| Velez Sarsfield |
Van Holsbeeck: "Probably time for plan B"Ghent chairman Ivan De Witte admits having received an offer for Mbark Boussoufa by Anderlecht, but that is too low in his opinion. "This is not the amount of money we were expecting", he stated.Anderlecht manager Herman Van Holsbeeck is annoyed by the reaction of De Witte. "We had liked to arrange this deal fast. If they don't accept this offer, it is probably time for plan B", said Van Holsbeeck. Plan B would be Léandro Gracian of Argentinian side Vélez Sarsfield. 11:04 AM - June 1, 2006 - comments {3} - post commentFalse information about Argentinian talentSeveral sites wrote Anderlecht were interested in an Argentinian player called Léandro Garcia from Velez Sarsfield. These rumours are completely false because the player does not exist.Léandro Gracian is the correct name for the Velez Sarsfield-player. The attacking midfielder is known as one of the biggest talents in the Argentinian league. "A true playmaker with a good insight and an excellent technique", that's how the Anderlecht scouts described Gracian. But those same scouts also reported that the player was "too expensive". Whether Anderlecht are really interested in Garcian is yet unknown, but the chances are rather small. 9:22 AM - May 29, 2006 - comments {3} - post commentVelezBoca Juniors capped its Argentine Apertura championship by defeating Olimpo Bahia Blanca 2-0 in the last round on Sunday at Bombonera stadium.Matias Silvestre scored off a header in the 14th minute and Rodrigo Palacio made it 2-0 in the 59th for a seventh straight win for Boca, which won the tournament last week.It was Boca's fourth cup in less than a year, after the South American Recopa and Copa Sudamericana, and the Clausura championship.Boca ended with 43 points, followed by Lanus with 35, River Plate with 34, Gimnasia Jujuy on 33, and Gimnasia La Plata at 32.River Plate defeated host Quilmes 3-1 in a match which was suspended in the 67th minute because of fan violence.Boca, Gimnasia La Plata, River, Banfield and Velez will play in the 2007 Copa Libertadores. The same teams plus Lanus and San Lorenzo will strive to wrest the Sudamericana from defending champion Boca.Instituto and Tiro Federal were relegated to second division.Argentinos Juniors and Olimpo will play with two teams from second division, and the two winners of the home-and-away series will play in the first division next season. 1:28 PM - May 15, 2006 - comments {6} - post commentGuadalajara held at home by VelezA Guadalajara side missing six players called up to Mexico's provisional World Cup squad were held to a goalless draw at home by Velez Sarsfield in the first leg of their Libertadores Cup quarter-final on Tuesday.The hosts had most of the possession at the Jalisco stadium in Guadalajara but failed to convert their dominance into chances.
Guadalajara came closest to scoring on the hour mark, Velez defender Maximiliano Pellegrino getting a foot to the ball just as striker Adolfo Bautista was set to turn it into an empty net.
Substitute Alberto Medina came close with a long-range shot shortly afterwards in Guadalajara's only other real chance.
The return will be played after the World Cup in July when Guadalajara will hope to be at full strength.
Mexico named 26 players in their provisional squad on April 2 and all the clubs agreed to release them for a training camp.
Guadalajara, who field only Mexican players, were hardest hit, losing goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez, defenders Carlos Salcido and Francisco Rodriguez, midfielders Gonzalo Pineda and Ramon Morales and striker Omar Bravo.
Velez remain unbeaten after nine games in the tournament. (Writing by Brian Homewood in Rio de Janeiro)
12:18 PM - May 11, 2006 - comments {3} - post commentSoccer RecapLanus 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. 8:23 AM - May 9, 2006 - comments {3} - post commentArgentine Sarsfield leaves Castroman out of Libertadores matchArgentine soccer club Velez Sarsfield will not play Lucas Castroman, who critics said is the best player on the team, during Tuesday's Libertadores Cup match with Mexican Chivas in Guadelajara, local media reported Sunday. Reports that have not been officially confirmed said that Castroman has had a big argument with manager Miguel Russo in recent days and has long had a difficult relationship with other members of the team. "Castroman has been completely different lately, because he was hoping to play in the World Cup for Argentina but he now knows he won't be called by the manager," Jose Pekerman. Forward Roland Zarate will also miss the game due to a tear in his right adductor muscle. Velez Sarsfield scored the most points in the first part of the Libertadores Cup with six victories, four of which were at home, and two draws. 11:19 AM - May 8, 2006 - comments {0} - post commentSão Paulo, Internacional, Vélez advance to quartersDefending champion Sao Paulo, Velez Sarsfield and Internacional advanced to the quarterfinals of the Copa Libertadores on Wednesday.Goalkeeper Rogerio Ceni converted an 86th-minute penalty kick for Sao Paulo to beat Brazilian rival Palmeiras 2-1, and 3-2 on aggregate at its Morumbi stadium. Velez took a 4-2 lead into the all-Argentine clash with Newell's Old Boys, almost squandered it in the second half, but escaped trouble with a disputed penalty goal and drew 2-2 to win 6-4 overall. Brazil's Internacional held Nacional to 0-0 in Porto Alegre and advanced 2-1 on aggregate, eliminating the former three-time Copa champ from Uruguay. In Sao Paulo, the home side knocked out Palmeiras in the round of 16 of the Latin American championship for the second year in a row. Palmeiras hasn't won at Morumbi in seven matches since 1992. Ceni netted the late game-winner from the spot after World Cup defender Junior was brought down inside the area. It was Ceni's 61st career goal -- and second in four days. Aloisio, Sao Paulo's leading scorer in this year's tournament with five goals, scored from a header in the 13th minute, then striker Washington equalized for Palmeiras with a header in the 57th, deflecting a free kick by midfielder Correa. Ceni's goal added to a dramatic finish with a flurry of red cards. Sao Paulo striker Leandro was sent off in the 67th for a hard foul on Palmeiras veteran striker Edmundo, and Palmeiras defender Paulo Baier was ejected in the 90th after an altercation with Ceni. Two other Palmeiras players, Marcinho Guerreiro and Thiago Gomes, were red-carded after the match for complaining with Brazilian referee Wilson de Souza Mendonca. Sao Paulo will next face either Argentina's Estudiantes or Brazil's Goias, which play on Thursday. Estudiantes won the first leg 2-0 in Argentina. Ignacio Scocco's opening goal in the 52nd minute left Newell's trailing Velez Sarsfield by only a goal in Buenos Aires, but the air in Newell's' bid deflated when Leandro Somoza equalized with a dubious penalty in the 76th. Newell's began to unravel when Claudio Husain was sent off in the 62nd for a second yellow card. Somoza's penalty was given when referee Daniel Gimenez decided Newell's defender German Re fouled Lucas Castroman. But the TV replay showed Re offered a fair tackle, and outside the box. Given the formidable challenge of scoring three goals to level on aggregate, Newell's could score only one when Hugo Calace pounced on a rebound in the 84th. Mauro Ocampo earned Velez the draw with an injury-time goal, and the 1994 Copa champ will play Mexico's Chivas Guadalajara in the quarters. Internacional beat Nacional 2-1 last week in Uruguay, and was happy to survive a scoreless draw with Nacional on Wednesday. Nacional scored off a header by midfielder Marco Vanzini in the fourth minute, but the goal was disallowed because of offsides. The draw kept alive Internacional's 30-match unbeaten streak at Beira-Rio stadium since August. Internacional will face Ecuador's Liga de Quito, which eliminated Colombia's Atletico Nacional on Tuesday 5-0 on aggregate score. 12:26 PM - May 4, 2006 - comments {0} - post commentVelez beats Newell'sLeandro Somoza converted two penalty kicks for Velez Sarsfield to defeat Newell's 4-2 Thursday in the first leg of their second-round series of the Copa Libertadores.Mauro Zarate put Velez ahead in the 17th minute, and Nicolas Spolli levelled the score in the 33rd minute. Somoza scored on a penalty kick in the 50th minute and Sebastian Ereros adde another goal a minute later to make it 3-1 for Velez. Exciting play Ignacio Scocco narrowed the deficit in the 52nd, but Somoza upped the lead to 4-2 with another penalty in the 78th minute. Velez played a man down after Zarate was sent off in the 58th for rough play, in an exciting match with plenty of scoring chances for both teams. Velez hosts the second leg at Amalfitani Stadium in Buenos Aires on May 3. The game was suspended temporarily because of fan violence after Velez's fourth goal, and the referee added more than 15 minutes injury time. 10:41 AM - April 28, 2006 - comments {3} - post commentRiot halts match in Argentina after disputed goalRioting fans caused Velez Sarsfield’s home match against Boca Juniors to be abandoned on Sunday after the visitors scored from a twice-taken free-kick to go 3-2 ahead late in the game.Furious home fans threw assorted missiles on to the field and one hit a linesman, forcing referee Sergio Pezzotta to call the match off in the 88th minute. Pezzotta was at the centre of the controversy for awarding the free-kick in the first place and then ordering it to be retaken. Pezzotta judged that Fabian Cubero had fouled Boca midfielder Fernando Gago on the edge of the area, although Velez players claimed that no contact was made. Daniel Diaz took the kick and sent his effort into the wall but the linesman raised his flag as rival players clashed in the wall and the referee ordered a re-take. Diaz’s second effort was stopped by goalkeeper Gaston Sessa who could not hold the ball and Daniel Bilos snapped up the rebound. Although the game did not finish, it is standard practice in Argentina for the winning team to be awarded the points in such cases, provided it was the losing team’s fans who caused the trouble. As a result the result is included in most official standings, giving Boca 34 points from 16 matches in the Clausura Championship and a four-point lead over River Plate and Lanus with three games each to play.
8:35 AM - April 25, 2006 - comments {6} - post commentRiver face moment of truthRiver Plate still have a chance to clinch a place in the last 16 of the Libertadores Cup when they host already-qualified Libertad in this week's matches.Six places are still up for grabs in the next round of the competition, South America's equivalent of the Champions League. All will be settled this week as the group stage comes to an end. Defending champions Sao Paulo and fellow Brazilians Goias and Palmeiras are already through along with Argentine pair Velez Sarsfield and Estudiantes, Colombian duo Atletico Nacional and Santa Fe, Guadalajara of Mexico, LDU of Ecuador and Paraguay's Libertad. River, champions in 1986 and 1996, were among the pre-tournament favourites but the Argentines have spluttered through Group 8 losing all three of their away games. However, other results have gone their way and Daniel Passarella's team remain second in the group with six points from five games, one ahead of Ecuadorean army club El Nacional and Brazilian second division side Paulista. Libertad have 11 points. River's last chance will be at home to Libertad in Buenos Aires while El Nacional host Paulista at 2,800 metres above sea level in Quito the same evening, both hoping River slip up. Paulista qualified by winning last year's Copa Brasil knock-out tournament. Internacional, who lead Group 6 with 11 points from five games, should become the fourth Brazilian side to qualify when they host Venezuelan champions UA Maracaibo in Porto Alegre. Internacional, who have a 100 percent home record, need only a point to go through. Maracaibo are level on eight points with Uruguay's Nacional, who visit eliminated Mexicans UNAM. Maracaibo's goal difference is better by three then Nacional's. Brazilian champions Corinthians still need one point to qualify in Group 4, which they should pick up when they host Deportivo Cali in Sao Paulo. The visitors have only one point from five outings and are already eliminated. Corinthians are level on 10 points with Chilean champions Universidad Catolica, who face the long trip to Mexico to face UANL in Monterrey. UANL have seven points and a straight win will be enough to put send them through at the expense of either Catolica or Corinthians. The remaining place will be be settled when Union Espanola (7 points), The Strongest (6) and Newell's Old Boys (5) are all scrambling to follow Goias through from Group 3. Chile's Union Espanola have a difficult trip to Goias while Argentina's Newell's have home advantage against The Strongest, Bolivia's last hope, in Rosario. 1:25 PM - April 18, 2006 - comments {6} - post commentVelez Sarsfield blanks RochaSebastian Ereros scored three goals Tuesday and Argentina's Velez Sarsfield thrashed host Rocha 5-0 to eliminate the Uruguayan side and send Liga de Quito into the second round of the Copa Libertadores.The victory was the fifth in as many games in the Libertadores for Velez, which was the first team to clinch a berth in the second round. Liga, idle this week in the Libertadores, is in second place in Group Five with nine points, five better than third-place Rocha, which has only one game remaining. Peru's Universitario has one point and is in last. The second round will begin with the first leg on April 26. Ereros scored in the second, 33rd and 71st minutes. Mauro Zarate added a goal in the ninth and Marcelo Bustamante in the 56th. Next Tuesday, Richa visits Universitario while Velez hosts Liga Universitaria. 8:07 AM - April 12, 2006 - comments {0} - post commentPalmeiras march into last 16Following another week of high drama and surprises, Palmeiras took their place in the round of 16 of the Copa Libertadores alongside Velez Sarsfield and Goias. Read on as FIFA.com reviews the latest developments in South America's biggest club tournament, three days of intriguing action that saw Chivas make history against Sao Paulo, Corinthians prevail in Chile, River Plate slip to a surprising defeat and The Strongest and Rosario Central hit the comeback trail.Vital win and a helping hand see Palmeiras through Palmeiras did what they had to do on Tuesday by disposing of Atletico Nacional 2-1 in Medellin thanks to strikes from Correa and Leonardo Silva. Carlos Diaz's injury-time riposte proved too little too late for the hosts, who saw the Brazilians replace them at the top of Group 7. The Paulistas had to keep the champagne on ice until Thursday, however, when Rosario Central's 3-1 win away to Paraguay's Cerro Porteno confirmed their qualification. With only one round of games left and a top-two finish safely in the bag, Palmeiras lie top with nine points, two clear of the Colombians and four ahead of their Argentine and Paraguayan challengers. The Rosario side's win came courtesy of a Hernan Encina strike and a brace from Marco Ruben, with Domingo Salcedo replying for the visitors. "We had to win here and we did just that. We've got to carry on with the same attitude," said two-goal hero Ruben. The identity of the second qualifier from the group will be revealed next week when Rosario entertain Atletico Nacional and Palmeiras host Cerro Porteno. Two draws, different reactions The week began with Internacional of Porto Alegre grabbing a valuable 0-0 draw from their visit to Montevideo's Nacional. The Brazilians are in the driving seat in Group 6 with 11 points, three clear of their next opponents Maracaibo, and Nacional, who visit the already eliminated Pumas UNAM, also in two weeks time. "We couldn't score but we're still in there with a shout. We're going to Mexico to qualify," declared defiant El Bolso coach Martin Lasarte. Meanwhile, his Brazilian counterpart Abel Braga declared himself satisfied with the result: "It was important not to lose. We're going home happy." Also on Tuesday Sporting Cristal and Estudiantes de La Plata played out an exciting 2-2 draw on the synthetic turf of Lima's National Stadium. Jose Luis Calderon's equaliser eight minutes from time was greeted with jubilation by the Argentine contingent. "We got what we came for, and now we can finish the job off at home," said Mariano Pavone, who scored the opener for Los Pinchas. The Peruvians were left to rue their benevolence after twice taking the lead through Jorge Soto and William Chiroque. "We're really annoyed we didn't win," said dejected Sporting keeper Erick Delgado. The result means the Group 2 qualification battle is now well and truly on, with all four sides locked together on seven points. Next week's fixtures see Independiente, who lead the way thanks to a superior goal difference of +1, host Sporting Cristal (0 GD, 10 goals for), while Estudiantes (-1 GD) entertain Bolivar (0 GD, 8 goals for). Chivas record famous win Chivas Guadalajara overcame Omar Bravo's dismissal to record a 2-1 win away at Sao Paulo to stay top of Group 1. In doing so they also brought to an end the Tricolor's amazing 30-game unbeaten run in Copa Libertadores games at the Morumbi, their last reverse coming some 19 years ago when Chile's Colo Colo won by the same scoreline. Aloisi put the defending champions ahead only for the Rebano Sagrado to hit back through Sergio Santana and Diego Martinez, the winner coming with just ten minutes left. A jubilant Bravo shrugged off his red card after the game: "The points we had in the bank gave us the confidence to go out and win today." Sao Paulo's Uruguayan defender Diego Lugano was in no mood for excuses: "You have to play well to win, and we played badly." There are two rounds of games left in the group and Chivas remain in pole position on 10 points, followed by the Brazilians on six, Caracas on four and bottom-placed Cienciano on three. Paulista made home advantage count in Jundiai when they stunned River Plate 2-1 to jump right back into contention in Group 8. "We've got so much belief in ourselves no one should write us off," said Jailson, who joined Amaral on the scoresheet for the hosts. An injury-time strike from Colombian midfielder proved insufficient for the Millonarios, who missed out on the chance to seal a last-16 spot. "We have two games left and we're hopeful of doing the job in Quito," remarked River winger Oscar Ahumada. Top dogs in the group are Libertad with eight points, two ahead of River and three clear of Paulista in third, with El Nacional bringing up the rear on two. The Strongest revived their Group 3 campaign with a narrow 1-0 win over previously undefeated Goias in La Paz. "El Tigre dream on," roared the front page of Bolivian daily La Razon before describing wing-back Ronald Gutierrez's winner as a "wonder strike". Goias coach Geninho was in more phlegmatic mood as he pondered defeat: "It's virtually impossible to stay unbeaten in the Copa. If you don't score, you pay for it, and The Strongest made us pay tonight." Goias remain out front on 10 points with The Strongest and Union Espanola in close pursuit on six, and Newell's Old Boys just two points back. The bottom two have both played a game less. Desperation for hosts Universidad Catolica passed up a wonderful opportunity to advance to the next round when they slipped to a 3-2 defeat at home to Corinthians of Brazil. Although Jorque Quinteros and Francisco Arrue were on the mark for the Chileans, a Carlos Tevez goal and a brace from Nilmar sealed the three points for the visitors, who ended the game with just nine men. The two sides are now tied at the top of Group 4 on 10 points and can only be caught by third-placed Tigres UANL, who have six points and a game in hand against bottom side Deportivo Cali. "We knew we couldn't afford to lose and we gave it everything. It was hard to hang on with nine men, but we did it and now we want more," said star man Tevez. Last but not least, LDU Quito moved ever closer to the round of 16 after their 4-0 demolition of Peru's Universitario in their Group 5 clash, the Quito outfit's goals coming from Agustin Delgado, Enrique Vera, Edison Mendez and Joffre Guerron. The win took LDU to nine points, just three behind the already qualified Velez Sarsfield and five clear of Rocha FC, who have a game in hand. The hapless Peruvians, with a solitary point to their name, bring up the rear. 12:37 PM - April 10, 2006 - comments {0} - post commentChivas beats Sao Paulo to clinch second-round berthDefender Diego Martinez scored in the 80th minute Wednesday as Mexico's Chivas beat defending champion Sao Paulo 2-1 to become the third team to assure itself of a place in the second round of the Copa Libertadores.
The victory gave Chivas 10 points atop Group 1, four more than Brazil's Sao Paulo. Venezuela's Caracas is third with four points, and Cienciano is last with three. All teams have played four matches. Chivas joins Argentina's Velez Sarsfield and Brazil's Goias already in the second round. In other matches Wednesday, Brazil's Paulista defeated River Plate of Argentina 2-1 in Group 8 to keep its chances of advancing alive, while Bolivia's The Strongest edged Goias EC of Brazil 1-0 in Group 3. Striker Aloisio put Sao Paulo ahead in the 32nd and Chivas equalized in the 44th with a header from striker Sergio Santana after a right-flank cross by striker Adolfo Bautista. Martinez scored the winner for Chivas after receiving a pass while unmarked inside the area. He had time to dribble past Sao Paulo goalkeeper Rogerio Ceni and shoot into the open net. Chivas got the win despite playing a man down since the 72nd minute, when striker Omar Bravo was ejected because of a second bookable offense. Sao Paulo was without World Cup veteran defender Junior after the 60th because of an ankle injury. At Jundiai, Brazil, midfielder Amaral and striker Jailson scored a goal each and Paulista defeated River Plate to keep alive its chances of advancing. Paulista moved within a point of second-place River in Group 8 with five points, three behind leader Libertad of Paraguay. Ecuador's El Nacional is last with two points. All teams have played four matches each. Amaral put Paulista ahead in the fifth minute, blasting a right-footer from more than 35 meters over River Plate goalkeeper German Lux. Jailson added to the lead in the 16th with a header after a right-flank cross from defender Lucas. River Plate replied with Colombian midfielder Jairo Patino in the 18th after a low right-footed shot that deflected off a defender and beat Paulista goalkeeper Rafael. At La Paz, Bolivia, Ronald Gutierrez scored in the 72nd minute to give The Strongest a victory over Goias, allowing the Bolivians to share second place in Group 3. Gutierrez took advantage of a free kick by teammate Alejandro Mena by shooting hard and below the goalie Harlei. 12:34 PM - April 7, 2006 - comments {0} - post commentArgentina's Velez soccer team to battle Peru's UniversitarioArgentine soccer team Velez Sarfield, with nine Libertadores Cup points, is looking likely to win through to the knockout stage of the Cup, as it welcomes Peru's Universitario, with one point, to its grounds on Tuesday.The game, which is Velez's fourth match in Group Five, will begin at 7 p.m. local time (2200 GMT), with Paraguay's Ricardo Grance as referee. Velez has won all its matches to date, beating Universitario 1-0 at home, a loss which has put the job of Universitario's Argentine manager, Juan Amador Sanchez, under pressure. Although a long way ahead of the rest of the group, Velez, which is managed by Miguel Angel Russo, will still be hungry for a win; teams with high scores in the first phase of the competition start the knockout phase with an advantage. Velez is also doing well in Argentina's domestic league tournament, having just beaten Banfield 1-0. Velez is now only three league points behind current leader Boca Juniors, which did not qualify for the Libertadores Cup. This year is the ninth time the Buenos Aires team has played in the Libertadores. It won in 1994 under Carlos Bianchi's management. Universitario has taken part in the contest most often of any team in Peru, playing 25 times, but has never lifted the Cup. The team is missing many of its most important players -- including Luis Guadalupe, Gregorio Bernales, Jose Pereda, Jose Mendoza, Paolo Maldonado and Juan Flores -- leading to a poor recent performance, winning two games and losing four, incluing a 1-0 loss at Friday's match with Universidad San Martin. 1:59 PM - April 5, 2006 - comments {0} - post commentBoca Juniors look goodBoca Juniors won, Newell's Old Boys drew, and both caught River Plate on points atop the standings Sunday in the 13th round of the Argentine Clausura championship.Lanus trounced River 4-1 and climbed to fourth place. River, Boca and Newell's all have 25 points, one more than Lanus, two better than Gimnasia Jujuy and three ahead of Velez Sarsfield. 11:26 AM - April 4, 2006 - comments {0} - post commentPRESSURE COOKERFew gave Nacional much of a hope last week when they trailed UA Maracaibo 1-0 at halftime and were down to 10 men. Yet the Uruguayans hit back with three goals in half an hour to win 3-2. Atletico Nacional, playing only their second match under coach Carlos Navarrete, also appeared ripe for a good hammering as they visited Paraguayan champions Cerro Porteno in a stadium known as the Pressure Cooker. But, against all expectations and after surviving a torrid start, the Colombians won 5-1. In earlier matches, Argentina's Velez Sarsfield came from 3-1 down to beat Peru's Universitario 4-3, Estudiantes bounced back from 3-0 down to beat Sporting Cristal 4-3 and UANL turned a 3-1 halftime deficit into a 5-4 win over Deportivo Cali. The Libertadores cannot match the Champions League in terms of infrastructure and conditions would come as a shock for European clubs. The players at Uruguayan champions Rocha, who are taking part for the first time, last year trained next to a field of grazing cows and earned $15,000 a month between them. Five of the 32 teams in the group stage play home games at over 2,800 metres above sea level, creating extra difficulties for visiting clubs already facing much longer journeys and tighter schedules than in Europe. It is hard to imagine Real Madrid or Manchester United facing the same ordeal as Cerro Porteno when they travelled to Colombia earlier this week to face Atletico Nacional. After catching a dawn flight out of Asuncion on Tuesday, the Paraguayans spent eight hours in Sao Paulo airport after their connection to Bogota was cancelled. They were eventually put on a plane to Caracas, Venezuela, where, after a six-hour flight, they had to spend the night before catching another early morning flight to Medellin, via Bogota.
9:48 AM - March 29, 2006 - comments {0} - post comment |
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