Copa Sudamericana 1st Leg: Arsenal 0 - 0 River Plate
By: Christian | November 9th, 2007
In an article this week on SI.com, Gregory Sica picked River to win it all in this year’s Copa Sudamericana. If he was able to sit through more than 5 minutes of last night’s 0-0 draw, I doubt he’s thinking the same way.
Simply put, the match in Sarandi between Arsenal and River was one of the most mind-numbingly awful 90 minutes I’ve seen this year; something that bore little resemblance to a game of football and more like a kick-about on a Sunday afternoon. This was more than just 2 teams under performing, this was 2 teams who just didn’t bother to play. There was no stretch of time at all where either side looked like they had a clue as to what was going on, and even worse, they looked bored or disinterested. About the only highlight I can think of was a stop by Juan Pablo Carrizo denying what should have been the game’s only goal.
Now I can understand a team playing defensively; Arsenal are a good side, and River could not afford to lose going into next week’s game at home. But in a competition such as the Sudamericana, where away goals are so crucial, why not make an effort to score what could be the difference between advancing and elimination? Whatever the reason, River (again) missed a huge opportunity to give themselves any kind of advantage going into next week’s 2nd leg, and will need to win at all costs to make it to the finals. A loss or any kind of draw, and los millonarios will finish yet another year empty handed.
More: The other semifinal matchup between Millonarios and America finished 3-2 in favor of the Mexicans in Colombia this past Wednesday. The second leg is next week….This was River’s 4th consecutive draw in all competitions, and their second ending 0-0.
Category: Team News
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