More fútbol argentino than you can shake a mullet at
With little going on during the summer break, HEGS has been quiet as I've been earning some spending money whilst on my visit to England, and seeing friends. Off the pitch though, some transfer dealing has been happening, and some of it at least is nearing possible conclusions. Rogelio Funes Mori's transfer to Benfica collapsed... Continue Reading →
The 2009 World Youth Cup, when it's played in Egypt, will not include the nation who've claimed the last two titles. Sergio Batista's boys finished bottom of the final group of the Sudamericano Sub 20 in Venezuela, without a single win. A 1-0 loss to Colombia on Sunday evening ensured the embarrassment was complete. After disappointing... Continue Reading →
Two matches were taking place simultaneously with potentially enormous consequences for HEGS this year. In one, Estudiantes de La Plata had the second leg of their Copa Libertadores qualifier against Sporting Cristal of Peru, having lost the first 2-1 in Lima. In the other, Argentina's Under 20s had to beat their cross-river rivals from Uruguay... Continue Reading →
Argentina's underwhelming showing in the Sudamericano Sub 20 continued on Monday evening as they lost 2-0 in the final group stage to bitter rivals Brazil. In torrential rain, Argentina actually turned in their best performance of the tournament so far - but lost for the first time. Unlucky, boys... Argentina started the better side, dealing... Continue Reading →
The national Under 20s played their first match of the final group in the Sudamericano Sub 20 on Saturday evening, and yet again - like four of their five first round matches - they drew. This time Paraguay were the opponents. In stiflingly hot Puerto Ordaz, Argentina started the stronger of the two sides with Juan... Continue Reading →
Tuesday saw Diego Maradona name his second Argentina squad, in preparation for the friendly against France in Marseilles on the 11th of February. For the first time Lionel Messi was called up by El Diego - as was my mate Carlos Tevez - who, clearly motivated by my words of encouragement on Saturday night, scored for Manchester... Continue Reading →
It's been a busy few days for Sergio Batista's Under 20 team in Venezeula whilst I've been away. Two more group matches have yielded four points in spite of underwhelming performances - you can see highlights of both games here. In Mar del Plata on Saturday, Boca Juniors beat River Plate in the year's first... Continue Reading →
I'm in Manchester for a couple of nights this weekend, sorting out some final plans for my upcoming trip to Mexico. What this means is that there won't be any immediate write-ups of Friday and Saturday's major matches; to wit, the Sudamericano Sub 20 group stage game between Argentina and Peru in Maturín, Venezuela on... Continue Reading →
The goals from last night's opener of the Sudamericano Sub 20 Venezuela 2009 are online, and you can watch them right here. Sergio Batista's Argentina drew 1-1 with the hosts after conceding a penalty in the opening minute. Sudamericano Sub 20 2009 group stage: Venezuela 1 - 1 Argentina (19th Jan 2009):
Venezuela 2009 is underway, and Argentina's challenge for the South American Under 20 title (and more importantly, qualification for the World Youth Cup) got off to a faltering start on Monday night. I'm too tired to write a proper match report, but the junior albiceleste fell behind to a rebound from a first-minute penalty, with... Continue Reading →
