Revenge for Argentina, Ecuador Leave It Late
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SPORTS SATURDAY, MARCH 26, 2016 Netherlands leads tribute to Cruyff AMSTERDAM: The Netherlands led global tributes to football legend Johan Cruyff and was to halt their international against France yesterday in the 14th minute in a powerful silent hommage to the Dutch master. Pictures of Cruyff in his familiar 14 shirt playing for Ajax Amsterdam and Barcelona covered front pages around the world following his death on Thursday from lung cancer. Fans have flocked to the Cruyff statue in his home city of Amsterdam to leave flowers, portraits and footballs honour- ing the Total Football innovator who died in Barcelona at the age of 68. The ArenaA stadium and his family’s home in the city also became a draw for football pilgrims. The Netherlands v France friendly international will be halt- ed in the 14th minute for one minute of silence-the first time such a gesture has been made during an international. At a number of international games on Thursday, a minute’s silence was held in Cruyff’s honour. A friendly between Feyenoord and Sparta in Rotterdam was halted in the 14th minute for a minute’s applause. “We have lost our best soccer player ever, our number 14 and our football friend. We are devastated by Johan’s death, he brought Dutch football to greater heights,” said Dutch Football Association president Michael van Praag. “Dutch Master” said the popular Dutch tabloid Algemeen Dagblad with a picture of a young Cruyff in full flight in the Ajax Amsterdam colours. “Immortal” said De Telegraaf daily which carried a picture of Cruyff, taken from behind featuring his famous Number 14 jersey. “Heaven has a new playmaker,” headlined the British tabloid, The Sun. In Spain, the El Pais daily said “football has lost its great revolutionary”. FANS CAMPAIGN FOR NAME CHANGE SANTIAGO: Argentina’s Lionel Messi (L) and Chile’s Eugenio Mena vie for the ball during their Russia 2018 FIFA World A one-time heavy smoker who gave up after double heart Cup South American Qualifiers’ football match, in Santiago on Thursday. — AFP by-pass surgery in 1991, Cruyff revealed in October last year that he had lung cancer. Cruyff “died peacefully in Barcelona, surrounded by his family after a hard-fought battle with cancer”, said a family Revenge for Argentina, statement. Cruyff won three European Cups as a player with Ajax Amsterdam and Ballon d’Or titles in 1971 with Ajax and 1973 and 1974 with Barcelona, where he starred from 1973 to Ecuador leave it late 1978. As a coach, Cruyff led Barcelona to their first European Cup title in 1992. Football greats around the world paid indi- MONTEVIDEO: Argentina avenged and curled home a right-footed strike coach. They don’t need to get help like vidual tributes to Cruyff and his dazzling football artistry. “We their Copa America final defeat to Chile past Chile goalkeeper Claudio Bravo. this. We deserved the three points.” have lost a great man. May we carry on his example of excel- with a 2-1 victory on Thursday as Five minutes later Argentina took the An injury-time goal also proved deci- lence,” said Brazil’s Pele. Ecuador scrambled a late draw with lead. Di Maria lofted a speculative pass sive in La Paz, where Colombia snaffled “Johan Cruyff was a great player and coach. He leaves a Paraguay to preserve their unbeaten into the Chilean penalty area and when a 3-2 win over Bolivia thanks to Edwin very important legacy for our family of football.” “He was the start to South America’s 2018 World Cup Nicolas Otamendi’s knock-down Cardona’s strike in the second minute of best player of all time,” French legend Michel Platini told AFP. qualifying competition. found Messi, the striker held off the stoppage time. “I have lost a friend, the world has lost a great man. I admired Goals from Angel Di Maria and attentions of Chile defender Mauricio The Colombians looked to have him.” “Between two drags on his cigarettes, he always spoke defender Gabriel Mercado secured a Isla to square for Mercado, who volleyed squandered a straightforward victory of the young, coaching, and education through football,” vital three points for Argentina in home from close range. after Bolivia fought back from 2-0 down Platini, the UEFA president now suspended from football, Santiago after Chile had taken an 11th- Chile upped the tempo after the to level at 2-2 at the Estadio Hernando added. minute lead through Felipe Gutierrez at break and created the better chances, Siles. But just when the Bolivians were “We will never forget you skinny,” said Maradona in his the National Stadium. with Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez causing preparing to celebrate a well-earned tribute. Victory was sweet for Argentina, who nervous moments in the Argentina point, Colombia swept forward. Franz Beckenbauer, who captained Germany when they were beaten on penalties by Chile at the defence with a 52nd minute lob that Teenage winger Marlos Moreno beat the Netherlands in Cruyff’s only World Cup final in 1974, same venue in the final of last year’s drifted wide. broke down the left flank and picked out said: “He was not only a very good friend, but also a brother to Copa America, extending the two-time Chile’s Fabian Orellana and Mauricio Mexico-based midfielder Cardona, who me.” With his precision passes, speed, technique and world champions title drought. Pinilla both had good chances in the rifled a low shot into the bottom right- goalscoring ability, Cruyff set new standards as a player.—AFP More importantly, the win got closing minutes but Argentina held on. hand corner. Argentina’s 2018 qualification bid firmly Colombia took the lead after goals back on the road after a shaky start last PARAGUAY COACH FUMING from Real Madrid star James Rodriguez year which saw them win only one of Elsewhere on Thursday, Ecuador and AC Milan striker Carlos Bacca after their opening four games. scrambled a 2-2 draw with Paraguay in 41 minutes. However Bolivia were “I’m very happy with the three points Quito thanks to a controversial injury- thrown a lifeline when Brazilian referee as it was important to come here and time equaliser from Angel Mena. Wilton Pereira Sampaio harshly get a win,” said Argentina’s returning Ecuador, looking to extend their 100 adjudged that Jeison Murillo had hand- captain Lionel Messi, who had missed percent record from the opening four balled inside the area early in the sec- the first four matches of qualifying last matches, had looked to be heading for ond half. year because of injury. their first defeat after Paraguay recov- Juan Carlos Arce duly stepped up to “I missed being with my team-mates. ered from Enner Valencia’s 19th minute blast the penalty into the top corner and I felt really good in the first half but I was effort to lead through two goals from it got better in the 62nd minute when a bit tired in the second half,” the Dario Lezcano. Alejandro Chumacero lashed in the Barcelona superstar added. But when Mena latched onto a equaliser for 2-2. Argentina recovered after a rocky through ball from what looked like an In Lima, Peru needed an injury-time opening spell which culminated with offside position, Ecuador grabbed a equaliser from substitute Raul Ruidiaz to Gutierrez’s header opener after 11 min- share of the spoils. salvage a 2-2 draw with Venezuela. utes. The late blow left Paraguay coach Venezuela, rooted to the bottom of the LIMA: Peru’s Christian Cueva (C) is marked by Yet Argentina got back on level Ramon Diaz distraught. “Every journalist standings with no points after four Venezuelan players during their Russia 2018 FIFA terms after 20 minutes Paris Saint- knows that the second goal was off- games, looked poised for their first win World Cup South American Qualifiers’ football match, Germain star Di Maria exchanged passes side,” Diaz said. “It’s a shame because after taking a 2-0 lead through Romulo in Lima on Thursday. —AFP with Ever Banega inside the penalty area Ecuador has a great team and a great Otero and Mikel Villanueva.— AFP .