Snak

Paraguay Division Profesional Wrap: Cerro Porteno score six, Libertad extend lead

Cerro Porteno thrashed Sol de America 6-3 to climb above them in the Paraguay Division Profesional, while Libertad won again.

https://www.youtube.com/…JZguz08h3FI

Four first-half goals powered Cerro Porteno to a commanding half-time lead on Wednesday, including a brace from Angel Romero.

Francisco Arce´s men did allow Sol in, though, and the visitors to the Estadio General Pablo Rojas in Asuncion struck seven minutes after the break via Ignacio Mino.

Matias Corujo reinstated Cerro Porteno´s four-goal buffer shortly after, but a quick-fire brace inside the final 10 minutes from Sol´s Christian Ovelar would have had the hosts nervously looking over their shoulder.

But Romero wrapped up his hat-trick on 89 minutes, to send Cerro Porteno fourth - level on 21 points with Sol, but ahead on goal difference.

Libertad opened up an 11-point buffer atop the table, after beating Rubio Nu 1-0 on the road.



Olimpia were in second spot, but a 1-0 loss away to Sportivo Luqueno allowed Guarani, 2-0 winners at home to General Diaz, to become Libertad´s closest challengers.

https://www.youtube.com/…VWWNT0HArOI

Cellar-dwellers 12 de Octubre fought back for a 1-1 draw at home to fellow strugglers 3 de Febrero, while Deportivo Capiata´s hosting of Nacional Asuncion was postponed with the latter in Copa Libertadores action.

Asuncion sit in sixth spot, four points behind second-placed Guarani, but have two games in hand on all sides above them.


Mål

https://www.youtube.com/…Bn2zu2k-dQM

Copa do Brasil Wrap: Santos, Palmeiras progress at home

Santos, Palmeiras and Bahia all progressed past the Copa do Brasil second round, after home wins.

Oswaldo de Oliveira´s Santos defeated Princesa Solimoes 6-3, courtesy of a 4-2 second-leg win in the cup competition.

Goals to Gabriel and Cicinho put the tie beyond visiting Princesa, as Santos were 4-1 ahead on aggregate 25 minutes in at the Estadio Urbano Caldeira.

Michel pulled a goal back for Princesa, before Clayton Robson´s own goal reinstated Santos´ three-goal buffer.

Deurick´s strike brought Princesa back to two goals behind but Thiago Ribeiro´s goal 19 minutes from time completed the scoring, ensuring comfortable progression for Santos.

A Palmeiras late show saw them win their second leg with Sampaio Correa 3-0, after they trailed 2-1 after the first 90 minutes.

William Mendieta´s 65th-minute goal squared the tie at 2-2, before Henrique and Felipe Menezes both scored late on to secure Palmeiras´ progression.

Bahia arrested a deficit in the second leg with America Mineiro, to progress 2-1 on aggregate.

After a scoreless first leg, America Mineiro led at Bahia after Obina´s 26th-minute penalty.

Bahia rallied to equalised on the night via Branquinho, although they still trailed on the away goals rule until Rafinha´s tie-winning effort on 89 minutes.

ABC progressed 3-2 against Atletico GO after a 2-1 second-leg victory, while Avai´s late show against ASA saw them also win 2-1 to advance on away goals after the tie ended 4-4.

Nautico´s 2-0 home win over America RN was not enough to see them progress, with the latter winning 3-2 over the 180 minutes.

Internacional´s 4-1 second leg win over Cuiaba powered them to a 5-2 aggregate result.

Also during the week, Ceara and Paysandu gained first-leg leads in their respective ties.

Ceara won 2-1 on the road at Chapecoense courtesy of Bill´s brace, while Paysandu chalked up a 2-1 home win over Sport Recife.

Botafogo PB´s hosting of Santa Cruz ended 1-1 after the sides exchanged first-half goals.

Liga del Futbol Profesional Boliviano Wrap: Universitario regain first position

Club Universitario moved above The Strongest in the Liga del Futbol Profesional Boliviano, while Real Potosi notched a third straight win.

Real Potosi came from behind on Thursday to win 3-1 at Oriente Petrolero with goals from Leonel Morales, Maximiliano Andrada and Cristian Diaz clinching victory for the visitors, who moved up to third in the standings.

https://www.youtube.com/…qcLtl6oPSdA


But it was Universitario´s 4-1 triumph over San Jose that was the story of round 20, as Javier Vega´s victorious side claimed top spot in the table ahead of The Strongest, who were held to a 0-0 draw at Wilstermann.

https://www.youtube.com/…XDIGQ-nbCsA

The Strongest had only moved into first position over the weekend after Universitario were stunned 5-0 by bottom club Blooming.

Universitario started Wednesday´s clash in third, behind second-placed San Jose on goal difference, while The Strongest had a one-point lead at the top of the table.

It took just eight minutes for Universitario to open the scoring in front of their home fans in Sucre as Alejandro Bejarano´s persistence paid off.

The 29-year-old midfielder chased a back pass to San Jose´s goalkeeper, won possession and then converted but the visitors equalised two minutes later thanks to Carlos Neumann´s sharp finish.

Bolivia international Gustavo Pinedo then took control of the match for Universitario, tapping home a rebound in the 17th minute and finishing a one-on-one opportunity nine minutes before half-time to put the hosts 3-1 ahead.

San Jose never recovered from Pinedo´s blitz and in the 64th minute Lucas Ojeda produced an impressive long-range chip to wrap up the three points for Universitario.

Vega´s men moved to 38 points, one ahead of The Strongest, while Real Potosi (36 points) leapfrogged San Jose (35) into third.

San Jose have lost three games in a row.

In other LFPB results, Nacional Potosi trumped Blooming 3-0 and Guabira played out a 1-1 draw with Aurora.

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Copa Libertadores Wrap: Bolivar, Defensor Sporting reach last four


Bolivar battled into the Copa Libertadores semi-finals on Thursday as Defensor Sporting joined them comfortably.

Juan Carlos Arce´s 87th-minute goal saw Bolivar edge Argentina´s Lanus 1-0 at home, completing a 2-1 aggregate victory.

https://www.youtube.com/…m25Ku3O6YNA


The Bolivians will face another Argentine team in the last four, with a tie against San Lorenzo awaiting them in July.

Trailing to an away goal, Lanus´ task was made tougher when defender Carlos Izquierdoz was shown a straight red card just before the hour-mark.

Arce scrambled in the only goal of the second leg with three minutes remaining.

In a one-on-one, Bolivar attacker Gerardo Yecerotte chipped an effort against the post, but his team-mate was quickest to react to tap into an open goal.

The last-four tie equals Bolivar´s best ever appearance at a Copa Libertadores, having also reached the semis in 1986.

Uruguayan outfit Defensor Sporting was far more comfortable in progressing, claiming a 1-0 win at home to Colombia´s Atletico Nacional to complete a 3-0 aggregate victory.

https://www.youtube.com/…WmtGpBuReY4

Nicolas Olivera, who also scored in the first leg, struck in the 90th minute to seal the win and his side face Paraguayan side Nacional in the last four.

As the visitors poured numbers forward in search of a much-needed goal, Defensor Sporting hit on the counter-attack.

Leonardo Pais was released down the right and his cross found substitute Olivera to tap in the easiest of goals.

Wilson Palacios, the Honduran Magician

Football has provided an escape from poverty for many players but for Honduran star Wilson Palacios it has come with a high price -- the kidnap and murder of youngest brother Edwin.

The 29-year-old former Wigan and Spurs midfielder now with Stoke will for the second successive World Cup finals bear the responsibility of trying to give the impoverished Central American country their first ever win in the competition.

Their hopes of achieving that look fair. Apart from France they have the Swiss, who they also had in the 2010 finals, and Ecuador, for whom Palacios´s close friend and former Wigan team-mate Antonio Valencia plays.

In as much as Honduras can speak of sporting royalty Palacios is very much from a footballing one, his father Eulogio was a club player and then set up a football school, while the family made footballing history in the 2010 finals as Wilson was joined in the squad by his other brothers Jerry and Johnny.

However, it is Edwin who will forever remain in Wilson´s heart, after he was kidnapped in 2007. The family paid a reported 200,000 dollar ransom demand -- largely through Wilson -- but he was found dead after two members of the 18th Street Gang confessed to the crime in 2009.

"My children went into football and that has brought problems for my family, but they only ever wanted fame, not money," their mother said when she appealed vainly for him to be released.

"Wilson´s team gets the transfer money, he only gets his salary. I am obviously very happy for Wilson but my heart is with my poor little boy Edwin, my baby. I need the people who watch Wilson play football to know he´s carrying a big sadness with him."

Wilson, for whom Spurs paid Wigan $20m in January 2009 before selling him for half that to Stoke two years later, was so distraught that he thought of retiring from the sport.

"It was extremely tough for me and I did come close to retiring," he told The Guardian in January 2010.

However, the player known as the ´Magician´ -- largely because of the goal he scored from halfway for his Honduran club Olimpia against Marathon to clinch his fifth and final league title with them in 2006 -- was dissuaded from taking such a drastic move but he is keenly aware of the risks his family runs.

"It (kidnapping) is more prevalent if you are well known, especially a footballer," he told The Guardian.

"I am aware that my family must take care with the way they go about their lives. It is something which is always on my mind."

Palacios, who was initially given a trial by Arsene Wenger in 2007 and he recommended him to Steve Bruce at Birmingham who signed him when he became Wigan coach in 2008, believes his seven year stint in England has been good for his game and for the national side.

"As a player, you always learn from your peers," he told FIFA.com in April.

"You must learn to succeed and I think I have learned a lot from very many good players."

However, Palacios, who has over 90 caps for the national side since making his debut in 2003, will reserve his first thought when he runs onto the pitch for their opener against France on June 15 for Edwin.

"He is with God now but he is also with us, all the time and wherever we go."

World Cup Bound? Chivas USA´s Minda Named to Ecuador´s 30 Man Roster

A week ago Chivas USA could take solace in the fact that the team wouldn´t be fielding a roster missing any key players due to World Cup play. That changed last Thursday when the Red-and-White acquired midfielder Marvin Chavez who will be representing the Honduras. That number might double as designated player and yellow card magnet Oswaldo Minda was named to Ecuador´s 30-man preliminary roster on Tuesday.

Minda has 18 caps for Ecuador but has not played in any of the team´s qualifying matches last appearing for his country in October, 2012. Which is not to say Minda could not be a key contributor. Ecuador is both inconsistent and Minda could provide cover for a backline has often struggled mightily.

Ecuador is a team that has greatly benefitted from home cooking. At their high altitude (just under 10,000 feet above sea level) home stadium, the Atahualpa, the team has won seven games and drew one. That dominance is not at all apparent on the road as Ecuador was winless with three draws and five losses.

Ecuador, managed by Colombian manager Reinaldo Rueda, is in Group E alongside Chavez´s Honduras, Switzerland, and France.

Alan Pulido Signs with Olympiakos

Vaggelis Marinakis, president of Olympiakos has confirmed that they have acquired the services of Mexican International Alan Pulido from Tigres of Mexico. He stated that the deal was all set, it was only a matter of small details.

Pulido is adamant that his contract with Tigres runs until June of this year, UANL however, claims that the contract is for a longer stay. If Pulido were allowed to leave on a Bosman, he could essentially go to the Greek SuperClub for free. Tigres however have other ideas.

It begs mentioning that LigaMX clubs have a "gentleman´s agreement´ that fundamentally goes against FIFA´s famous Bosman ruling that allows players to leave to any club they want after their contract runs out. In Mexico, even after a contract runs out the "new" club that sign the player in question must still pay a fee to the "old" club. This is a very controversial pact that owners in Mexico have worked out, and no doubt Tigres are looking to get some sort of financial award for their prized youth product.

For the time being, Pulido is in concentration for this summer´s world cup after earning a coveted spot on Miguel Herrera´s squad list.

Rebuilding Time for Club America; Pellerano Next to Join the Aguilas?

The summer transfer season was always going to be a busy one for Club America, they have already secured one high profile signing and have said goodbye to one member of the squad. The transition season that Antonio "Turco" Mohamed allowed is now over; this is the time when Mohamed puts his own mark on this America squad.

El Turco came in with little time to prepare, had no formal preseason with the players, and did his best to try and continue what former manager Mguel "Piojo" Herrera had done. Now he has time to build the team he wants and to work it from the start with a proper preseason.

Part of building the team he wants means letting go of players who have had a successful time in the recent past with the club, as well as bring in new faces that will represent the Mohamed era.

One of the biggest names rumored to be joining the Mexico City giants is Tijuana Xolos midfielder Cristian Pellerano. Mexican newspaper ESTO reported that the transfer was a done deal.

The Argentine midfielder played under Mohamed in Argentina with San Lorenzo where the two were crowned Copa Sudamericana champions. El Turco then brought Pellerano to Mexico when he was in charge of the Xoloitzcuintles in Tijuana. The two got another taste of glory as they were crowned Liga MX champions in 2012.

Cristian Pellerano is a tough and highly intelligent defensive midfielder. Although, this past season under Venezuelan manager Cesar Farias, Pellerano has played a little higher up the field. He was able to shine in the new role and became Club Tijuana´s leading goal scorer with seven goals in the Clausura 2014 tournament.

If Mohamed is successful in bringing Pellerano from Tijuana to Mexico City, the Argentine midfielder would join Mexican National Team striker Oribe Peralta as another high profile signing. Peralta was just recently presented as a Club America player two days ago.

ON THEIR WAY OUT

Some of the current Club America players that enjoyed much success under Piojo Herrera could be preparing an exit. While most of the names mentioned to leave are all speculation, only one player has already sealed his exit. 2005 U-17 World Champion Adrian Aldrete is set to join Club Santos Laguna in a deal that was part of Oribe Peralta´s arrival at COAPA.

Here is the list of players who are rumored to be leaving the club before the start of the Apertura 2014 season.

Aquivaldo Mosquera: The current captain of the squad has finished his contract. He will be part of the Colombian National Team that plays in the FIFA World Cup in Brazi. It is rumored that he might be looking to return to Pachuca in order to retire with the club in which he found so much success before making the jump to Europe.

Moises Muñoz: Tigres UANL are rumored to be interested in the services of the heroic goalkeeper that led the team to that come from behind win over Cruz Azul in the league final in 2013. Club America are willing to negotiate if Tigres are willing to send attacking midfielder Lucas Lobos to America.

Juan Carlos Medina: Medina became the icon of Piojo Herrera´s midfield. He saw his starting spot in the lineup come under threat by Jesus Molina; the both ended up splitting the game time under Mohamed. It is rumored that Atlas - who now have a strong financial backing - could be interested in bringing back their youth product midfielder who is also on his way to the World Cup.

Miguel Layun: If the left wing-back has a positive showing during the World Cup in Brazil for Mexico this summer, European clubs will be knocking on America´s door interested for Layun´s services. The fact that Layun has a European Union passport makes him all the more valuable for the clubs across the Atlantic. One Serie A team has already been mentioned as being interested while another anonymous Italian club is also suspected to be interested; as reported here on Soccerly.

Raul Jimenez: Like Layun, if Raul Jimenez has a positive showing during the World Cup it will only make the European clubs already interested in his services more keen on signing the young striker

Liga MX Final 1st Leg: Leon 2-3 Pachuca - Valencia puts Tuzos in Command

Leon’s love affair with the Liguilla is briefly on hold as a Pachuca took a 3-2 win in the first leg of the Liga MX final to put themselves within ninety minutes of their first title since 2007.

The game was an entertaining spectacle, with Leon taking the lead and dominating the game before finding themselves 3-1 behind - only for an own goal to make the final score 3-2 and keep the host’s hopes of a second championship in six months alive.

Leon and Pachuca both made two changes from the sides which played in the semifinal second legs. Leon dropped Hernandez and Arizala in favour of Cardenas and Loboa, while Pachuca replaced Pajoy and the suspended Ayovi with Carreno and Damm.

The opening fifteen minutes were played at an impressive speed, with both teams desperate to grab an early goal that would demoralise their opposition.

Pena was immediately involved, with his pass forcing Oscar Perez to rush off his line and push the ball away from the feet of the onrushing Boselli. Pachuca couldn’t clear the resulting corner, and the ball eventually came back to El Tri international Pena who hit the crossbar with well-placed lofted shot.

Pachuca were reeling but immediately had a chance of their own when Carreno broke free of the offside trap, though his unmarked header was fired straight at Yarbrough. It would be their last chance for nearly thirty minutes.

At the other end Gonzalez headed Montes’ freekick over the bar with Perez floundering while Boselli went close with a powerful long range drive.

After the initial high-octane tempo subsided the game settled into a rhythm, with Pachuca defending deeply and trying to hit Leon on the counter. The Liga MX’s top scorer Enner Valencia struggled to get into the game, while Mexican stars Montes, Pena and Vazquez controlled the midfield dual.

The opener eventually arrived from the head of Carlos Pena, as he took advantage of some poor Pachuca marking to put the hosts ahead after thirty five minutes. The goal was nothing less than the hosts deserved, and it appeared they should be able to go on and win comfortably.

After questions about his form, Pena has silenced his critics during the Liguilla. Tonight he was back to his majestic best, terrorising the Pachuca team every time he picked up the ball and drawing several fouls in dangerous positions for his side. He looks to be a certainty to start for Mexico in Natal on 13th June.

Ten minutes after Leon took the lead Pachuca managed to equalise against the run of play. Valencia was the scorer, turning in Villapando’s cross at the back post as he finally managed to make a meaningful contribution. The goal marked his seventeenth strike in his last twenty three Liga MX appearances and Pachuca might have to resign themselves to losing the Ecuadorian if he has a good summer in Brazil.

Buoyed by the goal, Pachuca started the second half with a more attacking mindset. They immediately put Leon under pressure with a string of corners, but couldn’t find a way through.

It took fifteen minutes for Leon to fashion their first chance when Perez produced a fine save from a Boselli header, and moments later Cardenas could have won them a penalty after being unnecessarily barged over by Damm.

Pachuca finally made one of their corners count when Enner Valencia got the better of Jonny Magallon to head them into the lead. The goal marked a remarkable turnaround for Pachuca after being so comprehensively outplayed for the majority of the first half.

Leon looked deflated and suddenly Pachuca were able to find spaces that didn’t exist in the first half. The home side’s misery was compounded when Pachuca added a third five minutes later - Villapando played in Lozano and the striker beat Yarbrough with a low drive.

An admirable quality of Leon throughout 2014 has been their refusal to recognise when they are beaten, and when Miguel Herrera turned a freekick into his own net the team were suddenly galvanised - no doubt recalling their unlikely entrance into the Liguilla and their impressive comeback against Cruz Azul in the quarterfinal.

The game had once again exploded - Villapando immediately crashed a long range effort off the crossbar for Pachuca, while at the other end Sabah had Perez scrambling across his goal to prevent the equaliser and was unlucky moments later not make a connection with a attempted bicycle kick.

Leon were denied by three excellent saves by Perez in injury time, and the thrilling game eventually came to a close.

Away goals do not count in the final and Leon will know they are still very much in the tie, though with all five goals originating from set pieces both sides will need to work on their defensive set-ups.

The second leg is on Sunday night, kickoff 9pm EDT.

Man of the Match

Enner Valencia

Struggled to get into the game until late in the first half, but then made a devastating two-goal impact.
Honourable mention to Dieter Villapando who was responsible for all three of Pachuca’s assists.

Fool of the Match

Miguel Herrera

Had looked good for most of the game, but his own goal could yet prove to be the difference between the two teams come full-time on Sunday.


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Fans advised to keep calm in the face of any protests during World Cup

The iconic Maracana will host the final on July 13 - Action Images
Protests against working conditions for some Brazilians have continued into a second day and may well be the norm in the lead up to, and during, the World Cup. The tournament will be played between June 12 and July 13 in the South American country and is unfortunately seen as the perfect backdrop against which protesters can gain coverage for their campaign.

Although those interviewed have declared that any grievances will be directed solely at government officials, there now exists a fear factor among those visiting Brazil for the football.

Alex Ellis, who is the British Ambassador in the country, told reporters: "We don´t quite know what kind of process there will be or how many there will be, so unpredictability is probably the big issue to be thinking about at the moment."

"If you do get caught up just stay calm, step away if you can, find a way out, pull yourself back if you see any confrontation."