Argentina, Chile Win
Argentina bounced back and Chile continued its strong start as both pushed to the top of the standings with victories in South American World Cup qualifying matches Tuesday night.
Pablo Aimar, Hernan Crespo and Cesar Delgado scored goals in the first 32 minutes to lead visiting Argentina to a 3-0 victory over Venezuela in front of 25,000 at Caracas.
Host Chile got a first-half goal from 19-year-old striker Mauricio Pinilla and the winner from substitute Arturo Norambuena in the 70th minute for a 2-1 victory over Peru in front of 55,000 at Santiago.
Argentina and Chile played each other last weekend and fought to a 2-2 tie at Buenos Aires. Both have four points, although victories by Brazil, Ecuador or Uruguay in tonight’s qualifiers would put those teams in first place.
Colombian to Quit
Colombian striker Victor Aristizabal, a veteran of the 1994 and 1998 World Cups, said he is retiring from international soccer after being left on the bench by Coach Francisco Maturana in Sunday’s World Cup qualifying match against Brazil.
Aristizabal, 32, said today’s Germany 2006 qualifying match against Bolivia will be his last.
Ronaldinho Returns
A Brazilian squad that was the only road team to win in the first round of South American World Cup qualifying last weekend will get stronger with the addition of Ronaldinho, who returns from a yellow-card suspension.
Brazil Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira said the Barcelona midfielder will start tonight against Ecuador in place of Alex, who played 58 minutes in a 2-1 victory over Colombia on Sunday.
Euro 2004
The first qualified teams for next summer’s European Championship in Portugal should be known today when 20 matches are played across the continent.
Among teams that can clinch spots are: France, which needs a tie against Slovenia; Denmark, which must defeat Romania; Sweden, which must defeat Poland; and Switzerland, which must defeat Russia.
Other key games are Scotland-Germany, with the Germans trying to shake off a scoreless tie against Iceland, and Netherlands-Czech Republic, with the winner earning its spot.
Canada Roster
Canada Coach Even Pellerud unveiled his roster for this month’s Women’s World Cup, and of the 20 players selected, five play for teams in the Women’s United Soccer Assn.
The five are goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc (Boston Breakers), defenders Breanna Boyd (Carolina Courage) and Sharolta Nonen (Atlanta Beat), and forwards Charmaine Hooper (Atlanta Beat) and Christine Latham (San Diego Spirit).
Quick Passes
Mike Magee and Mike Nugent scored goals to lead the MetroStars to a 2-1 victory over China in a friendly at East Rutherford, N.J.... Ireland’s Richard Dunne, who came into the game late, scored on a volley in injury time to salvage a 2-2 tie against Turkey in a friendly at Dublin. Turkey goalkeeper Rustu Recber injured his knee in the 61st minute and had to leave after a mis-kick on a clearance.... Norwegian striker John Carew was suspended from the national team for today’s friendly against Portugal at Oslo for punching teammate John Arne Riise after practice Monday.
