Monday, April 27, 2009
Partizan Belgrade 4-1 OFK Belgrade
Monday, April 20, 2009
Other Derbies:
Juventus 1-1 Inter Milan
It is Inter Milan who will be happy with this result as their 10 points cushion over Juventus remains intact.
Mario Balotelli gave Inter the lead on 64 minutes before Zdenek Grygera's last gasp equiliser meant a share of the spoils for both sides.
Juventus also had Tiago sent-off. Inter Milan are away to Napoli next Sunday while Juventus are away to Reggina also on Sunday.
Universidad de Chile 1-3 Colo Colo
The big Chile derby ended with Colo Colo taking the 3 points in a game that had violence and on field duals. Lucas Barrios helped himself to 2 goals on 13 and 34 minutes and Juan Olivera pulled one back for the hosts before Luis Figueroa made it 1-3 to Colo Colo.
Colo Colo move into 13th with 14 points from 13 games while Universidad de Chile remain 2nd 10 points off Unión Española
Chivas Guadalajara 1-0 América
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Derbies this Weekend:
In Italy we have the top two facing off. Juventus v Inter Milan. Inter are currently 10 points clear of Juventus but a win for Juventus will close that to 7 points with 6 games left.
In Mexico the big two clubs face off in Guadalajara. Chivas v América the two biggest clubs in Mexico argubly. They face off on Sunday with both sides in Group 2 seperated by a point.
Chile has its biggest derby with Universtad de Chile hosting Colo Colo. The biggest rivalary in Chile and its on Sunday.
Slavia Prague 1-1 Sparta Prague
Monday saw Slavia face Sparta in a game that was to decide whether Sparta will catch Slavia. Sparta started well with Roman Hubnik giving them the lead on 35 minutes. But Slavia pressed and pressed and levelled the scores on 82 minutes with Petr Janda scoring the goal that could well have given Slavia the title.
Slavia remain top by 11 points from Sparta in 2nd with 6 games left.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Other Derbies Round-Up:
In Spain the Basque derby between Osasuna and Athletic Bilbao finish with the home side winning 2-1.
In Argentina San Lorenzo lost at home to city rivals Vélez Sársfield. Hernan López with the only goal that moves Vélez Sársfield into 1st place ahead of Colón Santa Fe.
In England Preston hosted arch-rivals Blackpool with the away side winning thanks to Charlie Adam's winner on 43 minutes.
Al Hilal 1-2 Al Ittihad
Al Ittihad are the champions of Saudi Arabia after beating Al Hilal 1-2 away. Naif Hazazi gave Al Ittihad the lead on 18 minutes to give Al Hilal a mountain to climb.
The home side did win a penalty on 50 minutes in which Romanian Mirel Radoi converted the level the scores at 1-1. But Al Ittihad scored what turned out to be the winner on 70 minutes when Hicham Aboucherouane scored.
So Al Ittihad top the league for 2008-09 with 55 points from the 22 games while Al Hilal finish 2nd with 50 points.
CSKA Moskva 4-1 Lokomotiv Moskva
CSKA Moskva recored a big win over Moskva rivals Lokomotiv on Sunday. Alan Dzagoev gave CSKA the lead on 35 minutes and that was followed by Yuri Zhirkov making it 2-0 on 55 minutes. Lokomotiv were shocked and fell 3-0 behind when Alan Dzagoev got his 2nd of the day on 72 minutes.
Lokomotiv pulled a goal back on 78 minutes thanks to Marko Basa but CSKA made it 4-1 on 87 minutes when Ouwa Maazou found the Lokomotiv net.
CSKA move into 5th place with 7 points from 4 games while Lokomotiv slip to 9th with 5 points from 4 games.
Glentoran 1-1 Linfield
A draw in the end but Linfield should've won. Paul Munster gave Linfield the lead with a goal on 51 minutes before they contiunued to pressurise the Glentoran defence.
Glentoran then shocked Linfield by rescuing a point thanks to Michael Halliday's 90th minute equiliser.
Glentoran face a trip to Crusaders on Tuesday night while Linfield travel to Coleraine also on Tuesday night.
Bohemians 3-0 St Patrick's
Lazio v Roma
Lazio stole the show on Saturday afternoon by beating arch-rivals Roma 4-2 in a game that saw 3 players sent-off.
Lazio took an early lead through Goran Pandev on 2 miniutes before Mauro Zaraté made it 2-0 just 2 minutes later. Philipe Mexès pulled a goal back for Roma on 10 minutes but Lazio continued to press and Stephen Lichtsteiner made it 3-1 on 58 minutes. Roma then had Christian Panucci sent-off before Lazio had Matuzalem sent-off for fighting with Philipe Mexès who was also sent-off. Daniele De Rossi made it 3-2 on 80 minutes to give Roma hope of a result. But Aleksandr Kolarov secured the points and erby win for Lazio with a goal on 85 minutes. Lazio win 4-2.
Lazio stay 9th after this result while Roma stay 6th.
LA Galaxy 0-0 Chivas USA
The Los Angeles rivals played out a 0-0 draw in the MLS on Saturday. Chivas came into the game with a 100% win record after 3 MLS games but couldn't find a way past the Galaxy defence.
The SuperClásico result means Chivas USA top the MLS overall table with 10 points while Galaxy are only on 2 points from 3 games.
The derby also saw Greg Berhalter make his Galaxy debut having signed last week on a free transfer.
Galatasaray 0-0 Fenerbahce
Not the result either side wanted as they continue to trail leaders Sivasspor but the match was marred by and one field brawl between both sets of players. Diego Lugano of Fenerbahce headbutted Emre Asik of Galatasaray and it resulted in a massive brawl in which 4 players were sent-off. Emre Asik and Arda Turan for Galatasaray and Diego Lugano and Semih Senturk for Fenerbahce. Both sides needed the win to put any sort of pressure on Sivasspor who are now 8 points clear of the two sides.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Galatasaray v Fenerbahce Preview
The biggest game in Turkey kicks off on Sunday evening and the venue will be on the European side of Istanbul in the Ali Sami Yen stadium which has seen some great derbies down the years. Galatasaray go into this game on the back of a narrow 1-0 win over Gaziantepspor last weekend while the week before they were shocked 1-0 by Eskisehirspor. Milan Baros should start while Harry Kewell has been in good form in the UEFA Cup campaign.
Fenerbahce meanwhile have not had a brillient run themselves wit just 1 win in the last three games. They beat Eskisehirspor 2-1 last weekend and lost to Bursaspor 2-1 the week before. Coach Luis Aragones is under serious pressure having fallen behind leaders Sivasspor and a derby win will ease that pressure. Daniel Guiza hasen't been anything like last season but could get a start if Alex is not avalable.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Derbies this Weekend:
This weekend has some of the biggest derbies in Europe and the World on show. It is quiet a busy weekend of derbies across the world.
Where else to start but Rome where Lazio face Roma with Lazio having "home" advantage. Lazio go into this game having lost away to Siena last Sunday while Roma were 2-1 winner over Bologna also on Sunday.
In Turkey the big derby of the season sees Galatasaray "welcome" Fenerbahce to the Ali Sami Yen on Sunday night. This is one of the biggest derbies in the world for its passionate fans and this could decide who goes on to challenge for the title. Both sides are locked on 47 points each from 26 games.
In the Czech Republic the top 2 sides go head-to-head with Slavia Prague hosting arch-rivals Sparta Prague in a game that will decide weather Slavia will win the league. Slavia are 11 points clear of Sparta in 2nd and a defeat for Sparta could all but gurantee that Slavia will win the Czech Liga.
In the Rep of Ireland Bohemians host Dublin rivals St Patrick's on Saturday night. A big game for both sides Bohemians currently 2nd while St Patrick's are in 5th.
Northern Ireland see Glentoran host Linfield in the championship play-offs. That kicks-off on Friday night and the big rivals will be gunning for glory when the play-offs finish on May 2nd.
In Russia CSKA Moskva host Lokomotiv Moskva in a game that both sides need to win. CSKA are 3 points behind leaders Zenit St Petersburg while Lokomotiv are 2 points off the top.
In Sweden 2nd city v Capital city is on the agenda as IFK Göteborg host Djurgården. Both sides will be going for it on Saturday and this will be a though game to call.
In Saudi Arabia we have the two biggest clubs face each other on Saturday night as Al Hilal host Al Ittihad. A Title showdown this as Al Ittihad are just 2 points clear of Al Hilal in the table.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Omonia Nicosia 1-2 APOEL Nicosia
The Cypriot championship play-offs for the weekend concluded on Monday night with the top 2 facing off in the Capital. Omonia needed a win to close in on runaway leaders APOEL and got off to a good start when Rasheed Alabi scored on 8 minutes. The Omoia fateful dreamed of beating their arch-rivals but on 68 minutes APOEL levelled thanks to Christos Kontis. But Omonia let another slip as on 83 minutes Helio Pinto scored the winner.
Omonia are away to AEL Limassol next weekend while APOEL host Anorthosis Famagusta.
CSKA Sofia 2-1 Slavia Sofia
The minor Sofia derby ended with CSKA beating city rivals Slavia 2-1 with two penalties from Yordan Todorov.
It was Slavia who took a shock lead through Deniran Ortega on 13 minutes but CSKA aren't chasing the title for nothing and levelled thanks to Yordan Todorov's 1st penalty of the day on 22 minutes. Slavia were now being pegged back and on 76 minutes conceded a 2nd penalty which Todorov converted to give CSKA Sofia a 2-1 derby win and as it turns out the lead in the title race.
Arch-Rivals Levski could only draw away to Cherno More on Saturday and CSKA Sofia now lead by a point from Levski. Slavia are 6th with 30 points from 20 games.
CSKA Sofia are away to Minyor Pernik while Slavia host Spartak Varna.
Gimnasia La Plata 1-1 Estudiantes La Plata
The La Plata derby had its goals and excitment as both sides ended up with a controvsersial 1-1 draw.
Juan Cuevas had given Gimnasia the lead on 71 minutes but that would lead to controversy towards the end of the game. Gimnasia were crusing until 89 minutes when Estudiantes pushed Gimnasia back. Then 6 minutes into added time Cristian Sánchez Prette scored the equailiser that caused joy for Estudiantes and dispair for Gimnasia. Then both sides had a player sent off for violent conduct. Diego Villar for Gimnasia and Leondro Benítez f Estudiantes both seeing red.
The draw will be better for Gimnasia with them in 6th place with 12 points from 8 games. But Estudiantes needed a win and the draw leaves them in 19th with 6 points from 8 games.
Gimnasia are away to Godoy Cruz next weekend while Estudiantes host Boca Juniors!
Friday, April 3, 2009
Derbies this Weekend:
The Domestic leagues resume this weekend after the Internationals and this means somewhere around the world there is a derby.
Where to start but Argentina. Forget your Buenos Aires derbies the La Plata derby takes place on Sunday evening with Gimnasia La Plata facing arch-rivals Estudiantes La Plata. The derby has a history of violence and expect a hostile atmosphere come Sunday.
There is a big title derby on show in Northern Ireland this weekend. Glentoran host Linfield. The destination of the title could be sorted tonight with both sides neck and neck in the title race. The play-offs begin this weekend and what a game to start off with.
Bulgaria we have a Sofia derby but the less derby. CSKA host Slavia and with CSKA a point behind Levski they need a win. Slavia are 6th.
Cyprus the Nicosia derby takes place with Omonia hosting APOEL. The 2nd round of matches in the play-off for the championship. That game takes place on Monday evening.
Derby Spotlight Week 3: Lazio v Roma
This weeks' derby spotlight shines on the Rome derby that is Lazio v Roma. A very competitive game and is one of the most eagerly anticipated games in the Serie A calendar. Games have been spoiled by violence off the pitch down the years and each team claiming to be better than the other.
Lazio hail from Rome's upper-class area while Roma are from the working-class area of Rome. The two sides ground-share, which is common in Italy. The Stadio Olimpico has seen some fantastic games through the years gone by.
The last 5 years or so have seen a massive decline for Lazio. The sky-blues have seen players bought for millions upon millions leave and nowadays have a strong-unit of players but compared to 2000 or 2001 the team have stuggled.
The Sven Goran-Eriksson era of the late 90s early 00s are a long time ago. Players like Gaizka Medieta, Alesandro Nesta and Pavel Nedved were all sold on cheaps having been bought for world record transfer fees. The current crop his headed by Mauro Zaraté, Goran Pandev and Simone Inzaghi.
Roma on the other-hand were playing 2nd fiddle to Lazio during that era but are now regularly playing in the Champions League. Roma made the quarter-finals in 2006-07 but lost heavily to Man United and again in 2007-08 they made the Quarter-Finals and lost to Man United. 2008-09 they made the Last 16 and lost to Arsenal on penalties.
The derby this season has seen Roma beat Lazio 1-0 back in November. The next derby is 11th April 2009.
At the moment Roma lead the head-to-head record with 58 wins and 59 draws to Lazio's 45 wins.
Costa Rica 1-0 El Salvador
The game of the round in North America's final group stage saw Costa Rica host rivals El Salvador in San José.
Costa Rica though will be celebrating this win as they move up to 2nd behind the USA. A Hard-fought 1-0 win over a good El Salvador side means Costa Rica are moving in the right direction. Walter Centeno scored the only goal on 69 minutes that secured Costa Rica the win and give them confidence ahead of their next game against the USA on the 3rd of June.
Elsewhere Mexico suffered a 3-1 defeat in Honduras and the USA secured a 3-0 win over Trindad & Tobago in Nashville.
Czech Republic 1-2 Slovakia
The Czech Republic suffered defeat to former allies Slovakia on Wednesday night. Petr Rada's men had been off the pace in the group before this match and needed a win to climb back into contention.
But Slovakia took the lead on 22 minutes through Stanislav Sestak. The Czechs levelled on 30 minutes when Marek Jankulovski hamered home. But Slovakia secured the win on 82 minutes thanks to a goal from Erik Jendrisek.
The defeat leaves the Czechs in 4th place with 8 points from 6 games. Slovakia meanwhile are 2nd with 12 points from 5 games and have 2 games in hand on Northern Ireland who are currently a point ahead of them.
South Korea 1-0 North Korea
The Korea derby ended in a 1-0 win for the South in what was a crucial win for them and their hopes of making it to South Africa next year.
The favourites had chances to win before the eventually got the goal they needed thanks to Kim-Chi-Woo who struck with just 4 miniutes left. South Korea manager Huh-Jong-Moo opted to start Park-Ji-sung and the Manchester United winger played well to give his nation the win over their Northern counterparts.
North Korea had their chances but ultimately failed to convert them and coach Kim-Jong-Huh will need points in June.
The win leaves Group 2 in Asia's fourth qualifying round wide open with South Korea top with 11 points from 5 games while North Korea and Saudi Arabia are in 2nd and 3rd with 10 points from 6 games. Iran are 4th with 6 points from 5 games and the UAE are 5th with a point from 6 games.