Weekend Guide 21.5.2016

Here we go with another Weekend Guide.

We’re off for the semifinals in Mexico, a decisive match in Paraguay and the newly reborn league in Indonesia. 

(All the hours are in CET local time)

Amateur (Like this defender)

What? Monterrey – América (Liga MX)

When? Sunday, 0330

Where?  Estadio BBVA Bancomer, Monterrey

Why? Even though Monterrey finished 1st at the end of the regular season, they feel the pressure of an elimination. They lost to the 4th ranked América 0:1 in the first leg of the semifinals, and now need to win in order to remain in the title picture.

Key Players: Both teams have tremendous strikers who’ll have chance to score more. Rogelio Funes Mori of Monterrey (19 goals) and Oribe Peralta of América (17 goals) are the top scorers of their teams.

Who's the Boss: In the other semifinal, it’s Pachuca vs León. The interesting fact is that both have the same owners – two companies named Grupo Pachuca and Grupo Carso.

Professional (like that kick)

What? Libertad – Guaraní (Paraguayan Primera División)

When? Sunday, 0000

Where? Estadio Dr. Nicolás Léoz, Asunción

Why? Club Libertad are only one draw away from winning the title. Libertad are in 1st place, 3 points more than the reigning champions, Olimpia. Guaraní are in the 4th place and don't want any team celebrates against them. By the way, if Libertad will lose and Olimpia will win, the tie breaker will be a playoff match for the title.

Key Players: Every team needs veteran players, so we have two 36 years old players as the players to watch. In Libertad it’s Sergio Aquino, who plays for the club since 2006 and won 8 Paraguayan titles with the team. Julio César Cáceres of Guaraní is remembered from his periods in River Plate and Boca Juniors, as well his international career with Paraguay national team.

Coincidence: 61 international caps for Paraguay and being part of the squad in 2002 World Cup. You can say it about Julio César Cáceres, but you can say it also about his manager in Guaraní, Francisco Arce.

World Class (like this goal)

What? Perseru Serui – Persija Jakarta (Indonesia Super League)

When? Sunday, 0900

Where? Marora Stadium, Serui

Why? Political intervention prevented any Indonesian football last year, but now football is coming back to the country, with a great opening for the season. Persipura Jayapura, one of the biggest teams in Indonesia, tied for the 2nd place with 7 out of 9 points. They will travel to Perseru Serui, who’s ranked in the 8th place with 5 points.

Key Players: Amadou Gakou came as an anonymous striker from Mali, but until now he is on fire for Perseru Serui attack. Persija have their faith with Andritany Ardhiyasa, a 24 years old goalkeeper who plays for the team since 2010.

And nicknames for all: Perseru and Persija, alongside with names like Persipura or Persib have no meaning. It's actually a way to nickname the word Persatuan, which means unity or association in Indoensian.

Weekend Guide 7.8.2015

The new season is starting and we have a new format for our exclusive Weekend Guide.

The 'W' format - What? When? Where? Why? and much more. Yosport brings you three matches you need to follow this weekend, from all around the world. Enjoy! 

Amateur (like this goal)

What? Steaua București – Dinamo București (Romanian Liga I)

When? Sunday, 20:00

Where? Arena Națională, Bucharest

Why? The biggest match in Romanian football has 3 names - The Eternal Derby (Eternul Derbi), The Romanian Derby (Derbiul României) or The Great Derby (Marele Derbi). After 4 league matchdays, Steaua are in 2nd place and Dinamo are in the 3rd place, both with 8 points and are level with the leaders, Târgu Mureș.

Good to Know: Two interesting facts about the teams’ logos. The Supreme Court of Romania stripped Steaua of their old logo in 2004, after the Romanian Army didn't allow them to use it anymore. Dinamo have two red dogs on their logo, in memory of the two stars of the team during the 60's and the 70's, Radu and Ion Nunweiller.

Key Players: If you are looking for the biggest summer transfer for Steaua, it will be Grégory Tadé, last season's Golden Boot winner who came from CFR Cluj. On the other side it will be Dorin Rotariu, one of the greatest young talents in Romanian football.

Professional (like this goal)

What? Olimpia – Cerro Porteño (Paraguayan Primera División)

When? Saturday, 22:00

Where? Estadio Manuel Ferreira, Asunción

Why? El Clásico Paraguáyo. Cerro Porteño is popular among lower class people, while Olimpia is supported by the upper classes. After 5 games in the Clausura, Olimpia leads with 11 points and Cerro Porteño are in 2nd place, just 1 point behind.

Good to Know: Last May, Cerro Porteño's Sergio Díaz broke the record for the youngest scorer in the history of this clash. He was 17 years, 1 month and 28 days old. The previous record was set in 1998 by the legendary Roque Santa Cruz.

Historic Moment: 1999 League Final. Olimpia tried to win their third consecutive title and won the first leg at home 1:0. In the second leg, Cerro Porteño led 2:0 in the 30th minute, but Olimpia managed to score three times, won 3:2 and snatched the title.

Key Players: It will be a dual between two Paraguayan top guns. Olimpia with Cristian Riveros, a 32 year-old midfielder who has won 90 international caps, scored 15 international goals and played in England and Turkey. Cerro Porteño's 37 year-old defender, Carlos Bonet, has 73 caps and has played in 3 World Cup tournaments.

World Class (like this goal)

What? Muangthong United – Bangkok Glass (Thai Premier League)

When? Saturday, 14:00

Where? SCG Stadium, Pak Kret

Why? In the middle of the season we have three-team race for the title, as all three teams are tied on 38 points. Last week, Muang Thong United  drew with the leaders Buriram. Now they are facing the third team in the title race, Bangkok Glass.

Good to Know: Both teams have interesting nicknames. Muangthong United are known as the Twin Qilin, as qilin is a mythical character in East Asian cultures. Their opponents, Bangkok Glass, have one of the weirdest nicknames I've ever heard for a football team -The Glass Rabbits. Say what?

Key Players: Two of the top footballers in Thailand will be playing. Muangthong United's Teerasil Dangda is one of the biggest stars in Thailand and was the first Thai player to play in Spain, for Almería. Bangkok Glass' Thanasit Siriphala, is a 19 year-old midfielder who looks like Ronaldinho. Bola!