Wednesday 11 November 2009

Primera División de Argentina - week 13

Argentinos Juniors 1-1 Rosario Central
Independiente 1-0 Gimnasia La Plata
Lanús 0-3 Chacarita Juniors
Godoy Cruz 3-1 Racing
Newell's Old Boys 2-1 River Plate
Atlético Tucumán 4-2 Tigre
San Lorenzo 0-1 Banfield
Estudiantes 3-0 Vélez Sársfield
Boca Juniors 0-0 Colón
Huracán 1-1 Arsenal

A relatively quiet week in Argentina where Banfield and Newell's both won in week 14 and so continue to lead the way. Banfield sit top on goal difference and are yet to lose, but only required a single goal from Uruguayan Sebastien Fernandez to beat San Lorenzo who drop right down as a result. Joaquin Boghossian, another Uruguayan, is in good form for Newell's and struck twice in their win over beleaguered River Plate. The opener went in after four minutes, but Diego Buonanotte equalised on the hour. Boghossian's second, eleven minutes from time, denied River a much-needed point. Estudiantes lead the chase with three more goals for the top scoring La Plata side as they brushed fellow challengers Vélez Sársfield aside. Leandro Desabato's free-kick on the half-hour started them off and second half goals from Mauro Boselli and Leandro Benitez finished off Vélez.

One small comfort for River Plate is that their arch-rivals Boca Juniors aren't doing a whole heap better. They did pick up a point in a miserable 0-0 draw with Colón, denting Colón's title push, but treading water while they're without the injured Juan Roman Riquelme.

Relegation shouldn't be a worry for River Plate as it's determined on an average over three campaigns. Tigre, however... They twice blew a lead to go down hard in San Miguel to Atlético Tucumán. Matias Gimenez put Tigre ahead after five minutes, but he was then sent off on the stroke of half-time as he picked up a second yellow. Juan Pereyra had equalised by then, but Tigre were back in front two minutes after the restart through Carlos Luna. Then came the implosion, Jonathan Blanco putting through his own net and Pereyra's second coming in the space of 90 seconds, while Emmanuel Gogliotti's late fourth merely added gloss. Racing reverted to type after last week's win, thumped by Godoy Cruz. Jesus Vera put the Mendozans in front early and Federico Higuain increased the lead on 18 minutes. Leonardo Sigali gifted Racing one back, putting past his own keeper, but Cristian Chavez put away a free-kick in stoppage time after Matias Martinez had been sent off. Huracán move a point ahead of the bottom two after drawing with Arsenal who were thankful for Diego Galvan's stoppage time equaliser to snatch a draw after Nicolas Trecco had put Huracán in front early in the second half.

Gimnasia are still in a bit of bother after losing to Independiente, Eduardo Tuzzio getting the only goal of the game three minutes from time, while Chacarita Juniors pull away a bit with a good win away at Lanús. Cristian Milla put them in front late in the first half and Facundo Parra added two after the break to complete a 3-0 win.

There's one game on Wednesday this week, Rosario Central and Estudiantes facing off, before a full programme over the weekend. Here's how they line up:

Rosario Central v Estudiantes

Chacarita Juniors v Newell's Old Boys
Tigre v Godoy Cruz
Banfield v Vélez Sársfield
Colón v Argentinos Juniors
San Lorenzo v Independiente
River Plate v Atlético Tucumán
Arsenal v Boca Juniors
Racing Club v Estudiantes
Gimnasia La Plata v Huracán
Rosario Central v Lanús

Top game sees leaders Banfield host Vélez Sársfield while Newell's have a tricky trip to Chacarita. Should either slip up, Estudiantes have a relative 'gimme' against Tigre.

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