Fútbol Profesional Colombiano » Fútbol Profesional Colombiano News

Para bien o para mal, seamos al menos coherentes.

Lugo — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 12:44:02 +0000

*Post del nuevo blogger de Millonarios. Su blog está en construcción.

Para bien o para mal, seamos al menos coherentes.

Por ye_monk

21-9-2009

Para ser honesto, no me agrada cuando me siento a ver a este Millos. No me parece que el amor por su trabajo se refleje en la actitud de los jugadores que entran a la cancha, o en las de los que permanecen en el banco. Al empezar el campeonato, una gruesa parte de la hinchada nos llegamos a emocionar con quienes veíamos defender nuestros colores, ganáramos o no. En el pasado reciente se había reclamado ganas, compromiso, entrega y hasta la prostituida expresión de “jugadores que suden la camiseta”… Aparentemente era justo lo que iba a afrontar los partidos. Además, la mayor parte de la nómina estaba conformado por jugadores sin experiencia pero hambre de gloria –o así se veía-. Eran incluso propiedad nuestra para variar. El futuro empezando a revelarse ante nuestros ojos.

Dejando de lado por un momento el espinoso tema institucional, los hinchas nuevamente nos ilusionamos con el proyecto que teníamos ante nuestros ojos. Parecíamos de vuelta a la época del apodado “Kínder de Cortés” en 2004, pero que ya no estaba conformado así dada la necesidad ante la huida masiva aunque discreta de buena parte de su plantel. De la mano por cierto de ese polémico personaje de quien se dice que tiene un poder de motivación único sobre los jugadores –para bien o para mal-, pero a quien también se le acusa de manejar a Millonarios con la premeditación y maquiavélica habilidad de un experto ajedrecista con sus piezas en el tablero. De cualquier forma, es el responsable de nuestros últimos triunfos tanto nacionales como internacionales, y de promocionar durante sus anteriores años como DT a jugadores propios de la calidad de Eduardo Pimentel, Andrés Pérez, Hans Shomberguer y Andrés Chitiva. Por cierto, quien además estaba en su octavo año al mando de Millos. Dijo que en Millos se acababan las vedettes.La historia que sigue nos la sabemos ya de memoria, tanto por vivirla como por oír de ella. Seré breve por tanto: empezaron a llegar jugadores de mayor edad y aparente menor motivación a los que estaban en un principio, que a su vez fueron relegados lentamente al banco de suplentes; no respetó su promesa de no auspiciar el “vedetismo” como ocurrió claramente en los casos de Casierra, de Ciciliano y de Córdoba; la aparición e insistencia en nómina titular de elementos inexplicables para el público… y la consecuente pérdida paulatina de los puntos que nos tiene hoy por fuera de la postemporada. La última joya ha sido la sospecha de una brecha en el manejo de grupo de quien se temía que lo maneja a su antojo hace ya años, y de declaraciones increpantes de parte y parte entre el técnico y sus dirigidos. Sumémosle a esto la ausencia de una directiva institucional real e implacable que estaba llamada a entrar a mediar efectiva y tajantemente en este conflicto. Un profesionalismo que en Millos no aparece sino escrito en los contratos de los jugadores, y de nuevo un sueño que se siente naufragar a fuego lento por ya más años de los que vale la pena recordar. Es tan crítica esta situación que muy posiblemente muchos de los hinchas más fanáticos y radicales de hoy –en la tribuna- JAMÁS hayan visto a Millos campeón. Y los más jóvenes de ellos, ni siquiera subcampeón. Así uno entiende por qué se emocionan tanto con lo que para personas con más edad es tan poco y por ende tan humillante prestarle atención. Eso sí,

conocen las nóminas que vieron triunfar sus padres y abuelos como las tablas de multiplicar. Y hasta mejor que estas.

Regresemos ahora al presente, al partido que se acaba de jugar en la capital del Valle. Los recortes de prensa dirán que ganamos de visitante, gracias a la actuación destacada de uno de nuestros dinosaurios, Óscar Córdoba, mientras que se logró por medio del gol de otro de ellos, Mauricio Casierra. El centro de la defensa en cambio estuvo por necesidad conformado por Henríquez y Franco. Dos jóvenes de las condiciones que la hinchada quería ver: jóvenes, de la casa y bla bla bla. Sobra decir que fue la zona del campo visiblemente más débil durante el partido, por donde “entró todo”. Entonces ni José Cuadrado, quien está empeorando mucho su promedio de goles recibidos por partido, ni Álex Díaz ni Efraín Cortés. Todos estos jóvenes, promisorios…y nuestros. El que lea este resumen de la fecha 10 de la Mustang II en un par de décadas se confundirá sin duda. Más si suponemos –como ojalá así sea- que el partido en Cali marcó el renacer de ese Millos que ilusionó a propios y sorprendió a extraños al inicio de la temporada 2009-2. Pero ¿no son estos los que la tribuna tanto resistía? ¿Es entonces tan malo el proyecto?

Algo claro es que los mismos que exclaman hoy vítores y lanzan campanas al aire, mañana emitirán insultos y proferirán maldiciones, ruina y fracaso total del equipo al momento en que se pierda de nuevo. Dirán que claro, que se sabía que iba a ser así. Es evidente que los veteranos jamás jugarán con la emoción, la energía y la fogosidad con que lo hace un juvenil. Pero también lo es que ciertos momentos en un juego se resuelven con algo de calidad, madurez y hasta marrullería. No necesariamente con las características que asocié atrás a la juventud. Y precisamente eso ocurrió ayer en Cali. Apoyados sin duda por una monumental dosis de suerte. De no existir esta, estaríamos hablando hoy de otra cosa muy diferente. Ya en innumerables oportunidades, y en todas ellas para los más jóvenes, nos hemos ilusionado con equipos que son propios e importados, nóveles y curtidos, austeros u ostentosos. De la mano de técnicos que abarcan también una amplia gama, y que han ofrecido propuestas diferentes, así como también han tenido diferentes tipos de fallas.

¿A qué nos debemos resignar los hinchas que hemos sido siempre observadores y en ocasiones víctimas de lo expuesto atrás? Creo que tenemos la alternativa de que, sea cual fuere nuestra decisión, lo menos que podemos hacer es mostrar coherencia entre las cosas que decimos y las que hacemos. Por un lado, si vamos al estadio decididos a apoyar a quienes están, que sea a apoyar y no a insultar. No tengamos a ningún jugador entre ojos, y respaldemos todas las decisiones que se tomen, junto con todos los miembros deportivos y administrativos de la institución a la que representan. Que se crean por un momento eso de que somos la hinchada más grande de Colombia y que nuestro equipo no sienta que El Campín es una plaza donde le cuesta más trabajo ganar que el Atanasio, el Pascual u otras. Y por culpa de ellos y nuestra, al parecer es en eso en lo que estamos convirtiendo nuestro estadio. El concepto de “local” juega en sentido contrario para nosotros, porque la hinchada está concentrada en todo lo malo que puede pasar, y no en lo bueno.

Si decidimos en cambio que no queremos apoyar, entonces no vayamos al estadio. No compremos nada de las mercancías oficiales de Millos. Ni siquiera adquiramos medios que lleven sus noticias, porque ellos se apoyan en nuestra presunta grandeza para vender su producto. Así sea hablando mal y diciendo mentiras. De hecho, nuestro masoquismo ha llegado a que sintonizamos el radio o adquirimos un diario esperando encontrar en estos meras desgracias. Decidir estar en contra de los que están, pero incurrir en todas las conductas que digo atrás es de lo más contradictorio. Si estoy en desacuerdo con lo que hay y con los que están… ¿qué hago allá en primerísimo lugar? ¿Para qué “ellos” sientan mi repudio allí mismo? Amigos: a “ellos” poco o nada les interesa si sienten o no su rechazo, desde que sus arcas ($$$) no lo sientan. Así de sencillo. Como tampoco es lógico decir que creo fervientemente en lo que está pasando y que lo apoyo, pero que lo haga únicamente desde un televisor. Una de las cosas de las que lastimosamente adolecemos en el mundo moderno, es de una falta de coherencia alarmante en cada faceta de nuestras vidas.

Yo sugiero una estrategia bastante más simple: preguntarnos primero qué es lo que queremos lograr, y si con persistir en lo que hacemos rutinariamente estamos ayudando a –o más bien impidiendo- que se logre lo que queremos lograr. Y no el grupo ni la barra, ni la cuadra ni el barrio ni el colegio;

YO. En mí mismo como individuo pensante y autónomo. Y ojalá no aplicáramos esto para Millos solamente, sino para todas nuestras vidas.Emulando al fallecido Jaime Garzón, que Dios nos perdone a todos.

Juventud Soacha: Pensando en Expreso Rojo

Lugo — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 18:22:20 +0000

Andrea Beltrán, nuestra blogger de Independiente Santa Fe, inaugura tambien el primer blog de un equipo de la Copa Premier: el Juventud Soacha. Aqui su primer articulo:

JUVENTUD SOACHA

PENSANDO EN EXPRESO ROJO

Despues de empatar a cero de visitantes consiguiendo un valioso punto contra el Cortuluá el pasado 13 de Septiembre el equipo de la ciudad de Soacha ya está pensando en su próximo rival el Expreso Rojo. Partido que disputará el 20 de Septiembre a las 3:30 pm en el estadio Luis Carlos Galán Sarmiento de Soacha.

El equipo “soachuno” tiene 17 puntos ubicándose en la séptima posición del grupo B de la Copa Premier 2009; mientras que Expreso Rojo tiene 18 puntos y se encuentra en el puesto número cinco. Así que el objetivo de este encuentro contra el equipo rojo cundinamarqués es hacer respetar la casa, la condición de locales y dejar en casa los tres puntos y seguir peleando para entrar a los cuadrangulares finales. Es un partido con sabor a final ya que el Expreso es un rival directo y consiguiendo Juventud esos tres puntos conseguiría 20 y lo dejaría por encima de éste en la tabla de posiciones. Se ubicaría parcialmente en el puesto número 3 sin contar obviamente los resultados de los otros partidos que se jugaran entre sábado y domingo.

Articulo de la nueva blogger de Santa Fé

Lugo — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 00:49:13 +0000

Le cedemos el espacio a Andrea Beltrán, nueva blogger de Santa Fe, mientras su blog está en construcción.

INDEPENDIENTE SANTA FE

FECHA 9 TORNEO LOCAL COLOMBIANO.

Por Andrea Beltrán:

En la jornada de clásicos de la copa Mustang II / 09, Independiente Santa fe derrotó como local a su rival de patio Millonarios 4 – 2 en un partido donde el cuadro cardenal mostró buen fútbol y dominio. La figura de la cancha, el argentino Omar Sebastián Pérez, deleito a todos los asistentes con su técnica y el primer gol del partido para la escuadra roja de la capital a los 5 minutos del primer tiempo. Otro extranjero de excelente presentación en la cancha fue el chileno Julio Gutiérrez que marcó el 2 a 0 parcial poniendo así a los rojos arriba en el marcador. El equipo visitante logró empatar el encuentro con goles de León Darío Muñoz y Ricardo Ciciliano. Se fueron así para el entretiempo pero finalmente fueron los de Germán “Basilico” González que se quedaron con los 3 puntos gracias al gol del bogotano Mario Alejandro González quien ingresó a los 63 minutos por el antioqueño Sergio Otálvaro, y el que cerró la victoria para Santa fe fue el chileno Gutiérrez anotando un golazo al minuto 74, el segundo tanto para su cuenta personal en el partido, y el cuarto para los Albi-rojos.

El encuentro se realizo en el tradicional Nemesio Camacho “El Campin” estadio de la Ciudad de Bogotá el 12 de Septiembre de 2009 a las 6:30 pm, el árbitro fue José Hernando Buitrago.

Ya pasada esta jornada se viene el Junior de Barranquilla el 19 de Septiembre a las 6:20pm, Santa fe jugara otra vez en casa y espera ver nuevamente las graderías del “Neme” llenas. Así que todos a acompañar a nuestro equipo. Las boletas ya están a la venta.

Tomada de www.santafecd.net Foto: Diego Rendón.

The Offside, tambien en nuestro idioma

Lugo — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 00:20:48 +0000

Bienvenidos a The Offside en español. Como pueden ver, ya un espontaneo hincha verdolaga abrió su blog de Atlético Nacional y aqui en la sección colombiana pretendemos aprovechar los cambios al maximo. El Blog general, manejado por su servidor, será bilingue con posts intercalados en ambos idiomas. Tambien, el blog de Atlético Junior que ha estado disponible desde hace bastante tiempo, podrá ser tomado por un hincha juniorista que lo quiera escribir en español. Y todos los fans de los demás 16 equipos son bienvenidos a tener su blog sea en ingles, en español, bilingue, en italiano, en esperanto, en sanscrito o en el idioma que prefieran. Para solicitar sus blogs, solo tienen que escribir con un post de muestra a colombia@theoffside.com. Aqui, sus blogs tendran una audiencia garantizada y entre todos construiremos la comunidad del fútbol colombiano en esta red mundial con hinchas futboleros de todo el mundo. Tambien, si alguien desea tener un blog sobre algun equipo de otro país, escribame a la dirección mencionada y lo remitiré a la persona encargada.

Una vez más, bienvenidos.

What went wrong?

Lugo — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 19:20:46 +0000

Violence in Colombian stadiums has reached an all-time high. Here are some of the causes and what I’d do to stop it.

“All legal, reglamentary and dialogue instances with the hard core supporters in Colombian football have been exhausted with no positive results”: Dimayor

It all started years ago, in my teenage days in Bogotá where small groups of teenagers, all of them more audacious than I was, started forming Colombian versions of the Argentinean barras bravas, the hardcore supporters of every team that in the southern nation have powers and influence over teams way beyond just cheering their teams. The first one was the Comandos Azules (Blue Command) which started as a group of 10 or 20 kids just chanting and jumping on the eastern stands of El Campín, home of Millonarios and Santa Fe, Bogota’s oldest and most traditional rivals. The Comandos Azules support Millonarios and their rival fan base would quickly follow suit thus creating La Guardia Albirroja Sur (The Southern Red and White Guard). And so did the fans of the rest of the teams in the country including the fans of Nacional (pictured), authors of the latest offense. It was amazing to see how these small groups were evolving into bigger groups of 100s and 1000s and how finally they ended up covering whole sections in stadiums, normally the northern or southern curves, which are the ones with the cheapest tickets.

It was all fine and dandy when the kids just jumped and provided great visual entertainment, especially when the teams came out into the field. But that wouldn’t last long and these barras bravas started to become fully operational gangs and to have different gangs within themselves, which in turn into a phenomenon that it’s been seen only in Colombia when it comes to fan violence in football: violence among sets of supporters of the same team. This makes it even harder for the authorities as they now have to separate people wearing the same colors colors as it happened last Saturday went two factions of Nacional’s hardcore supporters squared off while their team was beating Quindío away in Armenia. Nowadays, in any of these barras bravas, you can find drugs, guns, grenades, knives and all sorts of things that have nothing to do in a football stadium.

Violence in football is a byproduct of the society we live in: low access to education, rampant unemployment and social recklessness on behalf of the government. While certainly the cures for these social illnesses cannot come from the fooballing establishment, they must, in turn, do better than the “solution” they are implementing starting next weekend: banning jerseys and gears from the visiting teams. I mean, they must think these are like schoolyard fights. And that just because they won’t wear the colors doesn’t they are not going to look for their next victims. It’s just sad and it shows that with this lack of competent leadership we can’t expect big changes. If the problem’s in the head, don’t expect the body to heal miraculously. They are also “considering” banning road trips for visiting fan groups. Give me a break. As if they don’t know that there have already been deaths because of football-related violence in this country.

But as much as I rant about the Dimayor (the entity that controls the league), they should also be recognized for the part of the decision that they got right: punishing Nacional’s fans because they were the one who caused the trouble even if their team was visiting. Their team will have to play two matches with no public because their fans’ misbehavior. But if it was up to me, I wouldn’t stop there. Here’s what I’d do:

1. Start legal actions against team owners who supported barrabravas. They often help them with buses for their trips, tickets or money for banners. But god knows what such support has been actually used for.

2. Ban footballing road trips permanently. Good that the police is considering it. I would cut it until there’s a drastic reduction in violence.

3. In Bogotá there’s a complex situation: there are big, hardcore fan groups of Medellin’s Atlético Nacional and Cali’s América de Cali. There haven’t been any clashes between them or between any of them and the fans of Santa Fe and Millonarios as of lately because it seems that the Bogotá police has beefed security measures up. Nevertheless, about a year ago there was a death because of a clash between Santa Fe and America’s supporters. I would encourage America’s and Nacional’s supporters in Bogotá to continue in the same line of conduct and warning them that any provocation to the fans of the local teams may wind up costing them their place at the stadium.

4. Along with continuing the security measures, we must have total identification of everyone who gets into a stadium by issuing fan IDs subject to electronic scanning. This has been discussed ad nauseum in Colombian press but still nobody takes action. This is a necessary investment in Colombian football and I hope that with Colombia hosting the Youth World Cup in 2011 it can be implemented.

5. Permanent video surveillance this is somewhat being implemented at El Campín where the whole stadium got to watch on big screen a full scale brawl between two factions of the Comandos at a Millonarios match last year. But it should be improved. The police must be able to have the names and faces of these criminals and throw them in jail, just like they did in England.

6. Start docking points for violence. This may be cause for an argument of “saints paying because of sinners” but I’m sure once it starts happening, violence will be greatly reduced.

7. Ban away fans and not just their clothing if such fan base shows precedents of violence. An option could be to ban them only in games that are “Class A” or high-risk games.

What would you do?

Colombians Abroad Transfer Round-up

Lugo — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 01:46:08 +0000

Not too many confirmed moves to list but there’s been some activity before the beginning of the Copa Mustang next weekend. (Later i’ll come up with the moves of the Colombian Teams) Here are the most important transfers and some rumors:

Juan Guillermo Cuadrado from Medellín to Udinese:
The italians have been quite interested in Colombian football after their great discovery of Christian Zapata have now nailed the player who seems perfect to become Camilo Zuñiga’s understudy at right wing (see below). Altough his transfer smells a little as a case of “too early to leave”, the kid is tenacious and under the right guidance he can explode and become something remarkable. Udinese are also after hot prospect Wilson Cuero, an u-17 national teamer from Millonarios.

Camilo Zuñiga from Siena to Napoli.

The most recognized and improved Colombian abroad at the moment, Zuñiga is a beast in the right wing and i’m certainly glad that the world is realizing that. Hopefully Lavezzi will still be around and the Napolitans have a competitive squad to match Zuñiga’s quality.

Fabián Vargas from Boca to Almería.

Vargas was quick to jump ship after his contract with the Xeneizes after seeing how the Ribera outfit brought back Alfio Basile, a coach who permanently benched him (or more like vanished him) during his first tenure. It will be interesting to see how Vargas links up with Almería boss Hugo Sanchez who apparently made his signing a personal request. A clear example of taking the last train to Europe. Hopefully one for the long run.

Jonathan Estrada from Millonarios to Real Sociedad.

A deal which could be scuppered according to last minute reports, but if it goes trough it opens again the door for Colombians in this team (now in La Segunda) which had many clients in the past such as Victor Bonilla, John Viafara and Edwin Congo, with mixed results among them.

Aquivaldo Mosquera from Sevilla to América (Mex.)

Aquivaldo didn’t exactly become a fan favorite during his stance at Sanchez Pizjuán and I’m sure many will write off this move as the confirmation of him as an European failure. But Aquivaldo has been written off before and went on to become the rock solid leader of Pachuca’s defence. I expect good things from him in a league where he already excelled.

Brayan Angulo to Deportivo La Coruña

One of those that came out of nowhere and having nothing to do with Colombian football. But this 19-year-old has big shoes to fill as he could be the replacement for Filipe Luis, the next Barca signing for the left back position. <— Update. Angulo will now compete with Filipe, as he won’t go to Barça.

****UPDATE****

Abel Aguilar to Zaragoza

The present and future of Colombian D-mids continues his successful Spanish spell now in the Primera División. A logical development for a player who always demonstrated having what it takes to face big challenges. He will be in a league competing directly with Fabián Vargas, and that competition might well end up being for a starting spot in the NT.

Radamel Falcao García to Porto

A coup for the dragons after the Benfica rumor was loud and clear enough. But the Oporto outfit simplt outbid their Lisbon rivals for the signing of one of the most coveted properties of the South American Market. It was expected that he would link-up with another Colombian up front, but…

Wason Rentería to At. Mineiro

Despite having a breakthrough loan season at Sporting Braga, Wason ended being shipped back to Brazil as Porto plans for replacing Lisandro López seem to include more players than just Falcao. Still Brazil is known territory for Wason so his progress won’t be stopped.

Expect more updates….

Sharks feel the blues thanks to the All-whites

Lugo — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 04:18:41 +0000

With a mix of mental toughness, adherence to tactics, adequate displays of talent in the right moments and of course the necessary two drops of luck, Once Caldas was crowned yesterday champions of the Colombian apertura tournament. And yes, I accept nominations if there is a “most colorful title of the year award”. But colors somewhat aside, the skin of the 50 thousand-plus Junior fans that packed the Metropolitano yesterday hoping for a roaring title celebration was left paler by several shades.

Once Caldas dismissed as nonsense the notion that they would suffer in their game because of the absense of their star trio of Fano, Casanova and Viafara. Instead, Carreño stepped in beautifully and was a master of the right wing in the dual role of helping his side make a strict 4-4-1-1 and also complementing his striking partnership with Sinisterra. Meanwhile, Dayron Perez came through like he had been playing 20+ games this season when in fact he hasn’t, but i’m sure that goal helped him in securing a place at Once Caldas for the second semester.

For the home side things started to get bleak when Alexis Henriquez was allowed to bury a potent header in the first half. From then, Giovanni Hernandez started getting lost and Teófilo Gutierrez started wasting chances. All this in front of obvservers from Argentina, Mexico and Spain. Well, I guess it’s good for Colombian football to hold on to one of its most promising goalscorers in a long time. The glimpse of hope that appeared for Junior when Palacio scored after an awkward free kick disappeared when Sinisterra managed to bury the third one after a master counterattack. But I guess it’s better for you to see it yourselves here. Final score: Junior 1-3 Once Caldas for a global of 2-5. Congratulations to the champions! And for Junior, the rebuilding process shouldn’t be too complicated. After all, they still reached the finals.

The games that never stop

Lugo — Thu, 28 May 2009 15:57:56 +0000

While the world stands in awe to praise F.C. Barcelona and their wonderful football, the Colombian game keeps on going and even I have a hard time trying to keep up with it. I had to go on a forced hiatus right before I was going to post a review of weekend’s games and guess what? The second matchday was already played last night! So I guess I have no other choice but to move forward along with the show.

In group A, Once Caldas got the lead with 4 points after a controversial win against Boyacá Chicó over the weekend and their away draw at Equidad of last night. Chicó could not stand back properly after the loss and got a 1-1 home draw against Tolima. Equidad did not capitalize on their weekend away draw at Tolima and got served of the same soup at home.

In group B, Cali and Junior are failing to live up to their expectation of favourites and let Cucuta and Envigado climb to the top even after a home draw with Envigado. Surprisingly enough, the warriors got a 2-1 away victory at Cali’s Pascual Guerrero stadium. Meanwhile, the oranges of Envigado delivered at home with at 1-0 victory over Junior.

With 4 matches left, it is still early on the game to think about a clear favourite for the finals, but what’s certain is that teams like Junior, Cali, Chicó, Tolima and Equidad are going to have to improve dramatically if they want to aim for it. Some of these team’s performances so far do not match what they showed us during the regular season. It would be better for their own sake if they start doing so.

I’ll come back as soon as I can before this weekend’s games. Or at least i’ll try. With the FPC, sometimes I feel like i’m trying to chase this thing:

Group B Preview: The cold weather is not in their hearts

Lugo — Sun, 24 May 2009 20:02:32 +0000

Group B features the 3 teams in this group stage that are from cold weather cities: Equidad (Bogotá), Once Caldas (Manizales) and Chicó (Tunja). The other one is Tolima from the very hot Ibagué. But whatever the weather is, i’m sure all this players will try to give their most in order to win.

Deportes Tolima Vs. Equidad Seguros

The Insurance men visit Ibagué on high spirits after being the only team from the capital to make it this far. Lead by short-sized creative genius Stalin Motta, they play adventurous attacking football relying heavily in their lack of pressure as they pretty much don’t have fans to answer to and the press expects them to lose. So their obligations are only to themselves, their manager and the board. As Envigado confirmed last night, these teams that play with nothing to lose can become pretty dangerous. On the other hand, Tolima is being labeled as the favourites to win this group based on their wonderful regular season campaign where they finished in first place. These are the probable lineups:

Tolima will have Breiner Castillo on goal, a permanent bench-warmer during his previous stints at Deportivo Cali and Nacional who finally found a team where he is the undisputed number one. Jair Arrechea and Wilmer Díaz will be the center backs, this is a duo that has player together at Deportivo Pasto before and Díaz counts among his successes winning Libertadores 2004 with Once Caldas. Gerardo Vallejo will be on the right back, this player has seen action with the national team whereas on the left Dario Bustos will handle matters. Bustos is the younger brother of Ruben Bustos, the scorer of two free kick goals for the national team in the qualifiers who is at Millonarios now. In the midfield, veteran Juan Carlos Ramirez will be the commanding voice from behind assisted by Gustavo Bolivar. In creative roles, Christian Camilo Marrugo a player who is highly regarded by the national team manager will join forces with Argentine maestro Rodrigo Marangoni, a very effective player in the free kicks and through balls departments. Up front, the speedy Franco Arizala will be together with Jorge Bocanegra, a youngster who fills the U-18 spot and is expected to be quickly subbed by Wilder Medina, a goalscorer who’s been on fire in the latest matches.

La Equidad will have Carlos Bejarano on goal. This young goalkeeper has been battling heavily with Alvaro Solis for the starting place and now seems to have won it. Victor Giraldo, one of the top prospects in the right back position in Colombia will be in such position. On the other side, Elkin Serrano. Panamanian defender Román Torres will help Juan Diego Gonzalez in the center of the defence. Torres seems like a big team type of player and the fact that he’s still at Equidad really baffles me. As for the midfield, former defender Hugo Soto will assist Jhersson Cordoba, another big big promise, in the holding duties. Creative duo Stalin Motta and Diego Cochas round up what seems to be a very offensive midfield scheme to face Tolima. Up front, Wilson Carpintero, the goalscoring sensation of late will partner Rodrigo Hernandez but only for a few minutes as Hernandez is an U-18 youngster who will most likely be replaced by Roberto Polo.

Once Caldas vs. Boyaca Chicó FC

Former Libertadores Champions Once Caldas start this postseason with an obligation to matc their former greatness. With goalscorer Johan “Condor” Fano in great form, they expect to build upon of the rock solid midfielder Johan Viafara, a circuit of service for Fano to capitalize on. But the visitors will try to break that circuit by using strong and ductile players like Edwin Movil and Yhonny Ramirez. These are the lineups:

On goal, Once Caldas will have Hector Landazuri, former youth nt keeper who has consolidated his place as a starter. The right wing will be in charge of Nondier Romero a player who has resurrected in his level after being unceremoniously ousted from América and Santa Fe. Luis Nuñez, a fixture in the starting side, will be on the left. The center will be for Alex Henriquez and Andrés Mosquera a duo that has found renewed confidence after several games playing together. Former Junior man Nicolas Torres will join Uruguayan leader Jorge Casanova and the aforementioned John Viafara in what seems like a defensive midfield in paper but boss Javier Alvrez knows how to turn them into offensive weapons. Candado, the U-18 youngster will quickly leave for Henry Rojas, a left winger to complete a midfield that demonstrates how in football you can survive without having a number ten. Up front, foreign duo Ariel Carreño and Johan Fano will attempt to catch many of the shower of crosses that will be surely flying on.

In front of them, Once Caldas will have Edigson Velazquez defending Chicó’s goal. This is a veteran keeper that has gathered so much praise nowadays that many journalists are even calling for his presence on the national team. I’m not that sold on him, tough. The wings will be manned by Pedro Pino on the right and utility man Juan Mahecha, a player who is good in any position he plays, on the left. Eternal Ever Palacios (42 years old) will join Mexican Mario García in the center of defence. Productive Yhonny Ramirez and hungry youngster Diego Chica will try to hold the midfield while Edwin Dayan Móvil will help Argentinian wizard Miguel Caneo in trying to get back to his former self. Winston Girón be partnered by U-18 youngster Luis Mena for a while but teen sensation Marco Pérez should not take long to enter the fray. This teams comes from a 3-6 away defeat against eliminated Real Cartagena so it will be interesting to see how can they pick themselves up from such debacle.

Yesterday’s results:

Atlético Junior 2 – 2 Deportivo Cali

Cucuta Deportivo 1-1 Envigado F.C.

I will be talking more in depth about all weekend’s fixtures tomorrow. And, for all you Spanish speakers allow me to invite you to check out my new Spanish blog about international football here. My next post there will be about the relegation of Newcastle United, the team where former colombian NT icon Faustino Asprilla shone in the Premier League.

Matchday Preview Group A: Let football do the talking

Lugo — Sat, 23 May 2009 19:11:05 +0000

This is it, folks. The Colombian Apertura tournament heads for the finals. Teams in group A will meet today with the dire necessity of starting this group stage on the right track. Group B will kick off tomorrow.

Junior- Deportivo Cali (6:20 pm Colombian time)

The sharks will look to start the party early with a victory over their toughest rivals in the groups. Toninghts match seems to be the battle of the wizards as Giovanni Hernandez (G-10) is back to direct the sharks’ symphony orchestra while their counterparts feature Argentinian maestro Pablo Batalla who is now in a top form. G10’s patrner in crime will be Emerson Acuña as the home side seems willing to use all their main weapons from the get go. Up front, Norbet “speedy” Orozco will fill up the U-18 spot joining goalscoring machine Teofilo Gutierrez. Orozco is not expected to last more than 15 minutes on the field to be replaced by former Lille forward Luis Yanes.

Green menace Boss José Hernandez has decided to counter the threat using only one striker who isn’t Sergio Herrera, out because of an injury. Armando Carrillo has the duty to deliver the goals and the rock solid holding duo of Andres Pérez and Mariano Herrón will have extra help with Danny Aguilar and Camilo Ayala covering the wings considering that the Metropolitano stadium has one of the widest pitches in the country.

Teams will probably be lined up as follows:

Junior:

Adrian Berbia the Uruguayan shot-stopper that has secured Junior’s goal this season. He cleared the doubts that Didier Muñoz used to leave. Veteran Hayder Palacio will be on right back now with less speed but deadlier crosses. On the left, Roberto Carlos Cortés, another veteran who resurrected his game at Junior after dubious spells at Millonarios and Medellin. Center backs will be John Valencia and Brayner García, the latter being the subject of a brief tug-of-war between Cucuta, his former side, and Junior. In the midfield, Javier Florez and Alex Jaramillo will do the dirty work leaving the magic to Giovanni Hernandez and Emerson Acuña. Up front, “Speedy” Orozco before being replaced by Luis Yanes and Teófilo Gutierrez.

The visiting side will start a foreign keeper as well: Sebastian Blazquez, one of the success stories of this season. His defence will feature Alvaro Hungría filling the U-18 slot to be replaced quickly by Elkin Calle in the right back. On the left back, Juan Guillermo Dominguez, youger brother of Alvaro Dominguez, today at Sion in Switzerland. Center backs will be Diego Valdés and Edgar Zapata, a former Junior man before his Mexican spell at Veracruz. Two holding mids: Colombian Andrés Pérez and Argentine Mariano Herron and two wingers with both offensive and defensive duties Danny Aguilar on the left and Camilo Ayala on the right. Interesting pair of products of the Green Menace youth system. Up front, creative genius Pablo Batalla will look to assist dangerman Armando Carrillo, a speedy forward tricky to stop.

Cucuta-Envigado (8:15 pm Colombian Time)

The border city prepares itself for another tremendous crowd at the General Santander stadium as it happens everytime the warriors of Cucuta play at home. Always controversial, warriors’ boss Jorge Luis Pinto has already said that he expects game officials to guarantee fairness after a series of rows with referees from previous games. The visitors have no played into the mindgames. Orange boss Aristizábal is pleased that he has the whole squad at his disposal including promising youngster Dorlan Pabón, who is rumored to be scouted by Racing de Avellaneda in Argentina.

Lineups:

Leandro Castellanos, one of the top goalkeeping prospects in the FPC will continue to start for Cucuta. Victor Tarazona will be on the right while Elvis Gonzalez will be on the left. The veteran duo of Pedro Portocarrero and Roberto Peñaloza will take care of business in the center of defence. Moving up, Uruguayan Charles Castro is the lead defensive midfielder who will be assisted in the wings by Luis Narvaez and Rodrigo Castillo. Diminutive anchor midfielder Edison “the flea” Pinzón will start after the coach decided to drop Uruguayan José Tancredi who has not convinced the gaffer with his contributions. Up front, explosive Lionard Pajoy wil link up with clinical finisher Roberto Gamarra who hails from Paraguay.

The visiting side includes a combo of sharpened veterans making an interesting mixture with a pack of hungry youngsters. Their keeper is a veteran: Roberto Mosquera who comes back from a spell in Bolivia. Former Nacional right back Marlon Piedrahita has secured his place in the lineup, something he couldn’t do with the stripped greens. The other wing will be for former Bucaramanga man Farid Díaz. Veteran Duvan Hernandez will join youngster Luis Pérez in the center of the defence. The midfield is all veteran: Alex Orrego, Juan Fernando Leal, Neider Morantes and Freddy Grisales can probably count more years of footballing experience together than the combined ages of Dorlan Pabón and Fabio Burbano, the two youngins who will be forwards today.

What an entertaining saturday evening of football do we have ahead of us. May the best teams win.