Weekend Guide 7.5.2016

Señoras y señores, our Weekend Guide is in Latino mood! We have an interesting final with the underdogs of the Brazilian Paulista, a close race all the way to the title in Colombia and a team that want to clinch the title in Bolivia.

(All the hours are in CET local time)

Amateur (Like this guy)

What? Santos – Audax (Campeonato Paulista)

When? Sunday, 2100

Where? Estádio Vila Belmiro, Santos

Why? After 1:1 in the first match, everyone is ready for the decisive championship game. Santos won 6 out of the last 10 Paulista titles and in this season they lost only once in 18 matches. Audax was founded only 10 years ago, never played in the top Brazilian divisions, but they had a tremendous season after eliminating São Paulo and Corinthians.

Key Players: Santos scoring rate in the Paulista is high thanks to the 19 years old striker, Gabriel, who scored 7 goals this season. Audax main player is Camacho, a midfielder who was part of Botafogo's promotion in the last season.

El Presidente: After being the technical director of Audax, former Brazilian international player Vampeta appointed as the club president.

Professional (like this goalkeeper)

What? Atlético Nacional – Independiente Medellín (Colombian Categoría Primera A)

When? Sunday, 0000

Where? Estadio Atanasio Girardot, Medellín

Why? El Clásico Paisa, the derby of Medellín will turn into a turmoil, as the race for the title is extremely tight. With three matches left the gap between the 1st and the 5th place is only 3 points. Atlético Nacional are in the 1st place with 32 points, Independiente Medellín are in the 3rd place with 30 points.

Key Players: Orlando Berrío is a player you can't miss in Atlético Nacional, as he already have 4 national titles with his team. Independiente Medellín has one of the best defenses in the league mainly thanks to their goalkeeper David González, who spent few years in Turkey and England.

No Rivalries: Even though there is a rivalry between the teams, Independiente Medellín manager, Leonel Álvarez, played for both of the team and even won Copa Libertadores with Atlético Nacional in 1989.

World Class (like this goal)

What? Jorge Wilstermann – Real Potosí (Liga de Fútbol Profesional Boliviano)

When? Sunday, 2100

Where? Estadio Félix Capriles, Cochabamba

Why? Jorge Wilstermann are close to win their first title since 2010. They lead the table by 10 points, while only 5 matches left. Meanwhile, the bottom is on fire. Real Potosí watching their rivals, Nacional Potosí, getting closer to the second division, but Real themselves, are only 3 points above the relegation playoff spot.

Key Players: A top team must have a great defender on their roster, but Enrique David Díaz is maybe too great, as he was booked 34 times in 2 seasons as Jorge Wilstermann’s defender. Gilbert Álvarez of Real Potosí is the leader in this difficult season for his team, as he is the top scorer with 16 goals.

The Aviator: Last week we met the Chilean leader O'Higgins, so now we will meet Jorge Wilstermann, the first Bolivian civil aviator. Wilstermann died at 1936, when he was 25 years old, during flying from Cochabamba to Oruro.

Weekend Guide 30.4.2016

Only one month is left. This is the money time of the season, and this weekend we’re off to Australia’s final match than to meet the new champions of Chile, and finally, to enjoy a passionate derby from Lebanon. Yallah, Vamos, let’s go!

(All the hours are in CET local time)

Amateur (Like these goalkeepers)

What? Adelaide United – Western Sydney Wanderers (Australian A-League)

When? Sunday, 0800

Where? Adelaide Oval, Adelaide

Why? The final match is here. Just 90 decisive minutes, and we will know which team will win its first-ever title. Adelaide United were the regular-season champions, one point ahead of Western Sydney Wanderers. Both teams previously lost twice in the finals – Adelaide in 2007 and 2009, Western Sydney in 2013 and 2014.

Key Players: He was born in the US, has an Ivorian father and a Togolese mother and he represented Australia, so there is no surprise that

Bruce Djite, Adelaide’s forward, is his team leader. Meanwhile, Romeo Castelen, the Dutchman of Western Sydney, is the semi-finals hero.

A Real Drama: Western Sydney Wanderers qualified after a heroic semifinal match, just watch it!

Professional (like this goal)

What? O'Higgins – Universidad de Concepción (Chilean Campeonato Nacional)

When? Saturday, 2100

Where? Estadio El Teniente, Rancagua

Why? O'Higgins is one step from its second title ever. Before the last match of the season, O'Higgins are on top with two points ahead of Universidad Católica. Universidad de Concepción is trying to improve before the playoff, in order to get a Copa Sudamericana spot.

Key Players: The main player of O'Higgins is Pablo Calandria, who scored 16 goals in this season and played in France, Spain and Argentina. Gabriel Vargas is the guy to watch in Universidad de Concepción, as he is one of the club’s biggest players with 102 league goals, what also makes him the club all-time top scorer.

The Leader: O'Higgins named after Bernardo O'Higgins, who was one of the Chilean independence leaders in the 19th century.

World Class (like this goal)

What? Nejmeh – Safa (Lebanese Premier League)

When? Saturday, 1430

Where? Bourj Hammoud Stadium, Beirut

Why? 9 points are left and the race for the Lebanese title is close to its end. The leaders are Safa with 46 points, while the reigning champions Al Ahed are in 2nd place with 45 points and Nejmeh are on 3rd with 41 points. Hot! Besides being a title match, this is also one of Beirut derbies, so we have also the city prestige on the line. Extra Hot!

Key Players: Nejmeh have one of the biggest Lebanese football stars, Abbas Atwi, who plays for the team since 1997 and he is the most capped player for Lebanon national team. Safa have a great defense and that's thanks to Mohamed Zein Tahan, one of the most dominant players in his club’s recent successful runs.

Foreign in the Middle East: The Romanian manager of Nejmeh, Valeriu Tița, previously was the manager of Safa. He spent time also in the Emirates, Kuwait, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Syria, where he managed the national team and won the AFC Cup with Al Ittihad Aleppo.

Weekend Guide 22.4.2016

Hurry up, you really wouldn't like to miss the new Weekend Guide. An Argentine hot derby in La Plata, past champions meets future champions in Kazakhstan and a crazy race for the post-season games in Panama.

(All the hours are in CET local time)

Amateur (Like these fans)

What? Gimnasia La Plata – Estudiantes (Argentine Primera División)

When? Sunday, 0145

Where? Estadio Juan Carmelo Zerillo, La Plata

Why? The weird system of two groups providing us with an interesting season so far, and this week we have a super match - the Clásico Platense. With 5 games left, Gimansia are in 6th place of group A, but they are just 4 points behind the leaders, Godoy Cruz. Meanwhile, Estudiantes are 2nd in group B, 3 points behind Lanús.

Key Players: Gimnasia's Lucas Licht, the former left back of Getafe, making his historic 10th season for his home team. Gastón Fernández came back to Estudiantes after two years in MLS and he’s doing well with 4 goals and 4 assists this season.

The Forest: Gimnasia stadium is nicknamed El Bosque, which means "The Forest", because it is located in a city park by the same name.

Professional (like this goal)

What? Irtysh Pavlodar – FC Astana (Kazakhstan Premier League)

When? Saturday, 1400

Where? Central Stadium, Pavlodar

Why? FC Astana, with two consecutive titles and a Champions League journey, start its journey for another title. Their opponents, Irtysh Pavlodar, was the biggest team in Kazakhstan during the 90's and now want to restore its big days, with 2 points less than FC Astana.

Key Players: Irtysh Pavlodar's Gerogian striker,Gogita Gogua, played for years in his home nation and in Russia and now opens his first year in Kazakhstan with 3 goals in 6 matches. Don't miss FC Astana captain, Tanat Nusserbayev, who play for his team since 2011 and have 24 caps for Kazakhstan national team.

The Other Continent: Before Astana’s Champions League campaign, Irtysh Pavlodar had one of the greatest achievements of a Kazakh team in a continental level, when they reached the Asian Cup Winners' Cup semi finals in 2001.

World Class (like this shoot)

What? Tauro - Árabe Unido

When? Saturday, 0400

Where? Estadio Rommel Fernández, Panama City

Why? Three matches left to the end of the Clausura regular season and the situation is crazy. 6 points only, this is the difference between the 2nd and the last place, as the top 4 teams will qualify to the semi finals. Among these teams, Árabe Unido, the Apertura champions, are now in 4th place, while Tauro are 7th.

Key Players: Tauro have Jan Carlos Vargas, the talented 21 years old defender that have great role in the team defense. With the shirt numbered 99, Árabe Unido's striker Armando Polo is one of the best scorers in the league with 14 goals.

The Brothers: In Panama, there are two managers with legendary brothers - Tauro's Jorge Dely Valdés, the brother of Armando, and Atlético Chiriquí's Javier Wanchope, the brother of Paulo.

Weekend Guide 15.4.2016

The clock is ticking and the end of the season is near, so every match is decisive.

Our Weekend Guide presents you two teams who fight against relegation in Qatar, a race for the title in Armenia and Baba's favourites from Brazil will play their match of the season.

(All hours are in CET)

Amateur (Like this fight)

What? Al-Wakra – Qatar SC (Qatar Stars League)

When? Friday, 17:15

Where? Saoud Bin Abdulrahman Stadium, Al-Wakra

Why? The final game in the Qatari league and everyone is trying to escape the relegation spot. A draw will be enough for Al-Wakra, who is ranked in 11th place, 3 points above Qatar SC. Qatar SC are one step from a first ever relegation.

Key Players: Al-Wakra’s main player will be Sebastián Sáez, the Argentine striker who scored 16 goals this season. The experienced Algerian Rafik Halliche will try to help Qatar SC to avoid the relegation.

Score More: Another great race will be for the season top scorer as Rodrigo Tabata of Al-Rayyan and Abderrazeak Hamdallah of Al-Jaish are tied with 20 goals each. Top notch.

Professional (like this goal)

What? Alashkert – Pyunik (Armenian Premier League)

When? Saturday, 14:00

Where? Alashkert Stadium, Yerevan

Why? After winning 12 of the last 15 Armenian titles, Pyunik are close to lose their title. In Saturday, they travel to Alashkert, the aspiring league leaders who dream about a historic title.

Key Players: Mihran Manasyan was the league’s top scorer two years ago, and while taking Alashkert for glory, he leads the scorers’ table once again with 14 goals. Homegrown player, 23-year-old Taron Voskanyan, will lead Pyunik as he plays for the senior team since 2010.

Non-League Football: Alashkert’s story is amazing. The club was dissolved in 1999, played in regional tournament a few years ago and registered again to the league only in 2012.

World Class (like that goalkeeper)

What? Bangú – Flamengo (Campeonato Carioca)

When? Sunday, 21:00

Where? Estádio de Moça Bonita, Rio de Janeiro

Why? Bangú, BabaGol's favorite in Brazil, will try to clinch a spot in the Brazilian national Serie D. In order to do that, they need to beat Flamengo, one of the top clubs in Brazil - who wants to qualify to the Carioca semifinals.

Key Players: Bangú have the tournament’s top scorer, Almir, who previously played in Botafogo and Atletico Mineiro, even spending a few years in Korea and Kuwait. Among the veteran players of Flamengo it's nice to see a big name like Juan, the former Brazil international player with 82 caps, who played in Bayer Leverkusen and AS Roma.

Our Team: Why are Bangu Baba’s favorites? That's easy, just read it.