Late Schiavi winner seals Newell's success
Reuters - Monday 19 October 2009, 03:11
BUENOS AIRES - Central defender Rolando
Schiavi, who helped Argentina qualify for the World Cup
midweek, scored the late winner in Newell's Old Boys' 2-1 home
victory over Estudiantes on Sunday.
The victory prevented Juan Sebastian Veron's Estudiantes
from taking the lead in the Apertura championship, which is led
by San Lorenzo after their 1-0 win over Rosario Central on
Friday.
San Lorenzo have 19 points from nine matches, one more
point than Colon, Argentinos Juniors and title holders Velez
Sarsfield. Estudiantes, Independiente, Banfield and Newell's
all have 17 points.
Former Boca Juniors defender Schiavi took a 78th minute
penalty after a handball by Estudiantes midfielder Rodrigo
Brana. Keeper Damian Albil parried Schiavi's spot kick but the
36-year-old netted the rebound.
Uruguayan striker Joaquin Boghossian headed Newell's in
front in the 29th minute from Jorge Achucarro's cross only for
Leandro Benitez to equalise within a minute after a solo run
through the defence.
BOCA WIN
Boca continued their recovery from a poor start to the
season with their third consecutive victory, 2-1 at home to
Tigre with two goals by Nicolas Gaitan. They have 14 points.
The victory will have boosted their confidence for next
Sunday's "superclasico" away to arch-rivals River Plate, one of
the world's great derbies.
"That was our best performance (of the championship)...We
feel we have an obligation to fight for the championship," Boca
playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme told reporters.
River ended a run of four away defeats with a 0-0 draw to
Huracan to move six points.
Goalkeeper Daniel Vega, back in the side after Nicolas
Navarro was dropped following last weekend's 3-1 home defeat by
Independiente, pulled off a string of fine saves to keep River
in the match.
"To shut up our goal was one thing we were betting on,"
coach Leonardo Astrada said.
Ailing giants Racing Club, two from bottom with four points
and no wins this season, were unable to benefit from the
presence of Argentina coach Diego Maradona at their away match
against Argentinos Juniors, which they lost 2-0 on Saturday.