Hello and welcome back to the ups and downs of the Argentine Primera Division for this week. With the season coming to a close in less than a week, everything is even more crazy than usual as teams scramble for the final few points of the Apertura, and fans try to compensate for not having anything to cheer, boo, whistle or fight for a whole two months.
The biggest news to come out of Argentine football this week was the drawing of the World Cup groups, and La Seleccion’s relatively kind passage to the knock-out rounds. Football fans all over the country were frantically making calculations about how their team could win the cup, an event frankly unlikely given their less than smooth passage to the finals. But at least, as the press here never tires of pointing out, Señor Diego cannot go as crazy as before with selection, only being allowed 23 players as opposed to the 50 he used in qualifying. I say however, don’t write the little genius off yet, there is still plenty of scope for him to do something inexplicable even if he had only 11 players to choose from.
Closer to home and I had the pleasure of watching Racing Club this week stumble to a 1-0 victory against Tigre, in a match which surely gave the majority of supporters a coronary. This follows similar heart-stopping victories in recent weeks against Estudiantes and Banfield. Just win easy for once boys! As my friend Nico said after the game, “when Racing lose, its usually not even close, so it doesn’t hurt me too much. It’s only when we win that they make me suffer!” Truer words never spoken.
And on we go to the Highlights of Fecha 17:
Pass the Puntero:
The top spot of the Primera changed hands for the second time in a week, as Banfield regained their place at the head with a win away at Huracán on Friday. El Taladro gained a deserved 1-0 victory thanks to yet another goal from Uruguayan Santiago Silva, who now appears to be set to finish as top goalscorer. Silva fired in a rebound from close-range after a scramble from a Banfield corner.
Newell’s Old Boys had the opportunity to back the top spot on Monday, at home against Arsenal de Sarandi. In a massive upset however Los Leprosos were beaten 2-1 by the boys from Wilde, who have had a season marked by its complete mediocrity. Newell’s found themselves 2-0 down at half time, thanks to goals from Arsenal players Matías Pérez and Franco Jara. Prolific Joaquín Boghossian pulled one back for the home team after a flowing move, but it proved to be insufficient as Arsenal held on for the surprise win. Newell’s finish Fecha 17 two points behind Banfield with two games remaining, meaning that if Banfield win midweek and Newell’s lose, El Taladro will be all but champions.
Vélez Still in Hunt:
Liniers outfit Vélez Sarsfield are another team with at least a mathematical chance of the title, and last years Clausura champions kept their hopes alive winning 3-1 at home to River Plate. Los Millionarios were poor throughout, and barely deserved to equalise after Moralez had fired Vélez in front. The game was tied up with six minutes to go however, until Hernán López took advantage of sloppy defending and bundled the ball in. The game was put beyond doubt with a powerful header from Roly Zárate minutes later, leaving Vélez fans joyful.
Racing out of la mierda:
For the first time this season Racing Club lifted themselves out of the promotion playoffs at the bottom of the table, beating Tigre on Friday 1-0 at El Cilindro. The home team were made to sweat for the victory, and only the divine intervention of the crossbar and heroics from keeper Jorge D’Oliveira prevented Tigre from scoring. With 20 minutes remaining however impressive Sebastian Grazzini belted home from the edge of the area, and La Academia were able to sustain away pressure to hold on for the three points.
Racing were also aided by relegation rivals Rosario Central & Godoy Cruz drawing against each other in Mendoza, in a game Central appeared to have won. In the sixth minute of injury time however Godoy were awarded a penalty, and Federico Higuaín held his nerve to equalise in the dying seconds of the match. Reports that the referee’s watch was a gift from Sir Alex Ferguson sadly remain unconfirmed…
The Rampant Rojos and Best of the Rest:
Elesewhere Independiente performed superbly in dispatching Boca Juniors 2-1 in La Bombonera. Silvera and Piatti were the heroes for the “other” Avellaneda team, with goals coming either side of a Boca equaliser courtesy of Mouche. Boca lost then for the second time this season at home, although general opinion is that they were unlucky to fall in a game where they were more the match of their opponents. Independiente are another team with a mathematical chance of the title, although being six points off Puntero with two games remaining it would take a miracle.
Lanús meanwhile did their chances of qualifying for this years Copa Libertadores no harm with a 2-0 win at home to Gimnasia L.P. It made for a sour first match for new Gimnasia tecnico Pablo Fernández, who faces an uphill struggle to pull the La Plata club out of the promotion places at the bottom of the table.
Full Results of Fecha 17:
|
Estudiantes L.P. |
0 |
0 |
Chacarita Jrs. | Finalizado |
|
Godoy Cruz (Mza.) |
1 |
1 |
Rosario Ctral. | Finalizado |
|
Huracán |
0 |
1 |
Banfield | Finalizado |
|
Racing Club |
1 |
0 |
Tigre | Finalizado |
|
Argentinos Jrs. |
2 |
1 |
San Lorenzo de A. | Finalizado |
|
At. Tucumán |
2 |
0 |
Colón | Finalizado |
|
Boca Jrs. |
1 |
2 |
Independiente | Finalizado |
|
Vélez Sarsfield |
3 |
1 |
River Plate | Finalizado |
|
N.O. Boys |
1 |
2 |
Arsenal F.C. | Finalizado |
|
Lanús |
2 |
0 |
G. y Esgrima L.P. | Finalizado |
Close Shave of the Week:
So, we’re on the way to Avellaneda crossing the Riochuelo, when it was announced that to our left was the bus carrying the Barra brava of Tigre. Cue frantic covering of anything resembling Racing paraphernalia in the car, a feat made difficult for my friend Luciano who was wearing a Racing shirt, shorts and jacket. He finally got round this by smoothly hiding in the footwell and turning his jacket inside out. Not sure what would have happened if the bus spotted us decked in blue and white, but my guess is it wouldn’t have been pretty.
Hero of the Week:
After last week’s slip up against Racing, Banfield needed a win to keep dreaming of the Apertura. Santiago Silva once more stepped forward to deliver three points to the team from Southern Buenos Aires, and if they can secure the title someone definitely needs to buy this boy a pint or two.
Boludo of the Week:
To all those Newell’s “fans” who stormed the referee’s office after their defeat against Arsenal, one question: Why? What is it ever going to achieve apart from proving to the world what a bunch of idiots you are? Just think for one second before acting like total morons please. And how, after a confrontation with the Police which led to tear gas and rubber bullets being fired, was there no arrests? True, more than one question there but football in Argentina often leads you scratching your head wondering what the hell is going on.