Argentina's famous club side Boca Juniors have won South America's Copa Libertadores for 2007, after beating Brazil's Gremio 2-0 away in Porto Alegre in the second leg of the final. Both goals were scored by star midfield playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme. The victory completes a comprehensive 5-0 aggregate victory for Boca in the two-leg finals, as they beat Gremio 3-0 last week when they hosted the Brazilian club in the first leg in Buenos Aires.The Copa Libertadores is South America's equivalent to Europe's UEFA Champions League. Big congratulations go to Boca Juniors, for becoming South American champions. Boca Juniors are surely the best side in South America, not just this season but perhaps also in the past decade as they also were South American champions in 2000, 2001 & 2003. Overall, the latest Copa Libertadores is Boca's sixth title. It's a great triumph for both the club & for Argentina. Beating Gremio 2-0 on Brazilian soil is no mean feat,as Boca had to endure hostile Gremio fans as well as a strong Gremio team. The aggregate scoreline is perhaps a little harsh on Gremio & commiserations to them; however, it underlines Boca's continental supremacy.
By virtue of winning the Copa Libertadores, Boca will represent South America in the FIFA Club World Cup later in December which will feature various continental club champions, including of course European champions AC Milan. Boca did beat Milan in December 2003 when the club championship only featured South American & European champions. Come this December, Riquelme (who came back to Boca only months ago) would not be around as the match against Gremio was his farewell match. What a way to sign off - by scoring both goals of the match. With Riquelme's departure, Boca would have to count on young home-grown talent such as Neri Cardozo & Ever Banega, & others who are coming through the pipe-line.
But what a season for Boca Juniors & their coach Miguel Angel Russo. He's only been in charge for a little over 6 months, & already he's taken the club to victory in South America as well as second in the Argentinian Clausura (behind San Lorenzo). What a marvellous achievement & what a coach he's proving to be, although it helps that the club has a strong squad, where he can call on players of the calibre of Riquelme, Palermo, Palacio, Ledesma, Cardozo & Banega.
Now, for the FIFA Club World Cup in December, where AC Milan are likely to be their main rivals. As a big fan of Argentinian football, let me just say: Vamos Boca!!
Riquelme celebrates with team mates after scoring against Gremio.
The Boca Juniors squad celebrates with the Copa Libertadores after beating Gremio in Porto Alegre.
More celebrations from the footballers.
It's party time in Buenos Aires - fans celebrate Boca's triumph, waving Boca flags & parading a model of the trophy.
Source of photos: Yahoo Sport.
1 comment:
Thanks, dude. I will look into this in due course. Though I'm not sure if I'm "technical" enough to handle all that widget stuff. But we shall see.
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