Former Boca Juniors captain, Diego Cagna, was appointed the new coach of Chilean giants Colo Colo, after the resignation of Hugo Tocalli last Tuesday, announced the club. Cagna will arrive in Chile on April 26 where he will be officially presented as the club’s new coach.

“We are very happy with the decision made by Diego Cagna in becoming the coach of Colo Colo and in the name of the directory I thank him for accepting to be part of the sporting project of our club,” affirmed Guillermo Mackenna, the president of the ‘Blanco y Negro’ directory.

Mackenna explained that for the coach “the fundamental objective of Colo Colo is the formation of a first-rate team, which will allow us to obtain the success that our fans deserve in the different tournaments.”

Cagna, 40, made his coaching debut in 2007 with Tigre and in that same year he helped the modest Buenos Aires club to a second-place finish in the Argentine championship.

In recent weeks there was ongoing speculation that he could become the new coach of Boca Juniors, however, the Argentine giants never presented him with a formal offer and he opted for Colo Colo instead.

Gregory Sica

Southamericanfutbol.com

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Chile´s most successful club, Colo Colo, couldn´t make the most of their numerical advantage on Saturday and had to settle for a goalless draw with Universidad Catolica in a highly disputed Chilean derby that corresponded to Round 9 of the Apertura championship. Catolica played with ten-men from the 3rd minute when match referee Pablo Pozo dismissed Ismael Fuentes for a foul on Ezequiel Miralles.

The decision forced Catolica to change their tactical scheme, and they defended in numbers and resorted to the counterattack as their main means of attacking.

In the second half Colo Colo completely dominated their opponents, but they couldn´t beat Catolica goalkeeper Paulo Garces, who rescued his team time and time again.

Towards the end of the match Colo Colo should have won the match, but Jose Pedro Fuenzalida and Roberto Cereceda failed to convert two clear-cut opportunities that were set up by Colombian midfielder Mcnelly Torres.

With the draw, Colo Colo claimed their 17th point of the season, while Universidad Catolica have 14 points.

The match was played at the Sanchez Rumuroso stadium, in the north of Chile, and was attended by 15,000 fans.

Also on Saturday, Uruguayan striker Juan Manuel Olivera scored a hat-trick to guide Universidad de Chile to an injury-time 4-3 win over Union Espanola.

In other matches, Audax Italiano drew 2-2 with San Luis, Universidad Concepcion tied 1-1 with Cobresal and on Thursday Huachipato won 3-0 at La Serena.

Gregory Sica

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Paraguay were held to a 1-1 draw at home to South Africa, in a game where both teams fielded below strength squads. The Paraguayans are expected to be a solid unit come the World Cup finals, and South Africa as hosts are also expected to turn on the style, even if they don´t count with any big names. The fans that attended the match at the Defensores del Chaco Stadium in Asuncion were treated to an entertaining encounter between two teams that went looking for the win.

The hosts went ahead in the 37th minute when attacking midfielder Marcelo “Chelo” Estigarribia connected to a cross with a powerful header that left South Africa goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune with no chance.

The Bafana Bafana forced a draw in the 72nd minute courtesy of a 35-metre piledriver from midfielder SiphiweTshabalala.

Paraguay almost snatched the victory towards the end, with a dangerous free-kick from San Lorenzo left back Aureliano Torres.

Chile 0-0 Venezuela

Chile couldn´t break down a firm Venezuela defense and ended up being held to a goalless draw in Temuco, Chile. The 18,000 fans that attended the match left the stadium disappointed, as La Roja lacked authority in their game.

Marcelo Bielsa, the Argentine coach of Chile, was clearly frustrated with his side, even if a number of new faces including Felipe Seymour, Ronald Gonzalez and Luis Marin were making their national team debuts.

Chile hope to continue their World Cup preparation with friendly matches against Mexico, New Zealand, Israel and Ireland.

Gregory Sica

Southamericanfutbol.com

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Colo Colo were crowned champions of the Chilean Clausura championship after defeating rivals Universidad Catolica 4-2 in the return leg of the final at the Santa Laura stadium in Santiago on Wednesday. It was Colo Colo´s 29th title triumph.

Despite the fact that Catolica went ahead within one minute from kick-off after a strike from Rodrigo Valenzuela, Hugo Tocalli´s side dominated their opponents and created a number of goal scoring opportunities.

Charles Aranguiz drew Colo Colo level in the 13th minute when he beat Catolica goalkeeper Paulo Garces with a fine header.

Colo Colo went ahead in the 32nd minute after a conversion from Esteban Paredes, but Catolica drew level in the 65th minute after a strike from Roberto Gutierrez.

However, two minutes later Paredes restored Colo Colo´s advantage, and one minute from full-time Cristian Bogado put the result out of Catolica´s reach, giving Colo Colo a 4-2 victory and essentially the title.

The first leg of the final ended in a 2-2 draw, but Colo Colo ended up proving too strong on Catolica´s territory in the return leg.

With 26 titles, Colo Colo are the most successful team in Chilean football history. They are followed by Universidad de Chile with 13 titles and Universidad Catolica with 9 titles.

Gregory Sica

Southamericanfutbol.com

Fierce rivals Colo Colo and Universidad Catolica drew 2-2 in the first leg of the final of the Chilean Clausura championship in front of more than 40,000 fans at the Municipal stadium in Santiago on Sunday.

‘UC’ came into the final as the favourites after winning the Chilean regular season, but they weren´t at their best and almost lost to a Colo Colo side who have gradually progressed in the championship, after a very slow start.

Colo Colo went ahead in the 9th minute when Argentine Ezequiel Miralles headed in a precise cross.

The match was highly disputed in the midfield, with tackles flying in from all directions, as the rivals didn´t want to give anything away.

After the break Catolica played the better football, and it seemed that at any moment they would score.

Finally Catolica drew level in the 70th minute when Milovan Mirosevic fired in a penalty kick.

But five minutes later Colo Colo went back in the lead when Catolica´s Mauricio Zenteno converted an own goal.

However, two minutes from full-time Hans Martinez beat Colo Colo goalkeeper Cristian Munoz with a powerful header to earn Catolica a draw.

The return leg of the final will be played on December 9, at the Santa Laura stadium in Santiago.

Gregory Sica

Southamericanfutbol.com

Colo Colo, Chile´s most popular club, moved closer towards the final of the Chilean Clausura championship after edging La Serena 1-0 in the first leg of the semi-finals. Hugo Tocalli´s side proved superior to their opponents for the majority of the match, and claimed a well deserved but narrow victory.

Striker Esteban Paredes scored the match-winner in the 56th minute, and Colo Colo will only need a draw in the return leg at ´La Portadea´ to advance to the final.

Colo Colo dominated the first half, and created the better goal scoring opportunities, but La Serena goalkeeper Gaston Losa kept his side at bay.

After the break el Cacique continued to play the better football, and they didn´t encounter too many difficulties after Paredes put them ahead.

In the other semi-final on Saturday, Universidad Catolica, the favourites to win the championship, crushed Santiago Morning 3-0.

Colo Colo are the most successful team in the Chilean first division with 28 titles. Universidad Catolica are the third most successful, with 9.

Gregory Sica

Southamericanfutbol.com

A court case filed by Chilean club Rangers could have put Chilean football in serious problems. But the club dropped a court case that threatened the participation of the national team at next year’s World Cup in South Africa.

Rangers had filed a case in court for its demotion from the Chilean first division. The club was relegated to the second division after it was found using six foreign players in a league match on November 8.

FIFA, football´s world governing body, threatened with kicking Chile out of the World Cup unless Rangers withdrew the court case.

The deduction of three points cost the club their place in the first division, and the club protested the decision by bringing the case to court last week.

But, after FIFA threatened to expel Chile from taking part in the World Cup, the club dropped the case.

FIFA disputes should only be taken to sports arbitration panels, and not to civil courts.

Last time Chile appeared in a World Cup was in France in 1998.

After finishing in second place of the South American World Cup qualifiers, much is expected of Chile in South Africa.

Bikram Thapa

Southamericanfutbol.com

Colo Colo and Santiago Morning claimed important victories against Universidad de Concepcion and Audax Italiano, respectively, in the first leg of the quarter-finals of the Chilean Clausura championship.

El “Cacique” came from behind to beat Universidad de Concepcion 2-1. Gabriel Vargas put Concepcion ahead when he converted a penalty kick in the 35th minute. But Charles Aranguiz drew Colo Colo level in the 71st minute. Five minutes from full-time Ezequiel Miralles fired home a penalty kick to hand Colo Colo the victory.

Colo Colo, Chile´s most supported club, have won the Chilean championship a record 28 times.

Santiago Morning defeated Audax Italiano 4-2 in a very entertaining game, which puts the victors in a good position to advance.

Juan Antonio Pizzi´s side proved superior to their opponents in the first half and went into the break two goals to the good after strikes from Michael Rios and Sergio Comba.

But Audax drew level with goals from Pedro Rivera and Cristian Canio. However, Morning reacted, and ended up winning the match with goals from Mario Berrios and Miguel Hernandez in the final ten minutes.

On Saturday, Universidad Catolica won 2-0 at Everton and Union Espanola drew 1-1 with La Serena.

Gregory Sica

Southamericanfutbol.com

Universidad Catolica thrashed Universidad de Concepcion 2-1 to close the first phase of the Chilean Clausura championship in top spot. With 38 points from 17 matches the Chilean giants come into the playoffs as the firm candidates to win the title.

La ‘UC’ won the match courtesy of a hat-trick from Juan Jose Moralez (14, 16 and 66) and another goal from Francisco Silva (90). Paraguayan Otelo Ocampos scored a consolation goal for Concepcion.

Colo Colo, Chile´s most popular club, were beaten 2-1 by Palestino, but still qualified for the playoffs. Two goals from Francisco Ibanez handed the visitors the three points. Philip Araos scored Colo Colo´s only goal.

Mauro Guevgeozian and Francisco Saavedra scored first half goals as Everton drew 1-1 with Curico and qualified for the playoffs. Marcos Flores and Juan Jose Albornoz converted for Curico.

Universidad de Chile continued their poor run of results after suffering a 1-0 defeat to Huachipato with a strike from Luis Ignacio Quinteros. The loss called for the departure of Argentine coach Jose Basualdo.

With their 2-1 win over already relegated Municipal Iquique, La Serena finished the regular season in second place. Mauricio Salazar and Sebastian Tagliabue converted for La Serena, while Cristian Campozano scored for the visitors.

The first round of the playoffs will begin with the following match-ups: Everton-Universidad Catolica, Union Espanola-La Serena, Santiago Morning-Audax Italiano and Universidad de Concepcion-Colo Colo.

8 teams qualified for the Liguilla

Universidad Catolica

La Serena

Audax Italiano

Colo Colo

Universidad de Concepcion

Santiago Morning

Union Espanola

Everton

Gregory Sica

Southamericanfutbol.com

Universidad Catolica edged rivals Universidad de Chile 3-2 in an action packed derby that ensures the victors of a place in the 2010 Copa Libertadores, and keeps alive their chances of winning the Chilean championship. Meanwhile, losers Universidad de Chile are practically out of the running altogether.

La Catolica dominated great part of the match, and as early as in the 47th minute they were already 3-0 up. Rodrigo Toloza, Milovan Mirosevic and Davide Henriquez scored their goals. Late goals from Juan Manuel Olivera and Felipe Seymour added suspense to the final moments of the game.

Two players, one from each side, were sent off after violent confrontations.

With the win, Universidad Catolica extended their lead at the top of the standings. Universidad de Chile, on the other hand, dropped down to eighth place, and risk missing out on a place in the following phase of the tournament with one round still left to play.

Chile´s most popular club, Colo Colo, progressed to the next phase after a comfortable 2-0 victory over Cobresal. Cristian Bogado and Rodrigo Millar converted Colo Colo´s goals.

In other matches, La Serena beat O´Higgins 3-1 and Huachipato overcame Palestino by the same score.

Gregory Sica

Southamericanfutbol.com