Pinto slams gays in football
By: Lugo |
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According to this article, the Colombian NT coach has echoed recent statements by Juventus former sporting director Lucciano Moggi in saying that “In football, there is no space for gays”. In Pinto’s words (which i’m translating) he sayed that “They just don’t fit in. For attidude, behavior, demands and respect, they don’t. I think that the concept of masculinity in football, without being machismo, must be respected”
While he was at it, he also named the roster for Colombia’s next friendly against venezuela basically featuring players from the domestic league but including the reinforcements of River Plate’s Falcao García, Necaxa’s Hugo Rodallega, St. Etienne’s Freddy Guarin and Arsenal (ARG)’s Jossimar Mosquera.
The roster is:
Goalkeepers
Agustín Julio (Santa Fe)
José Cuadrado (Millonarios)
Defenders
Gerardo Vallejo (Tolima)
Édgar Zapata (Cali)
Carlos Valdés (América)
Jossimar Mosquera (Arsenal- Argentina)
Pablo Armero (América)
Midfielders
Freddy Guarín (Saint Ettienne - France)
Yulián Anchico (Santa Fe)
Danilson Cordoba (Medellín)
Stalin Motta (Equidad)
Paulo César Arango (América)
Giovanni Hernández (Junior)
Giovanni Moreno (Envigado)
Luis Fernando Mosquera (Santa Fe)
Forwards
Hugo Rodallega (Necaxa- México)
Radamel Falcado García (River Plate- Argentina)
Calos Rentería (Atlético Huila)
Category: Fútbol Profesional Colombiano News
FPC Roundup: Cardinals regain command
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The continuous tête-a-tête in which Independiente Santa Fe, D.I. Medellin and Seguros La Equidad have entangled themselves for the top spot continued last weekend leaving the Cardinals in first place after their confortable 2-0 win against Tolima while the highlanders lost at home against the giant-killer Envigado 0-1. Meanwhile, The Insurance sellers got a 1-1 draw in their visit to the All-whites of Once Caldas. At the Cardinals’ game, Leider Preciado put on his striking suit again while venezuelan Leonel Vielma sealed the deal with a free kick stunner. In Manizales, Equidad managed to draw by playing an entertaing game and had far more chances than the Whites, but somehow their forwards missed and Medellin struggled but could not get anything against an Acids side that was strappled in defense. I guess things are a bit harder when you don’t have one of your owners sitting on the opposing bench.
Outside of the top trio, teams continue tightly packed in the standings and no one seems to have their place clear apart from the aforementioned trio. Deportivo Cali, for example, lost 4-1 away at Bucaramanga. The green menace’s drop of form was not expected at all, since the team had been getting pretty decent results. And more than decent are the results of Boyacá Chicó, a team thad doesn’t know about scoring less than 3 goals per match in ages. The “Second Youth” of Victor Danilo Pacheco and the emergence of teen sensation Marco Perez are melting defenses apart like butter. This time it was Pereira’s: the Cane Cutters got a 3-0 pounding in store for them.
Meanwhile, Nacional and Junior, two bottom-dwellers with more history than present got revitalizing victories specially in the case of Junior beating America away 2-1. The greens of Medellin beat Quindio 1-0 not without a considerable amount of suffering. And in one of the most exciting matches of the day, the Ambassadors of Millonarios drew 3-3 aganist the Ricers of Huila in a match plagued by refereing mistakes (for boths sides), defensive errors and, as eveident as it seems, goals.
Also, the Derby of the Borders fell on the hands of Pasto who dispatched Cucuta with a 1-0. It seems that The Tribe is more focused on getting Libertadores’ Glory than anything else.
You can take a look at the standings here. And remember that in 4 more games, only the first 8 teams will advance to the next stage, making 2 groups of 4 where the top teams will meet for the Championship.
Category: Fútbol Profesional Colombiano NewsAmbassadors set to host Real Madrid
By: Lugo | 1 Comment
Or at least those are the news that as published yesterday, altough today Marca cites this El Tiempo interview where Millonarios’ president Juan Carlos Lopez says it is “unlikely because of costs” but he says that the Madrid outfit has already scheduled the trip and if the game goes ahead, on august the 7h, the Colombian and Spainish capital sides will square off in a friendly to pay tribute to Argentinian legend Alfredo Di Stefano, an idol at both institutions. Lopez also said that team’s executives are “working on it” so hopefully we will see the Merengues in Bogotá.
So it still remains to be seen if the game will take place or not, but if it does, this has game of the year writen all over it. It would be the coolest news for Millonarios fans in ages. And the team better dresses up for the ocasion. It must hire a new coach within the next month and all new signings should be in place before the madridistas arrive. Obviously, Millonarios is expected to lose it but it must save its dignity. Nevertheless, the result will be the least important part of it. The important part will be to see, right in front of our eyes, the team that FIFA called the Team of the Century.
Category: Fútbol Profesional Colombiano NewsEverything about Vanemerack’s firing…
By: Lugo | Add Comments
…Has already been said by Daryl here. If anything, I could just add that assistant Bonner Mosquera, whom was on the field as little as 2 years ago, is now the interim of a coach. Not that it wasn’t too hard to guess.
My take? It had to be done. Vanemerack was an interesting motivator but too much of a firecracker to be in command. His actions speak for him and that is a disgrace. He needs to go back to coach academy and maybe in a few years when he learns how to control his temper, come back to coaching. Oh, but just not Millonarios. Maybe something like Pereira or something…
As for the new Ambassadors coach, for next semester’s Clausura, Jorge Luis “Moleman” Bernal and Santiago Escobar (Yes, the same one who was shown the door in Barranquilla) seem like front line candidates while former Ecuador NT coaches Hernan Dario “Bolillo” Gomez and Luis Fernando Suarez alongside argie Leonardo Astrada seem to be distant seconds.
Category: Fútbol Profesional Colombiano NewsFPC Roundup: Highlanders seize the day
By: Lugo | 2 Comments
With a questionable (to say the least) 5-0 pounding on Bucaramanga, Independiente Medellin grabbed the #1 spot on the on the standings thanks to the stalemate that the Santa Fe vs. Equidad match turned out to be. So at this point you must be wondering about the “questionable” bit, huh? well, let me tell you: It turns out that new Bucaramanga’s new coach Victor Luna has shares on Sueños del Balon corporation, an entity which owns a controlling interest at Medellin. So it says conflict of interest all over the place but these are the sorts of things that go on in our football and nobody does anything about them. But in Medellin defense, i should say that The Cheetahs F.O. knew the whole time (like pretty much the rest of the country) about Luna’s interest in Sueños del Balon, among other famous head coaches like Trinidad & Tobago NT boss Francisco Maturana and former Guatemala manager Hernan Dario Gómez. Now, does that make it legit? I don’t think so.
But moving on, the Checkereds of Boyacá Chicó continued their rampage to a total of 19 goals in three games after severely crashing the party of Millonarios in Bogotá and putting a serious dent in the Ambassadors’ hopes of reaching the final 8. The ace trio of veteran Victor Pacheco, Argentinian Miguel Caneo and versatile Edwin Movil totally dominated the field leaving the attack for the new teen sensation Marcos Perez to run circles around the slow, elefant-esque Millonarios defense. Much of the fate of the home side could be attributed to their ill-tempered manager Mario Vanemerak whom after last week’s mega-tantrum earned a well deserved 3 months suspension from the bench. His team is headless and that is reflecting in their game.
Meanwhile in Barranquilla, the home side got a much needed 3-0 win over the Greens of Nacional, but this game too was not out of controversy since the Nacional first team was actually stranded in Buenos Aires up until saturday after their libertadores game because of a delayed flight so they traveled back to Colombia early sunday morning so after 10 hours of flying they got to Barranquilla and went to the stadium right after their plane landed. Hence, the result. But the obvious question, and one that shall remain a mistery is: Why didn’t they just field the B-side which was scratching their balls in Medellin? Go figure that one out.
The Cali teams got mixed luck but overall good because while Deportivo breezed trough Once Caldas 3-0, America got an away draw in Cucuta, a fairly complicated place. As for the rest of the games, Tolima finally won again 2-1 against regional rivals Huila, Pereira completed the matchday goalfest with a 5-2 at home against Pasto and Quindio drew 2-2 with Envigado. So, as you can see, in Colombian football anybody can defeat anybody, in any given day.
Note to Colombian Trolls: I will not let this become another El Tiempo. You know what i’m talking about.
Category: Fútbol Profesional Colombiano NewsPicture of the Day: The yellow-haired guardian
By: Lugo | 1 Comment
Outside of his native Santa Marta’s Eduardo Santos Stadium, the statue of former MLS and Colombian National Team Superstar Carlos Valderrama shines whith its bronze yellow hair. The picture is rather old as the statue was actually washed today, by none other than Valderrama himself on a fireman’s truck. (I wish I had that picture, but I saw it in the news)
Category: Casual postsLeaders battle Third Placed Team in Local Derby
By: Lugo | 2 Comments
Today Santa Fe faces La Equidad in an emotions-packed duel where The Cardinals cannot afford to run out of steam against Last year’s rookies in the FPC. Alexis Garcia’s men come to this match after a downing defeat in Neiva. Meanwhile The Cardinals’ spirits are high after doing away with Cali in a relaxed fashion. The game will be played at El Campin, the traditional Santa Fe home (shared with Millonarios), but the team that will be acting as home team is La Equidad, no doubt because of economic reasons. The Insurance Sellers have few supporters compared to the enormous Santa Fe fanbase.
Santa Fe’s key to win will be the joint effort of the star midfield duo of Luis Mosquera and Luis Seijas. The Colombian’s quick footwork and dazzling skill complements the Venezuelan’s vision and accurate passing. On the other side, Stalin Motta, the short-sized wonder, works a lot better when Panamanian Gabriel Torres is on the field so hopefully Garcia will take him off the bench pretty quickly for the U-20 Leudo.
So the most likely lineups will be:
Equidad: Álvaro Solís; Víctor Giraldo, Román Torres, Hugo Soto,
Jonathan Werpajoski; Dahwling Leudo, Jhersson Córdoba,
Weimar Olivares, Stalin Motta; Wilson Carpintero and Roberto Polo
Coach: Alexis García.
Santa Fe: Agustín Julio; Sergio Otálvaro, Francisco Nájera, Andrés F. González, Javier Arizala; Osnéider Álvarez, Hernando Patiño, Luis M. Seijas, Luis F. Mosquera; Daniel Néculman and Léider Preciado. Coach: Fernando Castro.
Category: Fútbol Profesional Colombiano NewsCheckereds enjoy thrashing minnows
By: Lugo | Add Comments
I was thinking about writing a “Copa Colombia roundup” but the tought quickly escaped my mind. Otherwise I would have to write about a staggering 18 games! But what was most remarcable about yestarday’s matchday was the 8-1 Pounding that Boyacá Chicó delivered on 2nd division side Real Santander. But what is remarkable is not beating the crap out of a semi-amateur team that probably wasn’t expecting anything different. The thing to note is that it is the chekereds’ 2nd game in a row scoring more than 6 goals after the 7-3 pounding that they inflicted upon Tolima last weekend. Two rampages like those in a row are not a common achievement in today’s club football even if beating those rivals wasn’t much of a merit. Makes me wonder if the recent lack of a shirt sponsor is making everyone in Tunja work their behinds off in search for a new sugar daddy.
Winds of Libertadores
Ans speaking of enjoying thrashings, Cucuta got rid of San José almost seamlessly 4-2 and started showing glimpses of the team that got to the semi-finals last year. Incredible that after such a transformation in names, the team’s international hunger is showing again.
Meanwhile in Asunción, the disappointment of the season Atletico Nacional will try yet again to elaborate a comeback against Luqueño, a paraguayan team that showed pretty much nothing in its visit to Medellin and which allowed the greens their only victory in this Copa, but I guess the Libertadores offside will repot a lot more thoroughly on that.
Next Up: Out next gems. Stay tuned.
Category: Fútbol Profesional Colombiano NewsColombian Guide to Nicknames (III)
By: Lugo | 1 Comment
Did you think I forgot about this? No way. It’s just that I finally have some time to complete it. So here’s what you’ve been waiting for.
Envigado F.C.
Known as “Los Naranjas” they were the first team ever to be promoted from the second division. Orange is the color of their kits but I have the feeling that “The Oranges” just won’t work. So I went with “The Acids”. Waddaya thing?
Seguros La Equidad:
I’ve been using “Insurance Sellers” because I got positive feedback on it. But I suggested “The Peacemakers”. I cannot explain the relation but it just sounded Ok on me. But I think i’m getting used to this Insurance business…
Independiente Medellin:
“El poderoso de la montaña” has been the traditional nickname for this team,which in English translates “The powerful one from the mountain”. Does that make any sense? Not to me, since “la montaña” is a reference to Medellin, which isn’t the highest placed major city in the country, that being Bogotá. So I came up with “The Highlanders” which sounds way better than “The Powerful Ones”.
Millonarios:
This was the best team in the world (i’m being serious) in the 50’s when it featured such glories as Madrid idol Alfredo Di Stefano and Adolfo Pedernera. And since it traveled worldwide playing friendlies and competitions, it came to be known as The Ambassadors. It’s other nickname, also because of that era, is “El Ballet Azul”, but in order to avoid mental images of footballers wearing tu-tus, i’m sticking with Ambassadors.
Once Caldas:
Playing in an All-white uniform, in spanish they are known as “El Blanco Blanco” wich has a nice ring to it. But in English plain repetition doesn’t make much sense. So i’m borrowing New Zealand’s NT Nickname. I hope the kiwis don’t get mad.
Independiente Santa Fe
The first team to be crowned champions in Colombian football, has always been known as The Cardinals. And they have the red color to prove it. That red kit, nevertheless, was inspired in none other than Arsenal, a.k.s. The Gunners.
Category: Casual postsIn Colombia, Cup upsets are no big deal
By: Lugo | 2 Comments
The novelty of this season is the Copa Colombia: our very own, tropically-mixed version of the Euro cup competitions such as the Copa del Rey or the FA Cup thus featuring teams of the two professional divisions of the Colombian game. And alike its european counterparts, on the first round of the Copa Colombia the first division teams are playing with their 2nd or 3rd string sides. And guess what, some of them are losing to second division teams. Millonarios got stopped in its tracks by a much healthy Academia on the first matchday, Deportes Tolima was embarrased by the surprising Girardot F.C. also in the opening game and in the second matchday, Rionegro shocked its bigger cousin Medellin while heroic Girardot upsed Huila this time and America was ridiculed by Cortulua, a former 1st division side.
But after all these upsets we have seen no alarming press headlines, no sacked coaches and nothing else more than two or three moans here and there by disappointing fans.
This is in parte because no one has been eliminated yet. Unlike the Euro cup competitions, we won’t have direct elimination until the second round, after we finish a group stage of 6 groups of 6, distributed along regional criteria. Also, keep in mind that this is a new competition so quite frankly, no one gives a toss about it yet. Emphasis on “yet” since it will be on it’s final stages probably including teams that have been eliminated from the FPC final stage and awards a spot to the Sudamericana spot. So I expect the Copa Colombia to have a lot more relevancy trough the seasons, after many have tested the shame defeat, and some have tested the delight of glory.
Category: Casual posts
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