Wednesday 6 October 2010

Estudiantes assert their authority

Estudiantes 2-0 Gimnasia La Plata
Quilmes 0-1 Arsenal
Newell's Old Boys 2-0 Velez Sarsfield
All Boys 3-3 Tigre
Godoy Cruz 4-1 Independiente
Gimnasia La Plata 2-4 Argentinos Juniors
Racing Club 3-0 Huracán
Olimpo 2-3 Colón
San Lorenzo 0-1 Estudiantes
Boca Juniors 1-2 Lanús
Banfield 2-2 River Plate

Two games this week for the top and bottom sides as Estudiantes took on Gimnasia in a game held over from round four when the former were involved in the Recopa Sudamericana. A win here and in their round nine clash with San Lorenzo sends them top and by a relatively massive five points as we approach half way in this Apertura season. Defeat to their neighbours was followed by a home loss to Argentinos for Gimnasia and they prop the rest up. In that round four clash, Estudiantes were ahead ten minutes from time when a chipped ball forward found Federico Fernandez's head - it was all too easy. Juan Veron won a penalty on the stroke of half-time and picked himself up to take it. He doesn't miss from there. They only needed the one goal to beat San Lorenzo, Gaston Fernandez this time bringing the ball down in the box and in a world of space, taking it round the keeper and tapping in. After the midweek defeat, Gimnasia went ahead against the champions through Jorge Córdoba who scuffed his shot at the near post but it crept in. The defensive frailties reared their heads immediately afterwards though, the defence totally failing to react to a hopeful ball in and Gonzalo Vargas nicked in to equalise. Seven minutes later, the rearguard was AWOL again as Juan Mercier put Argentinos ahead and it was three on the half hour as Emilio Hernandez spotted the keeper out of position at a 40-yard free-kick and found the top corner with a stunning strike. Cordóba got his and his side's second, latching onto a great through ball and finishing neatly across the keeper, but the final word went to the champions, Franco Niell sliding a fourth in. Gimnasia are awful.

Vélez drop to second after losing to Newell's who move within a point. The goals came three minutes before and three after half-time. Mauricio Sperdutti got the first, sliding a finish across the face of goal, Rolando Schiavi with the second from the penalty spot. Arsenal are back up to third with a win over lowly Quilmes, Pablo Aguilar with a late winner, headed in from a corner. Godoy Cruz are doing nicely, up to fifth after inflicting yet more misery on Independiente. They had to come from behind though, Nestor Silvera heading in from a pinpoint cross. It couldn't and didn't last. Jairo Castillo was played in, spun on a dime and finished at the near post in the twentieth minute and by half time it was three. Rodrigo Salinas volleyed the second and Carlos Sanchéz ran strongly up the middle before finishing from 20 yards with a low drive. A minute after half time, Jorge Curbelo headed in from a corner for 4-1 and, as if Independiente's day couldn't get any worse, Leonel Galeano got himself sent off late on.

Tigre were ahead three time and pegged back three times away to All Boys. Esteban Gonzalez headed in the opener from a free-kick in the 23rd minute, but Sebastian Grazzini levelled ten minutes later, taking advantage as the keeper went walkabout. Gonzalez restored the lead on the hour, turning the ball in at the back post after the initial shot hit the post, but just six minutes had gone by when Grazzini equalised again, his 18-yard shot deflected on it's way to goal. A strong run from Denis Stracqualursi finished with him poking it over the advancing keeper for 3-2, but it was all square once and for all six minutes later, and six minutes from time, Mauro Matos getting highest to head in a cross. Racing saw off Huracán easily enough, Gabriel Hauche giving them an early lead with a close range shot the keeper should have done better with. Jose Fernandez headed in for 2-0 midway through the first half and Giovanni Moreno wrapped it up late on with a well worked third. Olimpo were beaten again, but at least put up something of a fight. Shame it took until Colón were three up for that to happen. Federico Higuain got two, the first a lovely chipped finish from the edge of the box, his second - Colón's third - poached as the Olimpo spilled a free-kick at his feet. The second was also a poached effort, Ivano Moreno following in a saved penalty. Juan Tejera headed one back on the hour and Diego Galvan cracked a second in, beating the keeper at the near post, in the first minute of stoppage time, but Colón closed it out.

River Plate drew and Boca should have done too, but blew it against Lanús. Sebastian Blanco had Lanús ahead in the eighth minute with a piledriver from an angle, but Juan Insaurralde levelled it from close range as Lanús failed to deal with a corner and 1-1 it looked like remaining, until deep into stoppage time when Clemente Rodriguez gave away a penalty, was sent off and Agustin Pelleteri converted from 12 yards. Adalberto Roman rescued a point for River as they came from behind twice to draw with Banfield. Ruben Ramirez had Banfield ahead in the fifth minute, some shocking defending allowing him in to nod it home from five yards. Juan Carizzo kept River in it with a superb penalty save on the half hour, but Ariel Ortega doesn't miss many spot kicks and he had River level on the hour. Banfield were back ahead five minutes later, Victor Lopez headed in from a corner to restore the lead. River poured forward seeking an equaliser and got it four minutes from time, Roman rising highest to head in a deep cross, the point helping them out of the bottom three on the Promedio table.

Next week, Estudiantes should extend their winning run at home to Olimpo and Newell's ought to beat Quilmes. Arsenal and Vélez both have tough games, at home to Banfield and Colón respectively. River take on bottom placed Gimnasia while Boca are away to Tigre.

Estudiantes v Olimpo
Arsenal v Banfield
Huracán v All Boys
Lanús v San Lorenzo
Argentinos Juniors v Godoy Cruz
Newell's Old Boys v Quilmes
Independiente v Racing Club
Vélez Sarsfield v Colón
Tigre v Boca Juniors
River Plate v Gimnasia La Plata

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