Argentina, Aug 19: River Plate lost 2-0 to Newell's Old Boys while Boca, River's arch rivals, beat Velez Sarsfield 3-1. Midfielder Marcelo Gallardo was injured half an hour into his debut for River Plate as the Argentine champions lost 2-0 at home to Newell's Old Boys on Sunday (August 17) to slide to their second successive defeat. Colombian duo Julian Vasquez and Jairo Patino scored either Side of halftime for Newell's to leave River with three points out of nine in the Apertura, the first of the two league championships in the Argentine season. Gallardo, who returned to the club last month after signing from AS Monaco, limped off with a knee injury in the 75th minute and could be out of action for up to a month. He had come on as a halftime substitute. Chile international Marcelo Salas, who returned to River after signing from Juventus last month, also came on at halftime but was unable to rescue his side.


The defeat sent River slumping to 13th in the table. Newell's, led by former River and Boca Juniors coach Hector Viera, are unbeaten this season and have not conceded a goal.

Boca, River's arch rivals, lead with a maximum nine points from three games after coming from behind to win 3-1 at Velez Sarsfield. Velez took a first-half lead through Mauro Obolo before the South American champions hit back after the break with another excellent performance by new Brazilian signing Iarley.


Nineteen-year-old Carlos Tevez equalised before defender Rolando Schiavi added two goals.


Bureau Report