Snak

Soccer roundup: Colo Colo slips up, O’Higgins fails to capitalize

O’Higgins misses chance to narrow points gap ahead of next week’s clash with league leader, ‘La U’ back to winning ways, Rangers’ slump continues.

Cobreloa 0-0 Colo Colo

Colo Colo displayed perhaps its worst performance of the season and was lucky to leave the Estadio Calvo y Bascuñán with a point Saturday against an impressive Cobreloa side.

“The important thing was not to lose,” Colo Colo manager Héctor Tapia told Cooperativa. “We had trouble getting used to the pitch, [also] Cobreloa played really well and we couldn’t play our game.”

Tapia was reflecting on what he believed was an even game but his counterpart, Marcelo Trobbiani, saw things differently after watching his team — “the better side on the day” — coming desperately close to achieving a huge upset against the league leaders.

Cobreloa goalkeeper Luciano Palos was tested by the league’s top goalscorer Esteban Paredes and powerful midfielder Emiliano Vecchio early on but after being substituted through injury on the half hour mark, his replacement Sebastián Contreras had surprisingly little to do throughout the match.

Only a complete absence of composure within the Cobreloa ranks prevented the home side from finding the back of the net — striker Ignacio Herrera in particular will be hoping to erase his skied shot from three yards from memory.

Midfielder Gabriel Méndez was also inches from securing a memorable victory for Cobreloa as he saw his strike hit the frame of the goal in the dying minutes.

However, Colo Colo’s unbeaten run remained intact ahead of its encounter with the division’s other unbeaten side, O’Higgins, this Sunday.

Cobreloa is now without a win in six games and is 16th on 10 points. Colo Colo now lead the Clausura by seven points, with 29 points out of a possible 33.

Universidad de Chile 3-1 Iquique

A brace from Patricio Rubio helped “La U” to end its three-match winless streak in the league with a battling victory Saturday over Iquique.

Cristián Romero’s men had to come from behind after the visitors took the lead through midfielder Pablo González midway through the first half, but they finished the match with an important three points and a welcome confidence boost.

“We played our own game and put in a good team performance,” Romero said. He added that it was a fair result, and one that gives his players “a lot of confidence” ahead of their Libertadores clash Tuesday with Real Garcilaso.

The hosts worked hard for their victory — the equalizer came just before the break as the audacious Patricio Rubio beat goalkeeper Rodrigo Naranjo at his near post as his teammates waited in the center. The home side then took the lead on 56 minutes after a deflected Fabián Carmona shot looped over the helpless Naranjo.

The momentum of the match threatened to swing shortly after when defender Guillermo Díaz conceded a penalty, but veteran striker Manuel Villalobos made the switch from hero last week to zero as he slipped and skewed his shot over the bar.

Iquique piled forward for an equalizer but the visitors were caught on the break as Rubio latched onto Bryan Cortés’ clearance and ran 40 yards with the ball before finishing clinically past Naranjo.

“La U” sits in sixth on 17 points, one place behind Iquique on 19 points.

O’Higgins 0-0 Universidad Concepción

Eduardo Berizzo’s decision to rest key players Sunday following his side’s midweek Libertadores encounter backfired as O’Higgins failed to capitalize on the points dropped by league leaders Colo Colo.

“La Celeste” in particular struggled for fluency and creativity in attack in the first half as stalwart Pablo Hernández looked on from the bench, but came close to opening the scoring through a long-range strike from midfielder Fernando Gutiérrez and a free header from striker Gastón Lezcano.

Both goalkeepers were busy throughout the match, but neither was beaten in an uninspiring performance from both sides’ strikers.

Berizzo lamented the draw as a lost opportunity to close the gap on Colo Colo.

“It hurts that we couldn’t reduce the distance between us and them, but there is still a long way to go and we hope to do so when we face them on Sunday,” Berizzo said after the match.

“We have to look at our mistakes and correct them,” he added. “The bad thing about being used to winning is that it is disappointing when you draw.”

O’Higgins remains seven points off the top spot, in third on 22 points. Universidad Concepción has now gone eight matches without a win but sits in seventh on 14 points.

Rangers 1-3 Antofagasta

Rangers slumped to a third straight defeat and finished the match Sunday against Antofagasta with eight players.

The home side went behind after just four minutes as Luis Valenzuela lined up a free kick from 40 yards and sent a rocket into the top corner, past a stunned Diego Pozo.

The visitors failed to add to their tally before halftime and were pegged back early in the second half when Esteban Ciaccheri’s volley rebounded off the post and fell to fellow striker Fabián Bordagaray, who buried the ball into the net from eight yards.

The away side quickly restored its domination of possession, and Rangers’ desperate defending saw Sebastián Domínguez intercept a pass with his hand in the 55th minute — referee Patricio Polic quickly produced a red card for the midfielder.

A second hand ball just seven minutes later resulted in a further sending off for the hosts. With Juan Gonzalo Lorca lurking in the box, defender Francisco Taipa stuck out his hand to prevent the ball reaching the striker and was duly shown a red card. Javier Elizondo smashed the penalty down the middle of the goal, leaving the home side with a mountain to climb.

Rangers’ nine men battled valiantly but hopes of a heroic comeback were vanquished 20 minutes from time when Juan Luis González chested down for Lorca to finish.

Polic piled further misery on the home side in the last play of the game, showing Rodolfo González a red card for a late tackle on defender Esteban González.

Marcelo Scatolaro was unequivocal about his team’s performance after the match.

“Bad. That’s the only word I can use to describe the game,” the despondent midfielder said. “We made schoolboy errors and gifted them the match.”

Rangers stay at the bottom with eight points, while Antofagasta climbs to 13th with 11 points.

Huachipato 1-0 Cobresal

A superb performance from striker David Llanos inspired Huachipato to a vital victory Friday against struggling Cobresal.

Llanos was a constant thorn in the Cobresal defence, finding space with intelligent movement throughout and threatening on numerous occasions before finally beating his opposite number 15 minutes from time.

Goalkeeper Sebastián Cuerdo was in fine form but could do nothing as the home side counterattacked through Angelo Sagal in the 77th minute, whose weighted pass allowed Llanos to round the keeper and finish — the visitors felt justifiably aggrieved at what they thought was offside but the goal stood and Llanos wheeled away in delight.

A third win in four outings for Huachipato sees the side climb to 10th on 13 points. Cobresal slips three places to 14th, with 11 points.

Ñublense 2-1 Audax Italiano

Two first-half goals secured Ñublense a solid 2-1 win Saturday against an unimpressive Audax side.

A porous Audax defence was opened up on countless occasions in a dominant first-half display from the hosts, who were unlucky to be only two goals ahead at halftime.

Striker Luciano Vázquez was instrumental in the opening goal, holding the ball up well and sliding a pass behind the defence for midfielder Tomás Lanzini to finish after 20 minutes.

The Audax defenders were punished for daydreaming again 15 minutes later when forward Emanuel Croce found himself in acres of space and coolly converted a one-on-one with Alejandro Sánchez.

The away side rallied in the second half but could only manage to break the hosts’ defence once as defender Alejandro Vásquez ran untracked and got on the end of Felipe Mora’s cross.

Ñublense, unbeaten in three, climbs to 9th with 13 points. Audax Italiano falls to 15th with 10 points.

mål

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

Fluminense and Vasco Draw in Carioca Clássico: Daily

Stalemate puts both clubs into Carioca semis as round fourteen of the state tournament wraps.

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Fluminense and Vasco drew 1-1 yesterday evening at the Maracanã Stadium in the penultimate round of the Campeonato Carioca. Edmilson gave Vasco a first half lead before Fred leveled after the interval to keep Flu in second place in the table.

The game started slowly as both sides played cautiously in the opening exchanges. Vasco goalkeeper Martin Silva, who put in a man-of-the-match performance, made his first smart save on nine minutes from Chiquinho’s long-range drive.

Rafael Sóbis then forced Silva into another stop from a free-kick. Meanwhile, Flu playmaker Conca was shadowed closely by Argentine compatriot Guiñazu and failed to make a telling mark on the game.

Vasco came into the battle gradually. Just after the half-hour Edmilson sent a header against the crossbar to give Flu their first real scare. Ten minutes later he put the Cruz-Maltino in front. Pedro Ken’s shot from distance took a deflection, falling at the feet of Edmilson, who drove the ball beyond Diego Cavalieri.

At the end of the first half Martin Silva made a third excellent save from Fred’s close-range header and Fluminense went in a goal down at half-time. Coach Renato Gaúcho sent on Walter for Rafael Sóbis for the second half, but seemingly no one could find a way past Silva in the Vasco goal as he denied Leandro Euzébio.

Finally, on 66 minutes, Fred beat the Uruguayan stopper. The number nine met Bruno’s right-wing cross and directed a shot beyond Silva. Walter almost won the game for Flu in the dying moments but couldn’t find the back of the net. The two teams were forced to settle for a point and are likely to meet in the semi-finals.

Earlier in the day, Flamengo drew 2-2 with Bangu. Bangu opened a two goal lead but a brace from Nixon earned a point for the Rubro-Negro. On Saturday Botafogo slid down the table with another disappointing loss.

Campeonato Carioca Round Fourteen Results in Full:

Boavista 2-1 Botafogo
Friburguense 1-0 Resende
Madureira 1-2 Bonsucesso
Volta Redonda 3-1 Nova Iguaçu
Audax 2-0 Cabofriense
Macaé 4-1 Duque de Caxias
Flamengo 2-2 Bangu
Fluminense 1-1 Vasco

http://riotimesonline.co…03/rank.png

Bauza ensayó nuevo esquema táctico

BUENOS AIRES -- Sorpresa en San Lorenzo. De cara al partido del próximo jueves ante Unión Española, por Copa Libertadores, Edgardo Bauza probó un equipo con un esquema diferente al que venía utilizando desde su llegada al club a comienzos del año.

Como solía hacer e Liga Deportiva Universitaria de Quito, el entrenador paró una formación con tres defensores centrales, dos carrileros y dos referencias ofensivas, haciendo ingresar a Mauro Cetto, Juan Mercier, Héctor Villalba y Mauro Matos.

En definitiva, los once probados en la práctica fueron: Sebastián Torrico; Mauro Cetto, Fabricio Fontanini, Santiago Gentiletti; Julio Buffarini, Néstor Ortigoza, Juan Mercier, Emmanuel Más; Héctor Villalba, Mauro Matos, Nicolás Blandi.

Si bien Leandro Romagnoli no formó parte de dicha alineación, sería titular ocupando el lugar de Villalba. Sucede que el "Pipi" trabajó diferenciado por una leve molestia en su rodilla.

San Lorenzo visitará a Unión Española de Chile desde las 22:00 hs. del jueves, con el arbitraje del colombiano José Buitrago. El partido corresponderá a la cuarta fecha del grupo 2 de la Copa Libertadores, en el cual el "Ciclón" comparte el liderazgo con Independiente del Valle y Botafogo. Sin embargo, el conjunto chileno está invicto, ya que igualó en sus tres presentaciones.

Tras una cumbre de la dirigencia, Merlo fue ratificado en el cargo

BUENOS AIRES -- Reinaldo "Mostaza" Merlo fue ratificado como director técnico de Racing Club, que lleva siete partidos sin ganar y está último en el torneo Final, tras la cumbre dirigencial que se llevó a cabo en un hotel céntrico.

"Merlo tiene contrato hasta diciembre y seguirá siendo el director técnico de Racing", aseguró el vocal Roberto Torres a los medios de prensa, a la salida de la reunión de Comisión Directiva en la que se decidió la continuidad del entrenador.

De esta manera, el DT que sacó campeón por última vez a la "Academia" en 2001 estará al frente del equipo el próximo sábado cuando reciban a Belgrano de Córdoba desde las 20.30 por la novena fecha del torneo Final.

Tras la derrota del domingo ante Newell`s Old Boys (0-2) en Rosario, que significó la sexta en el certamen, el presidente del club, Víctor Blanco, convocó a una reunión de Comisión Directiva en las instalaciones del hotel que posee en el centro porteño.

En la misma, el tema principal fue la continuidad o no de "Mostaza" al frente de un equipo que apenas suma 4 puntos en el certamen producto de un triunfo y un empate y de a poco se complica en la tabla de los promedios del descenso.

Según trascendió, el asunto se llevó a votación y por mayoría la dirigencia decidió que no se tomara ninguna determinación en cuanto al futuro de Merlo.

Por su parte, el ex DT de Douglas Haig de Pergamino no se refirió a su continuidad en la conferencia de prensa posterior a la caída en el estadio Coloso Marcelo Bielsa pero remarcó que "es un trabajador del fútbol" y, a la vez, destacó su honestidad.

El entrenador no le encuentra la vuelta a un plantel, que según confesó entre sus íntimos "no fue armado" por él, y estaba dispuesto a dar un paso al costado si la dirigencia se lo pedía.

No obstante, con el reciente apoyo de la dirigencia, el resultado del sábado en el Cilindro de Avellaneda tendrá un valor predominante, ya que se le sumará el veredicto de los hinchas que por las últimas actuaciones ya miraban de reojo la figura de uno de los últimos ídolos del club.

Asimismo, el respaldo también tendrá que salir desde el seno del plantel racinguista que en la última temporada ya fue dirigido por Luis Zubeldía, Carlos Ischia y un interinato de Ignacio González.

Con esta ratificación, quedan aplazados, por el momento, los nombres de Julio César Falcioni, Facundo Sava y hasta del propio Mauro Camoranesi (surgido del propio seno del plantel albiceleste), quien integra el equipo pero que ya anunció su retiro cuando finalice el torneo Final.

Mientras tanto, el plantel volverá a entrenarse mañana en el estadio Juan Domingo Perón y allí Merlo se reencontrará con los jugadores para preparar el partido ante Belgrano de Córdoba que asume características de "trascendental".

D´Onofrio: "De ser necesario, a Ramón le diré que dé un paso al costado"

BUENOS AIRES -- "De ser necesario, a Ramón le diré que dé un paso al costado", aseguró el presidente de River, Rodolfo D´Onofrio, al tiempo que explicó que la continuidad del riojano "no depende de que salga campeón o no" sino de la adopción de "una forma de juego".

D´Onofrio desmintió que Díaz no sea de su gusto, como atribuyen rumores en el club de Núñez, y deseó que lo "acompañe durante todo el mandato presidencial", que terminará en diciembre de 2017.

"A Ramón lo quiero, es más, entré en la política de River porque un día, después de perder con Boca en el Monumental en un partido que Iarley nos dio un baile bárbaro (2-0 en el Apertura 2003), me molestó mucho la decisión que había tomado (José María) Aguilar de echarlo a Ramón para traer al chileno Manuel Pellegrini", se sinceró.

"Ramón es el técnico más ganador de River y puede llevarlo a ser campeón nuevamente porque tiene todas las capacidades para eso, pero que lo consiga o no, no será la razón para que deje su cargo", aseguró.

Para el actual presidente, "lo importante es que River tenga un patrón de juego, un estilo, una forma" y, en ese sentido, pese a la irregular campaña en el actual torneo Inicial, "el equipo cumple con lo que pretende el hincha, que es ir al ataque".

"Arriesga, no se queda atrás, va para adelante, más allá de ha jugado buenos partidos como con San Lorenzo (2-0) y otros malos como ante Colón (1-3)", reconoció el dirigente en una visita a la redacción de Télam, previa al juego de anoche con All Boys (1-3).

En caso que River no consiga resultados ni buenos rendimientos, D´Onofrio aventuró que "el mismo Ramón, como dijo llegado el caso, tomará la decisión de irse".

"Es un técnico inteligente y quiere mucho a River. Quien lo conoce a Ramón, sabe que es así y si no le va bien, no va a necesitar que yo le diga `terminó tu etapa`", razonó.

De todos modos, avisó: "Sepan que si por esas cosas no se da cuenta, en nombre de todos los socios de River y de quienes me votaron, le diré que de un paso al costado, de ser necesario".

"No le toleraría que no trabaje o que no tenga una conducta apropiada a lo que es River", agregó sobre otros motivos que pudieran forzar la salida del riojano.

"Tenemos una muy buena relación, charlamos mucho y es una persona que demostró lo que quiere a River cuando le planteamos nuestro primer problema, que era financiero, explicándole que el contrato de renovación que había firmado con Passarella poco antes de las elecciones no lo íbamos a poder mantener. El aceptó y lo retrocedimos a lo que era antes", distinguió.

Díaz, de 54 años, cumple su tercer ciclo como DT de River, donde ganó cinco torneo locales (Apertura 1996, Clausura y Apertura 1997, Apertura 1999 y Clausura 2002) y dos internacionales (Copa Libertadores 1996 y Supercopa 1997).

Quilmes Barras Turn Stadium into Scene from The Warriors

It is a sad fact that, much like 24-hour news coverage of natural disasters and war dulling our senses to tragedy, Argentine football fans can quickly become desensitised to violence. Whether it is rival groups of fans beating seven shades of the proverbial out of each other in the stadium, or armed thugs ambushing outside, it is easy to become blasé about the whole subject.

Hell, just ask AFA president Julio Grondona, who in his 35-year stint as Argentine football Caesar still seems not to care particularly if barra bravas take it upon themselves to tear each other to bits when they should be watching the match. “You enforce the laws, I invite you to take charge,” he recently told a shocked journalist when asked about the subject.

It still jars, though, to watch such scenes up close and personal. At the weekend we received another episode protagonised by ‘fans’ of Quilmes, which would not look out of place in cult urban dystopia flick The Warriors.

A rival faction of the clubs barra brava (imagine regular hooligans armed to the teeth with political weight and a great deal of money, and you get the picture) decided to take advantage of Monday’s key relegation clash with All Boys to try and wrest control of the terraces back from the ‘official’ leaders. The group led by ‘Dedo’ Becerra turned up early for the match, installing themselves in the middle of the stand.

How did that work out for them? Here is an idea…

http://www.youtube.com/w…2PVRGMvKVKI

In a fight that included knives, clubs and, most inexplicably, empty crates of beer (Quilmes, logically enough) the opposition took a frightful beating, after a fight that left 10 hurt, seven hospitalised and just three arrests. The shirtless guy in the video definitely won’t forget being repeatedly kicked in the head while on the floor, in sickening scenes of violence.

The blood was still drying on the concrete steps when the blame game started. “If the police operation fails it is not our problem, we did everything asked by [BA Province security chiefs] Aprevide,” stated Quilmes vice-president Andrés Meiszner, soap still on his hands from such frantic washing.

The fact is that none of this should surprise us. Such battles for power are inevitable in a sport which allows its violent fans to control vast sums of money through counterfeit merchandise, parking, and countless other concessions. And this is not even confined to football.

While the good readers of the Bubble may not be regular patrons of Quilmes’ stadium, Palermo might be more familiar ground. The ‘trapitos’ who park cars there are also under the barras’ employ: a report from NGO Defendamos Buenos Aires last month alleged that those groups skim more than 12 million pesos a month from that lucrative business in Capital Federal alone.

So the inevitable hand-wringing over the latest incident will continue for a few more days, before being consigned to the archives. But the real problems that afflict Argentine football, while not always as spectacular as seen in Quilmes, will continue to fester as long as no administrator or president takes on the task of removing the business of the barra brava once and for all.

Former Paraguay striker Cabanas to resume career

Brazilian lower league club Tanabi have signed up former Paraguay striker Salvador Cabanas, who survived being shot in the head in 2010.

Cabanas, now 33, was set to appear for his South American homeland at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, before tragedy befell him as he was nearly killed in a Mexico City bar in January that year.

Having previously returned to play for Paraguayan club 12 de Octubre in 2012, Cabanas recently announced his retirement.

But the Brazilian fourth-tier club Tanabi have revealed they have signed Cabanas on a three-match deal to be deployed over a three-month period.

Cabanas will be unveiled on April 1 and debut for the club five days later.1

Motivated Alajuelense aims to advance

ALAJUELA, Costa Rica – With the second leg of its all-Central American CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal series against Panama’s Arabe Unido just days away, Alajuelense is completely focused on the enormity of the task at hand.

The two-time confederation champion has set to the side its domestic league activities, so that it goes into the return leg in optimal condition after last Monday’s 0-0 draw in the opener.

“Our priority always has been the international competition,” said head coach Oscar Ramirez. “The team is very committed and in each training session the desire of each and every one to advance from the round can be seen.

“We now know Arabe Unido a little better and we are going to have a clear idea of what the match will present there.”

Just two days after tying Arabe, Alajuelense suffered a 4-2 loss to Limon in the Costa Rican Verano.

The 49-year-old manager emphasized the importance of his team regaining its rhythm in Panama City, especially since it has registered only one win in its last six games in all competitions.

“We are coming off an unexpected defeat in Limon, but this team knows how to pick themselves up in crucial moments and they have showed it,” Ramirez expressed. “In Panama, we are not going to gift anything, no matter what.

“We want to put ourselves into the next stage of the competition.”

This year marks the first time that the Manudos advanced past the CCL’s group stage. They have not conceded a goal in four straight games.

The second leg will be played Thursday at the Estadio Rommel.

Bridgestone Libertadores: six games to be played on Tuesday

Botafogo vs. Independiente José Terán

Brazil´s Botafogo try to take revenge for the defeat the last week against Independientedel Valle of Ecuador and maintain their lead in Group 2. The match will be played in the legendary Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro.

Botafogo is only leading the group with four points and a better goal difference.

Independiente and San Lorenzo of Argentina are all on four points, just one ahead of Chilean club Unión Española

Possible starting teams:

Botafogo: Jefferson - Lucas, Dankler, Dória e Julio Cesar - Marcelo Mattos, Gabriel, Jorge Wagner and Lodeiro - Wallyson and Juan Carlos Ferreyra. COACH: Eduardo Hungaro.

Independiente: Daniel Librado Azcona - Christian Núñez, Andrés Lamas, Fernando León, Luis Ayala - Mario Rizotto, Henry León, Jonathan González, Fernando Guerrero - Júnior Sornoza and Daniel Angulo. COACH: Pablo Repetto.

Universidad de Chile vs. Garcilaso

Universidad de Chile welcomes Real Garcilaso of Peru in a rematch in Group 5.

The ´U´ come to rematch relieved after a 3-1 victory over the weekend against Iquique who got a 2-1 win last Tuesday against Garcilaso in Huancayo.

A win against Garcilaso would leave the U. of Chile very close getting to the knockout stage of the Copa Libertadores.

Group 5 is led by Defensor of Uruguay with six points, followed by Universidad de Chile with the same points but a worse goal difference. Cruzeiro of Brazil is on three points the same as Garcilaso.

The match will start at 7:45 pm local time (22h45 GMT) at the Santa Laura stadium in Santiago.

The match official will be Paraguayan Antonio Arias supported by his compatriots Rodnay Aquino and Milciades Saldivar.

The south section of the stadium will be closed after Conmebol sanctioned the ´U´ for the fans using flares.

Probable teams:

Universidad de Chile: Johnny Herrera - Osvaldo González, Matías Caruzzo, José Rojas - Roberto Cereceda, Sebastián Martínez, Juan Rodrigo Rojas, Ramón Fernández, Gustavo Lorenzetti - Patricio Rubio and Rodrigo Mora. COACH: Cristián Romero.

Real Garcilaso: Diego Carranza - Jhoel Herrera, Gonzalo Maulella, Jaime Huerta, Diego Santillán - Edwin Retamoso, Carlos Flores, César Ortiz, David Brítez - Ramón Rodríguez and Víctor Ferreira. COACH: Fredy García.

Santos vs. Anzoátegui

Mexican club Santos Laguna will welcome Deportivo Anzoategui of Venezuela in Group 8 action. Santos could with a win be passing on to the second round.

Santos is undefeated and in first place in the group with seven points. Anzoategui have not won yet in this edition of the Libertadores and is in third place with two points.

In case of a win, Santos will reach 10 points and qualify to the knockout stage with two rounds yet remaining. They will also qualify if on Wednesday Peñarol of Uruguay (fourth in the group with one point) does not beat Arsenal of Argentina (second with six points).

The match will start at 9:15 pm local time (03H15 GMT Wednesday) at the Corona stadium which can accommodate 30,000 spectators.

The 3-man referee team is comprised of Colombian´s Wilson Lamouroux, Wilson Berrio and Christian de la Cruz.

Probable teams:

Santos: Oswaldo Sánchez, Javier Abella, Oswaldo Alanís, Néstor Araujo, Jonathan Lacerda, Ribair Rodríguez, Juan Pablo Rodríguez, Mauro Cejas, Darwin Quintero, Oribe Peralta, Andrés Rentería. COACH: Pedro Caixinha.

Deportivo Anzoátegui: Edixon González, Jhonny Mirabal, Oscar Parnisari, Alejandro Cíchero, Edgar Mendoza, Ricardo Martins, Evelio Hernández, Rolando Escobar, David Moreno, Jaime Moreno, Framber Villegas. COACH: Juvencio Betancourt.



Vélez vs. The Strongest

Argentina´s Velez Sarsfield, with the need toright the ship, will play Bolivia´s The Strongest in an interesting Group 1 duel.

After three rounds Group 1is even with The Strongest(+2 goal difference), Velez (+1) and Atletico Paranaense(0) Brazil all with six points,while Peruvian club Universitario has no points and three defeats and is on the brink of elimination.

The match will be played atthe Jose Amalfitani stadium starting at 10:00 pm local time (01H00 GMT).

The match will be refereed by Venezuelan Juan Soto, accompanied on the lines by Jorge Urrego and Luis Sánchez.

Probable teams:

Vélez: Sebastián Sosa - Fabián Cubero, Sebastián Domínguez, Facundo Cardozo, Emiliano Papa - Agustín Allione, Lucas Romero, Héctor Canteros or Leandro Desábato, Ariel Cabral - Lucas Pratto and Mauro Zárate. COACH: José Flores.

The Strongest: Daniel Vaca - Enrique Parada, Jefferson Lopes, Marcos Barrera, Diego Wayar - NelvinSoliz, Alejandro Chumacero, Raúl Castro, Ernesto Cristaldo - Pablo Escobar and Boris Alfaro. COACH: Enrique Villegas.

Santa Fe vs. Zamora

Colombia´s Independiente Santa Fe, who needs to get a win, will play Zamora of Venezuela in Group 4 play.

Group 4 is led by Brazil´s Atlético Mineiro with seven points, followed by Paraguay´s Nacional with four. Meanwhile Zamora and Santa Fe are tied on three points.

The match will be played in the El Campín stadium starting at 8:00 pm local time in Bogota (01H00 GMT Wednesday).

The match will be called by Bolivian Oscar Maldonado, accompanied on the lines by his compatriots Wilson Arellano and Javier Bustillos.

Probable starting teams:

Independiente Santa Fe: Camilo Vargas - Yulián Anchico, José Julián de la Cuesta, Francisco Meza, Luis Arias - Edison Méndez, Daniel Torres, Juan Daniel Roa, Omar Pérez - Darío Rodríguez and Jefferson Cuero. COACH: Wilson Gutiérrez.

Zamora: Alexis Angulo - Layneker Zafra, Javier López, Jhonnathan España, Luis Ovalle - Luis Vargas, Arles Flores, Pedro Ramírez, Jhon Murillo - Ricardo Clarke and Juan Falcón. COACH: Noel Sanvicente.


Nacional (URU) vs. Atlético Nacional (COL)

Nacional, who is on the brink of an early exit from the Libertadores, plays Colombia´s Atlético Nacional, who in Montevideo will be looking for all three points to stay in the fight with Argentina´s Newell´s and Brazil´s Gremio for a spot in the round of 16.

Nacional has just one point and is three points behind Atlético Nacional and Newell´s Old Boys and six from Gremio of Brazil.

Tuesday´s matchwill be heldin the Parque Central stadium in Montevideo starting at 7:45 pm (22h45 GMT).

The match referee will be Bolivian RaúlOrosco, assisted by his countrymen Efrain Castro and Juan Montaño.

Probable teams:

Nacional: Gustavo Munúa - Pablo Álvarez, Jorge Curbelo, Guillermo de los Santos, Rafael García - Maximiliano Calzada, Victor Dorrego, Nicolás Prieto, Gastón Pereiro - Iván Alonso and Juan Cruz Mascia. COACH: Gerardo Pelusso.

Atlético Nacional: Luis Martínez - Daniel Bocanegra, Steffan Medina, Óscar Murillo, Farid Díaz - John Valoy, Alexander Mejía, Edwin Cardona, Sherman Cárdenas - Jefferson Duque and Luis Páez. COACH: Juan Carlos Osorio.

Argentina Primera Division Wrap: Estudiantes draw level with leaders Colon

Estudiantes moved level on points with Argentina Primera Division leaders Colon, with a 1-0 win away at Gimnasia La Plata.

A sterling move down the park from the visitors to the Estadio Juan Carmelo Zerillo resulted in Franco Jara´s 10th-minute goal, and it would be all Mauricio Pellegrino´s men needed to join Colon on 15 points through eight matches.

Estudiantes number nine Guido Carrillo flicked a backheel down the left wing for Joaquin Correa to run onto, and the forward dribbled his way towards the edge of the penalty area before laying off a ball to Jara, who tucked away the goal confidently.

Tempers flared late in La Plata, as Gimnasia´s Fernando Pereyra and Estudiantes substitute Patricio Rodriguez were both sent off in injury time.

Colon, meanwhile, slumped to their third consecutive draw to lose their points buffer at the helm of the table, as third side San Lorenzo held them to a 0-0 draw at home.

San Lorenzo could have usurped the leaders with a victory but remain within a point of the top after their third straight game unbeaten.

Velez Sarsfield entered the weekend just a point behind the leaders but a 3-1 loss away to Atletico Rafaela saw them slip to fourth spot and two points behind Colon and Estudiantes.

The league´s highest scoring team with 14 goals in eight matches, Velez got some of their own medicine on Friday, as Atletico Rafaela put them to the sword via goals to Lucas Albertengo, Diego Vera and Federico Gonzalez.

Lucas Pratto scored a late consolation for Velez, who have alternated home wins with away losses for their past six league matches.

Lanus continued their good league form, rising to fifth on the table with a 1-0 home win over struggling Quilmes.

Jorge Pereyra Diaz struck the game´s only goal on 74 minutes, to send Lanus to their fourth win in their past fixtures, leaving them level on points with Velez.

Newell´s Old Boys are sixth, after they bounced back from a loss at Olimpo with a 2-0 win at home to bottom side Racing Club.

Ezequiel Ponce and David Trezeguet scored for Newell´s, who are one of four teams on 12 points.

Newell´s lead each of Godoy Cruz (seventh), Atletico Rafaela (eighth) and All Boys (ninth) on goal difference, while the backlog does not end there, with another four sides - Boca Juniors, Belgrano, Olimpo and River Plate - on 11 points.

River Plate could have been third with a win on the weekend, instead they sit in 13th spot after going down 3-2 away to All Boys.

Carlos Carbonero notched a brace for River Plate - who played nearly an hour with 10 men - but it was not enough as each of Gonzalo Espinoza, Agustin Torassa and Jonathan Calleri scored for All Boys.

In other results, Tigre were kept to a 0-0 draw at home to Godoy Cruz and Belgrano and Olimpo traded late goals in a 1-1 stalemate.

Rosario Central and Argentinos Juniors both scored late equalisers, to earn 1-1 draws on the road at Arsenal and Boca Juniors respectively.


mål

http://www.youtube.com/w…7Lmat0_FoJS