Argentine Apertura Round-Up: Newell’s And Banfield Neck And Neck

Goal.com’s Tim Sturtridge brings you bang up-to-date with all the happenings from the latest domestic fixtures in Argentina.

Nov 17, 2009 1:52:04 AM

Marcelo Gallardo - River Plate (AFP)
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Marcelo Gallardo - River Plate (AFP)
Fecha 14

Friday, 13th November

Chacarita Juniors 0 - 1 Newell's Old Boys
Tigre 2 - 0 Godoy Cruz

Saturday, 14th November

Banfield 3 - 0 Vélez Sársfield
Colón 2 - 0 Argentinos Juniors

Sunday, 15th November

San Lorenzo 0 - 3 Independiente
River Plate 3 - 1 Atlético Tucumán
Arsenal 1 - 1 Boca Juniors

Monday, 16th November

Racing Club 1 - 0 Estudiantes
Gimnasia La Plata 4 - 1 Huracán
Rosario Central 0 - 0 Lanús

Chacarita Juniors 0 - 1 Newell's Old Boys

A super-sized blooper helped Newell’s Old Boys to victory over Chacarita Juniors on Friday night and lifted the visitors to the top of the Apertura table.

A screwed clearance from Chacarita’s goalkeeper Sebastian Cejas late on in the first half appeared to result in no bad consequences for the home side when it landed safely in the possession of Omar Zarif by the right hand touchline. Zarif, the Chacarita defender, had other ideas though as he over hit a back pass in the general direction of his goalkeeper.

With Cejas scrambling after the pass the ball nestled in the goal behind him and the visitors enjoyed the gift from their hosts. With no other goals in the game it was the howler that decided the points left Buenos Aires and headed to Rosario.

The win put Newell’s top of the league, three points ahead of Banfield who had their weekend fixture scheduled for Saturday. Chacarita however are looking more and more likely to head out of the top flight at the end of the season.

Tigre 2 - 0 Godoy Cruz

The good times have been in short supply for Tigre this season but a 2-0 home win at home to Godoy Cruz gave fans of the bottom placed club something to cheer about at the weekend.

After a winless streak stretching back over 11 games Tigre were a tad fortunate to come up against a Godoy Cruz team who offered little in the way of an attacking threat.

Morel opened up the scoring for the hosts in the first twenty minutes and although a single goal margin would have been enough Fondacaro saw fit to add a second deep into stoppage time at the end of the game.

Curbelo of Godoy Cruz was given his marching orders ten minutes from time and it must have been a solemn bus ride home for the team as they get dragged towards the relegation spots.

Banfield 3 - 0 Vélez Sársfield

Three goals in 12 second half minutes was more than enough to put Banfield back on top of the Argentine Apertura table on Saturday.

It was Velez who played the better football of the first half but despite creating a number of openings for themselves they failed to break the deadlock.

After the interval Banfield seized the initiative and Rodriguez put the hosts ahead in the first minute of the second half. A quick fire brace from García followed and Velez never looked like coming back into the contest after Banfield racked up a 3-0 lead.

The six goals conceded by Banfield this season underlies their assault on the title while Velez succumb to back-to-back 3-0 defeats in the league for the first time since 1996.

Colón 2 - 0 Argentinos Juniors

Colon kept their Copa Libertadores charge right on track with a 2-0 home win over Argentinos Juniors on Saturday. Its not just qualification for the continental cup however that should be concerning Colon however as the win eased them into third spot in the league and a gives them a clear view of the leaders.

The damage was done by the home side with two converted penalties from Fuertes. The first came after just two minutes when striker Neito was brought down. The second came midway through the second half and at a great time for Colon to really assert their dominance on the fixture.

The win leaves Colon four points behind Banfield and Newell’s while Argentinos have little left to play for as the season winds down.

San Lorenzo 0 - 3 Independiente

San Lorenzo’s title assault continued to fizzle out as a convincing home defeat at the hands of Independiente left them with only one win in their last five league games.

A win for Independiente meanwhile extends their own good form to six wins in their last nine games as three different names got themselves on the scoresheet for the visitors on Sunday.

A first half strike from Gandín was added to in the second half by first Gómez and then Núñez. With San Lorenzo 3-0 down they also had Alejandro Gómez dismissed with a straight red card.

While Independiente’s good form has come too late for a shot at the title they remain well placed alongside San Lorenzo to try for a place in next season’s Copa Libertadores.

River Plate 3 - 1 Atlético Tucumán

Stop press! River Plate in convincing win shocker! Despite being behind River chalked up their third win of the season with a 3-1 romp over Atletico Tucuman.

It looked like more misery for River when Tucuman took the lead in the first minute thanks to a goal from Gigliotti. With confidence low at River these days it seemed for a long time as though this goal would be enough for the visitors to get something out of the contest.

In six second half minutes however goals from Gallardo, Buonanotte and Villalba made sure the points stayed put in Buenos Aires. The win was celebrated at the final whistle with all the joy of winning a league title.

“We finally got a win at our own place and in front of our people.” River captain Gallardo said. “In the second half we played much better and ended up with three goals.”

No such joy for Tucuman however who look certain candidates for relegation.

Arsenal 1 - 1 Boca Juniors

A solitary point away at Arsenal does little for Boca Juniors’ fading hopes to reaching next year’s Copa Libertadores.

Things were going well for the visitors and Medel’s strike gave Boca a 1-0 lead at half time. Basile’s men kept working hard in the second half but were eventually undone by Álvarez’s strike midway through the second period.

The draw leaves Boca 11 points away from Copa Libertadores qualification with only five games of the season remaining and a host of other clubs in much better positions to fight for the prize.

A point for the home side keeps Arsenal’s head above water as they look to avoid relegation.

Racing Club 1 - 0 Estudiantes

It was the team with pressing concerns at the foot of the table which won out over their rivals from the upper echelons of the league in Monday’s early kickoff.

An early wonder strike from Lugüercio was all that was needed to separate the sides in the Buenos Aires neighborhood of Avellaneda and consign Estudiantes to their second defeat in as many games.

Racing’s second win of the season will do wonders for the confidence in their camp as they try and pull themselves away from the relegation zone. Estudiantes meanwhile may have become a little guilty of taking their eye off the ball as the Club World Cup approaches.

Gimnasia La Plata 4 - 1 Huracán

Another side helping themselves out in their battle against the drop on Monday was Gimnasia as they filled their boots against a dismal Huracan team.

Vizcarra got the ball rolling for the home side early on in the first half before Rodrìguez popped up with an equalizer for the visitors. Rodrìguez goal was only to be a consolation for Huracan however as Romero reclaimed the lead for the hosts three minutes after the equalizer.

Second half strikes from Perez and Stracqualursi put the seal on the win for the home side who are grateful for the points as they bid to stay in the division. Although not threaten by relegation Huracan continue their sorry run of form.

Rosario Central 0 - 0 Lanús

Lanus’ goalkeeper Agustín Marchesín put in a man of the match performance to ensure his team left Rosario with a share of the spoils.

Central were undoubtedly the better team on the night but with Marchesin equal to everything the hosts could throw at him the home side had to settle for a share of the spoils.

Three points would have helped Central take a massive leap towards avoiding relegation and sniffing around the Copa Libertadores spots but it was not to be. With a single point Lanus are still well placed to book their own Copa Libertadores spot for next year.

Tim Sturtridge, Goal.com

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