Defending Copa Sudamericana champions exited the tournament at the hands of 2009 winners Liga de Quito on Wednesday night, winning 1-0 on the night in the Estadio Libertadores de América but losing 2-1 on aggregate by virtue of Liga's 2-0 home win in the first leg. Leonel Núñez got the only goal of the night... Continue Reading →
The thirty-third episode of Hand Of Pod goes online just before the first leg of the double-header between Argentina's and Brazil's 'domestic international' teams, and Sam, Dan and Dan look at what Alejandro Sabella might reveal in these matches. We also speculate on how well former Oxford United boss Ramón Díaz will do in charge... Continue Reading →
River Plate: the rebuilding begins, and next season’s new horizons
The morning after the night before, River Plate are being forced to adjust to life as a Nacional B institution. J.J. López is gone as manager, and might leave the club altogether. Ramón Díaz, who watched the game on television in Miami, has offered to take charge in the second division. Juan Pablo Carrizo returns... Continue Reading →
Hand Of Pod Episode 17: Díaz quits San Lorenzo; the new old Messi, and the old old Torres
In the seventeenth episode of Hand Of Pod, Seba rejoins Sam, Dan and Dan. He's not happy with the way referees have been treating his club, and he's not afraid to make his anger heard, but a little surprisingly it's another HOP-er who drops an expletive, for which we of course apologise unreservedly. We also... Continue Reading →
Clausura: Martín Palermo finally scores again, and Ramón Díaz quits San Lorenzo (video)
Sunday's Torneo Clausura matches saw Martín Palermo score for Boca Juniors once more, after a personal worst of 951 minutes without a goal, as his side beat Huracán 3-0 away from home. As well as that, there was a 1-1 draw in Sarandí between Arsenal and Gimnasia, Argentinos Juniors fell a goal behind to Racing... Continue Reading →
Hand Of Pod episode 9: relegation-threatened title challengers, & picking a team
In the ninth episode of Hand Of Pod, Sam, Dan, Dan and Seba talk about River Plate and Olimpo, the league leaders who are also battling against relegation. The non-Argentines also field a question on how they came to support the teams they do (and Dan and Sam provide a quick potted history of Ferro... Continue Reading →
Torneo Apertura 2010: the managerial fallout
A day after the 2010 Torneo Apertura came to an end (for everyone bar Independiente and Tigre), the consequences of the campaign are being felt at clubs across the league. Whilst some have pleasingly exceeded their targets (All Boys) and some have managed league positions which bely the scorn poured on them for almost the... Continue Reading →
New boys both win, and all the scores and scorers
On Thursday, the penultimate round of the 2010 Torneo Apertura concluded with wins for both Olimpo - now unbeaten in five games, into the bargain - and Quilmes. The latter beat San Lorenzo 1-0 and, with Ramón Díaz one of the favourites along with Marcelo Bielsa and Alejandro Sabella to take over River Plate when... Continue Reading →
Apertura: half-term reports from Argentina
Since we're now halfway (and a bit) through the 2010 Torneo Apertura, I thought I'd compile a very brief 'report' on each team so far, and how they're doing in relation to what they'd have hoped/expected at the start of the season. I'm aiming for a short summation of each side, so don't expect a... Continue Reading →
Primera División 2010-2011: meet the teams
It's finally here! At 9pm local time tonight, the 2010 Torneo Apertura de Primera División will kick off as Arsenal Fútbol Club host Lanús in the only Friday evening game of the weekend. If you're knew to the Argentine league this year, you'd probably like a bit of a guide to the teams who are... Continue Reading →