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Played
December 4, 2011 5:10 PM EST
Estadio Alberto Jacinto Armando — Ciudad de Buenos Aires
Referee: H. Baldassi
December 4, 2011 5:10 PM EST
Estadio Alberto Jacinto Armando — Ciudad de Buenos Aires
Referee: H. Baldassi
Boca Juniors 3-0 Banfield: Dario Cvitanich double drives Boca to Apertura crown
La Boca celebrates as Julio Cesar Falcioni's men earned their first league title since 2008 with a convincing performance against the helpless visitors.
By Roger Gonzalez
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Boca Juniors are the 2011 Apertura champions after a first half brace by Dario Cvitanich and a long range strike by Diego Rivero a minute into the second half earned the Buenos Aires giant a 3-0 victory over Banfield on Sunday at La Bombonera.
Needing only one point from their last three games to win the title, the Xeneizes secured their 30th league crown with the result.
With star Juan Roman Riquelme on the bench having not featured in more than a month and a half with injury, the squad continued it's league domination, overpowering its opponent for most of the contest in its return to the league summit.
The festivities were enhanced early on when Boca opened the scoring just 10 minutes into the encounter. Cvitanich fired home from close range after a dangerous corner. The ball made contact with several players in the box, with Facundo Roncaglia heading onto the crossbar before the former Ajax striker saw his shot cleared off the line. The defender's second attempt was denied by Luchchetti at the near post, ultimately ending up at the feet of Cvitanich, who pounced on the rebound from just a few yards out to finish into the left side of the net.
Boca continued to pressure with a potent attack in the moments that followed, with Cristian Chavez nearly putting his side up 2-0 with a long range effort that flew over the goal.
Ricardo La Volpe's men showed next to nothing as they faced the slightest advantage, being forced to defend time and time again, but it was not enough. Cvitanich doubled the score moments before the halftime whistle off a free kick. A cross from the right aimed towards the middle of the box met the striker perfectly, where he volleyed his effort off a defender and into the right side of the goal, beating the outstretched custodian.
The comfortable advantage positioned Boca just 45 minutes away from the title, and in the second half it took the home side just one minute to make the stadium explode for a third time.
On the counterattack, Cvitanich controlled a long ball deep in the attacking half and laying off to Rivero, who from 30 yards out drilled home a spectacular effort, transforming the Banfield goalkeeper into nothing more than a spectator.
Boca continued to dominate in the second half, enjoying long spells off possession as it saw off the remaining minutes as fans chanted the league's top team, with Riquelme coming on with 30 minutes to go to take part in the celebration.
With the win Boca confirms the capture of its first title since 2008, sitting 11 points ahead of second place Racing with two games to play.
Falcioni's men will travel to face Arsenal de Sarandi midweek in the penultimate fixture, while Banfield, which remains in the cellar of the league with 11 points, hosts Belgrano.
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Needing only one point from their last three games to win the title, the Xeneizes secured their 30th league crown with the result.
With star Juan Roman Riquelme on the bench having not featured in more than a month and a half with injury, the squad continued it's league domination, overpowering its opponent for most of the contest in its return to the league summit.
The festivities were enhanced early on when Boca opened the scoring just 10 minutes into the encounter. Cvitanich fired home from close range after a dangerous corner. The ball made contact with several players in the box, with Facundo Roncaglia heading onto the crossbar before the former Ajax striker saw his shot cleared off the line. The defender's second attempt was denied by Luchchetti at the near post, ultimately ending up at the feet of Cvitanich, who pounced on the rebound from just a few yards out to finish into the left side of the net.
Boca continued to pressure with a potent attack in the moments that followed, with Cristian Chavez nearly putting his side up 2-0 with a long range effort that flew over the goal.
Ricardo La Volpe's men showed next to nothing as they faced the slightest advantage, being forced to defend time and time again, but it was not enough. Cvitanich doubled the score moments before the halftime whistle off a free kick. A cross from the right aimed towards the middle of the box met the striker perfectly, where he volleyed his effort off a defender and into the right side of the goal, beating the outstretched custodian.
The comfortable advantage positioned Boca just 45 minutes away from the title, and in the second half it took the home side just one minute to make the stadium explode for a third time.
On the counterattack, Cvitanich controlled a long ball deep in the attacking half and laying off to Rivero, who from 30 yards out drilled home a spectacular effort, transforming the Banfield goalkeeper into nothing more than a spectator.
Boca continued to dominate in the second half, enjoying long spells off possession as it saw off the remaining minutes as fans chanted the league's top team, with Riquelme coming on with 30 minutes to go to take part in the celebration.
With the win Boca confirms the capture of its first title since 2008, sitting 11 points ahead of second place Racing with two games to play.
Falcioni's men will travel to face Arsenal de Sarandi midweek in the penultimate fixture, while Banfield, which remains in the cellar of the league with 11 points, hosts Belgrano.
Follow Goal.com on
to get the latest soccer news directly. Check out Goal.com's page; be part of the best soccer fan community in the world!
Goal
Own Goal
Penalty
Penalty Missed
Yellow Card
Assist
Penalty Save
Penalty Shootout Goal
Penalty Shootout Miss
Yellow Card / Red Card
Red Card
Substitution IN
Substitution OUT
Injury
Goal.com Rating
Goal.com Man of the Match
Goal.com Flop of the Match
Top & Flop Global Ranking
Fans' Man of the Match
Fans' Flop of the Match
Results
Times In EST
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Rubén Ramírez
Striker Godoy Cruz |
15 | 0 |
|
Carlos Luna
Striker Tigre |
14 | 0 |
|
Darío Gandín
Striker Atletico Rafaela |
13 | 7 |
|
Mauro Matos
Striker All Boys |
12 | 0 |
|
Mauro Boselli
Striker Estudiantes de La Plata |
11 | 2 |