A rare goal from right-back Marcos Cáceres proved to be the winner as Newell’s went top of the table in Argentina under former Paraguay coach Tata Martino. Elsewhere both Oscar Cardozo and Claudio Correa scored for the two Benfica sides (senior and B) while Luis Caballero found the net for Krylya.
PORTUGAL
Oscar Cardozo and Lorenzo Melgarejo both started for Benfica with the former scoring a trademark penalty having missed a sitter earlier on in the game. Also Carlos Correa scored for the B team, an emphatic finish for his 2nd in 3 games.
RUSSIA
Pablo Zeballos started behind Luis Caballero (both Krylya Sovetov) in their 2-2 draw with Zenit St Petersburg, Caballero got his team’s second which at the time put them 2-0 up. Caballero now has three goals for the club from Samara.
EUROPE ROUND-UP
There was another goal for Aldo Adorno in Cyprus, netting APOEL’s third in a comfortable win while in Poland Jorge Salinas is said to have played well in Legia Warsaw’s 1-1 draw with Polonia Warsaw. Marcelo Estigarribia (Sampdoria) and Nelson Haedo (Valencia) both started their league games while Roque Santacruz (Malaga) came on off the bench.
ARGENTINA
A Marcos Cáceres goal handed Newell’s a 2-0 lead and proved to be the winner as they beat Colón 2-1 away to go top of the table and have stayed there following Boca’s defeat to Lanús with Victor Ayala starting for the winners.
The other starters this week were Federico Santander (Tigre), Eduardo Ledesma (Godoy Cruz) and Ricardo Mazacotte (Unión de Santa Fe) none of whom were involved in a win.
ECUADOR
Macará remain top of the league, albeit with two games in hand over their nearest rivals, with Domingo Martinez one of their key players. At the weekend however they lost to LDU Quito with Eduardo Echeverría started for the victors. Fernando Gimenez (Emelec) started for his side in their win as did Aldo Vera (LDU Loja).
MEXICO
Pablo Aguilar (Xolos) is now sharing his seat at the top of the table with Edgar Benítez (Toluca) following the latter’s win against Atlante where Osvaldo Martinez plays. Dario Verón (Pumas) and Herminio Miranda (Puebla) both played the full 90 minutes in draws while Paulo Da Silva (Pachuca) was subbed off in a defeat.
LATIN AMERICA ROUND-UP
It was almost a perfect afternoon for Roberto Ovelar (Uni. Católica) who scored two and set up another, however his side ended up losing a thrilling game 4-3 to Cobreloa. Cristian Bogado (Dep. Iquique) and Miguel Angel Cuellar (Cobresal) also got on the scoresheet. In Colombia there were no goals for Robin Ramirez (Dep. Tolima) who started alongside Antony Silva in a 0-0 draw with Huila.
It has been a profitable week in Europe with seven goals being scored across the continent including a double for Oscar Cardozo who is likely to play against Argentina on Friday. As ever we have the info from South America where Robin Ramirez has been back in the goals.
EUROPE
PORTUGAL
Oscar Cardozo netted twice in Benfica’s comfortable win over Nacional, the first a trademark header and the second a driven finish to round off the victory. He has enjoyed playing against the team from Madeira, racking up five goals in their last four meetings. Lorenzo Melgarejo also played in the game.
There was also a goal for defender Javier Cohene (Paços de Ferreira) who opened the scoring in a 2-0 win against Braga.
Finally, dropping down to the second division and Claudio ‘El Ogro’ Correa was on the scoresheet for the Benfica B team, you can see his goal here.
ITALY
Ivan Piris (Roma) was involved in an excellent 3-1 away win against Inter Milan, the full back played the full game. Marcelo Estigarribia (Sampdoria) also celebrated a victory at home to Siena, he played all 90 minutes.
SPAIN
Roque Santa Cruz wasn’t cleared to play for his new club Málaga, while Nelson Haedo Valdez (Valencia) came on for the last few minutes in his side’s 1-0 defeat to Barcelona in the Nou Camp.
CYPRUS
Aldo Adorno (APOEL) hit an incredible hattrick on Monday afternoon, you can see it here.
AMERICAS
COLOMBIA
Robin Ramirez was back in the goals for Tolima with the winner against Cartagena at the weekend, Antony Silva also played in that match.
Marcos Lazaga (Patriotas) was on the wrong end of a seven-goal thriller against Junior Barranquilla.
BRAZIL
Víctor Cáceres (Flamengo) played all 90 minutes against Internacional, they lost 4-1.
ARGENTINA
Víctor Ayala (Lanús) and Justo Villar (Estudiantes) were beaten 1-0 away from home, Víctor Aquino (Belgrano) was a sub in a 2-1 defeat while Federico Santander (Tigre) also came off the bench in a draw with San Lorenzo.
MEXICO
Pablo Aguilar (Tijuana) continues to enjoy life in the North, his team won 2-0 and are second in the league behind Edgar Benitez’s Toluca who drew 1-1. Dario Verón (Pumas) celebrated a rare win (first in 4 games) and fellow defender Paulo da Silva (Pachuca) was denied the same result by a last-minute equaliser. Herminio Miranda (Puebla) was also involved in a 1-1 draw while Osvaldo Martinez (Atlante) was on the winning team for the second consecutive game.
CHILE/PERU
Plenty of players in action but the headline makers from each country are Miguel Angel Cuellar (Cobresal) who scored a penalty and Fabio Ramos (Real Atletico Garcilaso) who grabbed a goal in a 3-2 defeat
By Ralph Hannah
Author’s Note: Thanks to Vasilis for the APOEL highlights
Rubio Ñu vs Guaraní Estadio La Arboleda
(2-1) 2-1 – Claudio Correa ‘6 & ’38, Fillipini ’41
Paraguay Football saw Rubio Ñu for the second week running and the albiverde won again playing some excellent football employing a strike duo with a combined age of 37, one year less than captain Toro Acuña! It took the older half of that pair, 20-year-old Claudio Correa just 6 minutes to open the scoring, a powerful left foot shot evading the keeper in the far corner. The early goal seemed to settle both the home side and the player himself who had looked laboured in his debut last week.
Rubio Ñu celebrate Correa's brilliant second goal
One of the most colourful games in Paraguayan football (Rubio in green and white against Guaraní’s black and yellow) was accompanied by music, the travelling band of Guaraní fans banging drums and making plenty of noise in the sun. But it was Rubio Ñu that found their rythym, Juan Arce had instructed Derlis Gonzalez to play out on the left to combat the Aborigen’s line of three defenders, it worked as he constantly pulled the defence out of shape with none of the trio able to deal with his pace.
Jorge Chena went off after just 23 minutes with a knee injury to be replaced by Blas Valenzuela, the teenage stopper made one fantastic save soon after from Ivan Gonzalez Ferreira after Romero had led a breakaway, but it was one of the few times Guaraní found themselves able to overrun Acuña and Ramos in central midfield. Down the Guaraní left there was little joy for Blas Caceres who found himself stuck deep in the pocket of Alberto Espínola, the bald right back returning to Paraguay after nine years in Colombia, Ecuador and Perú.
The Paraguay Football Blog on La Arboleda turf
It was no surprise then when Rubio Ñu doubled their lead, Espínola won the ball and gave it to Benfica boy Derlis Gonzalez, his speed and skill made space to find Correa with a simple pass but there was still plenty to do. The former Luque striker used his strength to hold off the defenders, then nutmegged one with a great piece of skill before squeezing his way through the two centrebacks and finishing coolly with his left foot.
There was still drama to come in this all-action first half of football, first Guaraní got a glimspe of hope with Filippini’s header from a Gonzalez Ferreira free kick on 41 minutes. But just three minutes later that flicker of hope was extinguished, Derlis Gonzalez was too clever for Luis Cabral, taking the ball past the defender with a sweet touch only to be hauled down. The former Sol de America defender was the last man, no option for the referee but the red card.
Much like last week, Rubio Ñu were very comfortable and relaxed in possession but without the ball they didn’t press much and despite being at a numerical disadvantage it was the aurinegro that created the better chances. Valenzuela again forced into a great stop this time from Romero as Guaraní began to push Rubio deeper and deeper. Claudio Correa then made things even worse for the local team, trying to shield the ball he raised his arm and then he seemed to keep his arm raised and jut it into the face of his opponent. Another straight red and the same questions keep arising over the mentality of this talented youngster.
Rubio Ñu players after their second consecutive win
With the game now 10 vs 10 it would have been no surprise had Guaraní found an equaliser, but again Arce’s nous was very important. He kept substitute Bladimiro Ojeda (the 18-year-old making only his 2nd senior appearance) up on the left as an outlet while putting Derlis Gonzalez more central. It meant the away side had to be wary of a counter and Ojeda did find Gonzalez with an excellent cross and get a shot away on his favoured right foot which meant Guaraní couldn’t throw the kitchen sink at Rubio. As the minutes died down, the away team hit long balls forward but with no Santander (transferred to Racing) and no Dante Lopez (subbed off) they had little joy as Velazquez and Rodriguez headed away anything that came near them. It was another hard fought win by Rubio Ñu but with plenty of style to go with the substance.
Rubio Ñu XI: J. Chena; A. Espínola, G.Velazquez, A.Rodriguez, N.Ruiz; C.Llamas, R.Acuña, E.Ramos, D.Chamorro; D.Gonzalez, C.Correa
Subs: Blas Valenzuela for Jorge Chena ’23, Bladimiro Ojeda for Diego Chamorro ’65, Josias Cardozo for Derlis Gonzalez ’86
The first half is best not talking about from a Cerro Porteño point of view, having suffered such a tumultous week with the joy of finally resigning Santiago Salcedo (and picking up Guillermo Beltrán) cut short by Jonathan Fabbro’s ‘stomach problem’ (read transfer request). With several changes from the team that capitulated to Luque last Sunday the azulgrana looked a shadow of the side that fought gamely for the Clausura title.
Eduardo Echeverria put Carapeguá ahead after 26 minutes from the penalty spot, one of those “seen ’em given” shouts where the players are running side by side and a hint of an arm comes up from the defender. Echeverria has now scored in consecutive games against Olimpia and Cerro Porteño! The visitors were extremely fortuitous to go into the break level, Matias Corujo’s shot from his weaker left side struck the arm of Esteban Ramirez and bounced and spun its way agonisingly into the left hand corner with the goalkeeper caught flat footed.
The second half was more labouring for Cerro on a very sandy Itaguá pitch, Carapeguá played tough as always but they would pay the price later on. Cerro Porteño saw two penalty shouts turned down, both decent shouts but not stonewall. Firstly Ivan Torres felt the keeper’s hand and went down following great work by Pajaro Benitez. In the 70th minute Benitez himself wanted a penalty but it seemed more of a coming together.
Cerro were getting more joy going direct to big man Roberto Nanni than playing the ball on the floor and went more and more direct as the clock ran down. With four minutes to go, Carapeguás midfielder Diosnel Almirón was given his marching orders for a second yellow card as youngster Jorge Rojas had too much acceleration for his tired legs. From that moment on the balls bombarded the home team’s box but it seemed all in vain until the last seconds of the game. A Luis Caceres long ball found Corujo (the right back) lurking at the back post, the Uruguayan headed across goal and Pedro ‘Ganso’ Benitez flew in with a diving header to earn Cerro a most unlikely victory.
You must feel sorry for Sportivo Carapeguá, the newly promoted side have battled bravely against Paraguay’s two most illustrious sides only to come up with nothing both times.
Cerro Porteño XI: D.Barreto; M.Corujo, P.Benitez, M.Uglessich, L.Cardozo; J.Rojas, A.Gonzalez, J.Dos Santos, E.Benitez; A. da Silva, R.Nanni
Subs: Ivan Torres for Alejandro Da Silva ’45, Luis Caceres for Julio Dos Santos ’75, Epifanio Garcia for Alexis Gonzalez ’84
Cerro Porteño PF vs Olimpia Estadio Oddone Sarubbi
(0-0) 0-0
The journey to Guayaquil, Ecuador during the week followed by yesterday’s trip to Ciudad del Este “took its toll” according to Gerardo Pelusso. There was no doubt that Olimpia didn’t play as well as they can, and sorely missed Sergio Orteman in the middle but credit is due to Cerro Porteño PF who took the game to their opponents and were only denied a win by a superb performance from Martin Silva.
Luis Caballero missed Olimpia's best chance, Photo: d10.com.py
Olimpia went with Zeballos, Biancucchi and Luis Caballero in the same starting line up for the first time this blog can remember but with that trio isolated from their midfielders it wasn’t a combination that bore fruit. Instead time and again Cerro PF flooded forward through the middle with Marín and Hobecker offering little resistance. After 14 minutes the golden chance arrived for Delvalle who decided he’d prefer to win ‘Miss of the Week’ (see below). Pablo Zeballos had the best chance for El Decano in the first half, forcing a good save from a free kick. On 23 minutes the home fans were claiming handball and it did seem the cross from the right had struck an arm but no penalty was awarded, it may well have been unintentional.
Just one minute into the second half Martin Silva, who had been kept busy in the first 45, produced a brilliant save low to his left following a long shot. He produced another stunning stop in the 62nd minute when Andersen tried his luck from distance but the best was to come with 11 minutes remaining. Cerro de Franco worked a one-on-one and as Sergio Samudio dropped his shoulder to beat Silva the Uruguayan stuck out a giant hand to divert the ball away from the player’s foot. Olimpia had a couple of chances themselves in the second half, Marín with a free kick that whistled wide on 70 minutes. The best move they put together was on 76 minutes which ended with Luis Caballero side footing meekly at the keeper from inside the box having had the ball served on a plate from Biancucchi’s pass.
Great resolve from Cerro PF to bounce back from last week’s thrashing with such a gutsy game, Olimpia will write this off to Copa Libertadores committments but expect that to play a huge part in any title challenge this season.
Sol’s special mention: They have yet to be on TV but Sol de América are currently sweeping aside all before them, 8 goals in their first two games they sit top of the league ladder and striker Enzo Prono is first in the individual scoring charts with 3 goals. Bravo Sol!
Team of the Week: M. Silva (Olimpia); M. Corujo (Cerro Porteño), P.Benitez (Cerro Porteño), G. Velazquez (Rubio Ñu), N.Figueredo (Cerro PF); V.Ayala (Libertad), C.Andersen (Cerro PF), M.Riveros (Nacional), R.Ocampo (Sol de América); C.Correa (Rubio Ñu), J.Ortigoza (Sol de América)
Player of the Week: Martin Silva in the Olimpia goal made several excellent saves to earn Olimpia a point in Ciudad del Este against Cerro PF, the Uruguayan has been an excellent addition since joining last year
Goal of the Week: Last week Claudio Correa looked disinterested but he was fantastic for Rubio Ñu in the first half, his sending off means he misses out from the award above but his second goal was a wonderful combination of skill and strength
Donkey of the Week: Jonathan Fabbro seems to be throwing his toys out of the pram just when he could have been reinstated in the ‘enganche’ role he so wanted, he is turning his back on a lot of people who put a lot of faith (and money) in him
Miss of the Week: Leonardo Delvalle had the goal at his mercy and chance to put Cerro PF ahead against their illustrious opponents but conceived to put the ball over the bar from 4 yards out
Stat of the Week: 512.000.000 guaraníes (US$112.000) the gate receipts for Cerro PF’s match against Olimpia, most of the home support were actually Cerro Porteño fans supporting their sister club and generally hating on Olimpia.
Results: Rubio Ñu 2-1 Guaraní, Carapeguá 1-2 Cerro Porteño, Independiente 2-4 Sol de América, Nacional 2-0 Tacuary, Cerro PF 0-0 Olimpia, Libertad 1-0 Luque
The Paraguay Football Blog 