Dangerous Relations

In the lead up to Boca's first Apertura playoff appearance yesterday one would have imagined the pre-match press conferences to be concentrating on team matters, injuries and tactics. But with Snr.Riqueleme (JRR) in the squad the meetings with journos at Casa Amarilla frequently touch topics other than flat back fours, groin strains and taking each game as it comes. This is my second post this month on JRR but he's constant source of controversy and genius.

Last Tuesday night he attended a seemingly innocuous charity event/dinner to raise funds for the purchase of wheelchairs and to fund community based eating establishments. No problems there then, all above board - JRR doing his bit for the people; now factor in the evenings organisers: La Doce, Boca's infamous hooligan firm. The event was by all accounts a huge success with 500 fans attending and around £6000 being raised. Chanci Riquelme, Roman's younger brother is a good friend of La Doce's top man - Mauro Martin which is how the star's presence was secured. Obviously no one can refuse a good cause and JRR should be applauded for giving up his valuable time before Xeneize's biggest game of the season, however an event hosted by these guys was bound to attract a certain amount of negative publicity in a season that has seen yet more football violence related deaths. Unsurprisingly there have been questions asked about the destination of the funds raised as running one of the country's biggest barra bravas is a costly business.

When questioned about the evening in a press conference JRR gave an Alex Ferguson-like performance. Insisting that the event was for amongst other things an ill child in need of a wheelchair, he was in a position to help so he helped. 'Do the ends justify the means?' asked one brave journalist 'I'm not interested in talking about this, is that so difficult for you to understand? I was there for one hour as an act of goodwill.....................one can be a Boca fan and not necessarily a bad person..........enough, enough!'. Ouch!

The negativity surrounding JRR's guest appearance didn't unduly effect the team as they ran out 3-1 winners against San Lorenzo in last nights second playoff game, although I've seen Riquelme have better games this season. A result against Tigre will see them secure the title.

Hasta luego!

'Historic'

...........screamed Ole after San Lorenzo's 4-1 victory over Independiente last Sunday. That grand statement wasn't a reflection on the team's performance, convincing as it was but to the perfect symmetry at the top of the Apertura after 18 matches. With 1 game remaining we're set for the most exciting finish since 1968:

• San Lorenzo P18 Pts 36


• Tigre P18 Pts 36


• Boca Juniors P18 Pts 36
  

It's also worth noting that Lanus in 4th place are in with a slim chance on 34 points, but will be relying on the opposing teams to aid their cause. So with one match remaining we have four teams who can potentially take the title. I can hardly wait until Sunday and as announced by the AFA the fun now starts 2 hours earlier than originally scheduled with all 3 matches kicking of at 5.20pm Argentine time. Another thankyou must go to the AFA for not using goal difference to decide the destination of the title which lessens the endless permutations we would be faced with given the same scenario in England. I'm also not much of a mathemetician. We're faced with the very real chance of a least two way play-off (17th Dec) , possibly a three and even a four way play off (17th, 20th, 23rd Dec) for the Apertura.

Given the British liking for an underdog it would be good to see Tigre take the prize and confidence will be high after coming from 2-0 down last Sunday to beat Rosario Central 3-2. The team from the Parana delta north of the capital came close in 2007's Apertura and their coach Diego Cagna exclaimed 'We are more hungry than Boca or San Lorenzo'. The Killers as they affectionately known have improved dramatically over the last 3 years and have beaten both of their rivals away from home this campaign. A home game against Banfield should see them take the points. History may also be on the side of them if you believe in such things - in the 1968 triangular play-off 'little' Velez won their first Championship against the might of Racing and River.

'There's no team better than us' proclaimed Carlos Ischia, although anyone who watched Boca's plodding draw against Gimnasia La Plata may disagree. Xeneizes face Colon at home on Sunday and will have the added determination to suceed in memory of their recently deceased President Pedro Pompilio and the sidelined Martin Palermo.

Of the three teams San Lorenzo look to have the trickiest game away to Argentinos although coach Russo declared 'I'm calm' during today's press conference. He also pointed out that the margin for error is minuscule in Sunday's matches adding that it's the same for the Ref's too. Maybe a message in there to all officials. Goalscoring hasn't been a problem for them having knocked in 8 in their last 2 games.

So we're all set - chill a Quilmes, grill a steak and get comfortable.

Hasta luego!

Riquelme's Celebration

Having a moan and groan at an over-paid, under-performing pampered professional is one of joys of attending a game. In these days of mega rich players venting our spleen is one of the few ways us fans can show displeasure. Which brings me to last Sunday's 2-1 home victory for Boca Juniors over Racing Club; Juan Roman Riquelme (JRR) emphatically scored a dubious penalty, was having a decent game and popped-up to drill a volley past Pablo Migliore in the Racing goal to secure the points. On celebrating his winner JRR ran half the length of the field and remonstrated angrily with a young fan who had been verbally abusing him all game. What I fail to understand about this is firstly why single out JRR for treatment - one of the stars of what may well be a Championship winning team. Secondly the odd shout or moan at a misplaced pass or an over hit shot is acceptable; but the torrent of verbal abuse must have been loud and consistent enough for for the player to make a mental note of the perpetrator.

Enter the authorities and the ridiculous notion that the player may well be charged and fined for 'inciting violence'. The celebration/confrontation did not involve any opposing fans. Not content in dealing with the actual violence that is taking place at games all over the country the bureaucrats seem to want to make an issue out of this. JRR sensibly highlighted that the country has more pressing problems than his goal celebration. Admittedly there were a few pushes by other fans on the offender, but nothing more. On hearing of the potential fine JRR said that any sanction would 'make me laugh'.

Lets hope this action goes no further and common sense wins.

Hasta luego!

Check the goal and the celebration:

http://www.101greatgoals.com/videodisplay/1818700/

R.I.P.

Despite initiatives, action plans and lots and lots of hot air Argentina remains possibly the most dangerous country in the world in which to watch a football match. The latest 2 fatalities received little coverage outside of the country which gives some indication of how commonplace such incidents have become. Last Saturday, Daniel Lopez 21 was watching Colon Santa Fe take on Godoy Cruz Mendoza along with his brothers. According to his hospitalised brother Maximiliano an argument broke out between Daniel and a younger fan. A seemingly minor incident developed rapidly into violence with Daniel being fatally stabbed. The catalyst for all this seems to be that the Lopez brothers had the audacity to watch the match from an area of the stadium they don't usually frequent. Their fellow fans didn't appreciate their presence.

Last weekend's other tragedy was the result of clashes that took place over 3 weeks previously. Huracan supporter and member of the El Pueblito gang 27 year old Rodrigo Silvera (Cafu) was shot during clashes with San Lorenzo supporters. On this occasion Huracan and San Lorenzo fans fought outside of a pizzeria. No stabbings this time, however a total of 4 fans received gunshot wounds of which Cafu's was the most serious. He passed away 23 days after the incident.

Apart from the fatalities two other things stand out: Daniel Lopez was most likely killed by a fellow Colon supporter. Cafu was killed on a day when Huracan and San Lorenzo weren't even playing each other.

Like father, like son. Estudiantes in the final.

In some circles the Copa Sudamericana is viewed with a certain amount of disdain when compared to it's more illustrious continental partner - the Copa Libertadores. Try telling the fans of Estudiantes de la Plata that their passage into this week's final against Internacional of Brazil is nothing more than a pre-Christmas irrelevance. Thirty thousand fervent Pinchas celebrated wildly at he end of tight, tetchy 1-0 semi-final 2nd leg victory against compatriots Argentinos Juniors. For me the victory was made even more impressive after the 5-0 humiliation suffered by Estudiantes at Argentinos in the Apertura only last Sunday.

For fans of English football there will be a familiar face in the final: Juan Sebastian Veron. The 33 year old midfielder returned to his spiritual home in 2006 and quickly helped his side take that year's Apertura. The classy midfielder will no doubt be forever tainted by his relative ineffectiveness when playing in England. According to many pundits in the UK his lack of success on these shores brands him a failure, full stop and we are subjected to the usual embarrassing array of cliches - 'it's too cold for him over here', 'he can't play in January', 'the Premier League is too physical, too fast'. I acknowledge that Veron never fulfilled his huge potential (and price tag) but lets not forget the long list of British stars who have tried and failed overseas; Paul Gascoigne and Ian Rush to name two.

Veron will be an integral part of Estudiantes first international final appearance since 1971. The defeat to Uruguay's Nacional in the Copa Libertadores marked the end of the most successful period in the club's history. The famous or infamous Los Pincharattas collected 3 Copa Libertadores during the preceding 3 seasons and were crowned Intercontinental Champions after beating Manchester United over two bad-tempered legs in 1968. The goalscorer in England: Veron, Juan Ramon Veron father of Sebastian.

The all important goal that has taken Estudiantes to the final:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=60zex21mI6E



Hasta luego!

I Want Oscar

Storm clouds are gathering in Buenos Aires and they're heading towards Glasgow. We're approximately 2 weeks in to Diego Maradona's reign as boss of La Seleccion and the first conflict between himself and the AFA is in full swing. The catalyst for this is El Diez's insistence on his World Cup winning teammate Oscar Ruggeri joining his coaching staff as No 2. AFA president Julio Grondona is not having any of it and flatly refuses to endorse his appointment. The exact nature of Grondona's problem with Ruggeri is not known and he's not giving many clues to the media at present, 'perhaps I don't like his face, who knows'. Very strange indeed.

As to how serious the current situation is depends on who you believe. Bilardo is trying to calm fears by ensuring that Maradona has no intention of resigning. However other unknown sources close to El Diez state that if Ruggeri doesn't join the set up Diego will be off. On Saturday the team are due to depart for Scotland with Maradona assuring that he'll be on the flight. What happens after next Wednesday's game is anybody's guess.

If the unthinkable happens and he does walk contractual issues shouldn't be too difficult to resolve - Maradona is yet to sign on the dotted line.

Hasta luego!

Adios Simeone

'The only person responsible is me' - the contrite words of Diego Simeone after River's exit to Mexican side Chivas in the Copa Sudamerica (the poor relation to the Copa Libertadores). Given that his 11 blew a 2-0 HT lead in Guadalajara maybe they had something to do with it too?

The whole River saga seems to have reached an inevitable conclusion, as I type Buenos Aires TV are reporting that Simeone has or rather will do the decent thing. He will resign after Sunday's home game to Huracan, no doubt satisfied that at least the exit is on his terms and he wasn't pushed. Quite how much longer the board and the fans could stomach the current situation is open to debate but anything other than a win on Sunday would have seen the end of his reign. Without a league win since 17th August, a humiliating home defeat to Boca, and bottom of the pile his days were clearly numbered. Add into the equation the very public exit of Ortega which appears to have had the opposite effect to what was intended and last but by no means least the resurgence of eternal rivals Boca.

Quite a fall from grace - from Clasura winner to job seeker in a matter of months.

Hasta luego!