Buenos Aires, Apr 16: Racing Club's title hopes faded when they crashed to a 1-0 home defeat against Boca Juniors in a meeting of Argentina's two most supported teams. Racing, coached by Argentina's 1978 World Cup-winning midfielder Osvaldo Ardiles, never recovered after conceding an 11th minute goal to Boca's Matias Donnet on Sunday (April 13). Boca Juniors, South American champions in 2000 and 2001, held on for three points despite having midfielder Raul Cascini sent off midway through the second half. The defeat, only their second this year in all competitions, left Racing five points adrift of the leading trio River Plate, Boca and Velez Sarsfield, who all have 22 points in the Clausura championship. River stayed ahead of Boca and Velez on goal difference by scoring twice in the last 24 minutes to beat defending champions Independiente 2-1 also on Sunday.


The Red Devils took a first-half lead through Daniel Montenegro but Esteban Fuertes equalised in the 66th minute and Independiente defender Gabriel Milito put through his own goal with five minutes left to give River the points.


Bureau Report