Copa Libertadores Update
With all the talk about who will win the league this year, I forgot to post about the 2010 Libertadores qualifying.
Argentina is allotted five slots and get a bonus sixth slot this year as Estudiantes gain automatic entry as reigning champs.
Of the five, Vélez are in as winners of last season, so that leaves four spots open – one for this season’s winner and three for the top three highest finishers outside of the two champions and Estudiantes. Currently Colón (63), Lanús (56), Banfield (55) and Newell’s (53) seem like the best bets with Rosario Central (50), Huracán (48), Independiente (47) and San Lorenzo (47) within striking distance.
The other clubs have a game in hand on Central, which diminishes Central’s chances a bit, but beating Newell’s this weekend would give them a boost.
Barring the unthinkable, Colón seem a pretty safe bet to make it in because despite who wins they sit second on the table with a good lead on the other clubs.
While Lanús sit third, they are not in great form and are in the bottom half of the table right now. Still they have a decent lead on the others, so they probably squeek in.
The next two, Banfield and Newell’s seem destined to fight it out for the championship, and we will probably see the loser of the title duel qualify ahead of Lanús in the second at-large spot for the Libertadores. Newell’s is in the more precarious position as they only lead Central by 3 and the others by 5 or 6 so if they don’t win the title they could be caught if one of the pursuers catches fire.
As for the rest, it is win and hope for loses higher up the table. Independiente could still make it in by winning the league as they are still in the fight
Two names notably absent are River and Boca. With 41 and 42 points respectively they are not quite mathematically eliminated but most likely will be after this weekend. I’m not sure off hand, but this has to be the first time both clubs missed the Libertadores since I’d guess the early 80’s when both clubs were struggling pretty badly.
By: Jeremy |
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Down to five matches now and the weekend’s action has knocked a few more apples off the tree. With five, or in some cases four, matches left to play, seven teams are still realistically at least marginally in the hunt for the championship. Vélez are eight points back and have to be considered a real long shot. [...]
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The Title Race
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Ok, I’ve been waaaay too negligent with this blog, so lets see if I can try and rectify that by at least focusing on the the title race, and maybe even the other big race, the one for the bottom.
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Matthaus to Coach Racing?
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I saw this over on ESPN, so I am not sure what to make of it, but it appears that the Racing president Rodolfo Molina announced that ex-German captain Lothar Matthaus will be arriving in Argentina this week in time to watch Racing face Newell’s and then be taking over the management of the club.
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Do or Die in El Centenario
By: Jeremy | 1 Comment
The match should get underway in about 15 minutes or so. For just about the biggest match between the two countries since the 1930 World Cup Final in the same stadium, the weather has taken a nasty turn, cold and wet. The scenarios: Argentina wins and they automatically qualify. A draw and anything less than an Ecuador [...]
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Argentina 1 – Peru 1 – Palermo 1
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After a decade in the wilderness, Argentina and Boca’s current favorite son returned to the Selection and snatched all three points for the Albiceleste in a crucial (is that an understatement?) World Cup qualifier against Peru.
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Huracán Coach Uses Blog to Keep in Touch with Fans
By: Jeremy | 2 Comments
If you are a Spanish speaking fan of el Globo, or just a fan of Argentine football in general, make sure to check out El Toque de Cappa, which is the blog of Ángel Cappa, the straight speaking coach of Huracán who recently discovered blogging, thanks to his daughter. (And how did he choose [...]
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Google Makes Tracking Your Team Easier
By: Jeremy | 3 Comments
Ok, I must be a bit more of a geek than I care to admit because I just stumbled on to the Sports Calendars over on Google Calender and got fairly excited about it. Just click the the New Sports Calendars link next to your email address on the upper right hand of the screen and [...]
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The Manager Carousel Begins
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On Friday, Basile had said in a press conference that if Boca stumbled again, he would resign. Nothing official, but reports are that he did that very thing after the loss to Godoy Cruz. Fooball manager Carlos Bianchi has thus far confirmed nothing, but ex-Newell’s coach Fernando Gamboa, who had a stint coaching in Boca’s [...]
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Grondona Delays Start of Season Over Debt
By: Jeremy | 1 Comment
Julio Grondona has put his considerably heavy foot down and delayed the start of the season until clubs pay all the money that they owe to their players. In the Primera seven clubs owe around $30 million to various players. Those clubs – Independiente, Racing, River, Newells, San Lorenzo, Central and Huracan.
Another $10 million [...]
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Team News
Video of el Banderazo
Just imagine what game day will be like. This is just fans coming out to support the team in the traditional Banderazo that happens a few days before every clásico. Only this time, more than 25,000 fans showed up.
Nov 19, 2009 | Read this article...
Of Chacarita and Scoundrels
There isn't much to say about Friday's win at Chacarita. Newell's played better, but needed an own goal to escape with a 0-1 win. So no need for a video clip.
Nov 18, 2009 | Read this article...
Villar Shuts Out the Dutch
One of Newell's favorite sons, 2004 title winner with La Lepra, and Paraguayan national team keeper Justo Villar made several good stops late to keep the Netherlands from scoring in a 0-0 draw.
Justo played 135 matches for NOB from 2004 - 2008 and in my opinion is the best keeper ...
Nov 18, 2009 | Read this article...
Apertura 2009: River Plate 3 – 1 Atlético Tucumán
River Plate came from behind to earn a much needed 3-1 victory over Atlético Tucumán Sunday afternoon. The win, River's third of the year, ended a two game losing streak.
It was once again a tale of two halves with la banda putting on a horrid display in the first 45 ...
Nov 17, 2009 | Read this article...
Nicolas Gaitan - Boca's very own David Silva
He's a few months short of his 22nd birthday. He wears the number 28 shirt and his idol is Juan Roman Riquelme. He's the son of laburantes (a term loosely used to describe labourers...and thieves) parents and his childhood was spent selling plants on trains with his brothers. And playing football. His name is Osvaldo Nicolas Fabian Gaitan. Or, to anyone who knows him, Nico.
Nov 17, 2009 | Read this article...
Corinthians Fishing For A Roman...
Sao Paulo outfit Corinthians have come to Argentina for a spot of fishing. They're not chasing some piddly flounder or snapper, either. Oh, no. They're hunting for big game. The big catch. A certain peces (yes, that's fish in Spanish) by the name of Juan Roman Riquelme.
Nov 13, 2009 | Read this article...
Apertura 2009: Newell's Old Boys 2 – 1 River Plate
River Plate effectively said goodbye to any chance of qualifying for next year's Copa Libertadores after losing 2-1 to Newell's Old Boys Saturday afternoon. The loss leaves River 13 points from the last qualification spot with 18 left to play in the season, but based on their erratic form River ...
Nov 10, 2009 | Read this article...
Match Video NOB 2 - 1 River
A couple of videos of Sunday's win over River. The first is a scant half a minute and shows each goal once.
Nov 10, 2009 | Read this article...
Has Anyone Seen Our Mojo?
Boca 0-0 Colon de Santa Fe
The faithful made their way to La Bombonera ready to party. The songs were louder, the atmosphere more hostile and the landscape a sea of yellow and blue banners, umbrellas and balloons. It was, afterall, a day for celebration. One of the clubs greatest ever servants had just turned 36; another star, 29.
NOB 2 - 1 La Banda or Who Was That Tall Uruguayan?
Quick thoughts after the match:
Newell's are playing like title winners, refusing to lose (or draw in this case) and scored another late match winner.
Boghossian is a beast. I don't remember if NOB bought him or if he is on loan (I am thinking he is on loan) but I am ...
Nov 07, 2009 | Read this article...
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