Sunday, March 20, 2011

Estudiantes beat Racing; Olimpo deepen Boca's losing streak

Estudiantes de La Plata defeated Racing Club 1-0 in Avellaneda with a goal scored by Uruguayan striker Hernán Rodrigo López. Olimpo took the lead of the championship after beating Boca Juniors 2-0 at La Bombonera stadium on Juan Román Riquelme’s return.

Defending champions Estudiantes de La Plata beat Racing Club 1-0 yesterday at the Juan Domingo Perón stadium in Avellaneda after an 85th-minute goal by Uruguayan striker Hernán Rodrigo López in a match for the sixth round of the Clausura Tournament.

Former Vélez Sársfield player López scored for Estudiantes with a clever shot, chipping the ball in a high arc from 20 metres that lobbed goalkeeper Jorge de Olivera.

Racing had appeared to take the lead from Teófilo Gutiérrez’s shot in the 61st, but he was judged to be offside. A TV replay showed it was very close but suggested the call was correct.

Estudiantes climbed to second place with 12 points. Racing, one of the candidates to win the competition, have also 12 points.

In a key match later, Olimpo defeated Boca Juniors 2-0 at Boca’s Bombonera stadium in this city to take over sole possession of first place with 13 points. Martin Rolle scored in the 40th and Julio Furch doubled the difference in the final minute.

It was a joyful victory for the small Argentine club and another disaster for Boca Juniors, who are viewed by many as the country’s most important club.

Boca have only four points in six matches and have scored only two goals. Yet another loss surely jeopardizes the job of new coach Julio César Falcioni, who was hired three months ago from Banfield, a move that seemed to make Boca the favourite to win the league.

Boca’s key midfielder Juan Román Riquelme played the entire match after missing four
 straight with injuries and though he had several chances in the second half, he couldn’t score a goal.

Olimpo, who reach the top of the standings with 13 points in six matches, beat Boca for the first time in their history.

Ezequiel Maggiolo also scored for Omar De Felippe’s team in the first half, but he was judged to be offside.

Also yesterday, a soccer fan died at a match between Vélez Sársfield and San Lorenzo, a federal police spokesman said (see also page 3). The match at the José Amalfitani stadium in this city was suspended after seven minutes when referee Sergio Pezzotta noticed violent disturbances in the stands. The game was later called off.

Earlier, Argentinos Juniors defeated Newell’s Old Boys 2-0 following goals from Ciro Ruis and Mauro Bogado.

Pedro Troglio’s team continue unbeaten in the tournament and accumulated 10 points after their victory at the Marcelo Bielsa stadium in Rosario.

Newell’s lost their second straight game and stand at four points.

RESULTS: Quilmes 1 Independiente 1; Godoy Cruz 2 Lanús 0; All Boys 0 Colón 2; Arsenal 1 River 1; Newell’s 0 Argentinos 2; Vélez 0 San Lorenzo 0 (suspended); Racing 0 Estudiantes 1; Boca 0 Olimpo 2.

NEXT ROUND: On Friday — At 7.10pm: Argentinos Juniors v Quilmes. At 9.15pm: Estudiantes v All Boys. On Saturday — At 2pm: Huracán v Gimnasia. At 4.10pm: Olimpo v San Lorenzo. At 6.20pm: Lanús v Racing & River v Newell’s. On Sunday — At 2pm: Tigre v Godoy Cruz. At 4pm: Independiente v Banfield. At 6pm: Vélez v Arsenal. At 8.15pm: Colón v Boca Juniors.
 
RELEGATION AVERAGES: Independiente 1.257; Olimpo 1.240; River 1.228; All Boys 1.200; Huracán 1.170;  Gimnasia 1.120; Quilmes 0.800.
LEADING GOALSCORERS: 5 — Fuertes, E. (Colón), Maggiolo, E. (Olimpo), Gutiérrez, T. (Racing); 4 —  Valeri, D. (Lanús). 3 — Achucarro, J. (Banfield), Cámpora, J. (Huracán), Menseguez, J.C. (San Lorenzo), Neira, J. (Gimnasia La Plata).