South American Football Thread

is there anybody at this game?

nice comeback goal by Viatri for Boca...http://hastaelgolsiempre.com/2012/05/21/clausura-2012-viatri-is-back-with-a-bang-for-boca-belgrano-shock-velez-more-video/#more-6719

91st minute goal for Boca away to Flu to send them into the semis.

Fluminense players are in tears, there's no extra time in SA, 30 seconds from penos.

SAO PAULO (AP) -The Copa Libertadores semifinals begin this week with defending champion Santos of Brazil and six-time winner Boca Juniors of Argentina favorites to book a spot in the finals of Latin America's most important club competition.

Santos, led by young sensation Neymar, will face Brazilian rival Corinthians on Wednesday. Boca Juniors, commanded by veteran playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme, will play against Universidad de Chile a day later.

The tradition and the recent success of Santos and Boca Juniors in the competition give them an edge over their rivals entering the semifinals, even though Corinthians and Universidad de Chile had stronger campaigns this year.

Santos won its third title last year, while Boca Juniors won four of its six trophies in the last 12 years. The 2003 title came in a final against Santos.

Santos will host the first leg against Corinthians at the Vila Belmiro stadium in Santos, while Boca Juniors will host Universidad de Chile on Thursday at the La Bombonera in Buenos Aires.

"Without a doubt (Boca Juniors) is one of the best teams in South America,'' Universidad de Chile coach Jorge Sampaoli said. "If they are allowed to control possession they will certainly win the match. They have very fast and outstanding players up front. It would be extremely glorious to be able to beat them at the La Bombonera.''

Universidad de Chile has never won the Copa Libertadores. It will be trying to reach the final for the first time, and give Chile its first ever title. A Chilean club hasn't reached the final since Cobreloa did it in 1981 and 1982.

Like Universidad de Chile, Corinthians also hasn't won the Copa Libertadores. The club is the defending Brazilian champion but it has never had much success internationally. It won the inaugural FIFA Club World Cup in 2000, when it was invited as the host team, but never thrived much outside of Brazil.

"This is the team's greatest moment, to be in contention in the Copa Libertadores,'' Corinthians coach Tite said. "Our focus is on these next two matches, they will be huge.''

Corinthians has been resting some of its regular starters in the Brazilian league, and it's last in the 20-team standings after losing three of its first four matches.

"We have to prioritize one of the competitions, we can't win all of them,'' Tite said.

Santos also is struggling in the national league, but on Wednesday it can count on the return of Neymar, who has been away with the Brazil national team.

"Neymar's return will be a huge addition to the team in the match against Corinthians,'' Santos midfielder Henrique said. "He is our top player, makes a difference.''

Boca Juniors leads the Clausura tournament in Argentina and picked up momentum in the Copa Libertadores after a difficult start in the competition. It eliminated Union Espanola 5-3 on aggregate in the round of 16 and Fluminense 2-1 in the quarterfinals.

Santos got past Bolivar 9-2 in the round of 16 after an 8-0 routing in the second leg, then eliminated Argentina's Velez Sarsfield on penalties in the quarterfinals.

Boca Juniors and Santos played in the 2003 Copa Libertadores final, when the Argentine club came out on top after winning 2-0 at home and 3-1 in Brazil. Santos was led by striker Robinho and playmaker Diego, while Riquelme was Boca Juniors' outstanding player.

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/soccer/wires/06/11/2080.ap.soc.copa.libertadores.preview.1st.ld.writethru.564/index.html#ixzz1xcCG0qCi

Apparently Argentinos Juniors -v- All Boys clasico has finished 9-7.

And I mean 9 men against 7 men, not goals. Must have been some scrap.

Universidad de Chile win a third title in a row. Beating O'Higgins on penalties. End of an era as Jorge Sampaoli leaves, probably for Flamengo. Another one of Bielsa's apprentices.

PhilliyK wrote: Documentary starting on espn I see at 22.30 called Football is God, about 3 boca j fans and the relation between faith and football, could be good as espn had a few good sports shows on the past week or 2  anyone seen this before by the way able to tell if decent or wha?

Was this any good? Gets good reviews online.

Seedorf opens his Botafogo account with a beautiful free kick.


Some lad missed two penos on his debut for Racing earlier.
Didn't get a chance to equal Martin Palermo's great record though.

PhilliyK wrote: See Vasco De Gama v Corinthuans is live on espn at 8

I was in Olympic mode so I missed this. Sounds like it was a boring 0-0 anyways.

Ronaldinho still top of the table followed closely by Juninho and then Deco.

Santos having a good season, one point above the relegation zone. No Copa Libertadores for them, even Neymar can't save them when he comes back.