Independiente pegged back by Gimnasia
Reuters - Thursday 08 April 2010, 03:31
BUENOS AIRES - Colombian striker Marco
Perez scored twice as Gimnasia-La Plata halted Independiente's
charge towards the Argentine Clausura championship on
Wednesday.
Perez scored midway through each half to help Gimnasia to a
2-1 victory over Independiente, whose midfielder Federico
Mancuello hit an equaliser five minutes before halftime.
Independiente, who had been unbeaten in seven matches, have
27 points from 13 games, three points ahead of second-placed
Godoy Cruz who visit Racing Club on Thursday.
Title holders Banfield beat San Lorenzo 2-0 to hand their
new coach Sebastian Mendez, appointed after Diego Simeone
resigned at the weekend, a losing start.
It was the eighth defeat in 13 games for San Lorenzo, one
of several ailing giants of the Argentine game including Boca
Juniors, River Plate and Racing Club.
Midfielder Roberto Battion put Banfield ahead after 12
minutes, heading home Walter Erviti's corner, and striker Ruben
Ramirez converted a penalty two minutes before halftime.
Banfield are joint third with Argentinos Juniors, away to
Rosario Central on Thursday, on 22 points.
DRY RIVER
Struggling giants River Plate lost 1-0 at home to Newell's
Old Boys who scored from a lucky rebound six minutes into the
second half through Paraguayan Jorge Achucarro, who was falling
over as he lobbed keeper Daniel Vega.
River have lost their last four matches without scoring.
They have the third worst attack in the division with eight
goals in 13 games.
Former Argentine forward Ariel Ortega was brought back into
the team by coach Leo Astrada after a long absence due to the
veteran player's drinking problems and he was one of the better
players on the pitch.
However, the River faithful in the stands were baying for
the players' blood as they walked off heads bowed at the end,
some palming their hearts demanding the players show more
passion and fight.
Tigre striker Carlos Luna scored twice in their 3-1 win
over bottom team Atletico Tucuman on Tuesday to join Mauro
Boselli of Estudiantes at the top of the scoring chart with
nine. Gimnasia's Perez is next with seven.
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