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Wins for River, Racing, Arsenal and Boca have implications in the title race and the relegation dogfight

River Plate are alone at the top of the table thanks to their latest victory in El Monumental over Vélez Sarsfield. Teo Gutiérrez was able to pounce on a terrible blunder by Sebastián Sosa to earn the victory but the Colombian striker was later stretchered off with a nasty looking knee injury. With another defeat, Vélez have almost undoubtedly seen their title challenge ended and this fourth straight loss is the first time they have experienced such a run since 2003.

Argentinos Juniors suffered a devastating defeat to Racing Club in La Paternal as their faint hopes of survival look all but extinguished. Rodrigo De Paul’s fine individual goal in the final minute earned Mostaza’s side all 3 points.

Juan Roman Riquelme smashed in a wonderful 30-yard, injury time winner to earn Boca Juniors a 1-0 win against Tigre in Victoria and leave Fabián Alegre’s side nervously looking over the shoulder.

Martin Palermo’s reign at Arsenal got off to a winning start as his side defeated Lanús in Sarandí. A Milton Caraglio brace and a late Diego Braghieri goal meant that Santiago Silva’s injury time goal was nothing more than a consolation and may have ended any hopes of lifting the Torneo Final trophy.

Earlier, Colón picked up another point as they drew 0-0 with Belgrano and now find themselves just behind River at the top.

Colón 0 – 0 Belgrano

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Argentinos Juniors 0 – 1 Racing Club

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Arsenal de Sarandí 3 – 1 Lanús

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River Plate 1 – 0 Vélez Sarsfield

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Tigre 0 – 1 Boca Juniors

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Marcelo Díaz: “Chile’s Strong Point is Teamwork”

BASEL, SWITZERLAND — After playing one and a half years for the Swiss club FC Basel, Marcelo Díaz tells us about his experiences, plans, wishes and his expectations for the FIFA World cup 2014.

Key member of the chilean national team, ex-player for Universidad de Chile, Marcelo Díaz is now part of the Swiss Super League Club FC Basel.

Before launching his European career, Díaz was enjoying great notoriety and success with U. de Chile. With his team he won for the first time in the club’s history three consecutive national championships and the 2011 Copa Sudamericana. Due to similarities in their playing, he earned the nickname “The South American Xavi”, as both of them have great ball control capabilities and excellent passing skills.

Triumphing with “La U” he left as a pillar, a shining star and one of the most successful players U. de Chile has ever seen.

At the summit of his career in Chile he swapped the tricot of the “Azules” for the red and blue of the Swiss FC Basel.

“The change to Basel wasn’t easy. My last time at Universidad de Chile was amazing. I was known, famous and successful. Initially a drastic change like this is pretty hard and requires adaptation. At the beginning it wasn’t simple for me, I couldn’t even understand the language, now I am very happy here. I am an integrated part of the team and have started a new chapter of my life in Switzerland.”

With the shift to Basel, Díaz got not only confronted with another club, country and language but with a completely different football mentality, the opportunity to gain experience and develop his game.

“The South American football is crazier and full of passion, in comparison the European, especially the Swiss one, is more strategic and sober. I always say: The Swiss play football, the same way they are in life. The South American, we don’t have this mentality, we are always tempting fate, making a mess and far less structured as they are here.”

Other countries, other customs. Crossing the Atlantic didn’t only mean a different way of playing football but a whole lot more. Switzerland, the small country in the middle of Europe, is not only known for good chocolate, cheese and watches. It is economically one of the world’s most stable countries, organized, safe and with one of the highest qualities of life. Totally different from in Chile.

“I was impressed when I arrived in Switzerland. The culture they have here is formidable, the education incredible. The country is so clean, I like it and I like the fact that everything is just working orderly. In Chile it’s different. Unfortunately we fail on many things, there is a huge gap between rich and poor, in Switzerland you don’t see that. I would like Chile to be more like Switzerland.”

Even though Switzerland, with its wellness and security, offers the opportunity to have a lifestyle that wouldn’t be possible in Chile, there is also the other side; in contrast to the open and spirited Chilean, the Swiss have a more reserved mentality. Under these circumstances the adaptation is not always easy for a foreigner.

“One can notice and feel the distanced mindset in Switzerland, they are colder and closed, but it’s up to me, when I arrive in a new country, to settle in and adapt myself. ” For the whole family the change from the metropolis Santiago to the little and calm Basel with its 165,000 inhabitants has been radical. His wife Karen confirmed: “It doesn’t bother me to live here but the inner bond to the Latin roots remains strong. People here are more solitary. It is priceless that one can live safely and untroubled but I don’t like the view of life: too individualistic and with little heartiness.”

Despite cultural disparity Marcelo Díaz found a new home in Switzerland. Without losing sight on his future plans he works day by day to stay in shape, this means not only to give 100 percent for the FC Basel but also to stay active in Chile through his important place in the national team.

“I signed for another year with FC Basel because I am very happy here. I feel like it’s my home and my peers respect me. My wish for the future would be to play in a higher league. My favorite is Germany, but also England and Italy are interesting options. But if life keeps me here, I would stay gladly.”

Like every professional athlete, the question came up what Marcelo Díaz would like to do after his sports career.

“I really like journalism, I think after finishing with football, that’s going to be my thing: study and prepare myself to work on television, for a newspaper, radio station or any place I’d like. My dream is to have my own TV show. I’ll probably go back to Chile for that, since I enjoy privileges there that I don’t have here.”

Yet these plans are still up in the air. Now the countdown to the FIFA World Cup 2014 has begun, in the near future Díaz will be representing his country in Brazil in front of top teams like Spain and the Netherlands, intense games are expected, but the team is ready, full of hope and motivation.

“Yes, Chile hit a tough group. But the point is that the mentality of the Chilean football player has changed considerably. If you would have asked the players ten years ago, they would have answered that Chile will be eliminated for having Spain and the Netherlands in front. But now we can assure that we will give our very best and get as far as possible, no matter which team we will be facing. Our strong point is teamwork. We don’t work with the purpose to let some player excel. The team always ranks first. I think our only weakness is that we can’t meet very often, therefore we lose precious working time.”


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Díaz is known as the “brain” in Jorge Sampaoli’s plans, and was a vital cog in the Argentinian coach’s success with Universidad de Chile. Since Sampaoli moved into the national team job, the FC Basel player is always one of the first selected and his absence was clearly noted when the midfielder limped off against Brazil.

Despite his success and fame, Marcelo Díaz isn’t egotistical and stays a simple man. “For me the most important value is love. Love, friendship and respect. For sure the attention of the fans and press means something but it isn’t fundamental in my life. I just want us, my family and I, to be fine, because in the end this is what really matters.”

Argentina Primera Division Wrap: Gimnasia La Plata go top

Gimnasia La Plata moved top of the Argentina Primera Division after extending their winning run, while River Plate are close behind.

Pedro Troglio´s Gimnasia La Plata side made it five straight wins with a 2-1 victory at home to bottom side All Boys.

A goal difference of +6 puts them narrowly on top, ahead of River Plate (also 27 points, +5), Estudiantes (26, +6), Colon (26, +4) and Godoy Cruz (25, +5).

Lucas Licht and Gustavo Bou were on the scoresheet for the league leaders at the Estadio Juan Carmelo Zerillo on Monday.

It took just eight minutes for the hosts to take the lead and it came in style.

Javier Mendoza crossed from the left and Licht´s stunning overhead kick from inside the area was perfectly placed into the bottom corner.

Bou doubled the advantage on 69 minutes and while relegation-threatened All Boys netted through Jonathan Calleri, they were unable to find a second.

Omar Pouso was sent off for the hosts in the 88th minute after picking up a second yellow card.

River Plate are level on points with the leaders after Teofilo Gutierrez´s first-half goal saw them past Velez Sarsfield 1-0.

A dreadful goal-kick provided Gutierrez with the chance and he made no mistake in the one-on-one.

Estudiantes slipped to third after being held to a 0-0 draw at Rosario Central and Colon were kept to a goalless draw at home to Belgrano.

Godoy Cruz claimed the biggest win of matchday 15, cruising past Atletico Rafaela 3-0.

A Juan Eluchans own goal in the first half sent the hosts on their way before Julio Rodriguez and Diego Rodriguez added efforts after the break.

San Lorenzo are winless in three matches after playing out a second consecutive 0-0 draw, this time against Newell´s Old Boys.

Relegation-threatened Argentinos Juniors suffered a 1-0 loss at home to Racing Club, who had Rodrigo de Paul score a dramatic late winner.

Olimpo edged Quilmes 1-0, Arsenal struck three second-half goals in a 3-1 win over Lanus and Juan Roman Riquelme´s stunning late 30-yard effort saw Boca Juniors past Tigre 1-0.

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Vélez: con la Copa como único objetivo

BUENOS AIRES -- La caída del domingo ante River dejó a Vélez muy lejos de la pelea por el Torneo Final. Por lo tanto, el conjunto de Liniers apuesta todo al encuentro de este miércoles, a las 19.30, ante Nacional de Paraguay, por la ida de los octavos de final de la Copa Libertadores de América.

Sin perder tiempo, el plantel se entrenó este lunes por la mañana en la Villa Olímpica. A excepción de Fabián Cubero y Lucas Pratto, quienes trabajaron en el gimnasio, el resto de los que jugaron en el Monumental hicieron un regenerativo en la cancha auxiliar. En tanto que los suplentes realizaron fútbol en espacios reducidos.

Recordando que Emiliano Papa aún debe dos fechas de suspensión, el técnico José Oscar Flores definió la lista de 18 convocados para este compromiso. La nómina la componen: Sebastián Sosa, Alan Aguerre (arqueros), Fabián Cubero, Matías Pérez Acuña, Sebastián Domínguez, Juan Sabia, Fernando Tobio, Facundo Cardozo (defensores), Agustín Allione, Lucas Romero, Leandro Desábato, Héctor Canteros, Ariel Cabral, Jorge Correa, (volantes), Mauro Zárate, Leonardo Villalba, Lucas Pratto y Roberto Nanni (delanteros).

Mientras Cardozó sería quien reemplace a Papa, es casi un hecho que Canteros volverá a la titularidad y relegará a Nanni al banco de suplentes. De esta forma, el ´Turu´ volverá al esquema predilecto de cuatro volantes y dos puntas.

Sosa; Cubero, Domínguez, Tobio, Cardozo; Allione, Romero, Cabral; Canteros; Zárate y Pratto serían los once que estarán el miércoles desde el arranque. A las 20.00 del lunes, la delegación partirá en vuelo chárter rumbo a Asunción.

La vuelta por los octavos de final de la Copa ante el equipo paraguayo será el 30 de abril, en el José Amalfitani. El ganador de esta llave se enfrentará al vencedor de la serie entre Arsenal y Unión Española de Chile.

Pedro Troglio: "Hay que creer que podemos luchar hasta el final"

LA PLATA -- El entrenador de Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata, Pedro Troglio, afirmó que sus jugadores "deben creerse" que pueden luchar hasta la última fecha por quedarse con el Torneo Final, aunque advirtió que será "complicado" porque hay muchos equipos a pocos puntos distancia.

"Hay que creérsela porque no estamos tan lejos. Tenemos que creer que podemos luchar hasta el final. Por supuesto que después hay un montón de cosas como la suerte y jugar bien", dijo Troglio.

Luego el técnico de Gimnasia señaló que "por supuesto que es complicado, hay ocho o nueve equipos en una brecha muy corta, pero haber metido cinco victorias seguidas en un fútbol tan fuerte es terriblemente bueno".

"Nosotros no somos una garantía de poder ganarles a todos, pero hay que vivir día a día, domingo a domingo, y ver cómo viene la cosa. Hemos logrado suplantar el poderío económico y las individualidades de otros equipos a través de la confirmación del juego en equipo", remarcó el entrenador del "Lobo".

Cuando se le preguntó por el partido de esta tarde ante All Boys, Troglio puntualizó que "sufrimos, porque erramos bastante. Tendríamos que haberlo liquidado antes pero lo terminamos ganando y eso lo importante".

Almirón: "Es pronto para festejar"

MENDOZA -- El entrenador de Godoy Cruz de Mendoza, Jorge Almirón, prefirió ser cauto luego de la importante victoria por 3-0 frente a Atlético de Rafaela y afirmó que es "demasiado pronto" para festejar la cada vez más cercana permanencia en Primera o la chance de pelear por el título.

"Es importante encontrar un gran rendimiento ahora que viene la recta final, pero es pronto para festejar, quedan 12 puntos y tenemos que seguir por este camino. El próximo fin de semana (ante Estudiantes de La Plata) tenemos que ir a ganar otra vez de visitante", señaló Almirón en conferencia de prensa.

La victoria frente a Rafaela le permitió a Godoy Cruz ubicarse a dos puntos de la cima de las posiciones y tomar distancia de All Boys, el equipo al que precede en la tabla de los promedios.

Posteriormente el director técnico del Tomba agregó que el de este lunes "en los papeles parecía un partido complicado pero supimos resolverlo bien. El equipo no se desesperó y supo jugar el partido. Se jugó bien a nivel colectivo, y también hubo rendimientos individuales muy altos".

Cavenaghi: "Ojalá Ramón se pueda quedar por mucho tiempo"

BUENOS AIRES -- El capitán de River Plate, Fernando Cavenaghi, expresó hoy su deseo de que Ramón Díaz sea el entrenador del equipo "por mucho tiempo", más allá de lo que ocurra en el Torneo Final, en el que el conjunto de Núñez marcha puntero junto a Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata.

"¿Hacía cuánto que River no peleaba un torneo en esta instancia y de la forma en la que lo está haciendo? No creo que pase por salir campeón o no. No hay dudas de que el cuerpo técnico está haciendo un gran trabajo. Ojalá Ramón se pueda quedar por mucho tiempo", afirmó Cavenaghi.

El goleador millonario consideró en diálogo con Radio América que en esta etapa River "empieza a reencontrarse con su historia".

"River siempre se caracterizó por ser muy fuerte en su cancha. En este campeonato, a ningún equipo le fue fácil venir al Monumental e hicimos algunos buenos partidos de visitantes; ganamos en La Bombonera, pero para terminar arriba vamos a necesitar un poco más", analizó Cavenaghi.

En ese sentido, destacó que la competencia "está muy pareja todavía y seguramente se va a definir en la última fecha".

"Hablando de merecimientos, creo que nosotros hemos tenido buenos encuentros a lo largo del torneo, les hemos ganado a los otros grandes con autoridad, pero somos varios los que estamos disputando el título y por algo es. Cada uno tiene sus virtudes", sostuvo el delantero.

En la próxima fecha, River se medirá con Olimpo de Bahía Blanca en el estadio Roberto Carminatti, que para Cavenaghi es "una cancha difícil, en la que siempre costó mucho conseguir puntos".

Bianchi: "Fue un gol a lo Riquelme"

BUENOS AIRES -- El históricamente exitoso entrenador de Boca Juniors, Carlos Bianchi, evitó en forma cuidadosa dar de baja a su equipo en la lucha por el título en el Torneo Final, más allá de que, a cuatro fechas del epílogo, se ubican a siete puntos del líder River Plate.

"No, no sé, todo es cuestión de matemáticas, faltan 12 puntos en juego, vamos a tratar de sumar todo lo que podamos, después veremos qué hacen los demás", argumentó Bianchi en su contacto con los periodistas cuando le preguntaron si se sentía fuera de la pelea mayor en esta competencia doméstica.

En cuanto a la victoria sobre la hora en la noche de este domingo por 1-0 ante Tigre en el Estadio Don José Dellagiovanna, el Virrey admitió el valor que tuvo la conquista de Juan Román Riquelme, con un remate formidable desde 35 minutos.

"A pesar de haber sido un partido mediocre que no jugamos bien, manejamos más la pelota que Tigre, pudimos haber marcado en el primer tiempo y ellos tambíén en el final del primer tiempo. No sé si la victoria es justa, hoy en día los partidos se ganan por un gol, o por falla del rival que se equivoca o por virtud de uno", comentó el director técnico de los xeneizes.

De todos modos, en su segunda respuesta, el conductor de los auriazules fue más preciso: "Creo que lo hemos ganado por el tiro de Román, por cómo le pega a la pelota y por dónde la mete. También hay que rescatar que es el cuarto partido que no nos hacen un gol".

"El gol fue un golazo. Es un gol a lo Riquelme. Cuando uno tiene a Román siempre desea que la pelota pase por sus pies", opinó el Virrey.

A pesar de que esa conquista del enganche acabó con la monotonía y lo que parecía un cero a cero redondo, Bianchi sostuvo que "estaba esperanzado" en que su equipo convirtiera.

Por otra parte, el DT reconoció que el objetivo para este primer semestre del año no se limitaba a la probable clasificación para la Copa Sudamericana 2014: "No era ésa muestra meta", en alusión a que le apuntaron de lleno a la obtención del Torneo Final.

"Lo positivo es que hace cuatro partidos que no nos convierten y también tener posesión del balón", remarcó Bianchi al referirse a lo que más lo satisface de su equipo.

Claro que el exartillero también dejó entrever que el argentino es un campeonato mediocre y subrayó que los goles escasean: "Hoy en día en el fútbol argentino marcar tres goles en un partido es un milagro".

Liga MX Week 16 roundup: Playoff spots up for grabs

The age of powerhouse clubs in Liga MX may have come and gone, for as the Clausura 2014 season winds down, it’s evident that there is plenty of parity, if not downright mediocrity, in the league.

What else can one conclude when the Copa MX champions, Tigres, will not make the liguilla playoffs? Or when the defending champions, Leon, still alive in the Copa Libertadores, will probably miss out on the postseason as well? Even Club America, so dominant only a season ago, hasn’t clinched a playoff spot yet.

At the same time, this new competitive era means that no team is safe and that games before the liguilla have real meaning. That’s exciting and unpredictable.

Even teams at the top of the table aren’t safe. Cruz Azul decided to save its top players for the upcoming final leg of the CONCACAF Champions League final. Morelia took advantage, walloping the second-rate roster 5-1 on Friday to climb into 7th place in the table. Cruz Azul remains on top, albeit with their pride somewhat dented.

It was probably a small consolation to Cementero fans that second-place Toluca did not make up any ground, losing 1-0 to Atlas. Toluca was also resting its best players in anticipation of the CONCACAF final. While the Red Devils squad wasn’t embarrassed as much as Cruz Azul in a tight loss to Atlas, the end result of points lost was the same. For Atlas, the victory put the club at the cusp of a liguilla position.

Club America played a tight, cagey match versus Queretaro, perhaps deciding that giving up one precious point was riskier than gunning for the full three. Or perhaps nerves grounded Las Aguilas and their offensive game. The 0-0 draw between the clubs leaves Club America in 5th place. That liguilla spot is less than secure, however, given the number of teams who can catch their point total. Yet Club America is still likely to be in the liguilla.

Santos is another club not approaching the playoff season with full momentum. The Laguneros fell at home to Chiapas FC 2-3 despite scoring the first and final goal of the match.

Pachuca also fell short against Puebla, which rallied from last place in the standings to one spot up. Although currently clinging to the final liguilla spot, Pachuca may not make the playoffs despite having the league’s top goalscorer this season, Enner Valencia.

Monterrey’s late charge for the playoffs has come at the expense of Veracruz. Well-aware that goal differential may decide the liguilla, Monterrey spanked Veracruz 4-1. Currently in 13th place, Los Rayados may only have a ghost of a chance of finally making it, but at least they’re trying. Veracruz, meanwhile, has slid into the final spot in the league.

Another case of too little, too late may be that of Leon, whose capable 3-0 victory over Tigres could leave fans shaking their heads over what might have been. Tied with Monterrey at 20 points, Leon might not make the liguilla at all, thus missing out on a chance to defend their title.

Tigres is another club that fell asleep in the early going of the season, and against Leon, the squad seem to have reverted to day-dreaming on the field of play. With only 18 points, team may have to retool and decide how much blame lies in coach Ricardo Ferretti.

It’s a bit strange, but for Chivas, either relegation next season or making the liguilla both seem like viable possibilities right now. Actually, either might be better than the malaise of nothingness that has too often afflicted this club. Season after season, they don’t contend for a title, but they’re usually not bad enough to have to worry about relegation, either. Mathematically, Chivas, now in 11th place, could make the liguilla, but the squad would have to show more strength of purpose and character than was revealed in a 1-0 loss to Pumas this weekend. The bloom may already be off the La Volpe coaching rose. Pumas, however, is now up to third in the standings and sure to move on.

Atlante succumbed to their relegation doom with a 1-2 loss to Club Tijuana. The Xolos proved, just before the liguilla, that it is possible for them to win away from Estadio Caliente, which should give the team the confidence boost needed to seal up a liguilla spot.

It’s a strange new world in Liga MX, where the top clubs are now longer as clear cut. Yet the final ax will fall soon on the decision of who will be the top eight, and then the liguilla will sort out the champion.

Soccer roundup: Rangers relegated, Huachipato surge continues

Universidad de Chile slumps to fourth straight defeat, title-winning Colo Colo shifts down a gear, Clausura playoff places wide open with one round to go.

The Clausura winners may have been decided but the penultimate round of fixtures has left plenty at stake as the league draws to a close, replacing confidence with doubt for some, uncertainty with certainty for others. For Rangers players, hope was replaced with devastation as they were physically confronted by fans following the club’s relegation.

Colo Colo, having been crowned Clausura league champion, has secured its spot in the illustrious 2015 Copa Libertadores. It will be joined by the 2014 Apertura champion scheduled for later this year and the winner of the subsequent Apertura playoffs, played between the teams that finish from second to fifth.

Four teams will compete in the 2014 Copa Sudamericana — Huachipato, Universidad Católica and Deportes Iquique have already gained a place, having qualified through the Copa Chile, the accumulated 2013-14 points tally and the 2013 Apertura playoff respectively.

The final Copa Sudamericana berth will be decided by the Clausura playoff, to be played between the four teams that finish highest in the league behind those already qualified or ineligible — having played in the Copa Libertadores, O’Higgins, Unión Española and Universidad de Chile will not be in contention for a Sudamericana spot. Palestino and Universidad Concepción have already secured a place in the Clausura playoff.

The relegation battle is decided on accumulated points in both the Apertura and the Clausura — Rangers are already relegated, but who joins them will be settled in the final round of matches. Everton, Unión La Calera, Audax Italiano and Santiago Wanderers are all in the running.

The team that finishes top of the Primera B will be automatically promoted, with the other spot decided by a playoff between teams placed between 2nd and 5th. San Marcos de Arica is currently top with 56 points, followed by Coquimbo Unido on 55 and Santiago Morning on 53.

Colo Colo 2-2 Universidad Católica

League champion Colo Colo took its foot off the pedal Sunday with a 2-2 draw against 10 man Universidad Católica.

Católica manager Rodrigo Astudillo was more disappointed with the result than his counterpart Héctor Tapia, having watched his men outplay Colo Colo on its own turf until a red card for striker Ramiro Costa left Católica one short in the second half.

“We controlled the game well and had the better chances in my opinion. After the red card we had to reorganize a bit and we lost some of our momentum,” he said after the match. “We were the better side today and it’s worth remembering that we were playing against the league champion.”

Having beaten Católica to the title, the hosts seemed ready to inflict more misery on their rivals when they found the opener after just four minutes. As has been the case so often this season, instrumental midfielder Emiliano Vecchio was the architect of his side’s flying start, catching Milovan Mirosevic in possession high up the pitch before charging between three players and steering his shot past Cristopher Toselli.

Católica had several opportunities to level, with José Luis Muñoz and Álvaro Ramos most wasteful in front of Justo Villar, but the Paraguayan keeper refused to be beaten until he was forced off through injury after half an hour.

His replacement, Álvaro Salazar, lasted just three minutes against the Católica onslaught but there was little he could do to prevent striker Ramiro Costa meeting Ramos’ “Chilena” cross with an unstoppable header.

The equalizer awoke the home side from its slumber, and within a minute it was back in front thanks to a stinging volley from Felipe Flores. However, the visitors weren’t to be swept aside so easily and were back on level terms three minutes later when Muñóz fired past Salazar at his near post.

As Astudillo had mentioned, Católica’s domination eased after Costa’s red card just before half time and the second half saw Toselli called into action by Jaime Valdés and Emiliano Vecchio, but both saw their efforts diverted wide by the Chile international.

After the match, Tapia was relatively indifferent about both his side’s performance and the result, perhaps still content with wrapping up his Colo Colo’s first league title since 2009 with two matches to spare.

“Unfortunately we couldn’t take all three points today. We wanted to do it for the fans but in the end didn’t manage it,” he said. “We aimed to take six points from our last two matches but that hasn’t happened and now we’ll prepare for the last match against Ñublense.”

However, his side’s failure to win meant it will miss out on a spot in the Supercopa that will be played between Católica and O’Higgins, the two teams that have the highest combined points total over the 2013-14 Apertura and Clausura — Católica’s impressive points tally also means it has secured qualification for the 2014 Copa Sudamericana.

Unión Española 1-3 O’Higgins

“Los Rojos” goalkeeper Diego Sánchez had a day to forget Saturday, gifting O’Higgins two goals on its way to a 3-1 win over the home side.

Both teams started brightly, playing open, attacking football and zipping the ball across the turf from end to end at Estadio Santa Laura. However, it was O’Higgins that found the net first through striker Diego Chaves, who met Luis Figueroa’s cross on the full with a smart finish after 10 minutes.

Perhaps an off-day was long-overdue for Sánchez, who had enjoyed an almost faultless campaign so far this season between the posts for Española until Saturday. Seven minutes into the second half, he was guilty of roaming too far in anticipating defender Yerson Opazo’s cross, and was left backpedalling when the ball arrived on his goal line — cruelly, he couldn’t prevent it rolling over the line and handing O’Higgins its second of the match.

The home side rallied, and had striker Carlos Salom’s strike wrongly chalked off for offside before striker Gustavo Canales pulled a goal back from the penalty spot with 20 minutes remaining.

Sánchez, usually so reliable, was at fault again as Braulio Leal secured victory for the visitors in the 78th minute. Misreading the midfielder’s long-range strike, he let the ball slide underneath him before slapping the ground with both hands in frustration.

Neither side is eligible for a 2014 Copa Sudamericana playoff spot, having already competed in the Copa Libertadores this season. Unión Española was the only Chilean side to progress from the group stages and face Argentine outfit Arsenal in the quarter final first leg this Thursday.

Unión La Calera 0-6 Huachipato

Huachipato bounced back from its midweek Copa Chile disappointment and continued its meteoric rise up the league table Saturday, putting six past Unión La Calera away from home.

Since the team from Talcahuano’s 7-1 humiliation at the hands of Universidad Católica in mid-February, Huachipato has lost just one of its last nine matches — a run that has seen it surge from the foot of the table to sixth place.

As runner-up in the Copa Chile to already-qualified Iquique, Huachipato has a spot in this year’s Copa Sudamericana regardless of its final position in the league. However, fine recent form was essential in banishing the possibility of relegation for Huachipato after its paltry points collection in the Apertura.

The league’s top scorer David Llanos opened the scoring after four minutes with a close-range header, poked in just before halftime and rounded off his side’s goals ten minutes from time to complete his hat-trick — the remaining goals came from Felipe Reynero, José Contreras and Francisco Arrué as the away side romped to a six-goal victory.

Unión La Calera has fared well against the league’s top teams in recent weeks — beating Universidad de Chile and Unión Española before drawing with O’Higgins — but a confident Huachipato side proved too much for the hosts battling against relegation.

La Calera currently sits outside the bottom two — consigned to automatic relegation — on goal difference but is level on points with Everton. Despite being embroiled in the relegation scrap, if La Calera beats Universidad Católica next week it could even qualify for the 2014 Copa Sudamericana — Néstor Craviotto’s men should need no extra motivation in such a season-defining game.

Rangers 0-2 Audax Italiano

A must-win game for both sides Saturday ended in victory for Audax Italiano, meaning Rangers will play next season in Primera B.

Second half goals from Bryan Carrasco and Felipe Mora condemned Rangers to relegation and propelled their side to the brink of safety, although Audax will want to beat Palestino next week to be sure of retaining its Primera División status.

Rangers fans suffered mixed emotions after the match — some were visibly devastated in the stands, while others attempted to take their anger out on the players, invading the pitch and trying to attack them.

Manager Jorge Garcés was deeply disappointed with the result and his side’s relegation, and expressed his sorrow for the fans.

“It’s a difficult moment for everyone,” he said. “I feel a deep pain for the fans, especially for the seven or eight thousand that were here with us today.”

Palestino 0-1 Deportes Iquique

A fine César Pinares strike was enough to secure a narrow victory for Iquique Saturday over Palestino.

Iquique showed the strength of character associated with its community in the north in recent weeks, hanging onto its lead despite playing forty minutes with 10 men after Manuel Villalobos was harshly shown a second yellow card.

Palestino has already qualified for the Clausura playoffs, in which it will compete for a spot in the 2014 Copa Sudamericana. Iquique has already qualified for the continental competition, having come runner-up in last season’s playoff.

Universidad Concepción 1-0 Universidad de Chile
“La U’s” dismal season reached a new low Saturday as the team conceded defeat and three red cards on the road to Universidad Concepción, who in turn confirmed a playoff spot for Copa Sudamericana qualification.

The result is Universidad de Chile’s fourth straight loss in the league and similar poor form saw the side fail to advance from the group stages of the Copa Libertadores earlier this month. Interim manager Cristián Romero has little chance of making the shortlist for the club’s head coach next season, as the board attempts to reverse the fortunes of a rapidly fading footballing powerhouse.

Midfielder Sebastián Martínez and defender Igor Lichnovsky were expelled for second yellows in the 41st and 71st minutes respectively, while midfielder Juan Rojas took an early shower midway through the second half after a straight red for a studs up challenge.

Concepción was the more threatening of the sides throughout the match, striking the woodwork in both halves before striker Pedro Muñoz’s 60th minute header allowed fans to dream of international club soccer coming to Estadio Alcaldesa Ester Roa.

Cobreloa 0-1 Antofagasta

Cobreloa was narrowly overcome at home against Antofagasta on Sunday, despite the visitors finishing the match with 10 men on the pitch. Both teams remain in contention for play-off soccer, though Cobreloa needs other results to go its way.

The Desert Foxes were limited to long range efforts in the opening exchanges, before going behind courtesy of a header from Javier Elizondo in the 33rd minute. Poor marking and sluggish goalkeeping should take nothing away from the Argentine striker’s precise finish into the bottom left.

The woodwork and a show-stopping save from Jorge Broun maintained Antofagasta’s slim advantage, and resolute defending in the final 15 minutes confirmed the win for the traveling side after forward Richard Olivares was shown a second yellow for a rash challenge on Cobreloa midfielder Cristian Gaitán.

Everton 1-1 Ñublense

Everton came from behind to draw 1-1 with Ñublense at Estadio Santa Laura on Sunday, clinching a precious point as the team from Viña del Mar battles to avoid the drop to the second division.

Striker Sebastián Varas’ beautifully taken semi-volley put the visitors in front early on the in the second half, before forward Camilo Ponce snatched the draw from an acute angle on the hour mark.

Everton faces the daunting prospect of a Huachipato team in astonishing free scoring form in its crucial final match of the season.

Clausura Upcoming Fixtures:

** Week 16 still in action at time of press — a review of Monday’s fixture will feature on April 28’s soccer roundup **

April 21, 7 p.m.: Santiago Wanderers vs. Cobresal
April 26, 2:30 p.m.: Huachipato vs. Everton
April 26, 2:30 p.m.: Antofagasta vs. Santiago Wanderers
April 26, 2:30 p.m.: Universidad Católica vs. Unión La Calera
April 26, 2:30 p.m.: Audax Italiano vs. Palestino
April 26, 4:30 p.m.: Deportes Iquique vs. Universidad Concepción
April 26, 7 p.m.: O’Higgins vs. Rangers
April 27, 2 p.m.: Cobresal vs. Unión Española
April 27, 2:30 p.m.: Ñublense vs. Colo Colo
April 27, 5 p.m.: Universidad de Chile vs. Cobreloa