Long-standing rivalries resumed in Brazil, Costa Rica and Egypt over the weekend, while Argentina's fiercest enemies both slipped up against cross-province opposition. With outsiders assuming the leadership in Mexico and Korea Republic, and big scorelines catching the eye in Guatemala and Uruguay, FIFA.com reflects on the recent action outside of Europe.
Argentinian Clausura: Estudiantes pull alongside
Velez
Violence regrettably dominated the weekend's headlines in
the Clausura, and caused the postponement of the Gimnasia
Jujuy-Lanus fixture and San Lorenzo's hosting of leaders Velez
Sarsfield. Boca Juniors, two points off the pace at the start of
play, missed the chance to go top, however, drawing 0-0 at Huracan,
whose point was indebted to the performance of goalkeeper Marcelo
Barovero.
River Plate also finished goalless at home to Racing Club, but a two-goal display from Leandro Lazzaro thrust Estudiantes to a 3-2 win over San Luis, which moved them level on points with Velez and extended the La Plata outfit's year-long unbeaten home record.
Big game: Argentinos Juniors achieved their first
away win in 12 attempts, a solitary Gabriel Hauche goal sinking
struggling Colon.
Headline-grabbers: Alejandro Da Silva and Juan
Ferreyra scored doubles apiece as Newell's Old Boys beat
Arsenal 4-1 to tie their opponents on ten points from six games.
Brazilian State Championships: Penalty poise sends
Palmeiras second
Three penalties in the last 15 minutes swung an
engrossing, end-to-end derby in Palmeiras' favour. The
impressive Adriano headed Sao Paulo in front, before Kleber
responded with a fine goal just before half-time. But substitute
Denilson slotted home the first spot-kick against his former club,
before Valdivia and Diego Souza completed a 4-1 victory.
The success elevated Palmeiras to second, three points shy of
Paulistão leaders Guaratingueta, who edged Bragantino 1-0.
Ponte Preta leapt to third by seeing off arch-rivals Guarani 4-2,
while Corinthians occupy the last play-off slot despite being held
at home by Juventus.
Big game: Botafogo gained some measure of revenge
for their defeat by Flamengo in the final of the Taca Guanabara by
beating Joel Santana's side 3-2 to stay level on points with
Group B leaders Vasco in the Taca Rio.
Headline-grabber: Leandrinho scored twice in
Noroeste's 4-0 win over Sertaozinho, a result which moved them
on to 26 points, tied with Barueri and Sao Paulo, and just one shy
of the semi-finals places.
Mexican Clausura: Jaguares take command
A brace from Brazilian midfielder Itamar helped
Jaguares stun Santos Laguna 3-1 in their own backyard to sprint to
the front of Group 1. The success left them above the section's
previous leaders, Toluca, who surrendered a two-goal cushion to
share four goals with Atlante, on goal difference.
Santos remain top of Group B, although Atlas cut their advantage
to four points courtesy of a 2-2 draw with Pumas. Guadalajara and
San Luis stay first and second in Group 3 after beating Veracruz
2-1 and Monterrey 3-1 respectively.
Big game: Despite playing at a numerical
disadvantage for an hour, America twice came from behind to draw
2-2 at Cruz Azul, who now lie four points behind an automatic
playoff place.
Headline-grabber: Esteban Solari scored both goals
in Pumas' 2-2 at Atlas to move himself alongside Omar Bravo at
the top of the goals chart.
Egyptian Premier League: Ahly stride towards title
It was all on the line for Al Ahly: a season-long
unbeaten record, an 11-match winning streak and the bragging rights
from arguably Africa's biggest derby. And although Zamalek held
their arch-rivals for over an hour in Cairo, two goals in the space
of eight minutes condemned Ruud Krol's charges to a 2-0 defeat.
That was not where the good news ended for Manuel Jose's
side either. Al Gaish and Ismaily, second and third respectively
going into the round, were held to 1-1 draws by Arab Contractors
and Aluminium Naq Hammadi respectively, leaving Ahly 18 points
clear of new runners-up Petrojet with ten matchdays remaining.
Big game: Al Masry moved three points clear of the
foot by overcoming Ghazl Al-Mehalla 3-1.
Headline-grabber: Ahmed Fathi recently rejected a
move to Zamalek, citing a desire to play abroad. Soon after, he
joined Ahly and in his maiden Cairo derby, Egypt's
youngest-ever player scored to set his employers en route to
victory.
Korean K-League: Incheon assume outright lead
Two superb Lee Kwan-Woo equalisers grabbed Suwon Samsung
Bluewings a 2-2 draw at Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma as Incheon United
finished Matchday 2 as the only side on maximum points. Elsewhere,
Dzenan Radoncic netted the only goal - his second in as many games
- after 41 seconds against Chunnam Dragons to leave Chang
Woe-Ryong's team two points above a quartet of challengers.
Joining the Bluewings on four points were Ulsan Hyundai,
Gwangju Sangmu and FC Seoul, who beat Pohang Steelers, Gyeongnam
and Chonbuk Hyundai Motors respectively.
Big game: Lee Keun-Ho hit a late winner as Daegu
beat Busan I'Park 3-2 for their first points of the campaign.
Headline-grabber: Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors star Cho
Jae-Jin may have been the most impressive performer overall, but
Park Chu-Young seized the post-match headlines by scoring to seal a
2-1 victory for FC Seoul in the closing minutes.
Deportivo delight
The Nexaca-bound Alonso Solis bade his latest
farewell to the Deportivo Saprissa fans in style, scoring the only
goal 12 minutes from time as they undid arch-rivals Alajuelense.
The result moved
El Monstruo Morado on to 28 points from a possible 30 atop
of Group A in the Costa Rican Torneo de Verano, while their
opponents continue to front Group B, despite a home defeat.
When Municipal, unquestionably the most dominant force in Guatemalan football in recent years, took a 4-2 lead at Deportivo Suchitepequez just after the restart, they did not bank on Fernando Gallo inspiring an improbable fightback. But that is exactly what the Argentine did, netting twice to complete a personal hat-trick and a 5-4 win.
Elsewhere, River Plate overwhelmed reigning Uruguayan champions Danubio 5-1 away to go top of the Clausura as previous frontrunners Nacional fell 2-1 at home to Miramar Misiones. Penerol were the biggest winners in Round 5, though, as a Carlos Bueno treble propelled them to a 6-0 reverse of ten-man Bella Vista and up to third, three points off the pace.
