Zubeldia will remain at Lanus for a further year

Luis Zubeldia will remain as the coach of Buenos Aires outfit Lanus after coming to an agreement with the club’s directors on Tuesday. Even if his team underperformed in the recently concluded Argentine Clausura championship, as well as being eliminated from the Copa Libertadores at the group stage and failed to qualify for the Copa Sudamericana, Zubeldia will extend his stay at the club for a further year.

In a reunion that lasted more than three hours, the club directors told the 29-year-old coach that they were happy with his overall performance and that they expect him to lead Lanus into the right direction again next season — in the Argentine Apertura championship.

Zubeldia, who assisted Ramon Cabrero in the 2007 Apertura championship which was won by Lanus — the club’s first-ever league championship triumph — took over the position in August 2008, in the 2-0 victory over Racing Club.

In February 2010 the coach presented his resignation after a series of poor results, however, the club directors convinced him to stay on.

Zubeldia’s contract extension will be officially confirmed during a press conference on Friday.

Borghi led Argentinos to their first title since 1985

The coach of Argentine champions Argentinos Juniors, Claudio Borghi, expressed his delight after his team won the local championship for the first time since 1985. Borghi admitted that when he arrived at Argentinos the objective was to help the side avoid relegation to the Argentine second division.

“It is a campaign you dream about and we will enjoy it heaps,” stated Borghi, after his team beat Huracan 2-1 to clinch the Argentine Clausura championship on Sunday.

“At the beginning we came to fight against relegation, and today we are the champions. We have to enjoy it,” said the coach, after winning his first title in Argentina as a coach after claiming four titles in Chile with Colo Colo.

Borghi, who also won four titles as a player with Argentinos — Metropolitan ’84, National and Copa Libertadores ’85, Interamerican ’86 — affirmed that he is very proud of the effort put in by his players.

“I’m very proud of everything done by this team and of the fact that we were able to win the title. It was a very tough championship, because we have a small squad.”

In relation to his future, Borghi admitted that in the next few hours he will resolve whether he will remain at the side from La Paternal, after recent rumours have linked him with a move to Argentine giants Boca Juniors.

“It is difficult to deny or confirm something I haven’t spoken to anybody about. We will see what happens as from tomorrow, they can say what they like but we will have to see what happens.”

Borghi concluded: “I feel very proud of everything that has happened, from the manner in which the players behaved, the averages, the tables, the goals, the matches lost and the (matches) won.”

With his latest title, Borghi became the only person to have won a championship with Argentinos Juniors both as a player and as a coach.

Gregory Sica

Argentinos celebrate their first title since 1985

Argentinos Juniors beat Huracan 2-1 on Sunday to clinch their first Argentine title in 25 years, a great achievement for the modest side from La Paternal as it was only their third national championship in their entire history. Argentinos’ goals were converted by Juan Mercier and Facundo Coria in each half.

Argentinos — club where Diego Maradona made his professional debut in 1976 — dominated the early moments of the match, creating several clear-cut goal-scoring opportunities, before Juan Mercier finally put them ahead with a close-range header in the 24th minute.

Claudio Borghi’s side were less effective after the break, and even if they lacked quality in their game their hunger for the title was definitely there, as they played with determination.

Thirteen minutes from full-time Coria added their second goal when he reacted first to a rebound off the post with a simple header. The goal sparked wild celebrations from the visiting Argentinos fans.

Alan Sanchez pulled a goal back for Huracan in the 88th minute, despite his team being down to nine-men after two players were sent-off mid-way through the second half.

Argentinos became the eighth different champions in the last eight seasons of the Argentine league, for many one of the most competitive leagues in the world.

Estudiantes, the only other club with chances of winning the league coming into the final round of the season, thrashed Colon de Santa Fe 4-1 — without suspended captain Juan Sebastian Veron — but still finished the season one point behind Argentinos.

Mauro Boselli scored a hat-trick for Estudiantes, with Enzo Perez scoring their other goal.

On Saturday, River Plate couldn’t farewell playmaker Marcelo Gallardo on a positive note, after being thrashed at home 5-1 by Tigre.

While on Friday night, last season’s champions Banfield trounced Boca Juniors 3-0.

In other matches, San Lorenzo beat Newell’s Old Boys 2-1, Independiente edged Lanus 1-0, Racing Club defeated Chacarita Juniors 2-1 and Rosario Central and Velez Sarsfield played out a goalless draw.

Argentine Clausura Championship final positions

Played/Win/Draw/Loss/GF/GA/Points

1		Argentinos	19-	12-	5-	2-	35-	23-	41
2		Estudiantes	19-	12-	4-	3-	33-	14-	40
3		Godoy Cruz	19-	11-	4-	4-	28	14	37
4		Independiente	19-	10-	4-	5-	25-	18-	34
5		Banfield	19-	9-	5-	5-	24-	16-	32
6		Newell`s	19-	8-	6-	5-	32-	18-	30
7		Lanus	19-	8-	5-	6-	25-	23-	29
8		Racing	19-	9-	2-	8-	21-	22-	29
9		Velez	19-	7-	6-	6-	25-	20-	27
10		Huracan	19-	7-	5-	7-	21-	22-	26
11		Tigre	19-	7-	3-	9-	28-	26-	24
12		Gimnasia	19-	6-	6-	7-	21-	29-	24
13		River	19-	6-	4-	9-	16-	21-	22
14		Colon	19-	4-	9-	6-	20-	32-	21
15		San Lorenzo	19-	6-	2-	11-	16-	21-	20
16		Boca	19-	5-	5-	9-	28-	35-	20
17		Rosario Central	19-	3-	10-	6-	12-	19-	19
18		Arsenal	19-	5-	4-	10-	19-	33-	19
19		Chacarita	19-	4-	1-	14-	22-	33-	13
20		Atlético Tucuman	19-	1-	10-	8-	14-	26-	13

Gallardo won eight titles with the River Plate shirt

Marcelo Gallardo announced at 34 years of age — 22 years since first debuting for the club — that on Saturday against Tigre he will wear the River Plate shirt for the last time. ‘El Muneco’ represented the Buenos Aires giants for great part of his career, but believes it is the right time to move elsewhere.

“I’m very emotional because I’ve lived great part of my time in this place, emotional because the two times I left (in 1999 & 2003) I knew that I would return but today I know it won’t be like this,” said Gallardo.

“I have been analysing it (the decision) for two months now,” the playmaker admitted, who thanked River president Daniel Passarella for offering him to renovate his contract — for a further year — before the superclasico with Boca Juniors. But Gallardo didn’t accept the offer.

It was Passarella who presented Gallardo with his River debut back in 1993 when he was the coach of the club, and now, 17 years later, will see him part ways as the club’s president.

Gallardo, who wasn’t given much playing time with River by Leonardo Astrada and then by Angel Cappa this season, affirmed that he isn’t “hurt, but very emotional.”

“I’ve lived the majority of my time here. How can’t I be emotional if I arrived at the club when I was 12 years old. I’m emotional because in just a few days I will wear the River shirt for the last time.”

Gallardo has yet to make up his mind as to where he will play next season, however, it could either be in Argentina or overseas. The playmaker believes it is much too early to think about retirement.

Argentinos are only a win away from the Clausura

Argentinos Juniors are just a step away from winning their first Argentine championship in 25 years after defeating Independiente 4-3 in a dramatic Clausura championship clash on Sunday. The victory and Estudiantes’ unexpected goalless draw with Rosario Central allowed the club from La Paternal to jump to the top of the standings with 38 points, one point more than Estudiantes with 37.

Argentinos, the club where Diego Maradona made his professional debut several years ago, last won the league championship in the 1984-85 season. Next Sunday a win over Huracan will see them crowned champions again.

Down 3-1 in the 66th minute, Argentino’s Nicolas Pavlovich made it 3-2 in the 74th, with Juan Sabia drawing them level in the final minute of regular time. To conclude a dramatic twist, Martin Carruzo scored Argentinos’ winner in the third minute of stoppage time.

It was Pavlovich who had put Argentinos ahead in the 26th minute, however, two goals from Leonel Nunez and another from Dario Gandin turned the game in Independiente’s favour, before Argentinos’ memorable turn-around.

In a match played at the same time, Estudiantes de La Plata missed out on a perfect opportunity to close-in on the title after being held to a frustrating goalless draw by relegation-threatened Rosario Central.

Despite coming into the clash as the overwhelming favourites Estudiantes played well below their potential and were greatly affected by Juan Sebastian Veron’s early sending off, for elbowing Martin Rivero during a midfield battle.

If Estudiantes — without captain Veron — defeat Colon de Santa Fe next week and Argentinos fail to overcome Huracan, Los Pincharratas will win the championship.

In Sunday’s other matches, Banfield beat Tigre 2-1 and Atletico Tucuman and Arsenal de Sarandi settled for a 1-1 draw.

Boca Juniors continued to disappoint their fans, losing 2-1 to Huracan in what was Nicolas Gaitan’s final game for the club before parting to Portuguese champions Benfica. It also could have been Juan Roman Riquelme’s final game at the Bombonera stadium.

On Saturday, Uruguayan striker Rodrigo Lopez scored all four goals as Velez Sarsfield trounced Chacarita Juniors 4-1. Funes Mori converted a first-half hat-trick in River Plate’s 3-0 win over Racing Club, while Mauro Formica scored twice as Newell’s Old Boys thumped Gimnasia La Plata 6-0.

Gregory Sica

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Palermo scored his 222nd career-goal for Boca Juniors

Boca Juniors have continued their sudden revival under interim coach Roberto Pompei with a boosting 3-2 victory over title contenders Independiente in Avellaneda on Sunday. The Buenos Aires giants put on an impressive display — their third win under Pompei — as they intend to end the Argentine Clausura championship on a high.

Boca went behind to a Ignacio Piatti goal in the 31st minute, but within two minutes drew level through Luciano Monzon with a well-directed shot from the edge of the area.

Five minutes before the half-time break Martin Palermo put Boca ahead by using his instincts and heading the ball backwards into the Independiente goal. It was his 222nd career-goal for Boca and his eighth against Independiente.

In the 88th minute attacker Pablo Mouche added Boca’s third goal with a sensational long-distance missile after a long series of passes between the Boca squad. Mouche received his marching orders for his goal celebration — not only did he take off his shirt but he celebrated in front of the Independiente faithful.

Leonel Nunez pulled a goal back for Independiente in second-half stoppage time, but it was much too late for them to think about an equaliser.

Boca’s first away win of the season allowed them to climb into 14th place of the 20-team league, a high position considering that they found themselves in the bottom few positions of the table when under Abel Alves.

Estudiantes de La Plata remain top of the table after coming from behind to claim a 2-1 victory over an already relegated Chacarita Juniors side.

Omar Zarif gave Chacarita the lead, but a penalty conversion from Mauro Boselli and a strike from Cristian Cellay earned Estudiantes the three points and steered them closer towards the title.

Second-placed Argentinos Juniors also came from behind to pick up a crucial 2-1 away win over San Lorenzo. Uruguayan striker Emiliano Alfaro put San Lorenzo ahead in the first half, but two second-half goals from Ismael Sosa kept Argentinos’ title aspirations alive.

Defending champions Banfield sneaked past Huracan 1-0 with a Maximiliano Laso conversion mid-way through the second half. El Taladro fielded a reserve side to ensure that their starting eleven will be in their best possible conditions to confront Internacional of Brazil in the Copa Libertadores round of 16 stage on Thursday.

In other matches, River Plate edged Velez Sarsfield 2-1, Newell’s Old Boys beat Arsenal de Sarandi 2-0, Racing Club won 2-1 at Tigre and Rosario Central claimed a much-needed 1-0 victory over Godoy Cruz.

Gregory Sica

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South American heavyweights Boca Juniors have confirmed a friendly match against the Los Angeles Galaxy on May 23. Boca have won 23 Argentine championships and six Copa Libertadores titles, but this season they find themselves in 15th position of the 20-team Argentine first division, due to what has been a frustrating campaign.

It was confirmed that playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme will be included in the Boca squad to tour the United States.

However, Landon Donovan, the Galaxy’s most influential player, won’t be present due to national team commitments with the United States in preparation for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Boca will also take on Seattle Sounders on May 26. The club will be the first from Argentina to visit Seattle, and the first South American club to play there since 1983.

Even if Seattle won’t be facing European powers Chelsea and Barcelona, as was the case last year, Adrian Hanauer, one of the leading organisers of the event, affirmed that Boca and Celtic — another participant — are “clubs from the elite.”

Gregory Sica

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Boca Juniors claimed a much-needed 2-0 victory over Buenos Aires rivals San Lorenzo at the Bombonera stadium on Sunday, a result that allowed the team some breathing space after a disappointing Argentine Clausura championship where they never got going. Inspired by the skill of playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme, who returned from injury, Boca picked up only their fourth win in 16 matches.

Midfielder Matias Gimenez gave Boca the lead inside the fourth minute when he connected to a Riquelme corner-kick with a fine header.

Riquelme was again the provider when Martin Palermo doubled Boca’s advantage in the 71st minute with a fierce first-time shot.

Both players embraced in the goal celebration despite being in conflict with one another. There has been ongoing speculation that one of the two players won’t be at the club next season.

With the win Boca climbed into 15th position, two positions above arch-rivals River Plate, in 17th place.

Argentinos Juniors moved into second place after a 3-1 victory over Gimnasia de La Plata. Paraguayan international Nestor Ortigoza opened the scoring for the side from La Paternal with a penalty kick conversion in the 28th minute.

Lucas Castro drew Gimnasia level in the 68th minute, but goals from Ismael Sosa and Santiago Raymonda won the match for Argentinos.

Racing Club continued their return to form with a comfortable 2-0 win over defending champions Banfield at the Cilindro de Avellaneda stadium. La Academia’s victory came courtesy of second-half goals from Matias Martinez and Claudio Bieler.

Estudiantes de La Plata top the Clausura championship table with 33 points. They edged River Plate 1-0 at Quilmes’ stadium on Saturday, for their tenth victory of the season.

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Columbus Crew attacking midfielder Guillermo Barros Schelotto has decided to continue to play football and for this reason has turned down the opportunity to become the new coach of Argentine giants Boca Juniors, it was confirmed by the club’s president Jorge Amor Ameal. Because of this ‘El Mellizo’ has been completely discarded as the hunt for Boca’s new coach continues.

“On Friday we spoke with Guillermo Barros Schelotto and he told us that his passion was to continue to play football. We understand him, we comprehend him,” Ameal told Canal 7.

There was great speculation that Guillermo would terminate his contract with Columbus to become the permanent coach of Boca, even if many believed he wasn’t experienced enough to occupy such a demanding position.

Guillermo, 36, expressed his satisfaction for being considered as the main candidate to take over the coaching job, however, he also explained that he is very happy at Columbus, and keen to continue to help the club find success in Major League Soccer.

Since joining Columbus in 2007 Guillermo has guided the club to the MLS Cup and two MLS Supporters’ Shields, as well as being voted league MVP in 2008.

Due to his decision Boca have no choice but to continue their search for another coach, looking ahead to next season’s Argentine Apertura championship.

Gregory Sica

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Brazilian defender Luiz Alberto will return to his homeland after terminating his existing contract with Argentine giants Boca Juniors. At Boca Luiz Alberto was presented with limited opportunities and the fact that the club’s interim coach Roberto Pompei won’t take him into consideration means the Brazilian has no choice but to move elsewhere.

“On Tuesday we will terminate the contract, with a mutual agreement with the directors [of Boca], because since the new coach assumed his position he [Luiz Alberto] hasn’t been taken into account and, because there have been some offers from Brazil, we decided that it would be best to terminate the contract now,” affirmed Pablo Blasco, the agent of the player.

“Luiz Alberto had a contract until June, but the circumstances meant that it would be better to end things now,” he added.

The 32-year-old only made seven appearances for Boca, including one in the Argentine superclasico against River Plate, in which he played perhaps his best game as his side claimed a comfortable 2-0 victory.

Luiz Alberto found great difficulty adapting himself to the Argentine game, even if he arrived at the club with a great deal of experience under his belt. In Brazil the defender played for Fluminense, Flamengo, Internacional, Atletico Mineiro and Santos, while he also had stints in Spain and France with Real Sociedad and Saint-Etienne, respectively.

Boca Juniors are expected to offload several members of their current squad as they search for fresh legs looking ahead to next season’s Apertura championship.

Gregory Sica

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