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Bolivian TV Publishes Video of ´Ghostly Presence´ at Match

Bolivian TV Publishes Video of ´Ghostly Presence´ at Match Fox Sports
During last Tuesday´s Copa Libertadores match between Bolivian club The Strongest and Uruguay side Defensor Sporting, an alleged ´Ghostly´ figure was spotted during the 90th minute of the game at the Hernando Siles stadium in La Paz, Bolivia.

In the Bolivian local television report, a dark figure appears to run over the fans in the stands at a very high speed through people. The figure disappeared from the image just as fast as it suddenly appeared.

Many have reported paranormal activity at the Bolivian stadium in the past, from raging goblins, to ghost and poltergeist stories that make appearances in dark nights on the stadium.

Many even say that the Hernando Siles stadium was built over a cemetery that explain the paranormal activity from this place.

Despite all claims, the video couldn´t have been manipulated because the image appeared on the live broadcast signal from FOX Sports.

https://www.youtube.com/…RMmj_B9S0gs

Status of Argentina Squad 50 Days from World Cup

With 50 days to go until the start of the World Cup, Alejandro Sabella seems to have a pretty clear idea of the 23-man squad that will travel to their camp in Vespasiano, on the outskirts of Belo Horizonte.

While many international managers are still tinkering with formations and testing players in friendlies, there are few surprises expected when Sabella names his final squad.

One headache that has presented itself is the injury to Fernando Gago, who despite poor club form with Boca Juniors, has been influential in Sabella´s formation during qualification. The knee injury sustained by Gago last week threatens to keep him out of the World Cup and so the conundrum is, who would be best suited to replace him.

This issue in the midfield, in addition to the last couple of available places in the often criticized defense, appears to be the only question marks that remain for Sabella.

"La Albiceleste" have a couple of friendlies before their first game against Bosnia and Herzegovina on June 15th so let´s take a look at the likely 23-man squad that will be in Brazil tasked with bringing the trophy back to Buenos Aires.

Between the Sticks?

Despite a lack of playing time and some criticism of the backup options, Alejandro Sabella has stayed loyal to his choice of three goalkeepers. Opting for stability in the group and those players that he knows better personally from his time in charge of Estudiantes, in spite of public opinion, is a admirable quality but could of course come back to haunt Sabella if things go awry in Brazil.

Sergio Romero has remained as Sabella´s number one, despite his lack of playing time since moving to Monaco. This has been a cause for concern but it will give Romero confidence that Sabella still sees him as the best option in goal. His performance against Romania in the most recent friendly was certainly encouraging.

Backing up Romero, Sabella has consistently opted for Catania´s, Mariano Andujar and Boca Juniors´, Agustín Orion. Knowing these two well from his ties to former club, Estudiantes, Sabella knows what he will get from both of them and they are solid enough backups.

The player who may count himself unfortunate here is Malaga´s, Willy Caballero who has been outstanding in La Liga on a consistent basis. There have been regular calls for Caballero to be given a chance but, unless one of the three named are injured between now and the World Cup, Caballero is likely to be a spectator.

The Case for the Defense

The much maligned Argentine defense has had a relatively settled back four but with areas of weakness at full back, and several backup options, there is room for surprises here.

In the center of defense, Sabella has made it clear who the first-choice pairing are: Ezequiel Garay and Federico Fernandez. The two center backs, who play their trade in Europe with Benfica and Napoli respectively, will almost undoubtedly start against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

At full back the picture is a little less clear, Manchester City´s, Pablo Zabaleta will most likely feature at right back but his versatility could see him switch to the left if needed. However, judging by previous sides, it seems most likely that Zabaleta will remain on the right and the left will be taken by Marcos Rojo. Rojo has come under some scrutiny, but, as another of the former Estudiantes players, Sabella knows what he is getting and doesn´t look like having a change of heart.

Those who look likely to be called-up given their recent inclusion to make up the squad are Jose María Basanta, Hugo Campagnaro and Nicolas Otamendi. Basanta offers an option to fill-in at left back, Campagnaro has been a regular squad member and Otamendi has World Cup experience from South Africa in 2010.

Those with a chance of a call up are youngsters, Lisandro Lopez and Gino Peruzzi who were included in the most recent squad and will certainly be players for the future but could yet make the final roster.

Lopez is an excellent center half who offers a goal threat from set pieces, and prior to his switch to Benfica was the most outstanding defender in Argentina. Since the transfer he has impressed on loan with Getafe and if he is to be a future Argentina center back, this would be a great experience. Similarly, Peruzzi excelled in Argentina at Velez but has found the move to Europe more difficult. Zabaleta will be the natural pick on the right but Peruzzi would offer good cover and is excellent going forward.

Those in Europe hoping to get a look will be, Fabricio Coloccini, whose injury hampered season with Newcastle will have done little to encourage Sabella to recall him, and Federico Fazio, who probably talked himself out of any chance when he criticized Sabella for ignoring him.

Worryingly, Manchester City´s error prone defender Martin Demichelis has said he feels "prepared for returning to the national team." Thankfully he added, "I am 95 per cent I think that I am going to be on holiday." Those who have been watching him for Manchester City recently hope so too.

In Midfield, who Replaces Gago?

Prior to Fernando Gago´s knee injury while playing for Boca Juniors, the Argentine midfield was looking pretty nailed on. Boca´s medical staff described it as "a grade two sprain in the left knee, with a partial lesion of the medial collateral ligament" and the recovery time is around 60 days which would obviously be just about when the World Cup starts. Gago´s injury record is not great so Sabella will be scratching his head over who could replace him.

Javier Mascherano will anchor the midfield and sit in front of the defense, Complimenting him in the midfield trio will be Real Madrid´s, Angel di María. Di María´s boundless energy is well suited to a midfield role but with a tendency more towards attacking, where he provides an great outlet on the break he can also leave the midfield and defence a little exposed.

For this reason, the role of Gago is so important. Gago is a link between the two, the first pass in the attack but with enough tenacity to win the ball in the center. What is also underestimated is Gago´s relationship with Lionel Messi since the two were teammates in the Argentina U-20 side that were crowned World Champions in 2005. Gago has the vision to pick out Messi and, ,more mportantly, he gets the ball to him quickly with the defending side on the back foot.

So who will Sabella turn to in Gago´s absence? Ever Banega w ,who has regularly been part of the squad, would be an option but, like Gago, since returning to Argentina, with Newell´s Old Boys he too has looked a little off form. Banega´s inconsistency would be a concern as would his defensive capabilities against the stronger sides in world football.

Lazio´s Lucas Biglia would be another consideration who was part of that 2005 U-20 side. Biglia is a natural in central midfield but does not offer the same range of passing that Gago does.

Another who fits the bill of being known to Sabella from the Estudiantes days and a regular in the squad is Jose Sosa. A good passer of the ball, Sosa will most likely take up one of the midfield births in the squad, particularly given that he could play on the right of a 4-4-2. A January loan switch to Atletico Madrid from Metalist Kharkiv has seen his playing time reduced but although Sabella´s tendency to call on players he knows from Estudiantes is often questioned, this overlooks the important factor of knowing the characteristics, roles and how said players will integrate to the squad.

Outside of these more expected names, there are a host of players knocking on the door. Augusto Fernandez has been part of the set-up, at least in recent squads, and while Esteban Cambiasso´s time appears to have passed, despite being only 33, he has not featured for Argentina throughout qualification, his Inter Milan teammate, Ricky Alvarez is also a strong possibility.

Erik Lamela´s nightmare first season at Tottenham will probably cost him his place but conversely if Sabella wants to pick a midfield coming off the back of a very good season in Europe, he could do worse than call up, Enzo Perez. The Benfica man has been instrumental in a championship winning side and has made a late claim to be included despite being overlooked previously.

Perez´s Benfica teammate, Nicolas Gaitan would also present an outside bet after an impressive season but Sabella is unlikely to turn to untested players at this stage. The friendlies with Trinidad and Tobago and Slovenia would offer a last chance for most of these players.

The Usual Suspects Up Front

Based on Sabella´s squads for quite sometime now, Argentina´s roster of attackers is likely to be exactly as expected.

Captain, Lionel Messi remains the focus of the side and has carried his club form to the international level since Sabella switched to the current formation.

Sergio Agüero, another member of the 2005 class, links up superbly with Messi and center striker, Gonzalo Higuaín. The potent trident in attack helped Argentina plunder 35 goals in qualification and finish as the highest scorers in South America.

Frankly there isn´t any reason to go on about these three, you have read this far so you know exactly what they are capable of. In reserve will be Paris Saint-Germain´s, Ezequiel Lavezzi and Inter Milan´s, Rodrigo Palacio, in addition to veteran, Maxi Rodríguez. Lavezzi´s running and strong wotk ethic make him a valued squad member, particularly late in games, and Palacio is an able deputy in a more central role. Maxi´s versatility to play in attack or midfield and his experience are also invaluable.

Which brings us to those who will probably/definitely miss out?

Carlos Tevez has been in superb form this season for Juventus and on talent alone would be part of the squad. However, Tevez has never really produced this type of form in the International stage, while the upturn in Argentina and Messi´s form coincides with Tevez´s absence. The Boca fan from the villa will also associate with the fan on the street in Argentina but the professional footballer, rumored to be unhappy at playing second fiddle to Messi, is not trusted by Sabella. As such Tevez has already booked a family holiday to Disney during the World Cup so that´s enough on the subject, other than to wish Carlos a happy vacation.

Another in-form striker who looks set to miss out is 21-year old, Mauro Icardi of Inter Milan. The Rosario born youngster has scored 8 goals this season, with five of those coming in his past five starts, so he is certainly ending the season in good form.

Sabella had previously said that Icardi is an interesting proposition when he called him up for the dead-rubber against Uruguay in October, however, barring any injuries, these positions look almost certainly to be filled by the players mentioned.

The 23 to Win the World Cup?

And so 28 years since Argentina last won the World Cup, who will be the 23 players named with the task of bringing the trophy back to Buenos Aires once again.

The candidates have been discussed, here is the list of players who seem likely to be picked by Alejandro Sabella.

Goalkeepers

Sergio Romero
Mariano Andujar
Agustín Orion

Defenders

Pablo Zabaleta
Federico Fernandez
Ezequiel Garay
Marcos Rojo
Hugo Compagnaro
Jose María Basanta
Gino Peruzzi

Midfielders

Javier Mascherano
Angel di María
Ever Banega
Lucas Biglia
Ricky Alvarez
Jose Sosa
Maxi Rodríguez
Enzo Perez (Assuming Fernando Gago is not fit.)

Strikers

Lionel Messi
Gonzalo Higuaín
Sergio Agüero
Ezequiel Lavezzi
Rodrigo Palacio

2015 Relegation Battle - Who are the Likely Candidates?

With last weekend’s relegation of Atlante to the Ascenso MX, we can now begin to look ahead to who are the likely candidates for demotion in 2015. Although there is still a lot of football to be played between now and next summer there are already some teams who will be fearing for their continued participation in the top division.


PUEBLA

Puebla are arguably the most likely side to drop down next season. A miserable 2014 has seen them win just three matches from sixteen, and they and Veracruz are firmly rooted to the foot of the table. They started 2014 with three consecutive draws, but one win between the 2nd February and 18th April highlighted their severe deficiencies.

The end of this season will see them lose their best points total from the previous six seasons (twenty two in the 2011 Apertura) along with their joint second best (nineteen in the 2012 Clausura).

So far this season they have scored the fewest goals in the entire league (eleven) and will undoubtedly need to hold on to standout performers such as US international DaMarcus Beasley and Uruguayan winger Carlos Sanchez if they are to improve to a sufficient level next season.


CHIVAS

This is a worrisome time for fans of one of Mexico’s most historic clubs. As recently as 2010 Chivas were competing the Copa Libertadores final against Brazil’s Internacional in an attempt to become the first Mexican side to lift the trophy. Although they were ultimately unsuccessful, losing 5-3 on aggregate, few would have predicted that just four years later they would be battling for their Liga MX survival.

Chivas have been a poor side for a long time. The previous six seasons have seen them amass 30, 15, 23, 16, 12, and 21 points respectively. This season they will lose the thirty points from the 2011 Apertura, and when the 2014 Apertura kicks-off in August they will unquestionable be in the midst of a desperate relegation fight.

Like their relegation rivals, Chivas have struggled for goals. Thirteen in the 2014 Clausura and sixteen in the 2013 Apertura is not enough to sustain their Liga MX status and they must surely regret letting Marco Fabian leave on loan to Cruz Azul.

Following their humiliation in the Clasico against Club America the club decided to bring back Argentine manager Ricardo La Volpe for a second spell at the club. Fans will hope he can get them playing the attractive and offensive football for which he is renowned.

There is some hope for the club. If they can beat Monterrey at the Estadio Omnilife in their final league game next Sunday they will finish this season with twenty four points – a total that would represent their best haul since the 2011 Apertura.

The early results next season will be crucial. If Chivas can pick up some early momentum they should have enough quality to survive the drop, but if results are poor and the fans become agitated we could yet see an ignominious relegation to Mexico’s second tier for Los Rojiblancos.


VERACRUZ

Veracruz have suffered mixed results on their return to the Liga MX. The 2013 Apertura saw them finish in a highly creditable twelfth place with twenty points and twenty goals, yet 2014 saw a dramatic downturn in performance levels and they are currently in last place, just behind Puebla by virtue of goal difference.

The side has severely struggled for goals throughout the campaign, managing just one more than Puebla rivals so far. Unlike Puebla and Chivas, however, they will not lose any points at the end of this season because they have not yet completed six full seasons in the top flight.

Ultimately, Veracruz have done well to survive a difficult first season with a volatile coefficient. With their place in the division assured they will hope to recruit wisely in the summer to build on the base they have established.


LEONES NEGROS OR ONE OF CORRECAMINOS, ALEBRIJES, ESTUDIANTES TECOS AND NECAXA

Leones Negros won the Ascenso’s 2013 Apertura tournament, while Correcaminos, Alebrijes, Estudiantes Tecos and Necaxa are the four semi-finalists of the 2014 Clausura. The winner of the Clausura will face Leon Negros in an end-of-season promotion playoff.

Assuming we don’t see a repeat of last season’s much-ridiculed situation which saw La Piedad win promotion only to be bought out as part of a string of franchise relocations, one of these sides will be playing Liga MX football next season.

As we so often see with newly promoted sides, their performances can go one of two ways. Tijuana and Leon are shining examples of how to quickly become competitive after moving up a level, whereas Veracruz and Necaxa have fared less well.

With a volatile coefficient during the first season there is always a risk of a fast return to the Ascenso for any newly promoted side, but the Copa MX shows us that Ascenso sides can be competitive against the Liga MX when given the chance. If whoever gets promoted can get off to a good start they could become the season’s surprise package, but a poor run of results early in the season will see confidence drain away and would likely end in a swift return to the second level.

CHIAPAS

Chiapas have progressed in the 2013/14 season, amassing a total of forty five points across the Apertura and Clausura combined, compared with only thirty one over the previous twelve months. Despite their upturn in form, they are not safe from relegation and could be dragged into the battle.

They have not struggled for goals as much as Chivas, Puebla and Veracruz, having scored eighteen so far in this campaign and twenty six in the 2013 Apertura when they narrowly missed out the Liguilla.

They will be disappointed to be losing twenty four points from their 2011 Apertura, but will be equally thankful for shedding their six-season low of twelve points from the 2012 Clausura.

ATLAS

After surviving relegation in the 2014 Clausura they appear to be the least likely of the teams discussed to face the drop next season. A team capable of incredible fluctuations, they have scored twelve points in three of their last six seasons but have tempered those lows with highs of 20, 32, and 21.

They could yet find themselves in the Liguilla this season, and with the money of TV Azteca now supporting them, they should be able to recruit enough quality in the summer to comfortably survive. They do still need to be cautious though, at the end of next season they will lose their high-score of thirty two points from the 2013 Clausura and without a solid performance in 2014/15 they could find themselves in a battle in 2015/16.

Playoff Confirmation Awaits Club America Against Toluca

The Clausura 2014 regular season comes to a close and many teams still don´t have their playoff tickets guaranteed. There are only three teams with confirmed liguilla tickets while the rest look to seal theirs on the final match day.

Last season´s runners-up Club America are one of those teams that will require the final 90 minutes of the season to assure their place within the top eight when they visit the Nemezio Diez stadium in Toluca. The host, Toluca is already qualified sitting in the second place of the league table.

In reality America are practically qualified already, only an "impossible" combination of results can leave the Aguilas out. For Club America to miss out on the playoffs, four of the following five must happen, as well as Toluca beating America:

- Queretaro beats Pachuca 7-0 or Pachuca beats Queretaro 0-3.

- Tijuana wins or draws.

- Atlas wins 0-4 over Tigres in Monterrey.

- Morelia wins in Puebla

- Chivas wins 8-0 against Monterrey

By the time the match kicks off on Sunday afternoon, the Mexico City giants could already be depending on the other results. But it is important for manager Antonio "Turco" Mohamed to go out and get the win to close out the season on a positive note.

"We want to finish in the top four," mentioned ´El Turco´ in a post practice press conference on Thursday afternoon. "We have had a lot of ups and downs but that all ends on Sunday afternoon. After that we start a new tournament where we will be dangerous."

Both teams are in need of wins to head into the playoffs with some positive momentum. As Mohamed mentioned in the previous quotes, America have suffered from some ups and downs all season long, and a win would allow them to start the playoffs on an high note.

Toluca on the other hand, started off the season with great form and except for minor bumps on the road, they have been pretty dominant. The Diablos Rojos of Toluca will want the win against the Mexico City squad so that they can put behind them the disappointment of losing the CONCACAF Champions League Final to Cruz Azul. Toluca never lost to Cruz Azul on the field, but lost the championship series on the away goal rule.

"We know we are playing a wounded team" said Mohamed "But we need to worry about what we do on the field." The Argentine manager could send out a defensive back line of four for the first time (first time from the starting lineup); leaving behind the old Miguel "Piojo" Herrera five-man defensive line.

Team captain Aquivaldo Mosquera picked up a muscle injury in last weekend´s 0-0 draw against Queretaro and has not fully recovered yet. The Colombian defender will be rested against Toluca on the final match day of the season.

The expected defenders to start for America will be: Paul Aguilar, Francisco Javier "Maza" Rodriguez, Pablo Aguilar, and Miguel Layun.

The match is scheduled to kickoff on Sunday 1:00pm EST and it will be televised in the United States on Univision and Univision Deportes Network.

Ecuador can use an improvised friendly to find centre-back

Ecuador coach Reinaldo Rueda celebrated his 57th birthday last week, but there is a touch of panic along with the festivities.

This week, Rueda has hurriedly set up a match. It is a non-FIFA date, so no foreign based players will be called up. An opposition have been quickly improvised -- an assembly of foreigners based in Ecuador will take on Rueda´s team as the coach desperately searches for last-minute solutions.

There are some interesting aspects to the current Ecuador side. Their strength lies in their speed and wing play, with Luis Antonio Valencia of Manchester United a force of nature down the right and Mexico-based Jefferson Montero full of tricks on the other flank. And behind these two there are plenty of other quick and skilful options.

But football is decided in the penalty area -- and here, at both ends, alarm bells are ringing.

The big problem is at centre-back. For years, the Ecuadorian defence was held together by the wonderfully classy Ivan Hurtado, who used to dispossess opposing strikers with the air of an old time schoolmaster gently correcting an errant pupil. Hurtado, together with the gangling Giovanny Espinoza, formed a centre-back duo that Ecuador have found all but impossible to replace.

The best of the current bunch, Jairo Campos, is an injury casualty. Senior defender Fricson Erazo moved to Flamengo of Brazil this year, where he made such a disastrous start that he struggles to get a place on the subs bench. In last month´s friendly against Australia, played in London, Rueda´s second-string defenders fell apart, conceding three goals in an appalling first half. Ecuador hit back after the break to win 4-3, but it was clear that the team had problems.

Luis Checa will probably be given an opportunity in this Wednesday´s match to show that he can deal with the aerial threat. More promising could be the chance given to young John Narvaez, a success a few years ago with the national under-20 team at centre-back, now operating for his club side as an adventurous right back. He can be hot-headed but looks to have potential, and he could well force his way into World Cup contention.

Centre-forward, too, is proving something of a concern. First choice Felipe Caicedo is not in the best form of his life, and so Wednesday is an opportunity for some rivals to show what they can do. Daniel Angulo may not start the game but should have a chance at some stage, especially after his impressive performances in the debut Libertadores campaign of little Independiente del Valle, culminating in a four-goal performance in the final group game away to Union Espanola of Chile. Armando Wila of Universidad Catolica is another contender -- but most eyes will be on Carlos Tenorio.

The burly striker, known as "The Demolisher," was the young gun in Ecuador´s first World Cup squad, back in 2002, and a first-team player four years later in Germany, scoring against Poland and Costa Rica. Subsequently, he has been hit by injury, but after a spell in Brazil he recently went back home and has been rolling back the years with El Nacional of Quito.

Now approaching 35, might Tenorio get the chance to bookend his international career with a third World Cup? If on Wednesday he can show that he really is capable of being "The Demolisher" of old, then coach Reinaldo Rueda will have an extra reason to celebrate.