| Round 5 Playoff Results | Round 6 Playoff Results | |||||
| Group A | Group A | |||||
| Equidad | 0-1 | Santa Fe | Quindio | 1-2 | Nacional | |
| Tolima | 4-3 | Huila | Cucuta | 2-1 | Once Caldas | |
| Group B | Group B | |||||
| Once Caldas | 4-1 | Quindio | Santa Fe | 0-1 | Tolima | |
| Nacional | 1-1 | Cucuta | Huila | 2-1 | Equidad | |
Sunday, 12 December 2010
Tolima book place in the Colombian Football League playoff final
Deportes Tolima left it late to seal their place in the Colombian football league final with a beautiful strike from striker Medina in the 89th minute. Tolima will face Once Caldas in the home and away play off final which begins on Wednesday evening.
Tuesday, 30 November 2010
Atletico Nacional all but eliminated from Colombian Football League playoffs
Atletico Nacional of are all but mathematically eliminated from the Colombian football league playoffs. The Medellin suffered a deserved 3-1 defeat at home to high-flying Once Caldas who move to the top of Group B on 7 points. Their closest rivals are Deportes Quindio who beat Cucuta Deportivo 2-1 at home on Sunday afternoon and are just one point behind the leaders.
In group A Santa Fe continued their excellent form with a 2-1 win over Atletico Huila and move 2 points clear of Deported Tolima who were held to a 1-1 draw by La Equidad of Bogota.
In group A Santa Fe continued their excellent form with a 2-1 win over Atletico Huila and move 2 points clear of Deported Tolima who were held to a 1-1 draw by La Equidad of Bogota.
| Round 3 Playoff Results | Round 4 Playoff Results | |||||
| Group A | Group A | |||||
| Santa Fe | 2-1 | Huila | Huila | 1-0 | Santa Fe | |
| Tolima | 1-1 | Equidad | Equidad | 1-0 | Tolima | |
| Group B | Group B | |||||
| Quindio | 2-1 | Cucuta | Cucuta | 1-0 | Quindio | |
| Nacional | 1-3 | Once Caldas | Once Caldas | 3-2 | Nacional | |
Sunday, 21 November 2010
Once Caldas move clear in Group B of Colombian Football League playoffs
Once Caldas beat Deportes Quindio 3-1 to move to the top of Group B after the second round of the Colombian Football League playoffs.
In group A Tolima and Santa Fe continue unbeaten atop the group of 4 teams with 4 points apiece.
In group A Tolima and Santa Fe continue unbeaten atop the group of 4 teams with 4 points apiece.
| Round 1 Playoff Results | Round 2 Playoff Results | |||||
| Group A | Group A | |||||
| Tolima | 2-2 | Santa Fe | Santa Fe | 3-1 | Equidad | |
| Equidad | 0-0 | Huila | Huila | 2-3 | Tolima | |
| Group B | Group B | |||||
| Nacional | 1-2 | Quindio | Quindio | 1-3 | Once Caldas | |
| Once Caldas | 0-0 | Cucuta | Cucuta | 2-2 | Nacional | |
Monday, 15 November 2010
Colombian Football League announces play off draw
The Colombian Football League today announced the draw for the play offs which begin this Saturday 20th November. The two groups of four are as follows:
Group A: Tolima, Santa Fe, Huila, La Equidad
Group B: Once Caldas, Atletico Nacional, Quindio, Cucuta
The first round of the play offs will be played this weekend with the Group A matches to be played on Saturday and Group B matches on Sunday:
Group A: Tolima, Santa Fe, Huila, La Equidad
Group B: Once Caldas, Atletico Nacional, Quindio, Cucuta
The first round of the play offs will be played this weekend with the Group A matches to be played on Saturday and Group B matches on Sunday:
| Playoffs - Round 1 Fixtures | ||
Group A | ||
| Tolima | vs | Santa Fe |
| Equidad | vs | Huila |
Group B | ||
| Nacional | vs | Quindio |
| Once Caldas | vs | Cucuta |
Sunday, 14 November 2010
Cucuta Deportivo seal final play off place
Cucuta Deportivo sealed their place in Colombian football's end of season play offs after a 2-0 win over Cartagena.
Deportivo Cali, Cucuta's closest challenger going into the final round of the season, won 3-0 away to already qualified Equidad, but it wasn't enough and left them lying in 9th position just shy of the play off zone.
So the 8 qualified teams are as follows: Tolima, Once Caldas, Santa Fe, Nacional, Quindio, Huila, Cucuta, Equidad. The draw for the playoffs will take place tomorrow (Monday).
Deportivo Cali, Cucuta's closest challenger going into the final round of the season, won 3-0 away to already qualified Equidad, but it wasn't enough and left them lying in 9th position just shy of the play off zone.
So the 8 qualified teams are as follows: Tolima, Once Caldas, Santa Fe, Nacional, Quindio, Huila, Cucuta, Equidad. The draw for the playoffs will take place tomorrow (Monday).
| Round 18 Results | ||||||
| Medellin | 3-2 | Millonarios | ||||
| Tolima | 3-0 | Nacional | ||||
| Equidad | 0-3 | Cali | ||||
| Pereira | 0-0 | Quindio | ||||
| Envigado | 2-2 | Junior | ||||
| Cortulua | 0-3 | Once Caldas | ||||
| Cartagena | 0-2 | Cucuta | ||||
| America | 4-0 | Chico | ||||
| Santa Fe | 3-0 | Huila | ||||
Saturday, 6 November 2010
Cucuta Deportivo favourites for final playoff spot
Cucuta Deportivo are now favourites to secure the play off berth following a resounding 3-0 win over Cortulua. The result confirmed the relegation of Cortulua back to the B Division after just one season in the top flight.
Cucuta's 3-0 victory came courtesy of a hat-trick from front man Wilson Carpintero. A win away at Cartagena on the final day of the Colombian football calendar will ensure them of a place in the last 8 and a draw or even a defeat could still suffice depending on other results.
America de Cali's hopes of securing a qualifying berth are all but mathematically over following a 3-1 defeat against Once Caldas of Manizales on Saturday night.
Meanwhile Millonarios again demonstrated their phenomenal ability to shoot themselves in the foot. The Bogota team twice led league leaders Tolima until an 88th minute own goal robbed them of all 3 points and left them with slim hopes of qualification. Millonarios must now beat Medellin away from home next Sunday and hope that Cucuta lose and that Cali fail to beat Equidad.
Cucuta's 3-0 victory came courtesy of a hat-trick from front man Wilson Carpintero. A win away at Cartagena on the final day of the Colombian football calendar will ensure them of a place in the last 8 and a draw or even a defeat could still suffice depending on other results.
America de Cali's hopes of securing a qualifying berth are all but mathematically over following a 3-1 defeat against Once Caldas of Manizales on Saturday night.
Meanwhile Millonarios again demonstrated their phenomenal ability to shoot themselves in the foot. The Bogota team twice led league leaders Tolima until an 88th minute own goal robbed them of all 3 points and left them with slim hopes of qualification. Millonarios must now beat Medellin away from home next Sunday and hope that Cucuta lose and that Cali fail to beat Equidad.
| Round 17 Results | Round 18 Fixtures | |||||
| Chico | 2-0 | Santa Fe | Medellin | vs | Millonarios | |
| Once Caldas | 3-1 | America | Tolima | vs | Nacional | |
| Millonarios | 2-2 | Tolima | Equidad | vs | Cali | |
| Huila | 1-1 | Medellin | Pereira | vs | Quindio | |
| Cucuta | 3-0 | Cortulua | Envigado | vs | Junior | |
| Junior | 1-1 | Cartagena | Cortulua | vs | Once Caldas | |
| Quindio | 3-2 | Envigado | Cartagena | vs | Cucuta | |
| Cali | 1-1 | Pereira | America | vs | Chico | |
| Nacional | 3-1 | Equidad | Santa Fe | vs | Huila | |
Tuesday, 2 November 2010
Final playoff place up for grabs
It's the business end of the Colombian football season and five teams (Tolima, Santa Fe, Once Caldas, Nacional and Atletico Huila) are already certain of a place in the end of season playoffs. La Equidad and Quindio, currently sitting in 6th and 7th place respectively, probably only require a point from their last two games to qualify. That leaves just one spot up for grabs going into round 17.
Five teams are vying for that final playoff place. Deportivo Cali are the current occupants of 8th position with 22 points and a superior goal difference to their rivals. But just one place back are Cucuta who have arguably the easiest run-in, and America de Cali who have recently hit a run of form. And sitting just behind them are Millonarios and Medellin both waiting to capitalise on any slip-ups from their rivals.
The battle for the last playoff spot will almost certainly come down to the last day of the regular season, but by 7.15pm on Sunday evening we may well have a clear front runner.
Five teams are vying for that final playoff place. Deportivo Cali are the current occupants of 8th position with 22 points and a superior goal difference to their rivals. But just one place back are Cucuta who have arguably the easiest run-in, and America de Cali who have recently hit a run of form. And sitting just behind them are Millonarios and Medellin both waiting to capitalise on any slip-ups from their rivals.
The battle for the last playoff spot will almost certainly come down to the last day of the regular season, but by 7.15pm on Sunday evening we may well have a clear front runner.
| Round 16 Results | Round 17 Fixtures | |||||
| Medellin | 1-0 | Tolima | Chico | vs | Santa Fe | |
| Equidad | 2-0 | Millonarios | Once Caldas | vs | America | |
| Pereira | 0-0 | Nacional | Millonarios | vs | Tolima | |
| Huila | 4-0 | Chico | Huila | vs | Medellin | |
| Envigado | 2-2 | Cali | Cucuta | vs | Cortulua | |
| Cartagena | 1-1 | Quindio | Junior | vs | Cartagena | |
| Cortulua | 2-0 | Junior | Quindio | vs | Envigado | |
| America | 0-0 | Cucuta | Cali | vs | Pereira | |
| Santa Fe | 1-1 | Once Caldas | Nacional | vs | Equidad | |
Friday, 22 October 2010
Crowd violence rears its ugly head at the Atanasio
A thrilling mid-week encounter between Atletico Nacional and Millonarios on Wednesday evening was marred by violent scenes after the match.
The rivalry between Nacional and Millonarios is arguably the fiercest rivalry in Colombian football and so hundreds of police were on hand equipped with water canon tanks lined up on the streets outside the Atanasio Giradot stadium to give the whole thing an almost war-like atmosphere.
I viewed the match from a siege-like position in the corner of the northern terrace where the away Millonarios supporters were stationed. Around a thousand Millonarios fans had made the trip from Bogota and a win would see their team move into the top eight playoff places for the first time this season. The vast majority of fans had arrived in a fleet of buses which had received a police escort from outside Medellin to the Atanasio stadium.
As I took my position on the terrace huge flares were lit from higher up in the stand and fireworks were sent up into the sky, as the supporters below dodged the flying sparks. The teams were out on the pitch and the atmosphere was electric.
Millonarios, having won their last 4 matches to move into playoff contention after a woeful start to the season, had the better of the first half.
The first chance came inside ten minutes with Millonarios defender Luis Mosquera hitting the bar with Nacional kepper Pezzuti beaten. Millonarios had other opportunities to open the scoring, but it was Nacional who took the lead courtesy of a gaping hole left by the Millonarios defence and a tidy finish from Nacional winger Dorlan Pabon.
The half time entertainment consisted of dodging the missiles being launched between sets of supporters. Bottles are easy to spot as they arch towards you, but coins are less easily detected and are thrown with such venom that by the time you see them it's usually too late. So it was with some relief when the players emerged from the tunnels and the stream of missiles died down.
Millonarios began the second half brightly, but a wonder strike from Jairo Palomino gave Nacional a two-goal cushion just 8 minutes after the break.
The Nacional fans to our left went wild as did the rest of the stadium, none more so than the die-hard Nacional fans (known as Los Del Sur) situated down in the south section of the ground.
The Millonarios fans continued their singing, and as hope of even a point seemed to be fading they were thrown a lifeline when Lionard Pajoy hit a well struck shot past the Nacional keeper to reduce the deficit to 2-1.
Millonarios were then reduced to ten men after a rash challenge by Millonarios right-back Carlos Saa and the Millonarios fight back petered out.
With ten minutes remaining the riot police began herding us out of the stand. The police seemed well prepared outside the ground with barriers closing off a large section around the outside of the stadium. We were moved swiftly along to shouts of "Rapido muchachos!" from the mounted police.
As the first of the thousand or so Millonarios supporters boarded the buses that would whisk them back to the capital I slipped away and hailed a taxi from a quiet nearby street. The local radio station in the taxi relayed the remaining minutes and as I arrived home to turn on the TV the match ended in victory for Atletico Nacional of Medellin.
Jubilant fans were being interviewed outside the ground when the worried face of the female reporter announced that police had just begun to fire tear gas and the feed was abruptly ended.
It later transpired that the Nacional fans had clashed with police attempting to hold them within the south section of the stand. Fans had attacked police with rocks and knives, and went on to damage the Metro, which runs close to the stadium, local houses and even their own teams' bus. The clashes continued for some time, with the police firing shots and tear gas and, following the capture of numerous fans, confiscating a total of 180 knives. One Nacional fan received a gun shot from the police and was taken to hospital.
Officials have called for Atletico Nacional to play their remaining games this season behind closes doors until measures are taken to ensure events like this are not repeated. Riots are commonplace outside football stadia in Colombia, but this particular riot seemed to defy common sense as, firstly, their team had just won, and secondly the rival fans were by then miles from the ground.
The victory moved Atletico Nacional into 3rd spot with Millonarios back in 10th needing a minumum of 3 wins from their remaining 4 matches.
This is the RCN news report on the match and some of the trouble which followed:
The rivalry between Nacional and Millonarios is arguably the fiercest rivalry in Colombian football and so hundreds of police were on hand equipped with water canon tanks lined up on the streets outside the Atanasio Giradot stadium to give the whole thing an almost war-like atmosphere.
I viewed the match from a siege-like position in the corner of the northern terrace where the away Millonarios supporters were stationed. Around a thousand Millonarios fans had made the trip from Bogota and a win would see their team move into the top eight playoff places for the first time this season. The vast majority of fans had arrived in a fleet of buses which had received a police escort from outside Medellin to the Atanasio stadium.
As I took my position on the terrace huge flares were lit from higher up in the stand and fireworks were sent up into the sky, as the supporters below dodged the flying sparks. The teams were out on the pitch and the atmosphere was electric.
 |
| The away Millonarios section just prior to kick off |
The first chance came inside ten minutes with Millonarios defender Luis Mosquera hitting the bar with Nacional kepper Pezzuti beaten. Millonarios had other opportunities to open the scoring, but it was Nacional who took the lead courtesy of a gaping hole left by the Millonarios defence and a tidy finish from Nacional winger Dorlan Pabon.
The half time entertainment consisted of dodging the missiles being launched between sets of supporters. Bottles are easy to spot as they arch towards you, but coins are less easily detected and are thrown with such venom that by the time you see them it's usually too late. So it was with some relief when the players emerged from the tunnels and the stream of missiles died down.
Millonarios began the second half brightly, but a wonder strike from Jairo Palomino gave Nacional a two-goal cushion just 8 minutes after the break.
The Nacional fans to our left went wild as did the rest of the stadium, none more so than the die-hard Nacional fans (known as Los Del Sur) situated down in the south section of the ground.
The Millonarios fans continued their singing, and as hope of even a point seemed to be fading they were thrown a lifeline when Lionard Pajoy hit a well struck shot past the Nacional keeper to reduce the deficit to 2-1.
 | |
| The away Millos fans watch from a distance as Pajoy prepares to fire a consolation |
With ten minutes remaining the riot police began herding us out of the stand. The police seemed well prepared outside the ground with barriers closing off a large section around the outside of the stadium. We were moved swiftly along to shouts of "Rapido muchachos!" from the mounted police.
As the first of the thousand or so Millonarios supporters boarded the buses that would whisk them back to the capital I slipped away and hailed a taxi from a quiet nearby street. The local radio station in the taxi relayed the remaining minutes and as I arrived home to turn on the TV the match ended in victory for Atletico Nacional of Medellin.
Jubilant fans were being interviewed outside the ground when the worried face of the female reporter announced that police had just begun to fire tear gas and the feed was abruptly ended.
It later transpired that the Nacional fans had clashed with police attempting to hold them within the south section of the stand. Fans had attacked police with rocks and knives, and went on to damage the Metro, which runs close to the stadium, local houses and even their own teams' bus. The clashes continued for some time, with the police firing shots and tear gas and, following the capture of numerous fans, confiscating a total of 180 knives. One Nacional fan received a gun shot from the police and was taken to hospital.
Officials have called for Atletico Nacional to play their remaining games this season behind closes doors until measures are taken to ensure events like this are not repeated. Riots are commonplace outside football stadia in Colombia, but this particular riot seemed to defy common sense as, firstly, their team had just won, and secondly the rival fans were by then miles from the ground.
The victory moved Atletico Nacional into 3rd spot with Millonarios back in 10th needing a minumum of 3 wins from their remaining 4 matches.
This is the RCN news report on the match and some of the trouble which followed:
| Round 15 Fixtures and Results | ||
| Tolima | 3-0 | Equidad |
| Junior | 0-2 | America |
| Cali | 3-1 | Cartagena |
| Nacional | 1-1 | Envigado |
| Chico | 3-3 | Medellin |
| Once Caldas | 2-1 | Huila |
| Cucuta | 1-1 | Santa Fe |
| Quindio | 2-0 | Cortulua |
| Millonarios | 2-1 | Pereira |
Tuesday, 19 October 2010
Millonarios near playoff zone
Liga Postobon - Round 14
| Round 14 Results | Round 15 Fixtures | |||||
| Medellin | 1-1 | Equidad | Tolima | vs | Equidad | |
| Pereira | 1-2 | Tolima | Junior | vs | America | |
| Envigado | 1-2 | Millonarios | Cali | vs | Cartagena | |
| Cartagena | 1-2 | Nacional | Nacional | vs | Envigado | |
| Cortulua | 1-1 | Cali | Chico | vs | Medellin | |
| America | 1-1 | Quindio | Once Caldas | vs | Huila | |
| Santa Fe | 2-0 | Junior | Cucuta | vs | Santa Fe | |
| Chico | 0-1 | Once Caldas | Quindio | vs | Cortulua | |
| Huila | 4-1 | Cucuta | Millonarios | vs | Pereira | |
Wednesday, 13 October 2010
Deportivo Cali and America play out 9 goal thriller
Liga Postobon - Round 13
Elsewhere in the Colombian football league Millonarios got a vital win with a 4-0 demolition of Real Cartagena and keep alive their faint hopes of making the playoffs.
| Round 13 Results | Round 14 Fixtures | |||||
| Tolima | 2-0 | Envigado | Medellin | vs | Equidad | |
| O Caldas | 2-1 | Medellin | Pereira | vs | Tolima | |
| Quindio | 3-2 | Santa Fe | Envigado | vs | Millonarios | |
| Millonarios | 4-0 | Cartagena | Cartagena | vs | Nacional | |
| Cucuta | 2-0 | Chico | Cortulua | vs | Cali | |
| Junior | 1-1 | Huila | America | vs | Quindio | |
| Cali | 6-3 | America | Santa Fe | vs | Junior | |
| Nacional | 2-1 | Cortulua | Chico | vs | O Caldas | |
| Equidad | 2-0 | Pereira | Huila | vs | Cucuta | |
Sunday, 3 October 2010
Millonarios leave it late to secure 3 points and distance themselves from the relegation zone
Liga Postobon - Round 12
It appeared as though Millonarios would once again be held to a draw until on 89 minutes a terrific goal by Yovanny Arrechea from a tight angle continued Millonarios' faint hopes of reaching the playoffs.
Elsewhere in Round 12 of the Colombian Football League, Atletico Junior slipped away from the top 8 playoff places following a 1-0 defeat away to Boyaca Chico.
| Round 12 Results | Round 13 Fixtures | |||||
| America | 2-0 | Nacional | Tolima | vs | Envigado | |
| Santa Fe | 1-1 | Cali | O Caldas | vs | Medellin | |
| O Caldas | 1-0 | Cucuta | Quindio | vs | Santa Fe | |
| Medellin | 1-1 | Pereira | Millonarios | vs | Cartagena | |
| Envigado | 1-2 | Equidad | Cucuta | vs | Chico | |
| Cartagena | 1-4 | Tolima | Junior | vs | Huila | |
| Cortulua | 1-2 | Millonarios | Cali | vs | America | |
| Huila | 1-0 | Quindio | Nacional | vs | Cortulua | |
| Chico | 1-0 | Junior | Equidad | vs | Pereira | |
Monday, 27 September 2010
Nacional and Santa Fe renew their fierce rivalry
Liga Postobon - Round 11
The team playing in red and white that day was Independiente Santa Fe, a local team historically smaller than their Bogota rivals Millonarios (who were at the time, as they are now, struggling to maintain their top flight status).
Their opponents in green and white were Atletico Nacional of Medellin.
Like many capital cities the opportunities offered by Bogota attract people from all over Colombia. The sizeable population of Paisas (people hailng from Medellin) living in Bogota also means a sizeable population of Atletico Nacional supporters.
Back in the late 80s and 90s when the likes of Leonel Alvarez, Faustino Asprilla and Rene Aguita and many others thrilled spectators with their exciting brand of passing football they earned Atletico Nacional the reputation of "Colombia's team" with a large portion of the national side being made up of Nacional players. This turned Nacional into the best supported team in the country with large numbers of fans in every town and city in the country, including Bogota.
The 1st leg finished in a 0-0 stalemate at the El Campin stadium in Bogota with roughly 40% of the fans inside the ground that day cheering on the away side Atletico Nacional.
The 2nd leg of the final to be played at the Atanasio Giradot stadium in Medellin would be very different.
99% of the stadium that day was adorned with the green and white of Atletico Nacional, with just a few hundred Santa Fe fans squeezed into a corner of the northern terrace.
The game remained goalless until the 80th minute when two goals in two minutes handed Atletico Nacional their first championship in six years.
Fast forward to September 2010 and Santa Fe and Nacional are once again riding high in the Colombian league. And on Sunday afternoon the two old enemies once again faced off at the Atanasio Giradot stadium in Medellin.
There was just a small splattering of Santa Fe supporters who had made the 12 hour journey down off the Eastern Andes mountain range upon which Bogota sits at 2,600m, across the hot lowlands and the Magdalena River, and then up the Central Andes mountain range to Medellin. It is a beautiful, but energy sapping journey, especially when you're only going to be spending around 90 minutes at your destination before embarking on the return journey. But with their team sitting 6 points clear at the top of the Colombian league they at least had cause for optimism that the journey home would be a happy one.
The first half lived up to its billing with Santa Fe retaining more of the possession, but with both teams creating dangerous chances.
 |
| Santa Fe enjoyed most of the possession in the first half |
Independiente Santa Fe were gifted a golden opportunity as the first half drew to a close when Jair Iglesias brought down Oscar Rodas. But Yulian Anchico saw his resulting penalty saved by Nacional keeper Gaston Pezzutti. The half-time whistle blew shortly after.
Due to renovation work on the main stand at the Atanasio Giradot stadium the players exited through temporary tunnels constructed behind each goal. The Santa Fe players and management were forced to run a gauntlet of missiles hurled from the northern terrace before reaching the safety of the tunnel. Riot police were brought over to escort the players out for the second half.
 |
| Riot police shelter the Santa Fe players as they run out for the second half |
The game was still locked at 0-0 when Santa Fe won a free kick on the left. The ball was swung into the box and met by Luis Seijas who powered a header past Nacional keeper Pezzutti. The hundred or so Santa Fe fans went wild.
Despite a couple of half chances late on Atletico Nacional fizzled out and the match ended with a 1-0 victory for Independiente Santa Fe.
The Bogota side currently lie 6 points ahead of their closest rivals Tolima and judging by their performance on Sunday evening look every bit like champion material.
The Santa Fe fans celebrated their 8th victory from 11 games. Sadly for many of those fans a long, arduous journey back to Bogota was barely an hour under way when a their bus was ambushed by around 200 Nacional fans at a town called Guarne south of Medellin. About a dozen Santa Fe supporters were rushed to hospital after being attacked with knives and rocks. Riot police were rushed to the scene and arrested a total of 110 Nacional fans in connection with the attack.
With much attention in Colombia this week focussed on the killing of FARC rebel leader "Mono Jojoy", this incident serves as a reminder of another form of violent delinquency which plagues the country.
Atletico Nacional will now turn their attention to the local derby this Wednesday against Independiente Medellin.
| Round 11 Results | Round 12 Fixtures | |||||
| Cucuta | 1-2 | Medellin | America | vs | Nacional | |
| Junior | 2-2 | Once Caldas | Santa Fe | vs | Cali | |
| Millonarios | 2-0 | America | O Caldas | vs | Cucuta | |
| Quindio | 2-1 | Chico | Medellin | vs | Pereira | |
| Cali | 0-0 | Huila | Envigado | vs | Equidad | |
| Nacional | 0-1 | Santa Fe | Cartagena | vs | Tolima | |
| Tolima | 3-0 | Cortulua | Cortulua | vs | Millonarios | |
| Equidad | 2-1 | Cartagena | Huila | vs | Quindio | |
| Pereira | 1-1 | Envigado | Chico | vs | Junior | |
Sunday, 19 September 2010
Santa Fe continue to dominate
Liga Postobon - Round 10
Independiente Medellin looked to have sealed all 3 points in the weekend's first game on Saturday afternoon, but were denied in injury time by local minnows Envigado, who claimed a vital point in their fight against relegation.
Atletico Nacional looked to move forward from Wednesday embarrassing 4-0 defeat in the Copa Postobon to part-timers Itagui. And it seemed like a formality as they entered the last 10 minutes with a 2 goal cushion. But it was not to be as their rivals Atletico Huila struck on 81 minutes and then 3 minutes into injury time to put the brakes of Nacional's surge up the league table.
Sunday's big game was a repeat of last sunday's derby match between the two Bogota giants of Millonarios and Santa Fe. Santa Fe had beaten Caracas during the week in the Copa Suramerica (South America's version of the Europa League) and continued their excellent form with a convincing 2-0 win over their local enemy.
Santa Fe stretch their lead at the top of the table to 5 points, whereas Millonarios remain in 16th spot with an end-of-season play off place seeming increasingly unlikely.
| Round 10 Results | Round 11 Fixtures | |||||
| Medellin | 2-2 | Envigado | Cucuta | vs | Medellin | |
| America | 1-0 | Tolima | Junior | vs | Once Caldas | |
| Huila | 2-2 | Nacional | Millonarios | vs | America | |
| Cartagena | 1-0 | Pereira | Quindio | vs | Chico | |
| Cortulua | 2-2 | Equidad | Cali | vs | Huila | |
| Santa Fe | 2-0 | Millonarios | Nacional | vs | Santa Fe | |
| Cucuta | 3-3 | Junior | Tolima | vs | Cortulua | |
| Once Caldas | 4-2 | Quindio | Equidad | vs | Cartagena | |
| Chico | 1-0 | Cali | Pereira | vs | Envigado | |
Sunday, 12 September 2010
Derby excitement in Round 9
Liga Postobon - Round 9
The Bogota derby produced an enthralling game between league leaders Santa Fe and Milloanrios who currently languish in 16th spot at the league's halfway stage. The game was played out in true derby spirit with both teams pushing forward in search of 3 points. Both teams had chances to win it, but it was Millonarios who were presented with a golden opportunity on 82 minutes after being awarded a slightly dubious penalty.
Up stepped Millonarios' leading goalscorer, Yovanny Arrechea. His kick was firmly struck, but at a nice height for Santa Fe keeper Camilo Vargas who parried the ball away to safety.
Santa Fe had two players sent off in the last 5 minutes as the game became increasingly niggly and ill-tempered, but they hung on for a point which sends them three points clear at the top of the Colombian football league.
For the blue half of Bogota it was a well-earned point, but they will need more than well-earned points if they are to seriously mount a challenge for the end of season playoffs with just 9 more matches still to play.
 |
| Millonarios and Santa Fe played out an exciting 0-0 draw |
On Sunday afternoon Atletico Nacional defeated local rivals Independiente Medellin 1-0 after the unfortunate Medellin defender Hernan Pertuz deflected in a Nacional cross early in the second half. Independiente Medellin pressed for much of the second half, but could not find a way past a resolute Nacional defence.
Atletico Nacional have now won 5 out of 7 this season and sit in 6th place in the Liga Postobon having 2 games in hand over most of their rivals.
In the final match of the weekend America de Cali were defeated 2-1 at home to Deportivo Cali who leapfrog their rivals into 8th place.
| Round 9 Results | Round 10 Fixtures | |||||
| Cortulua | 2-1 | Quindio | Medellin | vs | Envigado | |
| Tolima | 3-0 | Huila | America | vs | Tolima | |
| Cartagena | 1-1 | Junior | Huila | vs | Nacional | |
| Millonarios | 0-0 | Santa Fe | Cartagena | vs | Pereira | |
| America | 1-2 | Cali | Cortulua | vs | Equidad | |
| Envigado | 1-1 | Cucuta | Santa Fe | vs | Millonarios | |
| Pereira | 0-0 | Once Caldas | Cucuta | vs | Junior | |
| Equidad | 1-1 | Chico | Once Caldas | vs | Quindio | |
| Nacional | 1-0 | Medellin | Chico | vs | Cali | |
Sunday, 5 September 2010
Obelar mistake gifts Huila victory
Liga Postobon - Round 8
 |
| A Juan Obelar mistake gifted Huila a 2-1 victory |
And the match look to be heading for a point when Millonarios' keeper Juan Obelar weakly punched a free kick straight to Huila's Victor Guaza who lobbed the ball back over the despairing Obelar to clinch the three points for the visiting team.
The win moves Atletico Huila into second place in the Liga Postobon, while Millonarios remain down in 16th place on just 4 points.
Elsewhere in Round 8 Nacional made it four wins out of four after a 2-0 home victory over Chico. And Independiente Santa Fe overcame Deportes Tolima 2-1 to stay top on 19 points as the Colombian League nears the halway point.
Next weekend is "Clasico" weekend (the weekend of derby matches). The three standout matches are Millonarios vs Santa Fe, America vs Cali and Nacional vs Medellin.
| Round 8 Results | Round 9 Fixtures | |||||
| Equidad | 0-2 | America | Cortulua | vs | Quindio | |
| Tolima | 1-2 | Santa Fe | Tolima | vs | Huila | |
| Nacional | 2-0 | Chico | Cartagena | vs | Junior | |
| Junior | 1-1 | Medellin | Millonarios | vs | Santa Fe | |
| Quindio | 1-0 | Cucuta | America | vs | Cali | |
| Cali | 5-3 | Once Caldas | Envigado | vs | Cucuta | |
| Pereira | 0-0 | Cortulua | Pereira | vs | Once Caldas | |
| Envigado | 2-1 | Cartagena | Equidad | vs | Chico | |
| Millonarios | 1-2 | Huila | Nacional | vs | Medellin | |
Santa Fe and Tolima extend unbeaten runs
Liga Postobon - Round 6
22 August 2010Independiente Santa Fe and Deportes Tolima extended their unbeaten runs with wins over Pereira and Chico respectively.
Santa Fe will be pleased to get back to winning ways after a 2-0 defeat to venezuelan side Deportivo Lara in the Copa Suramericana on Thursday night. The return leg will be played this Thursday in Estadio El Campin (photo, right).
Elsewhere in Round 6 Nacional left it until the 93rd minute to beat high flying Deportivo Cucuta with a strike from Dorlan Pabon.
On Saturday evening Cali and Junior played out an exciting 2-2 draw which featured two terrific goals from Atletico Junior. Junior and Cali lie 12th and 14th in the table respectively, but on the basis on their fine performances at the weekend both will consider themselves still well in contention for an end of season play off place.
| Round 6 Results | Round 7 Fixtures | |||||
| Quindio | 1-1 | Medellin | Huila | vs | Tolima | |
| Cali | 2-2 | Junior | America | vs | Pereira | |
| Nacional | 1-0 | Cucuta | Once Caldas | vs | Nacional | |
| Millonarios | 1-2 | Once Caldas | Medellin | vs | Cartagena | |
| Tolima | 3-1 | Chico | Cortulua | vs | Envigado | |
| Equidad | 4-1 | Huila | Santa Fe | vs | Equidad | |
| Pereira | 0-1 | Santa Fe | Junior | vs | Quindio | |
| Envigado | 1-3 | America | Cucuta | vs | Cali | |
| Cartagena | 1-0 | Cortulua | Chico | vs | Millonarios | |
Santa Fe stretch lead at the top
Liga Postobon - Round 5
13 August 2010
Santa Fe beat Envigado 1-0 on Friday evening in the first game of round 5 to move 4 points clear at the top of the Liga Postobon.
13 August 2010
Santa Fe beat Envigado 1-0 on Friday evening in the first game of round 5 to move 4 points clear at the top of the Liga Postobon.
Santa Fe held to draw but stay top
Liga Postobon - Round 4
7 August 2010
A last minute Cartagena goal denied Santa Fe of Bogota all three points, but a point was enough to stay at the op of the Liga Postobon after round 4.
7 August 2010
A last minute Cartagena goal denied Santa Fe of Bogota all three points, but a point was enough to stay at the op of the Liga Postobon after round 4.
Santa Fe and Cucuta continue 100% records
Liga Postobon - Round 3
1 August 2010
Santa Fe and Cucuta continued their perfect starts to the season with victories over Cortulua and Equidad respectively.
The match that attracted most interest, however, kicked off at 6:30 on Saturday evening. Atletico Nacional of Medellin began their campaign with an away trip to Deportivo Cali. It would be their first game without wonderkid Giovanni Moreno (photo, right) who recently signed for Argentian club Racing. Colombian football, as in all South American leagues, is subject to the effects of the globalisation of the game. The big clubs of world football have such huge scouting networks that many of the continents brightest stars leave their country of birth without so much as kicking a professional ball in their home league. Radamel Falcao, now with Portuguese side Porto, is a good example. He was plucked from the Millonarios youth team when he was just 15 years old by Argentinian giants River Plate. Argentina's Lionel Messi was playing youth football at Barcelona before his 14th birthday.
So when Giovanni Moreno's transfer was finally agreed in June there was no supporter resentment toward the young number 10, simply gratitude for the two years of fine service he had given.
Nacional will now have to wait until the next Giovanni Moreno comes along, but in the meantime they have to arm a league campaign to satisfy an increasingly frustrated fanbase at the Atanasio Giradot stadium.
It is now three years since they last claimed the title and haven't appeared in a final since then. Three years might not seem like a long time, but for "El Rey de Copas" (The King of Cups) it has seemed like an eternity.
Nacional post-Giovanni couldn't have got off to a worse start on Saturday evening away at Deportivo Cali. The local side hit the woodwork twice inside the first ten minutes and eventually ran out comfortable 3-1 winners, Nacional snatching a consolation in injury time.
Atletico Nacional will be boosted by the return of several players from injuries and under-20 international duty, but they will need three points next weekend at home to a Quindio side that are proving difficult to beat despite teetering on the edge of relegation.
Cali, will look to build on a fine display against Nacional, as they host Nacional's local rivals Independiente Medellin.
Cali's overall team performance at the weekend was excellent, but one player stood out from the crowd. Fabian Castillo tormented the Nacional defence all night with his mazy runs and trickery. And he rounded it all off with a second half wonder goal reminiscent of Ricky Villa's famous 1980 cup final goal.
A few more similar performances and Fabian Castillo may well be a name that attracts attention from across the Atlantic. For now though, Deportivo Cali will look to make the most of his impressive talents.
1 August 2010
Santa Fe and Cucuta continued their perfect starts to the season with victories over Cortulua and Equidad respectively.
The match that attracted most interest, however, kicked off at 6:30 on Saturday evening. Atletico Nacional of Medellin began their campaign with an away trip to Deportivo Cali. It would be their first game without wonderkid Giovanni Moreno (photo, right) who recently signed for Argentian club Racing. Colombian football, as in all South American leagues, is subject to the effects of the globalisation of the game. The big clubs of world football have such huge scouting networks that many of the continents brightest stars leave their country of birth without so much as kicking a professional ball in their home league. Radamel Falcao, now with Portuguese side Porto, is a good example. He was plucked from the Millonarios youth team when he was just 15 years old by Argentinian giants River Plate. Argentina's Lionel Messi was playing youth football at Barcelona before his 14th birthday.
So when Giovanni Moreno's transfer was finally agreed in June there was no supporter resentment toward the young number 10, simply gratitude for the two years of fine service he had given.
Nacional will now have to wait until the next Giovanni Moreno comes along, but in the meantime they have to arm a league campaign to satisfy an increasingly frustrated fanbase at the Atanasio Giradot stadium.
It is now three years since they last claimed the title and haven't appeared in a final since then. Three years might not seem like a long time, but for "El Rey de Copas" (The King of Cups) it has seemed like an eternity.
Nacional post-Giovanni couldn't have got off to a worse start on Saturday evening away at Deportivo Cali. The local side hit the woodwork twice inside the first ten minutes and eventually ran out comfortable 3-1 winners, Nacional snatching a consolation in injury time.
Atletico Nacional will be boosted by the return of several players from injuries and under-20 international duty, but they will need three points next weekend at home to a Quindio side that are proving difficult to beat despite teetering on the edge of relegation.
Cali, will look to build on a fine display against Nacional, as they host Nacional's local rivals Independiente Medellin.
Cali's overall team performance at the weekend was excellent, but one player stood out from the crowd. Fabian Castillo tormented the Nacional defence all night with his mazy runs and trickery. And he rounded it all off with a second half wonder goal reminiscent of Ricky Villa's famous 1980 cup final goal.
A few more similar performances and Fabian Castillo may well be a name that attracts attention from across the Atlantic. For now though, Deportivo Cali will look to make the most of his impressive talents.
Bogota sides continue excellent start
Liga Postobon - Round 2
26 July 2010
It was a good weekend for the capital's three clubs as Millonarios, Santa Fe and La Equidad all claimed victories.
Millonarios, playing their first game of the season, beat Deportivo Cali 1-0 on Saturday evening courtesy of a 44th-minute Omar Vasquez goal.
Millonarios has been dogged by off-the-field financial problems for several years, but last month it was announced that the current board of directors had finally agreed to sell the club. The news was met with excitement and hope, particularly following the arrival of respected Venezuelan coach Richard Paez (photo, right).
And indeed Millonarios looked like a new team on Saturday night. Rather than the slow, aimless play of the previous seasons they looked much more organised. The midfield was compact with the solid central pairing of Omar Rodriguez and Elkin Blanco constantly being offered options. The long aimless and often inaccurate passes of ealier this year were replaced with some impressive one touch football and intricate passing. But more than anything Millonarios exuded confidence on Saturday evening. There was an almost tangible threat every time Millonarios surged forward and there was even some showboating that brought cries of "Ole! Ole!" from the some 15 thousand supporters on hand. If Richard Paez can keep Millonarios playing at this level they will be serious contenders for the title come December.
In a replay of the final of the Liga Postobon I, La Equidad took on Atletico Junior. Remarkably the only goal of the game was one of the quickest in Colombian football history coming after just 7 seconds from Argentine Ariel Carreno. On Sunday evening Independiente Santa Fe rounded off a perfect weekend for the capital with a 2-1 victory over America de Cali.
The pick of next weekend's games is the Saturday evening encounter between Deportivo Cali and Atletico Nacional who finally get their season under way after two postponed matches due to stadium improvements. It will be the first competitive game for Nacional since the sale of their star player Giovanny Moreno to Racing of Argentina.
26 July 2010
It was a good weekend for the capital's three clubs as Millonarios, Santa Fe and La Equidad all claimed victories.
Millonarios, playing their first game of the season, beat Deportivo Cali 1-0 on Saturday evening courtesy of a 44th-minute Omar Vasquez goal.
Millonarios has been dogged by off-the-field financial problems for several years, but last month it was announced that the current board of directors had finally agreed to sell the club. The news was met with excitement and hope, particularly following the arrival of respected Venezuelan coach Richard Paez (photo, right).
And indeed Millonarios looked like a new team on Saturday night. Rather than the slow, aimless play of the previous seasons they looked much more organised. The midfield was compact with the solid central pairing of Omar Rodriguez and Elkin Blanco constantly being offered options. The long aimless and often inaccurate passes of ealier this year were replaced with some impressive one touch football and intricate passing. But more than anything Millonarios exuded confidence on Saturday evening. There was an almost tangible threat every time Millonarios surged forward and there was even some showboating that brought cries of "Ole! Ole!" from the some 15 thousand supporters on hand. If Richard Paez can keep Millonarios playing at this level they will be serious contenders for the title come December.
In a replay of the final of the Liga Postobon I, La Equidad took on Atletico Junior. Remarkably the only goal of the game was one of the quickest in Colombian football history coming after just 7 seconds from Argentine Ariel Carreno. On Sunday evening Independiente Santa Fe rounded off a perfect weekend for the capital with a 2-1 victory over America de Cali.
The pick of next weekend's games is the Saturday evening encounter between Deportivo Cali and Atletico Nacional who finally get their season under way after two postponed matches due to stadium improvements. It will be the first competitive game for Nacional since the sale of their star player Giovanny Moreno to Racing of Argentina.
Santa Fe off to winning start
Liga Postobon - Round 1
18 July 2010
Ind. Santa Fe 2 - 0 Ind. Medellin
Independiente Santa Fe were the first winners of the Liga Postobon II with a 2-0 victory over Independiente Medellin in front of a tiny crowd in the colombian capital.
Maybe it was a hangover from the recently concluded World Cup. Or maybe it was the cold wet weather that has been hanging over Colombia for the last month. Whatever the reason the Liga Postobon II season started with a whimper rather than a bang in front of appallingly low attendances.
Even a Bogota-Medellin encounter in the form of Santa Fe against Independiente Medellin didn't inspire more than just a few thousand supporters to make the trip to Estadio El Campin on Saturday evening.
With an eye on the Under-20 World Cup due to be staged in Colombia in 2011 many of the country's venues are currently undergoing renovation work. The largest stand at El Campin, La Occidental, was a mess of rubble and the majority of the displaced fans clearly decided to stay indoors rather than take up a position on one of the other terraces. As game kicked off with the derelict Occidental stand as the backdrop for the TV cameras the occasion felt more like a reserve game in an unsalubrious neighbourhood than the beginning of the second Liga Postobon season.
The game itself was only slightly more inspiring than the surroundings in which it was played. Both sides stuttered early on, but it was the home team, Santa Fe, who began to control the game with some slick moves which brought them close to opening the scoring.
In the second half the game opened up a little, but it wasn't until the 76th minute that the deadlock was finally broken when Medellin failed to deal with a corner that was was then hooked back into the box for defender Jhonnier Gonzalez to nod home.
Santa Fe then extended their lead on 84 minutes when Alejandro Bernal prodded the ball through defender and keeper from 6 yards out following an excellent cut back from substitute Sergio Otalvaro.
Medellin hit the post late on, but it was a deserved victory for Santa Fe who next month begin their Copa Suramerica campaign (South America's version of the Europa League).
Atletico Junior 2 - 1 Deportivo Pereira:
In Saturday's late game current champions Atletico Junior took on Deportivo Pereira in the city of Cartagena (due to remodelling of the Metropolitano stadium in Barranquilla). Financially-troubled Pereira had sold 16 players since the end of the Liga Postobon I. Despite their off-the-field troubles Pereira made a perfect start after being awarded a stonewall penalty on 4 minutes which Fabian Cuellar converted from the spot.
The lead would would last just 3 minute, however, when some poor defending allowed Atletico Junior talisman Giovanni Hernandez, known as "The Prince", (photo, above) to head into the net.
In the 82nd minute Hernandez turned provider as his chipped cross was met by the head of Carlos Bacca to give Atletico Junior all three points.
The first round also saw victories for Boyaca Chico, Deportivo Cucuta, Deportes Quindio and Once Caldas. Full results and next week's fixtures below.
18 July 2010
Ind. Santa Fe 2 - 0 Ind. Medellin
Independiente Santa Fe were the first winners of the Liga Postobon II with a 2-0 victory over Independiente Medellin in front of a tiny crowd in the colombian capital.
Maybe it was a hangover from the recently concluded World Cup. Or maybe it was the cold wet weather that has been hanging over Colombia for the last month. Whatever the reason the Liga Postobon II season started with a whimper rather than a bang in front of appallingly low attendances.
Even a Bogota-Medellin encounter in the form of Santa Fe against Independiente Medellin didn't inspire more than just a few thousand supporters to make the trip to Estadio El Campin on Saturday evening.
With an eye on the Under-20 World Cup due to be staged in Colombia in 2011 many of the country's venues are currently undergoing renovation work. The largest stand at El Campin, La Occidental, was a mess of rubble and the majority of the displaced fans clearly decided to stay indoors rather than take up a position on one of the other terraces. As game kicked off with the derelict Occidental stand as the backdrop for the TV cameras the occasion felt more like a reserve game in an unsalubrious neighbourhood than the beginning of the second Liga Postobon season.
The game itself was only slightly more inspiring than the surroundings in which it was played. Both sides stuttered early on, but it was the home team, Santa Fe, who began to control the game with some slick moves which brought them close to opening the scoring.
In the second half the game opened up a little, but it wasn't until the 76th minute that the deadlock was finally broken when Medellin failed to deal with a corner that was was then hooked back into the box for defender Jhonnier Gonzalez to nod home.
Santa Fe then extended their lead on 84 minutes when Alejandro Bernal prodded the ball through defender and keeper from 6 yards out following an excellent cut back from substitute Sergio Otalvaro.
Medellin hit the post late on, but it was a deserved victory for Santa Fe who next month begin their Copa Suramerica campaign (South America's version of the Europa League).
Atletico Junior 2 - 1 Deportivo Pereira:
In Saturday's late game current champions Atletico Junior took on Deportivo Pereira in the city of Cartagena (due to remodelling of the Metropolitano stadium in Barranquilla). Financially-troubled Pereira had sold 16 players since the end of the Liga Postobon I. Despite their off-the-field troubles Pereira made a perfect start after being awarded a stonewall penalty on 4 minutes which Fabian Cuellar converted from the spot.
The lead would would last just 3 minute, however, when some poor defending allowed Atletico Junior talisman Giovanni Hernandez, known as "The Prince", (photo, above) to head into the net.
In the 82nd minute Hernandez turned provider as his chipped cross was met by the head of Carlos Bacca to give Atletico Junior all three points.
The first round also saw victories for Boyaca Chico, Deportivo Cucuta, Deportes Quindio and Once Caldas. Full results and next week's fixtures below.
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