ARGENTINA: Torneo Inicial 2013 – Week 6 Review

This article courtesy of GOLAZO ARGENTINO

Despite the International fixtures, the Argentine Primera Division rumbled on and it was a weekend that completely disregarded the form book. Starting with Newell’s Old Boys getting thumped by Velez, but including lowly, Olimpo earning their first win with a easy win over Boca and River Plate suddenly scoring again and winning by three goals. Virtually every game was not what the bookies would have expected, making it yet another interesting week of action.

VELEZ SARSFIELD 3 – 0 NEWELL’S OLD BOYS

The two main protagonists in Argentinian football in recent years clashed once again last night in Liniers and it was the hosts, Velez Sarsfield who were left celebrating as they crushed their rivals, Newell’s Old Boys 3-0. It was a welcome return to form for Velez against a Newell’s side hotly tipped to retain the championship. The influential Lucas Pratto opened the scoring with a penalty before second half substitute, Ramiro Caseres added a late brace.

Velez produced their best performance in some time to sweep aside Newell’s and move within 2 points of the league leaders. The opening goal came just after the half hour mark when Newell’s defender, Milton Casco was penalised for handling a cross from the right. Lucas Pratto stepped up and duly dispatched the penalty.The home side were dominant in the second half and eventually doubled their lead. Once again it was Pratto who was key. He twisted away from his marker to release Ramiro Caseres and he was able to steer the ball under the on-rushing Nahuel Guzman. Minutes later, Newell’s were reduced to 10 men when Pablo Perez was shown a red card for a late challenge, perhaps a little harshly in my opinion.

However, in the name of fairness, Velez captain, Fabian Cubero then got himself sent off for an inexplicable punch to the back of Milton Casco. It made no difference to the outcome, as with 5 minutes remaining, Pratto made some space in the box and unleashed a fierce shot straight at Guzman. The power was obviously too much to handle as he fumbled the ball straight into the path of Caseres who had the simple task of tapping in the rebound.

ESTUDIANTES 1 – 1 BELGRANO

Somehow Estudiantes failed to win this game despite dominating their visitors and having 3 goals chalked out for offside. In the pouring rain over the weekend, Estudiantes failure to add a killer second allowed Belgrano to leave La Plata with a ill-deserved point. Guido Carrillo gave the home side the lead just before half time but Ezequiel Maggiolo’s scrappy second half effort earned Belgrano the draw.

GODOY CRUZ 1 – 0 COLON

Godoy Cruz beat Colon 1-0 thanks to Ivan Ramis’ late goal in Mendoza. A deep cross from the right found Ramis in acres of space and he planted his header firmly into the bottom corner.

ARGENTINOS JUNIORS 1 – 0 ALL BOYS

The clasico between Argentinos Juniors and All Boys was always likely to be a close affair and perhaps lacking in real quality but Caruso Lombardi’s men did enough to earn another win and go back to the top of the table. Yet another clean sheet and a rather scrappy goal following a set play, tapped in by Osvaldo Miranda on the half hour mark was enough for victory.

ATLETICO RAFAELA 2 – 1 GIMNASIA

Gimnasia lost for the second time since their promotion when they travelled to Santa Fe. Rodrigo Depetris’ close range finish set Rafaela on their way and Andres Rodales 90th minute strike ensured the win. There was still time for Facundo Pereyra to give the locals a little scare but they held on for 3 points.

RACING 1 – 1 LANUS

Racing hosted Lanus, in a derby of sorts (in the absence of Independiente anyway) and under new manager, Carlos Ischia came close to a much needed win. Carlos Araujo’s late own goal, plus 3 red cards, in what was a frantic end to the game, looked to have given them 3 points only for Maxi Velazquez’s even later strike to cancel it out.

QUILMES 0 – 1 ARSENAL

Arsenal defeated Quilmes thanks to Martin Rolle’s fine free kick moving them a point behind Argentinos Juniors.

ROSARIO CENTRAL 0 – 2 SAN LORENZO

San Lorenzo moved to within a point of the league leaders with a 2-0 win over Rosario Central but the win came at a cost, as leading scorer Martin Cauteruccio went off with a knee injury, which the club has confirmed is his knee ligaments. The striker had given his side the lead before limping off, and his loss could put the ice on any hopes of a title challenge. Hector Villalba ensured the win with a late goal but the injury news is a huge blow.

RIVER PLATE 3 – 0 TIGRE

River Plate having scored only twice so far this season and really struggling to create anything suddenly sparked into life with a second half blitz of Tigre. After a first half in which River appeared to be following their habit this season of looking rudderless, it took less than a minute of the second half to break the deadlock. Manuel Lanzini, who came close to leaving River in the break, ran from half way through the heart of the Tigre defence to open the scoring in spectacular fashion. Youngster, Giovani Simeone (son of Atletico Madrid Manager, Diego) then doubled the lead with a fine finish as he looks to take the chance given to him by Ramon Diaz. Then a minute later, Lanzini had his second when he was able to scramble home a rebound ensuring that River would be winning and finally scoring!

OLIMPO 3 – 0 BOCA JUNIORS

Boca Juniors then travelled to Bahia Blanca to face Olimpo, who were still waiting for their first win since their promotion back to the Primera. The wait is now over, as they swept aside Bianchi’s men with relative ease. Martin Perez Guedes’ double and Agustin Vuletich’s close range finish gave Olimpo a famous 3-0 victory.