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Argentina's Boca Juniors struggle but win the Recopa [Fri Sep 2nd, 2005]
Boca Juniors lost 2-1 against Once Caldas, but were still crowned Recopa Champions after winning the two-legged final 4-3 on aggregate.
Last week Boca cruised to a comfortable 3-1 home victory over last year's Copa Libertadores champions, but the return leg in Manizales was a different story, as Boca were very lucky not to have lost by a bigger margin.
Once Caldas took a 7th minute lead when Edison Chara latched onto a good through ball from Arnulfo Valentierra, and chipped Boca goalkeeper Roberto Abbondancieri to give the Colombians a much-needed boost.
Once continued to attack and created many good opportunities to add a second, but were unable to capitalise from a shaky Boca, who didn’t look a shadow of the side that took a 17th minute three-goal lead in the first leg just a week ago.
Danger man Edison Chara, who opened the scoring for the Colombians, created huge problems for the Boca defence with his speed and eye for goal.
It looked like midfielder Elkin Soto finally would put Once two up, but his powerful long distance strike was remarkably saved by Abbondancieri when it looked like it was going into the right angle of the goal.
Boca almost got on level terms just minutes later, but a Fernando Gago effort came off the left post.
From the 42nd minute the flow of the match would dramatically change as Uruguayan referee Jorge Larrionda sent off Once’s best player Edison Chara, giving him his second yellow card after he protested a refereeing decision.
It seemed likely that Larrionda did not remember that Chara was on a yellow, but he did not change his mind, even though he was pressured to do so by the Colombians.
The one man advantage gave Boca reason to push for an equaliser, and just before half-time Marcelo Delgado came very close, as his spectacular drive dipped and swerved before hitting the Once Caldas crossbar.
In the second half, Boca coach Alfio Basile introduced playmaker Federico Insua, who is usually a regular in his side.
Insua inspired Boca to at least start generating some good play, and in the 59th minute they were able to equalise, as centre back Rolando Schiavi shot in after a Neri Cardoso effort came off the post and into his path.
In the 70th minute Once were reduced to nine men after Larrionda dismissed Andres Casana, who intentionally swung his arm into Gago’s face.
After their second sending off it seemed that Once was down and out, but in the 76th minute Ruben Velazquez gave them a lifeline after scoring with a precise header, and to make things better for the Colombians Boca’s Sebastian Battaglia was dismissed just a minute later after his left boot connected with an opponents face.
Once Caldas looked for their third, which would take the match into a penalty shootouts, but Boca defended the late Colombian onslaught with great determination and were able to hang onto their advantage to claim the title.
It is likely that Boca will face European Super Cup Champions Liverpool later on in the year to determine the Intercontinental Champions for 2005.
ONCE CALDAS 2 (3) Ronaldo Ramirez, Wilmer Diaz, Edgard Catano, Juan Diego Gonzalez, Mauricio Casierra (Cristian Ruiz 64), Andres Casanas, Ruben Velazquez, Arnulfo Valentierra, Elkin Soto, Edison Chara and Ismael Espiga (Dayro Moreno 58). Coach: Juan Carlos Bedoya.
BOCA JUNIORS 1 (4) Roberto Abbondancieri, Hugo Ibarra, Rolando Schiavi, Daniel Diaz, Juan Krupoviesa, Sebastian Battaglia, Neri Cardozo (Diego Cagna 81), Fernando Gago, Fabian Vargas (Federico Insua 45), Daniel Bilos and Marcelo Delgado (Rodrigo Palacio 75). Coach: Alfio Basile.
Goals:
Once Caldas-Edison Chara (7 minutes), Ruben Velazquez (76 minutes).
Boca Juniors-Rolando Schiavi (59 minutes).
Referee: Jorge Larrionda (Uruguay).
Stadium: Estadio Palogrande (Manizales).
Gregory Sica
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