Ah, it’s been a while since these Sunday evening summaries. River began the year as they probably expect to continue it – throwing away a two-goal lead when the match looked over, whilst Boca started with a win and the Apertura’s other two finalists clashed on Friday night. Newell’s and Lanús were the weekend’s two most impressive performers otherwise, whilst Independiente vs Vélez was the match to avoid being at.
Primera División A Torneo Clausura 2009, first round:
Tigre (N. Silvera OG 78; D. Castaño OFF 70) 1 – 3 San Lorenzo de Almagro (N. Paparatto OG 39; J. Santana 77; N. Silvera 90+2)
Huracán (M. Bolatti 86) 1 – 0 San Martín de Tucumán (P. Castro OFF 89)
Newell’s Old Boys (M. Fórmica 52, 67; D. Armani 59) 3 – 0 Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata (D. Villar OFF 55)
Argentinos Juniors 0 – 2 Arsenal Fútbol Club (L. Leguizamón 3; J. Yacuzzi 90+1; F. Sava OFF 35)
Godoy Cruz Antonio Tomba (L. Sigali 13) 1 – 1 Banfield (S. Silva 23)
Lanús (J. Sand 7, 60; S. Blanco 22) 3 – 1 Racing Club (P. Lugüercio 2; G. Mercado OFF 41)
Estudiantes de La Plata 0 – 0 Rosario Central
River Plate (G. Cabral 57; R. Falcao García 69) 2 – 2 Colón de Santa Fe (A. Capurro 77; S. Prediguer 90+2; P. Aguilar OFF 44)
Independiente 0 – 0 Vélez Sársfield
Gimnasia y Esgrima de Jujuy (P. Calandria 89) 1 – 2 Boca Juniors (R. Noir 72; L. Viatri 83)
As usual, check back on Monday night for a video link to all the weekend’s goals.
Hasta El Gol Siempre 
Newell’s Old Boys (M. Fórmica 52, 67; D. Armani 59) 3 – 1 Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata (D. Villar 55)?
Villar was sent off at 55. Gimnasia only took 4 shots, none were on goal.
The sheer persistence of river plate to snatch a draw from the jaws of victory never ceases to amaze me. Its quite astonishing. is there any other team in the world who go 2 nil up at home, theres 15 minutes remaining and the other team are down down to 10 men and can still contrive to draw? The level of consistency at which they manage to do this must be congratulated. This doesnt happen in pub leagues. Aguilar out.
Thanks for pointing out the typo, David, I’m obviously a little out of practice. It’s been corrected now.
murt, you are so right. Firstly, over the last couple of years, just about the worst thing that can happen to River is if the opponent has a man (or two!) sent off. Everyone seems to assume the game is won and goes to sleep. No excuses for that. Second, I agree, Aguilar out.