[Daily_Bulletin] FINAL: South America prepares for Copa Libertadores; San Lore
2008-02-13 19:29 51
플레이어 버전 설정 ▶
nzo travel to Venezuela; New Zealand reach Olympic hockey tournament; Palmerston hosts NZ Superstock Chammpionships
South America prepares for the Copa Libertadores... And New Zealand grab their place at the Olympic hockey competition... SOCCER VENEZUELA San Lorenzo de Almagro were training at the Central University in the Venezuelan capital on Monday ahead of their opening fixture in the 2008 Copa Libertadores against Caracas FC. There is a buzz of excitement around the club from Buenos Aires after their recent signings, which include winger Diego Placente and striker Gonzalo Bergessio, along with skilful left-footer Andres D'Alessandro who has just come on board from Spanish side Zaragoza. Venezuelan champions Caracas will, though, provide tough opposition on home soil as both teams look to start with a win in the group stage. San Lorenzo coach Ramon Diaz may also be unable to select Bergessio and D'Alessandro on Tuesday due to their drawn-out transfer negotiations. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Diaz says: "Yes, we will change some things. We know that we are against an opponent which plays good soccer. They have won their last match, and have good players, so I'm sure we will play a great game." SUPERCAPTION Ramon Diaz, San Lorenzo coach San Lorenzo have not met Caracas - who managed to eliminate giants River Plate last year - since 1996, when the Argentineans secured a 1-1 draw in Venezuela before thrashing their opponents 5-1 at home. Real Potosi of Bolivia and Brazil's Cruzeiro are the remaining teams in Group One and meet on Wednesday in Belo Horizonte. HOCKEY NEW ZEALAND Tournament hosts New Zealand took on Argentina in North Shore City in the final of the World Hockey Olympic qualifying tournament on Sunday. The 'Black Sticks' equalised through Dave Kosoof in the 49th minute after Lucas Vila had put Argentina ahead following a penalty corner. However, Vila's brother Mati made it 2-1 to the South Americans through this well-rehearsed move. New Zealand's hopes of reaching Beijing appeared to be evaporating until the intervention of Hayden Shaw four minutes from time. The strike sent the match into extra-time. Yet another penalty corner produced the Kiwis winner - Bradley Shaw's golden goal sending most of Auckland crowd into ecstasy. Ryan Archibald had the honour of lifting the trophy as New Zealand look forward to lining up in China. Third place went to France who beat Ireland 2-1, while Trinidad and Tobago defeated the USA 3-2 to come fifth. Two remaining Olympic qualifying tournaments, in Chile and Japan, will take place in March and April respectively. MOTORSPORT NEW ZEALAND *No access New Zealand. New Zealand's Superstock Team Championship is a hugely competitive affair - just ask guest driver from England Steve Smith. Driving for the Hawke's Bay Hawke Eyes, Smith was upended in this semi final meeting with Wanganui by stock car legend Kerry Podjursky - it's worth knowing these cars can reach speeds of 150 kilometres an hour through these tight bends. Bizarrely, New Zealand Stock car racing's most famous exponent comes from another sport. Steve Williams, caddy to golf's world number one Tiger Woods, is a big fan of the V8, 450 horse power machines. But even in Steve's absence, thanks to Tour commitments in the USA, the national Superstock Team Championship here in Palmerston North on the country's north island, still attracted 15,000 fans. Home team the Palmerston North Panthers oudrove the Waikato Wanderers to meet Podjursky and his Wanganui Warriors in the final. It's a sport that involves tactics that go way beyond merely smashing your opponents off the track - of the four cars in a team, some are blockers, others are runners and the winners are the team that get a car across the finish line first after 12 laps. The winners here in 2008, for the third successive year, were the Panthers - Palmerston North proudly displaying their recent dominance of New Zealand's stock car racing circuit. And as for the Waikato boys, well they clearly enjoyed themselves too.
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