Boca Juniors stay top in Argentina despite unexpected draw with Belgrano.
Despite having been held to a frustrating goalless draw by Belgrano de Cordoba in Round 11 of the Argentine Apertura championship, all of Boca Juniors' closest rivals dropped points, practically handing Boca exclusive rights to winning their 30th national championship.
Boca, Argentina's most widely supported club, have a five-point lead over second-placed Racing, who could only afford a draw at San Martin. The only possible title candidate to have won on the weekend were defending champions Velez Sarsfield, scraping a 2-1 win against the always-difficult Lanus.
Racing Club should be disappointed after dropping points at San Martin on Saturday. The Avellaneda club are Boca's closest rivals, with 19 points, but struggled against a San Martin side who sit in the bottom-end of the ladder.
Diego Simeone's side dominated much of the game, and Valetin Viola, Agustin Pelletieri, Gabriel Hauche and Giovanni Moreno all wasted chances to win them the three points. Had Racing made the most of their opportunities they would have won the match by a clear margin.
But they lacked sufficient accuracy in their finishing and had to settle for a dull goalless draw. Racing know that the result could have put an end to their title aspirations.
Newly-promoted Atletico Rafaela have been the surprise-package this season, however, this week they failed to close-in on league leaders Boca, after being on the wrong end of a 3-0 thrashing to Estudiantes.
Estudiantes, who were boosted by the news that captain Juan Sebastian Veron will prolong his retirement until the end of the season, won only their second match of the season courtesy of two goals from Gaston Fernandez and another from Mauro Boselli.
Rafaela trail Boca by six points, and can't afford to drop anymore points if they intend to remain in the title race.
Boca Juniors failed to close-in on the Apertura championship after being held to a frustrating goalless draw by Belgrano de Cordoba at the Bombonera stadium on Sunday. Boca knew that with their closest rivals Racing drawing and Rafaela losing a win would almost certainly gift them with the title, however, they failed to take advantage of the situation.
To make matters worse, striker Lucas Viatri will miss the remainder of the season after breaking ligaments in his left knee. Out of favour Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez witnessed the match from the stands, and Boca are expected to make an offer for the player, so that he can occupy the vacancy left by Viatri this season.
Boca, who are the odds on favourites to win the title, created the better goal-scoring opportunities against Belgrano, however, they lacked the killer punch. Belgrano, who sent Boca's crosstown rivals River Plate to the second division last season, defended well and had a couple of good chances to return home with the three points.
Clausura champions Velez Sarsfield climbed into sixth-place after coming from behind to defeat Lanus 2-1. Diego Valeri had put Lanus ahead from the penalty spot in the 34th minute, however, goals from Hector Canteros, in the 4nd minute, and from Fernando Ortiz, in the 88th minute, handed the three points to the side from Liniers.
After a poor start to the season Velez have recently picked up their game and although they trail Boca by eight points, they are renowned for being experts at picking up points in the business-end of the season.
Argentine Apertura Championship - Round 11 Results
October 14
Olimpo 1 - 1 Tigre
Newell's 0 - 0 Arsenal
San Lorenzo 1 - 0 Banfield
October 15
Independiente 2 - 1 Godoy Cruz Mza.
Union 1 - 1 All Boys
San Martin 0 - 0 Racing Club
October 16
Estudiantes 3 - 0 Atl. Rafaela
Argentinos 0 - 0 Colon
Boca Juniors 0 - 0 Belgrano
Lanus 1 - 2 Velez Sarsfield
Boca, Argentina's most widely supported club, have a five-point lead over second-placed Racing, who could only afford a draw at San Martin. The only possible title candidate to have won on the weekend were defending champions Velez Sarsfield, scraping a 2-1 win against the always-difficult Lanus.
Racing Club should be disappointed after dropping points at San Martin on Saturday. The Avellaneda club are Boca's closest rivals, with 19 points, but struggled against a San Martin side who sit in the bottom-end of the ladder.
Diego Simeone's side dominated much of the game, and Valetin Viola, Agustin Pelletieri, Gabriel Hauche and Giovanni Moreno all wasted chances to win them the three points. Had Racing made the most of their opportunities they would have won the match by a clear margin.
But they lacked sufficient accuracy in their finishing and had to settle for a dull goalless draw. Racing know that the result could have put an end to their title aspirations.
Newly-promoted Atletico Rafaela have been the surprise-package this season, however, this week they failed to close-in on league leaders Boca, after being on the wrong end of a 3-0 thrashing to Estudiantes.
Estudiantes, who were boosted by the news that captain Juan Sebastian Veron will prolong his retirement until the end of the season, won only their second match of the season courtesy of two goals from Gaston Fernandez and another from Mauro Boselli.
Rafaela trail Boca by six points, and can't afford to drop anymore points if they intend to remain in the title race.
Boca Juniors failed to close-in on the Apertura championship after being held to a frustrating goalless draw by Belgrano de Cordoba at the Bombonera stadium on Sunday. Boca knew that with their closest rivals Racing drawing and Rafaela losing a win would almost certainly gift them with the title, however, they failed to take advantage of the situation.
To make matters worse, striker Lucas Viatri will miss the remainder of the season after breaking ligaments in his left knee. Out of favour Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez witnessed the match from the stands, and Boca are expected to make an offer for the player, so that he can occupy the vacancy left by Viatri this season.
Boca, who are the odds on favourites to win the title, created the better goal-scoring opportunities against Belgrano, however, they lacked the killer punch. Belgrano, who sent Boca's crosstown rivals River Plate to the second division last season, defended well and had a couple of good chances to return home with the three points.
Clausura champions Velez Sarsfield climbed into sixth-place after coming from behind to defeat Lanus 2-1. Diego Valeri had put Lanus ahead from the penalty spot in the 34th minute, however, goals from Hector Canteros, in the 4nd minute, and from Fernando Ortiz, in the 88th minute, handed the three points to the side from Liniers.
After a poor start to the season Velez have recently picked up their game and although they trail Boca by eight points, they are renowned for being experts at picking up points in the business-end of the season.
Argentine Apertura Championship - Round 11 Results
October 14
Olimpo 1 - 1 Tigre
Newell's 0 - 0 Arsenal
San Lorenzo 1 - 0 Banfield
October 15
Independiente 2 - 1 Godoy Cruz Mza.
Union 1 - 1 All Boys
San Martin 0 - 0 Racing Club
October 16
Estudiantes 3 - 0 Atl. Rafaela
Argentinos 0 - 0 Colon
Boca Juniors 0 - 0 Belgrano
Lanus 1 - 2 Velez Sarsfield
