division Wrap: Colo Colo five-star again

Colo Colo continued their goalscoring form to stay top of the Chile Primera Division, while Palestino were beaten.

For the second time in as many matches, Colo Colo scored five as they overcame Huachipato 5-3 in a thrilling encounter at the Estadio Monumental David Arellano.

Esteban Paredes was the hero with a hat-trick, while Emiliano Vecchio and Mauro Olivi were also on the scoresheet for Hector Tapia´s men.

The victory kept Colo Colo two points clear of O´Higgins at the top, while Palestino slipped to third after their first loss of the season.

Colo Colo struck three times in the opening 39 minutes, with Paredes netting either side of Vecchio´s goal.

Francisco Arrue gave the visitors some hope of a comeback when he put away a penalty in first-half additional time.

When Lucas Simon pulled back another goal nine minutes after the break, the comeback looked on.

But Paredes´ 61st-minute goal restored Colo Colo´s two-goal advantage before Olivi and Simon traded goals late on.

Palestino suffered their first loss of the season as they were beaten 5-3 at Universidad Catolica despite Renato Ramos´ brace.

Dario Bottinelli scored a brace of penalties for the victors, who were never headed after going ahead in the seventh minute.

Along with Colo Colo, O´Higgins remain the league´s only other unbeaten team after a 2-0 win over the Santiago Wanderers lifted them up to second.

Bottom side Everton claimed their first points of the season, holding on for a 3-2 win at Universidad Concepcion.

Elsewhere, Deportes Iquique were 2-0 winners at Union La Calera and Cobreloa beat Audax Italiano by the same score.

Carlos Salom´s brace led Union Espanola past Nublense 3-2, Mauricio Gomez struck twice in the Rangers´ 2-2 draw at Cobresal and Patricio Rubio´s double saw Universidad Chile beat Antofagasta 3-1.

Mål

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

Colombia Primera A Wrap: Top three stay perfect


Atletico Nacional, Santa Fe and Boyaca Chico have continued their perfect starts to the Colombia Primera A season.

With two wins from as many matches, the trio lead the pack – with Atletico top courtesy of a plus five goal difference.

Atletico claimed their second win of the season on Sunday, easily overcoming bottom side Deportivo Cali 3-0.

http://www.youtube.com/w…rEa1W4OJj0Q

Fernando Uribe, Juan Valencia and Edwin Cardona struck for Juan Carlos Osorio´s Atletico Nacional at Cali´s Estadio Olimpico Pascual Guerrero.

Santa Fe sit second – a goal behind – after Silvio Gonzalez´s brace led them to a come-from-behind 2-1 win at Fortaleza.

http://www.youtube.com/w…hONsRyMVAS4

Boyaca Chico made it consecutive 2-1 victories, beating Alianza Petrolera by that scoreline.

http://www.youtube.com/w…aSgcWLnfdEs

Elsewhere, Envigado finished with nine men but still claimed three points in a 4-2 win over Deportes Tolima.

http://www.youtube.com/w…jSiy_AudXTo

Jonathan Alvarez scored a brace for the victors, while Mateus Uribe struck two late penalties in an eventful affair.

It was Alvarez who opened the scoring in the third minute, beating his man down the left before cutting inside and firing home.

Felipe Noguera levelled for Tolima with a 25-yard free-kick before Alvarez poked in after a fine team move.

But Tolima fought back once more as Charles Monsalvo drilled a penalty down the middle to make it 2-2 on 48 minutes.

That came after Envigado had been reduced to 10 men with Frank Fabra picking up a second yellow card.

Uribe placed in a penalty on 86 minutes before Envigado were down to nine with Yilmar Angulo sent off.

But there was a third spot-kick soon after as Uribe completed the scoring, again going down low to his left.

Medellin were 2-0 winners at home to Deportivo Pasto, Patriotas Boyaca drew 0-0 at home to Once Caldas and Junior and Uniautonoma drew 1-1.

http://www.youtube.com/w…PQDfYZVJcCU

http://www.youtube.com/w…w2fYoVyNwo0

Itagui overcame Atletico Huila 2-1 and La Equidad proved too strong for Millonarios in a 1-0 win.

http://www.youtube.com/w…NSdozJPbim0

Gimnasia venció a Estudiantes y se quedó con la Copa Amistad

http://www.youtube.com/w…G-nWztR567U

MAR DEL PLATA -- El referente Lucas Licht donde puso el ojo puso la pelota y así Gimnasia le ganó esta noche el clásico platense a Estudiantes 1-0.

Ese resultado le permitió además al Viejo Lobo obtener la Copa Amistad en el Estadio José María Minella, en Mar del Plata, el mismo escenario donde hace una semana había terminado 1-1 el juego de ida. En la escena decisiva, a los 4 minutos del segundo tiempo, Licht avanzó por la izquierda, levantó la cabeza, lo vio adelantado a Gerónimo Rulli y desde lejos dio otra muestra de la exactitud con que es capaz de entrarle a la pelota.

Lo concreto es que tras recibir la orden convincente del experimentado marcador lateral, la redonda tomó vuelo, pasó muy por encima de la cabeza del joven y eficaz guardavalla y empezó su preciso descenso en la zona del ángulo superior izquierdo.

El primer período, a pesar del 0-0, resultó activo y luchado, e inclusive hubo situaciones como para convertir frente a las dos vallas.

La ocasión bautismal de la noche la tuvo Gonzalo Klusener para los albirrojos, dado que recibió un pase interno de Patricio Rodríguez, pisó la pelota en procura del claro y remató, pero su envío pegó en el travesaño.

El León también dispuso de una cabezazo fuerte y descendente de Guido Carrillo, que no fue gol por los excelentes reflejos de Fernando Monetti, quien en dos movimientos perfectos se quedó con el balón y el grito que empezaba a nacer en las gargantas Pincharratas.

Claro que Gimnasia fue otro que llegó hasta el arco del archirrival y, tras capturar un esférico que boyaba en el área, y desde una posición bastante frontal, Maximiliano Coronel tiró con ganas y el obstáculo a su voluntad se lo puso el horizontal.

Sobre el epílogo del primer segmento Estudiantes estuvo cerca de desnivelar porque, tras un cabezazo de Ernesto Goñi, el útil pegó en el brazo izquierdo extendido de Facundo Oreja dentro del área, pero el árbitro Pablo Díaz consideró que el movimiento del marcador lateral fue natural, no intencional.

Ni bien se puso en marcha la segunda parte Licht tuvo una idea brillante, la ejecución se tornó equivalente y así El Tripero se colocó en ventaja.

El gastó y la obligación quedó entonces toda para Estudiantes y Gimnasia se acomodó para esperarlo con la intención de estrechar filas y reabrirle la herida valiéndose de alguna réplica o una acción originada con la pelota parada.

Estudiantes se fue a la carga con máxima voluntad y con futbolistas en cantidad y esa fuerza de corazón casi le permitió alcanzar el 1-1, pero el juez Díaz no advirtió, a un cuarto de hora del epílogo, una mano salvadora de Oreja prácticamente en la línea de sentencia.

La perseverancia del Pincharrata se extendió hasta el desenlace, pero el garante de la victoria fue, cuando no, Monetti.

SÍNTESIS DEL PARTIDO

ESTUDIANTES: Gerónimo Rulli; Mauricio Rosales, Jonathan Schunke, Leandro Desábato, Ernesto Goñi; Patricio Rodríguez, Gastón Gil Romero, Román Martínez, Joaquín Correa; Guido Carrillo y Gonzalo Klusener. Director técnico: Mauricio Pellegrino.
GIMNASIA: Fernando Monetti; Facundo Oreja, Osvaldo Barsottini, Juan Carlos Blengio, Lucas Licht; Gastón Díaz, Dardo Miloc, Matías García, Facundo Pereyra; Gustavo Bou y Erik Correa. Director técnico: Pedro Troglio.

GOL: En el segundo tiempo, a los 4 minutos, Licht (G).
CAMBIOS: en el primer tiempo, a los 6 minutos, Maximiliano Coronel (G) por Barsottini. En el segundo tiempo, a los 17 minutos, Juan Manuel Olivera (E) por Klusener, Leandro Jara (E) por Gil Romero y Franco Jara (E) por Carrillo; a los 22, Javier Mendoza (G) por Bou; a los 34, Iván Borghello (G) por Correa y, a los 41, Alvaro Fernández (G) por Pereyra.
ÁRBITRO: Pablo Díaz.
ESTADIO: José María Minella, en Mar del Plata.