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Libertad va por el título ante Luqueño

ASUNCIÓN -- Libertad, dirigido por el uruguayo Rubén Israel, irá el domingo a la caza de su decimosexto título de Liga de Paraguay, cuando reciba al Sportivo Luqueño en la última jornada del Torneo Clausura.

Los dirigidos por Israel, que vienen de vencer por la mínima diferencia 0-1 al Cerro de Presidente Franco, tendrán que apostar de nuevo a una victoria si desean asegurar el título, ya que marchan con 44 puntos, una unidad más que su escolta el Guaraní.

El estratega uruguayo volverá a recurrir para ese juego con una delantera encabezada por José Ariel Núñez y Pablo Velázquez, quienes ocupan la segunda y tercera casilla de la clasificación de goleadores con 11 y 10 dianas, respectivamente.

El destacado encuentro tendrá como escenario al estadio Nicolás Leoz, del Libertad, en Asunción, donde los locales esperan dar la vuelta con su decimosexta copa de Liga.

Por su parte, el Guaraní, a cargo del entrenador uruguayo Diego Alonso, se medirá de visitante el domingo, con el Rubio Ñú.

El equipo aborigen viene de vencer con lo justo (2-1) al Sportivo Carapeguá, similar resultado al obtenido por el Rubio Ñú ante el Tacuary.

Otro compromiso que genera espectación es el que disputarán el sábado, en el inicio de la jornada, el Nacional, tercero con 41 unidades, y el colista independiente de Campo Grande.

Los cuatro partidos programados para el sábado y los dos últimos del domingo serán disputados en simultáneo, a las 17.15 hora local (20.15 GMT), según lo dispuso la Asociación Paraguaya de Fútbol.

= PROGRAMA DE LA 22ª FECHA:

.Sábado 15:


Independiente de Campo Grande - Nacional


Sol de América - Cerro de Presidente Franco


Sportivo Carapeguá - Olimpia


Cerro Porteño - Tacuary


.Domingo 16:


Rubio Ñú - Guaraní


Libertad - Sportivo Luqueño


= CLASIFICACIÓN:


.1.Libertad, 44


.2.Guaraní, 43


.3.Nacional, 41


.4.Cerro Porteño, 34


.5.Sportivo Luqueño, 33


.6.Olimpia, 32


.7.Sol de América, 25


.8.Presidente Franco, 23


.9.Tacuary, 22


10.Sportivo Carapeguá, 22


11.Rubio Ñu, 15


12.Campo Grande, 9.

Vi har været inde på ham tidligere i tråden...Den kære Robín Ramírez, et af de største angrebstalenter - Batman er vist på vej til mexikansk fodbold - Pumas.




Paraguay Talent: Robin Ramirez linked with Pumas in Mexico

According to Libertad the deal for Robin Ramirez to Pumas is almost concluded, here is all you need to know about the Paraguayan striker who will hope that Mexico is a springboard to Europe.

Name: Robin Ramirez

D.o.B: 11 November 1989

Club: Libertad, Paraguay

Hometown: Ciudad del Este, Paraguay

Height: 1.71 metres

Position: Striker

Previous Clubs: Rubio Ñu & libertad(Paraguay), Deportes Tolima (Colombia)

Robin Ramirez is a natural goalscorer, in 2012 he became the first Paraguayan to top the Colombian scoring charts since Apolinar Paniagua in 1971, scoring 13 goals for Deportes Tolima. Previously in the 2011 Paraguay Apertura he was second topscorer with Rubio Ñu before getting four goals in seven starts for Libertad in the 2011 Clausura.

Ramirez is a versatile striker who can play on the shoulder of the last defender or as a ‘false 9’ – he has acceleration, good close control but above all an instinctive awareness of space and fantastic movement. At Tolima he was constantly finding himself in behind the defence thanks to intelligent running off the ball and he has a is a surprise he has only a handful of caps for the national team, with Lucas Barrios and Oscar Cardozo struggling to find goals for the Albirroja he really could be the answer they need.

The forward was part of the Paraguay U20s squad that made the World Cup in 2009, playing alongside several teammates that are now in Europe such as Celso Ortiz (AZ), Luis Caballero (Krylya Sovetov), Lorenzo Melgarejo (Benfica) and Hernan Perez (Villarreal). It is his ultimate goal to ply his trade in the old continent and if he scores as freely in Mexico as he did in Colombia that dream shouldn’t be far from being realized.

Report: Burrell on Jamaica: “I have never seen such shamolic football”

The fallout from Jamaica’s shoddy and underachieving performance at the Caribbean Cup has only just begun.

The two-time defending cup champions failed to reach the semifinals and the CONCACAF Gold Cup. That was quite stunning because the Jamaicans were the lone Caribbean represenative that qualified for next year’s CONCACAF hexagonal in next year’s World Cup qualifying for Brazil 2014.

“I’m disappointed. I’m livid,” Jamaica Football Federation president Captain Horace Burrell told the Jamaica Observer. “I have never seen such shambolic football and there is no excuse for it. The players must take responsibility.”

Burrell felt that many of Jamaica’s domestic-based players failed to play well.

“They did not show the quality and it’s just an embarrassment to me and the country to come to a tournament like this and play so badly,” he told the Observer. “Many of these local-based players have been calling out for the opportunity and they got it and now they blew it.”

Shavar Thomas, the team captain for the tournament who plays for the Montreal Impact in Major League Soccer, said the Reggae Boyz’ performance was well below what was expected of a final six World Cup qualifier.

“Yes, I am very disappointed we didn’t make it to the semifinals,” he was quoted by the Observer. “It [performance] was below par based on the quality that we have in the squad. But as a team sometimes there will have to be more than the skill and I think we fell short in that aspects

“Honestly for me, and if you ask other players in the group, there is no excuse as we are professionals who were expected to do a job. . . . As I have said the quality in the squad is more than capable of handling any of these teams that have beaten us.”

Cuba put the final nail in the Reggae Boyz’ coffin, including a 1-0 Group B loss on Wednesday night. Jamaica finished the competition winless at 0-2-1.

According to the Observer, Burrell has has ordered Howard McIntosh, the chairman of the JFF technical and development committee, to prepare a a report for the federation’s board of directors.

“Having qualified for the final round of the World Cup qualifiers and not being in the Gold Cup is not an easy one to swallow,” Burrell told the newspaper. “But the show must go on and we have to now look at getting friendly matches and to possibly do some tours to get the team together as often as possible.”



Report: T&T co-coach Charles on reaching Gold Cup: “We defied the odds”

After his team booked its first berth in the CONCACAF Gold Cup since 2007, Trinidad & Tobago co-head coach Hutson Charles put it in a nutshell.

“We defied the odds,” he told the Trinidad Guardian.

The Soca Warriors booked a spot in the Caribbean Cup semifinals on Tuesday night by recording a 2-1 Group victory over the Dominican Republic at the Antigua Recreation Ground in Antigua.

“We came here expecting to do well but not a lot of people believed this team could do it and we defied the odds,” Charles was quoted by the Guardian in its Friay editions. “We proved the critics wrong, and I’m happy to see the success that the team is enjoying at the moment. We have achieved mission number one which was to get to the Gold Cup and now we will refresh and come again for the semifinals and try to win the competition on Sunday.

“This is their time,” Charles said.

But first things first. T&T will play Group B winner Martinique in the semifinals on Friday. The final is set for Sunday.

“Of course we have two more games to play and we have our eye on the trophy but to me the most important thing was getting to the Gold Cup and we achieved that,” said Kevin Molino, who scored the tie-breaking goal for the Soca Warriors.

T&T had failed to qualify for the last two Gold Cups — in 2009 and 2011.

Still, the Soca Warriors were about to bask in the glory. Charles realized there was much work still to do.

“We have to instill a little more discipline in our football. We have to get them fellas to focus a little more on the play,” he told the Trinidad Express. “At times it was erratic. We just need to get them fellas to focus and concentrate a little more.

“We need to get more funding, we need to work, we need to play more games.

“Trinidad and Tobago need to play catch-up now. The other teams seem to be a step ahead of us. We need to get back to what we know we can do.”



T&T ready for Martinique clash in Caribbean Cup semis

Trinidad and Tobago will attempt to reach another goal in the Caribbean Cup finals as it will try to overcome semifinal opponents Martinique and secure a spot in Sunday’s final. Both countries will clash in the opening game of a doubleheader at the Antigua Recreation Ground in St. John’s, Antigua at 5 p.m. on Friday.

The Soca Warriors are already assured $30,000 (US) for reaching the last four but they have a keen eye on the Caribbean Cup and the winners chequevalued at $100,000 (US). The other semifinalists — Haiti and Cuba — will square off at 8 p.m., also looking to book a place in Sunday’s final at the Sir Vivian Richard’s Stadium. The losing semifinalists will meet in the third-place match at the same venue. The runners-up will take home $75,000 (US) with third- and fourth-place teams taking away $50,000 (US) and $30,000 (US), respectively.

The T*T team underwent a training session at the match venue on Wednesday evening but will go into Friday’s encounter short of the 20 players after the Caribbean Football Union denied the Trinidad & TObago Football Federation’s request to add two replacements to the roster with Lester Peltier and Hughtun Hector injured out. Defender Aubrey David is also out because of two yellow cards.

Co-head coach Hutson Charles is still optimistic that his team can contest strongly for a place in the final.

“We haven’t completed the tournament as yet,” he said. “Yes, we’ve qualified for the Gold Cup but we also have an ambition to take home the Cup and so I expect we will go out fighting tomorrow against Martinique.”

He had a look at Martinique in their 3-1 win over French Guiana on Wednesday as well as Cuba’s 1-0 win over Jamaica, which sent the two-time defending champions packing.

“Martinique are avery organized team and they results have proven that,” Charles said. “They are yet to lose a game in this tournament and I expect them to be a tough opponent on the day. But we also will want to prove that we are no pushovers. We will respect them but we will also aim to show what are capabilities are.”

The other co-head coach, Jamaal Shabazz, believed that T&T will continue to rise further to the occasion.

“This team has proven a lot of people wrong and I think they will want to go on and do even more in this tournament,” he said. “We have some teething problems. Our roster is not up to full strength but we’ve been through many battles before so this is nothing new to us. We’ve won a major battle already in qualifying for the Gold Cup and now we’ll try to win another one.”

Martinique has five France-based players in its team and as well as West Ham United’s 34-year-old forward Frederic Piquionne who was granted permission by the club to play in the tournament having not made a start this season for the Hammers.

Martinique will no doubt remember T&T’s 1-0 win over them in the 2010 finals under ex-coach Russell Latapy. A goal by Hector saw T&T finish the campaign with three points.

At a press conference at the Antigua * Barbuda Football Association offices on Thursday morning, CFU President Gordon Derrick announced that the CFU will hold meetings with CONCACAF and FIFA in an attempt to stage future Caribbean Cup Finals within the FIFA international calendar so as to allow countries to access its players than play in the European Leagues.

He also credited the four semifinalists for their display of football in the tournament.

“I think we have seen some fine football and the four teams that made it through demonstrated that,” he said. “We saw that it went down to the final minute of two of the games to determine exactly who the last four teams would be.

“And we also saw some surprises with Jamaica not making it and the likes of even Dominican Republic putting on a very good display. Of the four teams we have three that have played in World Cups before and that says a lot for us. We now wish them well and hope that they represent the Caribbean to the fullest at the CONCACAF Gold Cup

Raging former Bull: Marquez says he didn’t sign with Atlas because of its directors

Former New York Red Bulls midfielder-defender Rafa Marquez wanted to return to his former club, Atlas, but settled on Leon, according to several tweets he made on Friday.

Marquez, who was released by the Red Bulls and signed with Leon on Thursday, explained why. He said he gave priority to Atlas, but the club offered him less than what foreign players currently earn there.

“I owe Atlas fans an explanation,” he said on twitter. “The reason I didn’t sign is very simple: The directors.”

But the 33-year-old Marquez said that he still hopes to return to Atlas one day. He played for the Mexican First Division club from 1996-1999.

“I have faith I’ll return [to Atlas] and do a lot for the fans that don’t deserve what has been done to the club,” he tweeted.

Marquez, who earned $4.6 million a year from the Red Bulls, was vilified by Red Bulls and the media for his poor performances, ill-timed and ill-advised red cards, suspensions and opening his mouth at the wrong time. But on Thursday he took the high road in saying goodbye to the team and its fans.

“It was a pleasure to play for @NYRedBulls,” he tweeted. “thank you very much to all the fans and I wish the best to the team and DIRECTORS!”

Marquez, the captain of the Mexican National Team, has made 112 international appearances and has appeared in three World Cups.

River confirmó contactos por Vangioni

BUENOS AIRES -- El vicepresidente de River Diego Turnes confirmó los contactos con Leonel Vangioni al señalar que enviaron "una oferta y se está evaluando todo. Tenemos 10 días para uno de los refuerzos y esperamos resolverlo antes de ese plazo", señaló.

River ofreció a Newell´s por Vangioni cerca de 1,8 millones de dólares y la contraoferta fue de 2,5 millones, según pudo averiguar Télam. De todas maneras, las diferencias se podrían saldar durante el fin de semana y el lunes habrá una nueva reunión.

El jugador de la Lepra ya expresó sus ganas de vestir la camiseta de River advirtiendo que sería un gran paso en su carrera, pero el que debe resolver su salida es el club rosarino que es dueño de sus derechos federativos y económicos.

En relación a los demás puestos pedidos por Ramón Díaz, Turnes aseveró: "Estamos observando variantes y trabajando para poder contratar otros dos jugadores más, tal lo hablado con el entrenador al finalizar el torneo".

Por otra parte, el directivo confirmó el regreso del defensor paraguayo Adalberto Román, quien deberá sumarse a la pretemporada el 4 de enero.

"Hemos hablado con Román para que regrese, Ramón Díaz también habló con el jugador y le dijo que lo va a tener en cuenta, así que regresa al club y no irá a la Liga de Quito", respondió Turnes.

En referencia a los otros nombres para reforzar el equipo, van a iniciar gestiones por Jonathan Fabbro, quien se encuentra en Cerro Porteño y le comunicó a Ramón Díaz sus intenciones de jugar en River durante 2013.

No bien se puedan acordar estas dos incorporaciones, Ramón Díaz evaluará en que otro puesto refuerza el equipo -le restaría un cupo más- y eso dependerá de las ventas que realice el club en este mercado de pases, especialmente con la salida del delantero Rogelio Funes Mori.

Al respecto, Passarella viajará antes de fin de año a Italia para reunirse con directivos de algunos clubes del Calcio que pretenden contratar al Melli Funes Mori y al volante central Ezequiel Cirigliano.

Por último, en la mañana del viernes se entrenaron por última vez antes de las vacaciones los cinco jugadores que terminaron con lesiones complicadas el torneo: Martín Aguirre, Ramiro Funes Mori, Germán Pezzella, Jonatan Maidana (todos con roturas ligamentarias) y Cristian Ledesma, quien tuvo un desgarro.

El plantel de River regresará al trabajo el 4 de enero en el Monumental y el 7 viajará a Tandil para hacer la pretemporada hasta el 22, y desde esa ciudad viajará a Mar del Plata para los amistosos.

El cronograma de partidos de verano de River arranca con Racing el 12 de enero y sigue con Boca el 19 e Independiente el 24 de enero, los tres en Mar del Plata.

En tanto, finalizará su participación en el verano con dos Superclásicos ante Boca, el primero en Mendoza el 29 de enero y el segundo en Córdoba el 2 de febrero, un par de semanas antes que se inicie el torneo.

Gallego quiere refuerzos cuanto antes

BUENOS AIRES -- El DT de Independiente, Américo Gallego, afirmó que no se tomará licencia hasta que el club de Avellaneda no concrete las dos incorporaciones permitidas para reforzar al plantel que en el torneo Final deberá sumar la mayor cantidad de puntos posibles para mantener la categoría.

"No me voy a ir de vacaciones hasta que no me traigan los refuerzos. En este momento a Independiente nadie quiere venir, pero no saben la institución que se pierden", expresó Gallego en diálogo con "Infierno Rojo Radio".

A su vez, informó que la posible llegada del delantero de Boca Juniors Lucas Viatri "se complicó" porque entendió que el DT Carlos Bianchi, cerca de iniciar su tercer ciclo en el club de La Ribera, "es difícil que lo ceda".

En ese contexto, el ex DT de River Plate (1994 y 2000-2001) expresó sus deseos de contar con el mediocampista Daniel Montenegro, quien se desvinculó del América de México y tiene el pase en su poder.

"Con Rolfi no se trata de plata. (Gabriel) Milito y (Adrián) Gabbarini también hablaron con él. Yo también me voy a juntar de nuevo con él", apuntó.

En cuanto al presente futbolístico de Independiente, que sumó 16 unidades en el torneo Inicial y aún debe un partido ante Tigre (12ma. fecha), Gallego apuntó que alistará un equipo "más agresivo" para el campeonato venidero.

"Hoy a la gente no le estamos dando nada; les pido un poco más de paciencia. Me he equivocado en poner algunos chicos en ciertos momentos, pero en los amistosos voy a darles rodaje", expresó.

En tanto, señaló que en el ambiente del fútbol existe "un periodismo malo" que incita a la afición de Independiente para que lo insulte: "Yo no me lo merezco porque el hincha me respeta".

Por último, destacó que tiene en mente "el once para empezar el campeonato" y remarcó que si el club concreta la incorporación de dos futbolistas para el ataque, el equipo "va a andar bien".

Independiente, que en el torneo Inicial reúne 16 puntos y aún debe disputar un compromiso ante Tigre, está en zona de descenso junto a Unión de Santa Fe y Quilmes.

Så trådte FIFA endelig i karakter ...stakkels Messi og Barcas hinchas de carton danes.....

Hehe. Aldrig har deres egen moralprædiken, "en sejr for fodbolden", været mere passende.

Et tidligt tillykke til Chitalu, men Messi skal da have lov til at forsøge sig i de 2 sidste kampe.

Et tidligt tillykke til Chitalu, men Messi skal da have lov til at forsøge sig i de 2 sidste kampe.

Der kunne man godt bruge "synes godt om"

Er der nogle Corinthians-fans herinde?:-)

Det bliver intressant at se om de kan vinde over Chelsea i finalen. Kampen bliver vist på dansk tv, så flere danskere vil nok få øjnene op for brasiliansk fodbold. Chelsea er favorit, men jeg tror det bliver en tæt kamp.

FF17 & Andib - ja den havde de jo ligesom selv bedt om ...hus iøvrigt termen " Hinchas de Carton...det er jo sopansk for plastic fans....;-)

TR1986....Umiddelbart tror jeg folk her er mere til Rioklubberne Mener Kayokay er til fogo, Samba, Vasco og NPATO Gremio (og Vasco) - men det er samba som har mest styr på paulista klubberne...:-)