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Argentina: Champions Velez edge out River [Tue Sep 20th, 2005]
A goal by Claudio Enria five minutes before half-time enabled Velez Sarsfield to grab the three points away against River Plate at the Estadio Monumental.
River Plate, who were backed by a huge crowd that filled the Monumental, started strongly, and could have taken the lead on 12 minutes, but Ernesto Farias’ snapshot was saved by Velez goalkeeper Gaston Sessa after an inviting Gallardo cross from the right.
Six minutes later Velez came close, when a Leandro Gracian free kick flashed inches wide of River’s right post. Just one minute later, Colombian international Jairo Patino missed an incredible chance to put the Millonarios ahead. After some great work by Farias in the box, Patino blasted his shot over the bar when he just had the goalkeeper to beat.
In the 27th minute, River captain Marcelo Gallardo curled a free kick around the wall that looked like it might creep into the left post, but Gaston Sessa in the Velez goal miraculously saved the effort.
With five minutes left before the break, Claudio Enria put Velez ahead. Leandro Gracian stole the ball off Marcelo Gallardo in the right flank, ran into the box and sent a precise ball across goal that Enria tapped into the back of the net for his fourth goal of the season.
In time added on, Velez could have doubled their lead, but Santiago Ladino’s fine effort was well saved by German Lux in the River goal.
The second half saw a desperate River come out to pressure their opponents, and just a few minutes into the half they had a goal ruled out for offside.
Velez allowed River to come to them, and resorted to smart counterattacks in an effort to liquidate the match, especially through lively attacking players Leandro Gracian, and Lucas Castroman.
In the 29th minute River substitute Gaston Fernandez had a left-sided free kick tipped over the bar by Sessa.
Just a few minutes later Velez broke on the counter, and a fine header by Lucas Castroman was kept out by Lux’s feet.
In the final ten minutes River Plate pushed forward looking for the equaliser, but they didn’t create any clear chances other than long distance efforts from Gaston Fernandez, and Chilean defender Cristian Alvarez.
The result lifts Velez to fourth position on the table, while River sink to eleventh.
Apertura Results: Round 7
Sunday
Racing Club 2-2 Olimpo
Argentinos 1-0 Rosario Central
Banfield 2-0 Colon
Instituto 0-0 Gimnasia Jujuy
Newell’s Old Boys 1-3 Arsenal Sarandi
River Plate 0-1 Velez Sarsfield
Gimnasia La Plata 0-1 Boca Juniors
Friday
Quilmes 1-1 Independiente
Saturday
Tiro Federal 0-1 Estudiantes La Plata
San Lorenzo 1-1 Lanus
Gregory Sica
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