International Derby

This weeks' Internationals feature a few derbies around the world. The biggest and standout one is the Korean derby as both South and North Korea do battle in Seoul. 

The Korean derby has been very competitive in recent years and months with this the latest meeting. Both sides are in the running for the 2010 world cup finals and a win for either will make June that bit easier. 

In Europe Czech Republic face Slovakia in a crucial match for both sides. Slovakia were thumped 5-0 by England on Saturday while the Czechs drew 0-0 away to Slovenia. 

In the North American Hexagonal Costa Rica host rivals El Salvador. San José is the venue for this central American classic. Costa Rica are regulars at the World Cup finals while El Salvador have only recently started to make an impact on international competition. 

Russia 2-0 Azerbaijan

Russia played poorly but still won 2-0 thanks to goals from Roman Pavlyuchenko and Konstantin Zyryanov. 

The win lifts Russia in 2nd place with 9 points but 4 behind Germany who also won 4-0 against Liechtenstein. 

Azerbaijan remain level at the bottom with Liechtenstein with a point from 4 games. 

Derby Spotlight week 2: Partizan v Red Star

This week's derby backround is the Belgrade Ethernal derby. This derby is the biggest fixture in the Serbian SuperLiga. These games are always competitive whatever the matter of the game. 

These two clubs hate each other. Patrizan Belgrade who play in black and white strips and have a firm. A group of hardcore fans who call themselves the Grobari. This translates as Gravediggers. Crvena Zvezda (Red Star) called themselves Delije. 

The two clubs have played 135 games in domestic competition and Crvena Zvezda lead with 57 wins and 43 draws. Partizan have won 35 games. 

The biggest win between the two was acheived in 1953 when Partizan blew Crvena Zvezda away with a 7-1 win. Crvena Zvezda's is a 6-1 win acheived in 1968. 

Crvena Zvezda have a European Cup to their name and are the last Eastern European team to have lifted the trophy. This was won in 1991 and later that year they won the Intercontinental Cup but lost the European Super Cup. Crvena Zvezda have won a record 25 league championships and 22 national cups. 

Partizan Belgrade were the 1st Eastern European club to play in a European final when in 1955 they lost to Real Madrid. Partizan are also the only Serbian club to have played in the Group Stage of the Champions League. This was acheived in 2003-04 when they knocked out Newcastle in the 3rd Qualifying round. Partizan have 20 league championship successes and 10 national cups. 

International derbies?

The domestic league take a break this coming weekend to make way for the international fixtures to take place and there will be a few derbies around the globe in various regions of world cup qualifiers. 

The stand-out derby in Europe sees Russia host Azerbaijan in a game that pits both former Soviet Union sides together. Russia will definetly be favourites but because it is Russia, Azerbaijan might want to treat the fans to something special. Azerbaijan have not beaten Russia since independence and it would be nice to beat them this Saturday. 

Dynamo Kiev 3-0 Arsenal Kiev

Dynamo Kiev who just squeezed past Metalist in the UEFA cup on Thursday caped off a good week with a 3-0 derby win over Arsenal Kiev. 

The derby was as good as won by half-tie with Dynamo 2-0 up after goals from Artem Kravets (21) and Alexandr Aliyev (35). It was Aliyev who got a third for Dynamo on 71 minutes to wrap up an easy victory and bragging rights for the Dynamo fans. 

Dynamo restore their 8 points cushion from Shakhtar in 1st place while Arsenal stay 13th with 20 points and 7 clear of the relegation zone. 

Dynamo are away to Metalurh Donetsk after the international break while Arsenal host FC Lviv

Pakhtakor 1-1 Lokomotiv

The Tashkent derby was the only Uzbek Oliy Liga played on Sunday and it ended with a 1-1 draw. The result Pakhtakor did not want means they are 5th with just 5 points from 3 games and trail title rivals Bunyodkor by 4 points. 

Lokomotiv are 4th with 7 points and have their sights on finishing in the top 4 this year. 

Deportivo Cali 1-1 América Cali

The big derby in Colombia on Sunday ended all square with Deportivo having taken the lead early in the 1st half before América fought back to get a point. 

Danny Aguilar's 20th minute strike was cancelled out by Gustavo Ramos' 24 minute strike to end the derby in a draw. 

The draw means Deportivo are now 7th with 14 points while América are 14th with 9 points so far after 9 games. 

Both sides are in Cup action in midweek with Deportivo at home to Depor Aguablanca while América travel to Corporación Tuluá. 

Alianza Lima 0-1 Universitario Lima

The Big Peru Classico ended with Alianza Lima suffering defeat to their bitter rivals Universitario on Sunday night. 

Universitario's John Galliquio scored the winner on 52 minutes to give Universitario the bragging rights of Lima. 

The result means Alianza slip to 7th with 10 points while Universitario move into 2nd with 13 points behind Juan Aurich. 

Alianza Lima will now have to respond to this set back with San Martin Lima next up after the international break. 

Universitario are at home to Sporting Cristal after the international break on April 5th. 

Uzbekistan: Tashkent derby

Today the Uzbek Oily Liga sees Pakhtakor Tashkent at home against Lokomotiv Tashkent. 

Pakhtakor are the more sucessful of the two sides regularly playing in the AFC champions league but will want the Tashkent bragging rights once again. 

The Oily Liga is just 2 games into the season and already the derby to look forward to. Pakhtakor are currently 4th on 4 points and surprisingly Lokomotiv are 3rd with 6 points from their opening games. 

Bohemians v Shamrock Rovers

The Dublin derby ended with Bohemians taking the spoils after two goals from Jason Bryne. A great game of football was witnessed at Dalymount Park for this big clash. And this game passed off largely without incident but there were a few little things goin on. 

Shamrock Rovers playing in their strange pink jersey played some brillient football at times and hasd shouts for a penalty turned down. 

But after 1 derby game it is Bohemians who win. 

Derby Sportlight Week 1: Sevilla v Real Betis

Sevilla v Real Betis:

I have come up with a derby backround for every week highlighting what ever derby around the world that comes to mind. So this week i have taught of the Sevilla v Real Betis derby. 

This derby is proberly the most violent in Spain due to the passion of the fans from either side of the city. Sevilla are the most sucessful when it comes to European trophies such as the UEFA Super Cup and 2 UEFA Cups in the Juande Ramos era in 2006-07. 

But Juande Ramos has managed both sides. He managed Real Betis from 2001-2004. But Ramos, now of Real Madrid isn't hated by Sevilla. His appointment as Sevilla boss in 2005 was a bit ify but he lead Sevilla to their greatest era in their history winning back-to-back UEFA Cups and a Super Cup. 

Trophies:

Real Betis though have had some glory themselves. They have won La Liga once in 1935 and have 2 Copa Del Rey titles most recent was in 2005. 

Sevilla meanwhile also have one La Liga title (1946) but have 4 Copa Del Rey successes with the most recent in 2007. A Spanish super Cup and the European cups they have won fill their cabinet. 

Stadiums:

Sevilla play their home games in the Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán which holds around 45,500. 

Real Betis play their home games at the Estadio Manuel Ruiz De Lopera which holds 51,309. 

Ukraine: Kiev derby

On Monday March 23rd 2009 Dynamo Kiev will host Kiev rivals Arsenal in what should be a big game for both sides. 

Although not considered the biggest derby this game still offers the chance for both Kiev rivals to get bragging rights. 

Dynamo Kiev currently top the Premier League with 52 points from 20 games and are 12 points clear of Shakhtar Donetsk. Arsenal on the other hand are 11th with 20 points from 19 games. 

Colombia: Superclásico

Showdown in Cali. América Cali will face Deportivo Cali this weekend. Deportivo have home advantage this time and both sides are at different ends in the table. 

América Cali have had a disaserous start with just 8 points from 7 games and haven't won in the last6 league games. 

Deportivo Cali meanwhile have won their last 3 league games and are currently 3rd a point behind current leaders Real Cartagena. The form is with Deportivo who start as favourites but as we all know the form book counts for nothing in the derby. 

Peru Super Classic Preview:

Peru will see its major derby this coming weekend with Alianza Lima hosting fierce local rivals Universitario Lima. 

Violence has marred this derby ever since the 1st derby on September 23rd 1928. Both clubs have a passion to hate each other and the clubs hardcore fans often organise brawls after or before the games. 

This will be the 322nd derby meeting and Alianza Lima are leading the way in the head-to-head table. Of the current 321 games played Alianza have won 120 and drawn 94 and scoring 437 goals. Universitario Lima have won 107 scoring 409 goals. 

Both sides lost their last games last weekend with Universitario losing 1-0 to Inti Gas on Saturday while Alianza Lima were victims of a 3-1 home defeat to José Galvez on Sunday. 

Both sides are level on points after 5 games of the season in Peru. Universitario are 3rd on goal difference with Alianza Lima 4th on goal difference. Both sides are currently a point behind Juan Aurich who have 11 points from 5 games. 

Croatia: Derby Review

The Zagreb derby took place today with Dinamo Zagreb beating NK Zagreb 4-1 in the HR Nogometni Cup semi-final 2nd leg. A 4-1 scoreline bought the aggergrate score to 6-1 and Dinamo will face arch-rivals Hajduk Split in the final. 

Dinamo face Osijek in the league this weekend while their opponents face Hajduk Split away. 

Bohemians v Shamrock Rovers

Two of Ireland most known clubs will battle it out at Dalymount Park on Friday March 20th 2009. Both sides currently have 4 points from the 1st 2 games of 2009 League of Ireland. But this fixture has a history of off-field riot which make it the most competitive fixture on the island. The Dublin Derby as it is called has seen pigs heads been thrown and heavy Gardaí patrols before during and after the games. 

But history will count for nothing on derby day this Friday night. The fans will be up for this. All the form goes away as these two battle it out to be called Dublin's best side until the next derby. 

Football Derbies Around the globe

This blog is devoted to derbies around the world far and wide. From Russia to USA to New Zealand this will cover the derby.