Corinthians Win First Copa Libertadores Title

The trophy case for Brazilian soccer team Corinthians is filled with dozens of championships won on the Paulista state and national level. But like Captain Ahab in “Moby Dick” the Sao Paulo-based side could never catch capturing the biggest prize: the prestigious Copa Libertadores title. That all changed last night when Corinthians beat Argentina's Boca Juniors to win the 2012 Copa Libertadores:

Last week Boca Juniors striker Santiago Silva claimed, “Corinthians didn't create any chances (in the first leg in Buenos Aires) and got a draw that they didn't deserve.” But it was the Timao that took advantage of their opportunities in the return match. The first goal came in the 53rd minute when Emerson received a neat heel flick from Danilo, beat the Boca defense and calmly tucked the ball past backup goalkeeper Sebastian Sosa. Nineteen minutes later Emerson pounced on a failed pass by defender Rolando Schiavi, ran forty yards and scored the insurance goal for Corinthians.

"Our crowd represents 33 million fans. Since this year's Libertadores started, we have dreamed of clinching the title. We were all in need of this achievement," said Emerson to Fox Sports after the match.

Daily Headlines: March 12, 2009

* Peru: According to the World Bank, Peru may be the only Latin American country to avoid being hit by recession this year.

* Venezuela: Former senior State Department official Otto Reich denied being involved in the failed 2002 coup against Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.

* Argentina: Juan Roman Riquelme quit the country’s national soccer team and declared that he will never play under new coach Diego Maradona.

* Brazil: Police arrested 72 people accused of participating in a wild animal trafficking ring.

Image- ABC News (Tourists visiting the ancient Incan ruins of Macchu Pichu)
Online Sources- Voice of America, Reuters, IHT, AFP

Video of the Day: The return of “El Matador” Salas

South American teams played their third round of World Cup qualifiers this past weekend with one of the most interesting themes being the rebirth of two veterans: Argentine Juan Roman Riquelme and Chile’s Marcelo Salas. Riquelme continued his marvelous comeback with a pair of wonderful goals (including this beauty) in a 3-0 win over Bolivia.

However, it is Salas who we want to focus on in today’s VOTD; the 32-year-old striker returned from a two year absence with the national side to score twice and help Chile obtain a 2-2 draw away at Uruguay. Below is video from Chilean TV of Salas’ palomita goal which came after a pinpoint accurate cross from teammate Carlos Villanueva.

(Video link):

In other matches over the weekend:

• Luis Fernando Suarez resigned as coach of Ecuador after suffering an embarrassing 5-1 drubbing at the hands of Paraguay.
• Brazil has not won away to Peru since 2000; that streak continued after Sunday’s 1-1 tie in Lima.
• Ruben Dario Bustos’ free kick blast with eight minutes left was enough for Colombia to beat Venezuela by 1-0.

Sources- Wikipedia, The Latin Americanist, CNN, YouTube, Xinhua, International Herald Tribune, FOX Sports, Goal.com