Boca draw but stay at the top

Boca Juniors tried but could not beat Banfield at the Florencio Sola stadium and drew 1-1 in a match for the 17th round of the Clausura Tournament.

Although they did not win, Julio Falcioni’s team continue at the top of the standings with 33 points, one ahead of Arsenal de Sarandí, who defeated Argentinos Juniors on Friday.

Agustín Alayes put Banfield ahead in the 47th, but teammate Santiago Ladino made an own three minutes later to equalize for Boca.

The hosts, who cut a run of five consecutive defeats, played almost the whole match with ten players as Rodrigo Pepe was sent off in the fifth minute after a hard foul over Pablo Ledesma.

Apertura Tournament champions Boca, favourties for claiming the Clausura, are also in the Libertadores Cup semifinals and in the Copa Argentina final.

Also yesterday, Newell’s Old Boys came from behind to beat Independiente 2-1 at the Marcelo Bielsa stadium in Rosario.

Ernesto Farías scored his seventh goal of the season in the 35th when he put the visitors ahead with a header. Cristian Díaz’s team dominated the game during the first half, but suffered an equalizer such before the end of it. Pablo Pérez received the ball inside the box and sent the ball home with his knee. Independiente goalkeeper Adrián Gabbarini suffered and injury after that action and was replaced by Hilario Navarro. Paraguayan Víctor Aquino gave Newell’s the victory in the 82nd and sent his team to third place, two points behind Boca.

In another match yesterday, Unión and San Martín of San Juan drew 0-0 in a boring match at the 15 de Abril stadium in the city of Santa Fe. With this result, San Martín stayed in the promotion-relegation playoff zone.

Vélez Sársfield and Atlético Rafaela played late last night at press time.

Today, Tigre play against San Lorenzo at 2pm, Estudiantes de La Plata visit All Boys at 3.15pm, Olimpo face Lanús at 5.15pm and Godoy Cruz host Belgrano at 5.20pm. Also, River Plate play against Boca Unidos at the Monumental stadium at 7.30pm in a match for the 36th round of the National B Division tournament.

Herald staff with agencies