Catolica count their blessings with Copa win

Universidad Catolica went top of their Copa Libertadores group with a 2-0 away win over Caracas on Tuesday.

The Chilean club stunned their Venezuelan opponents at the Estadio Olimpico de la UCV in Caracas when they opened the scoring in the 49th minute through Jose Luis Villanueva.Argentine striker Lucas Pratto made sure of the points in the 85th minute when he found the back of the net, before Caracas’ Panamanian import Nelson Barahona was sent off three minutes later to add to the woes of the home side.Libertad maintained their unbeaten Copa campaign in remarkable fashion, earning a late 2-2 draw against Once Caldas at the Estadio Defensores del Chaco.The visiting Colombians took the lead in the 12th minute when Wason Renteria scored, but it was quickly cancelled out in the 16th minute when Nicolas Pavlovich scored for the hosts at Asuncion.As quickly as they had equalised, Libertad were trailing once more when Renteria scored a brace three minutes later and it looked his second goal would deliver them an elusive win after three consecutive draws in the group stage.But it was Pavlovich again – in the fourth minute of second-half injury time – who pegged back Once Caldas to deliver the Paraguayans a point and maintain their five-game unbeaten run in the Copa.A Michael Arroyo brace helped Mexican outfit San Luis to a 3-1 victory over Peruvian side Universidad San Martin at the Estadio Alfonso Lastras Ramirez in San Luis Potosi.San Luis’ first Copa win this campaign moved them off the bottom of their group to within one point of San Martin, who have lost their past three but remain second.

Wed 23 March, 2011

Fergie counts his United blessings

Sir Alex Ferguson believes he has lost none of his drive and determination despite enjoying unparalleled success at Manchester United.

Ferguson, who took over as United manager in 1986, has won the English Premier League 11 times, the FA Cup five times and the Champions League twice to become the most decorated manager in British football history.

And the former Aberdeen boss, who played as a striker with Glasgow Rangers, is confident he has retained the same qualities he brought to Old Trafford 25 years ago.

“Your character and work ethic doesn’t change,” Ferguson told ESPN.

“It is part of you and I like to see it in my players.”

“It was with me when I was young.”

When Ferguson arrived United were without a league title since 1967, but success did not arrive instantly.

They had to wait until 1993 before breaking their championship drought and some lean seasons in Ferguson’s initial years in charge are believed to have nearly cost the Scotsman his job.

“You can’t dismiss the history of Manchester United,” he said.

“That was one of the things I wanted to bring back. That was the challenge.”

“Every manager knows the name of the game. You have to be successful. That drives a lot of people on. Who wants to fail?”

“Now I am integrated into this club, which brings a responsibility to win.”

“That is more accurate than the fear of failure that was there in the early days.”

Ferguson’s success and longevity have made him an institution in his own right within English football.

He has compiled a catalogue of feuds and disagreements with the game’s administrators, the media and other managers.

While some might disagree, the 69-year-old claims he never dwells on his accomplishments and credits humility as a key quality underpinning his glittering career.

“I never think about what I have won. I don’t have time for that,” he said.

“There is a certain vanity about it anyway. What has served me well over the years is keeping my feet on the ground.”

“Humility is an important aspect of your life and should not be dismissed.”

Wed 2 February, 2011