Sports Reporter/Doha
Franco Lopez was the undisputed star of the show as a classy River Plate line-up made light work of Juventus, winning 2-0 in the Al Kass International cup yesterday. It was the Bianconeri’s first foray into Al Kass football against a River Plate side still smarting from a narrow defeat to AC Milan two days earlier, and they seemed determined to make amends.
On three minutes Italian keeper Mattia Del Favero was tested after River Plate’s Franco Lopez beat his man and got a shot away from the right of the six yard box, the Juve number 1 getting down smartly to save. Lopez’s effort was the only shot on target in the opening 20 minutes as the two sides probed patiently, but the game burst into life soon after.
On 21 minutes the River Plate number 7 cut inside and supplied Diego Amarilla, whose weak shot was comfortably taken by Del Favero. But Juve’s number 1 was left feeling distinctly uncomfortable two minutes later when Enzo Zicarelli collected the ball on the run inside the area, rounded the keeper and cut back for Mauricio Vera, who squeezed the ball under Del Favero’s despairing hand.
Juventus appeared unruffled by the goal, continuing to move the ball around in search of an opening, which duly arrived on 29 minutes when striker Carlo Manicone collected the ball inside the area, neatly backheeled to Fabio Morselli, who returned the pass first time. However, the Juve number 9 could not evade keeper Tomas Satelo as he came out to block.
The Argentineans picked up where they had left off. Five minutes into the second period Lopez, now playing down the right, was released by a marvelous diagonal ball from left-back Nahuel Gallardo. The hugely impressive number 7 beat his man and sent in a low cross, which Del Favero just managed to collect at full stretch.
On 72 minutes Juve coach Felice Tufano sent on Davide Arras for Fabio Morselli. The big number 7 had rarely threatened, in sharp contrast to his opposite number, the superb Lopez, whose electric runs and sparkling footwork set the game alight.
On 77 minutes Lopez was at it again, robbing Alessandro Vogliacco on the left before lifting a delightful chip to substitute Valentino Cernaz, whose effortless lob over Del Favero made it 2-0.
Meanwhile, Sao Paulo snatched a dramatic 2-1 injury time win over Atletico Madrid to ensure the Spaniards will finish bottom of Group D. Atletico had come into the game hoping for a victory to prevent an early exit from the tournament.
Sao Paulo created the better chances, and their positive approach brought reward in the 21st minute when the lively Gustavo Dos Santos sprinted clear down the right, his low cross evading the desperate lunge of Atletico’s Alejandro Diaz, allowing Paulo Da Silva to stroke home first time at the far post.
Both sides were in combative mood, a series of meaty challenges testing referee Hussain Shuaikh’s patience. Sao Paulo’s Dos Santos was the first to be cautioned on 24 minutes.
Despite falling a goal behind there was no danger of Atletico capitulating, and in the 34th minute they were level. Gallego swung in a free kick 30 yards out on the left, and tall striker Pablo Romero climbed highest to power a well-directed header into the top left corner.
However, neither side could find a killer pass to unlock the opposition defence, as the game drifted towards a stalemate. Remarkably, deep into added time, Sao Paulo found a way to win with practically the last action of the game, when Lucas De Oliviera crossed for Dos Santos to slide home from close range.
River Plate and Juventus players battle for the ball during their Al Kass International Cup match in Doha yesterday.
