View Full Version : Copa Libertadores 2003
Red Devil
12-15-2002, 09:07 AM
ASUNCION, Dec 10 - Santos, returning to the Libertadores Cup after an 18-year absence, were given a relatively straightforward group as the draw for the 2003 competition was made on Tuesday.
Santos were paired in group three with Paraguay's 12 de Octubre, the weakest of the three Ecuadorian representatives and four-times runners-up America of Colombia.
The Brazilian club won the competition, South America's equivalent of the European Champions League, twice during Pele's heydey in the 1960s but have became a middle-of-the-table outfit for much of the last two decades.
Their last Libertadores Cup appearance was in 1985 but this year has seen signs of a revival with the club reaching the Brazilian championship final.
Ecuador's team in the group will be the one which finishes third in the country's championship, due to finish this month.
Although the South American Football Confederation (CSF) announced a 30 percent cut in prize money for the 2003 tournament, there were few signs of financial hardship at an event full of pomp.
Around 300 people watched the draw, which was followed by a lavish dinner, at a five-star hotel and yacht club on the banks of the River Paraguay outside Asuncion.
Argentina's 1986 World Cup goalkeeper Nery Pumpido, Paraguay striker Miguel Benitez and former Argentine defender Quique Wolff took turns to pull mini-footballs from plastic bowls in the traditional soccer-draw style.
Defending champions Olimpia, coached by Pumpido, got a trickier draw as they landed in group four along with Argentina's Gimnasia-La Plata, a Chilean team still to be decided and Peru's Alianza Lima.
Mexico's UNAM, making their debut in the tournament, were thrown in at the deep end.
The team coached by former Real Madrid and Mexico striker Hugo Sanchez were drawn in group five along with Brazil's Gremio, five-times champions Penarol of Uruguay and Bolivar of Bolivia.
Gremio, champions in 1983 and 1995, and Penarol are both tough opponents famed for their uncompromising style and giving visiting teams a hostile reception.
Bolivar, although theoretically weaker, enjoy the advantage of playing at 3,600 metres above sea level in La Paz. They also have Joaquin Botero, who scored 49 goals in the Bolivian championship this year.
Boca Juniors, Argentina's most popular club and champions in 2000 and 2001, were drawn in group seven along with three teams still to be decided - the second representatives of Ecuador, Chile and Colombia.
Boca's arch-rivals River Plate were drawn in group one and will face the eventual Ecuadorian champions, the third Colombian team and Paraguayan champions Libertad in a group that could be strewn with pitfalls.
Source: Reuters
Damn Cruz Azul and Pumas, they knocked out the Venezuelan teams.
Just wait til next year, with Caracas FC.
Red Devil
12-30-2002, 02:00 PM
Group 1
River Plate (Argentina)
Emelec (Ecuador)
Libertad (Paraguay)
Deportivo Cali (Colombia)
Group 2
Paysandú (Brasil)
Universidad Católica (Chile)
Cerro Porteño (Paraguay)
Sporting Cristal (Perú)
Group 3
Santos FC (Brasil)
El Nacional (Ecuador)
12 de Octubre (Paraguay)
América de Cali (Colombia)
Group 4
Olimpia (Paraguay)
Gimnasia y Esgrima L. P. (Argentina)
Chile 3
Alianza Lima (Perú)
Group 5
Gremio (Brasil)
Bolívar (Bolivia)
Peñarol (Uruguay)
UNAM (México)
Group 6
Racing Club (Argentina)
Oriente Petrolero (Bolivia)
Nacional (Uruguay)
Universitario (Perú)
Group 7
Boca Juniors (Argentina)
Barcelona (Ecuador)
Colo Colo (Chile)
Independiente Medellín (Colombia)
Group 8
Corinthians (Brasil)
The Strongest (Bolivia)
Fénix (Uruguay)
Cruz Azul (México)
Competition starts in February 2003.
Red Devil
I have a gut feeling about Pumas UNAM, although Gremio is traditionally strong. If Argentina´s big two get it together in the coming months, they could accomplish big teams.
OAnimal
12-31-2002, 03:28 PM
Corinthians could win this one. Unless Santos keeps Diego and Robinho in their lineup, of course...
I was told to watch out for Rubinho (roo - been - jo) at Santos is this the same player apparently he is awesome
Roberto Abrego
12-31-2002, 11:54 PM
probably the next Pele
robert - have you seen him play or is it simply a young striker @Santos comparison? I've been told he's awesome but have yet to see him play at all.
Plus, every kid with some talent over there is hailed as that.
Roberto Abrego
01-02-2003, 06:42 PM
Originally posted by Juan
Plus, every kid with some talent over there is hailed as that.
that is true bu tthis guy is different,he played for the samew club that pele did and he make that team to arise again....
Well, we can get a good look at them (Diego and Robinho) and the South American U-20 Championship starting tomorrow. I´m sure I will.
Jessica
01-22-2003, 02:04 AM
Dale Boca ;)
J R R
01-23-2003, 08:09 AM
Originally posted by Juan
Plus, every kid with some talent over there is hailed as that.
thats so true just like every kid in Argentina is the new maradona
but robinho is pretty amazing
santos will go far in libertadores but boca will win it:) i have a good feeling especially now biachi is back
Dale Boca
Vamos Xeneizes
Rigalt
01-23-2003, 05:25 PM
Well I hope my team, Grêmio FBPA, can do well this year, specially because we are in our 100 th year as a football club. Gremio has lots of financial problems but still has some players with a lot of experience, so I think we have a chance to do a good competition.
I also think for us the first game (4-feb against UNAM in Porto Alegre) will be very important because Gremio always lose playing in La Paz and Penharol is also a though team to beat....
Ricardo
Originally posted by J R R
i have a good feeling especially now biachi is back
Me too, mate. Me too.
see the report in World Soccer magazine on Santos?
yet more new Pele hype for Robinho - hope he can deliver
rshepherd1000
01-24-2003, 09:16 PM
yep - i think its fantastic what emerson leao has done for the club
just want to see these guys actually play now
OAnimal
02-04-2003, 05:55 PM
Well, the comparisons with Pele are always exaggerated, because Pele is the one and the only! However, Robinho and Diego are extremely talented kids. Robinho is 18 year support striker (something like Bebeto was), with great driblling skills (maybe even better than Denilson), while Diego is 17 year playmaker, which is said to be even more talented than Robinho. If they continue to evolve at the same pace and if they have enough luck to stay out of serious injuries, they are destined to be in the starting 11 for Brazil at 2006 world championship.
Red Devil
02-07-2003, 07:48 AM
February 4
Gremio (Bra) 3 - 2 U.N.A.M. (Pumas)
February 5
12 de Octubre (Par) 3 - 1 El Nacional (Ecu)
Corinthians (Bra) 1 - 0 Cruz Azul (Mex)
America de Cali (Col) 1 - 5 Santos (Bra)
February 6
Barcel. Guayaquil (Ecu) 2 - 0 Colo Colo (Chi)
Cerro Porteno (Par) 3 - 2 Univers. Catolica (Chi)
OAnimal
02-07-2003, 09:01 AM
Good start for the Brazilian teams. :thumbsup:
good to c the copa os now on eurosport - i've never had the chance to see international south american club football b4
That Santos game was the Robinho´s gambetas show. Although Diego scored a wonderful goal.
I´m still with Boca to win top honors, though.
Red Devil
02-14-2003, 08:29 AM
February 11
Alianza Lima (Per) 1 - 1 Olimpia (Par)
U.N.A.M. (Pumas) 2 - 0 Bolivar (Bol)
February 12
Cobreloa (Chi) 0 - 0 Gimnasia La Plata (Arg)
February 13
Sporting Cristal (Per) 0 - 2 Paysandu (Bra)
Robledo
03-07-2003, 03:32 PM
Did anyone see Arial Grazani's goal against Boca Juniors?
You wont see many better, that was pure magic
Piece of magic there by Graziani
Uruguayan minnows Fenix walked all over Cruz Azul, and the Mexicans are all but out.
Rigalt
03-09-2003, 01:22 AM
Well and I saw the game that Corinthians won in Uruguai, 2x1 against Fenix, and thought, this Fenix team will have problems to make any point in the libertadores, and now they score 6 goals against Cruz Azul.......It seems that the Mexican clubs are not so good this year......
brazil5x
03-09-2003, 05:26 AM
Originally posted by Robledo
Did anyone see Arial Grazani's goal against Boca Juniors?
You wont see many better, that was pure magic
I did see the goal,I havent seen a goal like that in a while.Out of this world.
brilliant goal but are the boca defence asleep??
how many touches do they let him take in the box!!
Rigalt
03-17-2003, 08:09 PM
Well, now almost all the groups are in the half of this first phase, where 2 clubs will qualified in every group. I will make some short comments about the groups from my point of view.
Group 1 - Points and Games
1 Deportivo Cali (Colômbia) 9 - 3
2 Emelec (Equador) 4 - 3
3 River Plate (Argentina) 3 - 3
4 Libertad (Paraguai) 1 - 3
River Plate with a week start, that surprises me. But they still can qualify because they still will play 2 games at home against Emelec and Deportivo.
Group 2 Points and Games
1 Paysandu (Brasil) 7 - 3
2 Cerro Porteño (Paraguai) 5 - 3
3 Sporting Cristal (Peru) 4 - 3
4 Universidad Católica (Chile) 0 - 3
Paysandu (first Brazilian club from the North region ever to play in a Libertadores) has a strong position to pass this phase. I saw one game from Sporting Cristal and the team looked horrible, so U. Catolica should be also very bad this year to stay with 0 points. Cerro will play 2 games at home and should also qualify.
Group 3 Points and Games
1 Santos (Brasil) 7- 3
2 América de Cali (Colômbia) 4 - 3
3 12 de Octubre (Paraguai) 3 - 3
4 El Nacional (Equador) 2 - 3
Well best chances for Santos. They still have 2 games at home and by far the best team here. America lost their first game at home 4x1 against Santos but then recover very well.
Group 4 Points and Games
1 Gimnasia y E. LP (Argentina) 5 - 3
2 Cobreloa (Cobreloa) 5 - 3
3 Olimpia (Paraguai) 3 - 3
4 Alianza Lima (Peru) 1 - 3
The defending champs Olimpia are in big trouble. They still have 2 games at home, but they have to play in Calama against Cobreloa where it is very dificult to win. I this group I would say Alianza is out, and the other 3 has almost the same chances to qualify.
Grupo 5 Points and Games
1 Grêmio (Brasil) 7 - 3
2 Peñarol (Uruguai) 4 - 3
3 Bolívar (Bolívia) 3 - 3
4 Pumas UNAM (México) 3 - 3
Well Gremio was able to win the 2 games at home (3x2 against Pumas and a hard 1x0 against Bolivar) and although playing now 2 games in the mountain (2400 m in Mexico and 3750 in La Paz) they should qualify. The second place is open, and Bolivar still having 2 games to play in La Paz (where they won 5x2 against Penarol) has good chances, even with a technical week team.
Group 6 Points and Games
1 Racing Club (Argentina) 7 - 3
2 Universitario (Peru) 4 - 2
3 Nacional (Uruguai) 3 - 2
4 Oriente Petrolero (Bolívia) 0 - 3
Racing with good chances, and Universitario surprising so far. Last game of the group: Universitario x NAcional (17-April) in Lima should decide the second place.
Group 7 Points and Games
1 Boca Juniors (Argentina) 9 - 3
2 Barcelona (Equador) 4 - 4
3 Colo Colo (Chile) 4 - 4
4 Independiente Medellín (Colômbia) 3 - 3
Boca easily in first place. Second very open, but Ind. Medelin still has 2 games at home.
Grupo 8 Points and Games
1 Corinthians (Brasil) 9 - 3
2 Fénix (Uruguai) 3 - 3
3 The Strongest (Bolívia) 3 - 3
4 Cruz Azul (México) 3 - 3
Corinthians will end in the first place. Second is very dificult to predict. Cruz Azul is in a big crisis.
One conclusion from all this stands is that all 4 Brazilian clubs are in great position to qualify. And from other countries the clubs with the best records so far are Boca Juniors, Racing and Deportivo Cali.
Ricardo
Red Devil
03-18-2003, 07:42 AM
Good post! :thumbsup:
Red Devil
Red Devil
03-28-2003, 02:31 PM
Update coming soon. Any help is appreciated.
Red Devil
footfreak
03-28-2003, 05:53 PM
Cruz Azul showed what mexicans are all about. All of the foreign players left the team, now they are playing with just Mexican Players. How about that.
peruytu
03-29-2003, 08:52 AM
Originally posted by footfreak
Cruz Azul showed what mexicans are all about. All of the foreign players left the team, now they are playing with just Mexican Players. How about that.
Yes, very impresive, congratulations if you're a Cruz Azul fan.. and if you are i'm sure you wished Juan Reynoso was still there. =9
Anyways, did anybody she how my team, Universitario, spoiled Racing's 100 th year anniversary party??? LOL
Yes, Universitario tied them 1-1 in Argentina because of the early red card that Racing suffered and alot of luck on the Universitario side, but still... very funny! :D
Peru y tu?
Alianza (or was it Sporting Cristal? don´t remember :confused: ) got a good win over U Catolica. How bout that?
I must said, I´m surprised by Paysandu. The Brazilian minnows have been one of the top sides so far.
peruytu
03-31-2003, 03:40 AM
Originally posted by Juan
Alianza (or was it Sporting Cristal? don´t remember :confused: ) got a good win over U Catolica. How bout that?
I must said, I´m surprised by Paysandu. The Brazilian minnows have been one of the top sides so far.
Sporting Cristal won in chile and in Peru. Paysandu has been a surprise in the Copa Liberatadores, they have yet to lose one game. Now all Cristal has to do is tie to in Paraguay against Cerro Porteno to make it to the next round.. it will be hard but I think they can make it.
Peru y tu?
brazil5x
03-31-2003, 06:45 AM
Yeah Paysandu is definitely the darkhorse,finished 17 last year 1 above relegation.
peruytu
03-31-2003, 02:14 PM
Originally posted by brazil5x
Yeah Paysandu is definitely the darkhorse,finished 17 last year 1 above relegation.
Yes, they are an interesting bunch that Paysandu... or PAPAO! ;)
Anyways, since I havent read much about the Cruz Azul Corinthians game (3-0), how did people in Brazil react to this embarrasing score?
Did Corinthians play with their B team or something? I know I saw Vampeta there but how the hell did they lose by that much?
Dont get me wrong, I think Cruz Azul is a good team now, especialy with all the foreigners gone... but still, I think Corinthians is a much stronger team.
Peru y tu?
Well, if Paysandu can get 6 past Cerro in Asuncion, perhaps Cristal can get a draw...
Rigalt
04-01-2003, 02:53 PM
Originally posted by peruytu
Yes, they are an interesting bunch that Paysandu... or PAPAO! ;)
Anyways, since I havent read much about the Cruz Azul Corinthians game (3-0), how did people in Brazil react to this embarrasing score?
Did Corinthians play with their B team or something? I know I saw Vampeta there but how the hell did they lose by that much?
Dont get me wrong, I think Cruz Azul is a good team now, especialy with all the foreigners gone... but still, I think Corinthians is a much stronger team.
Peru y tu?
The thing was that Corinthians played in the weekend before a dificult and important game (final of the Paulista League), that they won 3x2 against São Paulo. The next day they spend celebrating this titel..............So people think here that Corinthians went just too relaxed to Mexico, and this together with the 2400 m above the see from Mexico City made a big impact..........And the other thing is that for Cruz Azul it was the game of their lives, and they needed to win in order to keep alive in the competition, and they played well........
Ricardo
PS: Just to answer the other question, it wasn´t any B team from Corinthians or something like that
peruytu
04-02-2003, 04:43 PM
Originally posted by Rigalt
The thing was that Corinthians played in the weekend before a dificult and important game (final of the Paulista League), that they won 3x2 against São Paulo. The next day they spend celebrating this titel..............So people think here that Corinthians went just too relaxed to Mexico, and this together with the 2400 m above the see from Mexico City made a big impact..........And the other thing is that for Cruz Azul it was the game of their lives, and they needed to win in order to keep alive in the competition, and they played well........
Ricardo
PS: Just to ask the other question, it wasn´t any B team from Corinthians or something like that
Hmmm interesting facts... I didn't know all that. I thought they won the Paulista two weeks prior to the Cruz Azul game. But anyways thanks, it all makes sense now.
Peru y tu?
Rigalt
04-03-2003, 02:15 PM
After the games from last night:
Grêmio 4x1 Penãrol in Porto Alegre and Corinthians 6x1 Fenix in São Paulo all the 4 Brazilian Clubs are qualified for the next round and all 4 have good possibilities to stand in the first places from each group. So far one of the best Libertadores for Brazilian clubs, let see in the next phases.........
Ricardo
peruytu
04-03-2003, 03:07 PM
Originally posted by Rigalt
After the games from last night:
Grêmio 4x1 Penãrol in Porto Alegre and Corinthians 6x1 Fenix in São Paulo all the 4 Brazilian Clubs are qualified for the next round and all 4 have good possibilities to stand in the first places from each group. So far one of the best Libertadores for Brazilian clubs, let see in the next phases.........
Ricardo
Yeah I missed that Gremio game.. it would've been nice to watch my favorite brazilian team beat that crap out of Penarol though. :(
But anyhow, I did watch the Corinthians Fenix game... and the score says it all.
Brazilian teams as usual dominated group games so this to me doesn't surprise me. It will be interesting to see how far Paysandu makes it and if Santos can actually win it all. Although i'll be going all the way for Gremio, I think they'll lose to another Brazilian team they meet in the next rounds.
This year's Libertadores will probably be won by a Brazilian since the Argentine teams havent been doing all that well. If anything, don't be surprised if an Argentine team doesnt make it to the final, again.... and that Colombian team, Deportivo Cali, is looking really good.
Anyways, the love of my life Universitario still has a slim chance to make it passed the group phase. They will need to at least beat Oriente Petrolero in Bolivia and beat Nacional in Lima.. and hope that Racing beats Nacional in Argentina. Slim but possible...
Y DALE U!
GRUPO 6
EQUIPOS J G E P GF:GC PTS.
Nacional 4 3 0 1 9:4 9
Racing Club 4 2 2 0 6:3 8
Universitario 4 1 2 1 4:4 5
Oriente Petrolero 4 0 0 4 2:10 0
18-02-03 Universitario (Peru) vs. Racing Club (Argentina) 1:1
25-02-03 Nacional (Uruguay) vs. Racing Club 1:2
26-02-03 Universitario vs. Oriente Petrolero (Bolivia) 2:0
06-03-03 Oriente Petrolero vs. Nacional 2:3
12-03-03 Racing Club vs. Oriente Petrolero 2:0
19-03-03 Nacional vs. Universitario 2:0
25-03-03 Racing Club vs. Universitario 1:1
01-04-03 Nacional vs. Oriente Petrolero 3:0
08-04-03 Oriente Petrolero vs. Universitario
09-04-03 Racing Club vs. Nacional
16-04-03 Oriente Petrolero vs. Racing Club
16-04-03 Universitario vs. Nacional
Peru y tu?
White Shark
04-03-2003, 08:55 PM
This year, Copa Libertadores seems to have Brazilian colours. Santos can be the first favorite.
Also the Argentinian clubs as Boca and the Colombians.
Jessica
05-24-2003, 03:23 AM
Lets go BOCA!!!
Rigalt
05-28-2003, 05:59 PM
River (after they eliminate Corinthians sooner) is out, after losing yesterday 4x1 in Cali, in a game with 5 red cards and some trouble..............now America will make the first semi0finals probably with Boca............
Again this year in Libertadores every serie is dificult to preview, and I dont see any big favorites anymore.............
Everything can happen, and it is good so.............
Ricardo
J R R
05-29-2003, 02:04 PM
Boca are through after beating Cobreloa 2 - 1
neovox
05-30-2003, 10:00 PM
With Grêmio out, Libertadores will have two Columbian teams in the semis! America is a strong side, but I think they´re not favourites against Boca. In Brazil, all the pressure will be on Santos.
White Shark
05-31-2003, 12:00 AM
Colombia vs Argentina and Brazil!!
I said Santos would do it but Boca Juniors is also a powerful team. The Colombians are a surprise that I can say who can win
Copa Libertadores is very exiting.
CalcioCookie06
01-24-2004, 02:44 AM
Club America will win it their the best in Mexico :star:
GianPaolo
04-19-2004, 05:36 PM
I really hope Boca takes it. I just pray that a Mexican team DOESEN'T win.
CERGOLLI
06-26-2004, 08:22 AM
I really hope Boca takes it. I just pray that a Mexican team DOESEN'T win.
I LIKE YOU ALREADY,,,
Ese_Guy
10-12-2004, 07:35 PM
This thread could probably be "un-sticky'd" now
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.0 Copyright © 2013 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.