Wednesday 18 November 2009

Primera División de Argentina - week 14

Rosario Central 3-0 Estudiantes

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

Two defeats across the weekend have seen Estudiantes fall off the pace in the Apertura. They had a game midweek last week in Rosario and collapsed to a 3-0 defeat, falling behind in the sixth minute when Juan Veron put past his own keeper. Gonzalo Castillejos added a second on the stroke of half-time and a second own-goal wrapped it up, Agustin Alayes the culprit this time. They went down again on Monday away at lowly Racing Club, Pablo Luguercio with the only goal of the game. That leaves Estudiantes six adrift of the leaders, but having played a game more.

Banfield and Newell's continue to lead the way. Newell's needed an Omar Zarif own goal to get past Chacarita Juniors while Banfield put three past Vélez Sársfield to strengthen their position at the top. Goalless at half-time, Banfield were two up within three minutes of the restart through James Rodriguez and Cristian Garcia. Garcia's second, ten minutes after his first, sealed the points. Two Esteban Fuertes penalties helped Colón to victory Argentinos Juniors and they now lead the chase, four points behind the leading duo.

With Racing winning, Tigre were in danger of being cut adrift at the bottom, but upset Godoy Cruz with a 2-0 win. Martin Morel put Tigre in front early on and they were clinging on until Jorge Curbelo's second yellow reduced Godoy to ten. Carlos Fondacaro sealed the points deep in stoppage time. Huracán remain in trouble after going down hard to Gimnasia. Diego Rodriguez equalised Gimnasia's opener, scored by Jose Vizcarra, on the half hour, but it lasted just two minutes before Sebastien Romero put the La Plata side back in front. Marcos Perez and Denis Stracqualursi added second-half goals to wrap up an emphatic win. A rare win for River Plate, just their third of the season, eased the pressure a little and took them above their opponents Atlético Tucumán. Atléti were ahead in the first minute through Emmanuel Gigliotti, but three goals in six second-half minutes turned it around. Marcelo Gallardo's strike on 70 minutes opened the floodgates and Diego Buonanotte and Daniel Villalba had both struck before Tucumán knew what had hit them.

Rosario's second game of the week ended goalless against Lanús and Boca Juniors also finished level, Cristian Álvarez grabbing a point for Arsenal after Gary Medel had put Boca in front. San Lorenzo and Independiente are going in opposite directions and the latter go above the former following a thumping win. Dario Gandin sent Independiente into half-time ahead and two goals in as many minutes sealed it, Martin Gomez and Leonel Nunez with them. The Saints' collapse was complete when Alejandro Gomez was sent off ten minutes from time.

Next week, top game is the Rosario derby with Newell's the hosts. River Plate's resurgence gets tested at Godoy Cruz while Estudiantes can get back on the horse at home to lowly Tigre. Indeed, Estudiantes play twice this week as well with a Wednesday clash with Colón as they clear their schedules ahead of the Copa Libertadores. Independiente are on the up and host Banfield in what looks a tasty clash.

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

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