MAXI KEEN ON VILLARREAL DEAL - 9:40 AM, May 29, 2006

Barcelona's Argentinian striker Maxi Lopez would like to move to Villarreal, according to his agent.

With Villarreal forward Diego Forlan being headhunted by the Nou Camp club, a possible swap deal is in the offing.

The agent, Dario Bombini, told El Mundo Deportivo: "He knows (Villarreal coach Manuel) Pellegrini from his time at River Plate and that would probably be the best option. He wants playing time."

The 22-year-old linked up with Barca in January 2005 but has only played in 14 Primera Liga matches for the Catalan club since.

shooting Bonet earns Libertad draw at River Plate - 10:24 AM, May 15, 2006

Copa Libertadores de America: Quarter-final suspense in store - 11:10 AM, May 10, 2006

The week's menu features four evenly balanced ties boasting some mouth-watering ingredients: Chivas' attractive style versus Velez's high-pressure game; the subtlety of LDU Quito against the jogo bonito (beautiful game) of Porto Alegre's Internacional; the never-say-die spirit of Estudiantes LP pitted against the power of champions Sao Paulo; and eternal candidates River Plate versus the revelations of 2006, Libertad of Paraguay.

The 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany may be just around the corner, but there is a hectic week of spectacular Copa action to savour first, and FIFA.com is here as always to whet your appetite.

Eyes on the prize
Fresh from last Sunday's spectacular centenary celebrations, there would be no better way for Chivas Guadalajara to mark their 100th birthday than with victory over Velez Sarsfield in Tuesday's first-leg clash at the Jalisco Stadium (20:15 local time).

Soccer Recap - 8:29 AM, May 9, 2006

Lanus drew 0-0 Saturday with Velez Sarsfield. In other games Saturday, Gimnasia La Plata beat Newell's 3-2 to move into third place, p***ing River Plate, which fell to fourth with a 2-0 loss to Racing.

Elsewhere Sunday, it was: Banfield 3, Argentinos Juniors 1; Arsenal 1, Instituto 1; Tiro Federal 1, Quilmes 1; Olimpo 1, Gimnasia Jujuy 0.

Later Sunday, Estudiantes hosted Rosario Central and Colon visited San Lorenzo.

With striker Sergio Aguero suspended, Independiente set up two defensive lines and employed only one attacker. However, it was able to create and several runs down the flanks, forcing Argentine national team keeper Roberto Abbondancieri into acrobatic saves on shots by Esteban Bujan and Gaston Machin.

Rodrigo Palacio and Martin Palermo scored one goal apiece and traded ***ists for Boca. Palacio put the Buenos Aires side ahead in the 38th with a shot from outside the penalty area after a long p*** from Palermo, who added the insurance in the 47th with a header off a cross by Palacio.

In the oldest derby in Argentine soccer, Racing beat crosstown rival River Plate, which played with a mostly reserve team to rest its regulars for the first leg of Copa Libertadores quarter-finals against Paraguay's Libertad on Thursday.

Maximiliano Moralez headed in a cross from Juan Manuel Torres in the 38th, and Claudio Fileppi made it 2-0 in injury time.

River midfielder Lucas Pusineri was red-carded in the 88th.

River resumes quest for Libertadores - 12:05 PM, May 8, 2006

River is still savoring its 3-1 victory over Brazilian champion Corinthians last week, which triggered riots among furious Brazilian fans and a hero's welcome back home for the Argentines.

The Argentine news media commemorated River's "heroic" victory that snapped Corinthians' 20-game unbeaten streak in the Libertadores at Sao Paulo's Pacaembu stadium.

"The best. By far," Argentine sporting daily Ole said. The newspaper Clarin called the result "a historic triumph and a dream that keeps growing."

River, Libertadores champion in 1986 and 1996, resumes its quest for a third title on Thursday against Libertad, which struggled to get past Mexico's Tigres. The teams played to two goalless draws, with the Paraguayans prevailing 5-3 on penalty kicks.

Three Argentine clubs are among the final eight of the Libertadores, which takes a two-month break after this week for the World Cup. FIFA, soccer's governing body, ruled that World Cup players couldn't take part in league games after May 15.

The World Cup in Germany starts in June 9 and ends July 9. The Libertadores resumes with the second-leg quarterfinals on July 18.

River Plate passage marred by trouble - 10:45 AM, May 5, 2006

The Argentinian side were leading Corinthians 3-1 in their second leg encounter when fans of the Brazilian side invaded the pitch and fighting broke out in the 83rd minute. With the aggregate score at 6-2, the referee brought the game to a halt and awarded the win to River Plate.

Corinthians had led at the break courtesy of a Nilmar strike seven minutes before half-time. But any hopes of winning the tie were crushed as the visitors scored three times before the game's premature end.

A Coelho own goal sparked the collapse and Gonzalo Higuian helped himself to two goals as River Plate cruised into the next round.

Elsewhere, Argentinian outfit Estudiantes booked their place in the quarter-finals by edging past Brazilian side Goias despite a 3-1 defeat, winning on the away goals rule.

Second-half goals from Vitor and Nonato had put Goias level on aggregate at 2-2, but Jose Luis Calderon's 76th-minute header ruled out penalties to give Estudiantes their all-important away goal.

An injury-time strike from Juliano made it 3-1 to Goias but it proved little more than consolation.

Finally, Libertad of Paraguay progressed to the next round buy beating Mexican side Tigres 5-3 on the penalties after both legs ended goalless.

Brazil's Corinthians, Argentina's River to battle Thursday - 12:45 PM, May 4, 2006

River won last week's leg of the match 3-2 at home, giving the team a slight advantage -- a draw on Thursday takes them through.

However, Corinthians are confident of winning the 1-0, or better, victory needed to take them through, in part because of their Argentine striker, Carlos Tevez.

"I am used to great duels with River, and I am sure that Thursday's game will be very exciting, and we will play as the home team, which is the most important," Tevez told Wednesday's Brazilian media.

However, Corinthians is missing a key player: Javier Mascherano was suspended for three games after being sent off with a red card in the Argentine game.

River's manager, Daniel Passarella, will not be able to play his full team either: Talamonti is suspended and Tula will play in his place.

Passarella, who trained for a short time at Corinthians last year, said that he knew that the pressure exerted by the home fans in Sao Paulo's Pacaembu stadium would weigh heavily in favor of the Brazilians.

The game begins at 9.45 p.m. local time with Chilean referee Carlos Chandia presiding.

Copa Libertadores - 12:20 PM, April 27, 2006

River Plate 3 – 2 Corinthians

Riddled with injuries, River Plate drew first blood in their Copa Libertadores third round series with Corinthians on Wednesday, taking the first leg 3-2 at home, in a game of stunning goals, red cards and controversial decisions.

The first leg pitted one of Argentina's top clubs against the reigning Brazilian champions, had all the ingredients for drama and fully lived up to its billing.

It was a homecoming for two of Corinthians’ stars, Javier Mascherano and Carlos Tevez.

Mascherano, given a rousing reception, was playing against the club where was raised while Tevez, who previously played for River's archrivals Boca Juniors, was facing the team he most hated.

Two years ago Tevez was kicked out of a game for a provocative goal celebration in the same Monumental Stadium during a Boca/River derby clash.  Jeered from the outset, ‘Apache’ silenced the crowd in the 15th minute with a brilliant goal.

He rolled the ball on the left of the penalty area, then he slipped past two defenders and fired low into the bottom corner from 25 meters out for the early lead.

However, ‘Timao’ could not contain Marcelo Gallardo, who authored a brilliant River Plate onslaught that featured three goals.

The first came in the 26th minute with a right-footed missile from Ernesto Farias, and Paulo Ferrari escaped three defenders and connected to give the ‘Millonarios’ the lead for good. 

Yet the match was far from over.

In the 58th minute, Tevez headed the ball into the net for the equalizer, only to see his goal wiped out for offside, and the Brazilians luck failed them again when Coelho hit the post in the 66th.

Perhaps out of frustration, Mascherano fouled a minute later and was red-carded off the field.

River took advantage and Carlos Santana’s right foot gave them a cushy lead in the 81st. 

Corinthians would not go quietly, however, as Xavier headed home a stoppage time goal to make the home crowd sweat in the end.

The second leg will be in Brazil May 4th. 

Gallego could take over as Independiente coach - 9:41 AM, April 25, 2006

Americo Gallego, who manages Mexican soccer club Toluca, told Argentine radio station La Red on Friday that he is ready to lead Argentine club Independiente, which he last took to the championships in 2002.

"If Independiente wants me, I am ready. It would be an honor to lead them," said the Argentine manager, known to fans as Tolo. However, at present Toluca remains his priority, and he is currently negotiating with Toluca for a renewal of his contract there, he said.

The Argentine club, "have spoken with my agents, but they have not spoken directly to me, because they have a manager working for them," he said.

Independiente is managed by Julio Falcioni, who is hated by fans, because he has not managed to win the results hoped for. Gallego, 51 on Tuesday, has won at least one championship in each club he has managed.

In 1994, in his first managment role at River Plate, the team won the Argentine league Opening Championship without a single loss. He helped the team to another league trophy in 2000; won the 2002 trophy for Independiente in 2002, for Newell's Old Boys in 2004, and helped win the Mexican league Opening trophy for Toluca in 2005.

As a player, Tolo was an outstanding midfielder at Newell's and River, and was part of Argentina's World Cup winning squad in 1978.

El Nacional blanks River Plate - 1:09 PM, April 18, 2006

The loss thwarted advancement to round two for the Argentine squad, which will have to try again when it meets Libertad at home in a final match. Libertad defeated Paulista 1-0 to lead Group Eight with 11 points, followed by River Plate with six. El Nacional and Paulista, which will face off in Sao Paulo, each have five points

El Nacional on Wednesday dominated the first half with superior speed and a persistent onslaught against goalkeeper German Lux, mostly by striker Felix Borja and forward Cristian Lara.

Argentina goes global with wines, diapers, coffins - 7:53 AM, April 12, 2006

As part of the soccer team's latest plan to boost its brand name off the field, Boca is offering fans more than 500 items adorned with the club's popular shield.

From shirts to credit cards, cellphones, fine jewellery, diapers and computers, there are items to meet every fan's fancy. For as little as $200 US fans can even purchase a coffin with an engraved Boca shield.

During the last 10 years, the club has built up Boca's brand, following the model of Real Madrid and Manchester United, two teams who have mastered the art of combining soccer and business.

Boca is hoping to match the success the team has had on the field - five Argentine titles and eight international trophies since 1998 - with prowess in business.

The latest promotion is part of the club's ultimate goal to go global and increase upon its annual gains of about $10 million.

That does not include the clubs profit from selling players, such as the recent sale of Carlos Tevez to Corinthians for $19 million.

"For the first time we have designed a marketing plan in the club, something unprecedented for Argentina soccer. We see the potential of business," said Orlando Salvestrini, a representative from Boca Crece, the business that is managing the club's image.

This is a multinational promotion of the Boca brand. The club, which already has 250 licenses with companies, has attracted business of all sizes, including a major credit card company, a sports apparel manufacturer and a tire maker.

Still, many say that the key to Boca's brand success is the team's many fans.

Businessman Roberto Mayo, who brought a fleet of 200 Boca taxis to the streets recently, said one fan asked for 15 Boca taxis to wait outside a church and honk their horns when the bride and groom exited their wedding ceremony.

He said Boca fans will stop at nothing to show their allegiance.

"Money is not the issue: rich or poor, win or lose, they will always stand by their team," Mayo said.

Nonetheless, not all the club's attempts to build its brand have won over the fans. A local Boca TV channel was short-lived, along with a theme bar.

The club continues to work on new projects, however.

A few days ago, Boca announced plans to give its image to a cellphone company, and it also has plans to start construction on a private neighbourhood and a cemetery in greater Buenos Aires.

Although the club's marketing plan is ahead of other popular Argentine teams like River Plate, Racing Club and Independiente, it is still lags behind the trends of teams like Real Madrid, which earned 124 million euros ($172 million Cdn) from its global marketing efforts in the 2004-05 season.

"We want Boca to be a world brand," said Boca president Mauricio Macri, whose team has played friendly matches in Asia and also has close ties with a club team in South Korea.

Currently, fans can find Boca shirts in sport stores all over the world. In New York, a local Nike store dedicated a window display to Boca, featuring photos of fans and memorabilia explaining Boca's history.

Similarly, millions of tourists to La Bombonera stadium and pay $200 to see a match, and take a tour of the Boca neighbourhood and museum promoting the "Boca sporting passion."

River, Boca win, retain lead with five games to play - 11:43 AM, April 10, 2006

With five rounds to go, River and Boca have 28 points, one more than Lanus -- which defeated former leader Newell's on Friday -- two more than Gimnasia Jujuy, and three ahead of Newell's.

League top striker Ernesto Farias scored twice as River Plate beat Instituto 3-1. Instituto was relegated to second division.

Victor Zapata put River ahead with a superb 30-meter shot in the 13th minute, and Walter Zunino scored the equalizer in the 39th. Farias converted a penalty kick in the 60th, and clinched the win after a corner kick in the 72nd.

At Colon stadium in Santa Fe, Boca beat the hosts 2-1.

Boca got the advantage with an own goal by defender Horacio Ameli in the 12th, and Rodrigo Palacio made it 2-0 in the 24th. Franco Cangele shortened the lead in the 57th.

In Friday's game, Santiago Biglieri and Cristian Fabbiani scored for Lanus to defeat Newell's 2-1. Nicolas Spolli halved the lead near the end.

On Saturday, Sergio Aguero scored twice in the last 10 minutes and Independiente defeated Velez Sarsfield 2-0. Aguero, 17, is considered a future national team player, though possibly not for this year's World Cup.

Tiro Federal was relegated to second division after a 1-0 loss to San Lorenzo on Saturday. Gimnasia Jujuy trounced Estudiantes 4-0 and Olimpo held host Arsenal to a scoreless draw. Elsewhere it was; Racing 0, Gimnasia La Plata 1; Quilmes 2, Argentinos Juniors 1 and Banfield 2, Rosario Central 0.

Documentary on legendary soccer rivalries - 12:27 PM, April 7, 2006

FIFA World Cup in June-July, a four-part documentary on leading soccer rivalries titled 'Heights of Passion' is to be aired on 'Ten Sports channel later this month.

Each of the four 52-minute episodes focuses on two particular clubs and the intense rivalry between them in Spain, Italy, Argentina and Brazil, a media release said today.

The episodes are to be aired at 9 pm (IST) on April 7 followed by the others over the next three Fridays till April 28.

While the inter-club Italian rivalry features AC Milan and Inter Milan, in Spain the focus would be on Barcelona and Real Madrid besides the Boca Juniors-River Plate rivalry of Argentina and the Vasco-Flamengo contests of Brazil.

The episodes would lay emphasise on the culture and history of these football clubs and the rivalries involved in these derby clashes, the release added.

Sao Paulo, River Plate crash - 11:23 AM, April 6, 2006

River Plate Retakes League Lead - 7:40 AM, April 3, 2006

River Plate 2-0 Rosario Central

River Plate got back to the top of the league standings by handing Rosario Central their first defeat under Leonardo Astrada, who resigned as River coach last year.

Striker Ernesto Farias and midfielder Victor Zapata scored first-half goals as River won 2-0.

River, who has 25 points, moved one ahead of 

Newell?s Old Boys 1 ? 1 Boca Juniors

Newell's Old Boys was held to a 1-1 draw at home by Boca Juniors, who dropped to third place.

Midfielder Fernando Belluschi put Newell's ahead in the 63rd minute and Rodrigo Palacios leveled four minutes later.

Newell?s dropped to second, and Boca dropped to third place in the Argentine league.
Colon de Santa Fe 1 ? 1 Independiente

Argentina under-20 internationals, Oscar Ustari and Sergio Ag?layed pivotal roles to help Independiente salvage a 1-1 draw at Colon on Wednesday.

Striker Ag?compared by many in Argentina to Barcelona hit-man Lionel Messi, headed Independiente's equaliser while goalkeeper Ustari kept them in the game
with some superb second-half saves.

Independiente fell behind in the 13th minute when Martin Pautasso turned the ball into his own net.

But Pautasso atoned by providing the cross for 17-year-old Ag?o head home the equaliser in the 35th minute.

Ag?ould have added another four minutes over but wasted the chance by firing over.

In the second-half, Ustari, 19, blocked German Denis when he was clean through on goal and did well to block a shot from Diego Chitzoff.

Independiente, winless their last three outings, dropped to 11th in the Clausura championship with 16 points from 12 games. Colon is seventh with 20 points.

Tiro Federal 0 ? 1 Lanus

A Fabbianni strike in the 7th minute lifted 6th place Lanus over 18th Tiro Federal. 

Boca's Palermo denies River Plater at the last - 7:08 AM, March 27, 2006

But the weekend's football was marred when Independiente's game at home to Banfield was called off after visiting coach Carlos Leeb was hit by an object thrown from the crowd.

River Plate defeats Banfield - 11:44 AM, March 8, 2006

River Plate has defeated Banfield 3-1 to move to a point behind leader Colon in the Argentine league.

Banfield surprised River with Cristian Leiva’s goal after five minutes, but international Luciano Figueroa equalised, and Federico Huguain and Marcelo Gallardo added second-half goals.

River has nine points, one behind leader Colon and one ahead of Velez Sarsfield and Independiente after four rounds.

Colon had taken over the league lead after beating Tiro Federal 1-0 a day earlier.

Former leader Independiente fell to fourth place after losing to Argentinos Juniors 2-1, and Estudiantes, another former leader, was held to 1-1 by Gimnasia y Esgrima.

In other games, Lanus defeated Rosario Central 2-0; Quilmes won 1-0 at home to Arsenal; Newell’s Old Boys defeated Gimnasia Jujuy 3-1 and Instituto held Boca Juniors to a 1-1 draw.

San Lorenzo beat Olimpo Bahia Blanca 2-0, and Velez Sarsfield beat Racing by the same score.