Davey

Finally, as the Mexican Opening Championship heads into round five, Jaguares are the only club who are unbeaten. In what is generally a very unpredictable competition, Cruz Azul, Atlante, Jaguares, Atlas, Necaxa and Tecos all hold the qualifying positions in the three sub groups.

1. Jaguares 4 10
2. Cruz Azul 4 9
3. Atlante 4 9
4. Atlas 4 9
5. Puebla 4 7


16. Santos Laguna 4 3
17. América 4 3
18. Pachuca 4 0

Davey

Vasco aren't the only club are on the lookout for a new manager. Despite leading his club to a Copa Libertadores semi final, Evaristo de Macedo is likely to leave his position at ninth placed Atlético Paranaense.

After guiding Coritiba to the Brazilian Cup final, Ze Mario looks set to get the axe. However despite struggling in the National Championship, Ze Mario has guided the club to victory over Sao Paulo in the Copa Sudamericana preliminery round and has recently picked up some points in the league, most notably a 3-0 win against Fluminense.

In Sao Paulo state, Leao is also under increasing pressure with third placed Palmeiras. A group stage exit in the Copa Libertadores and a lack of silverware from the State Championships look set to cost the Palmeiras favourite his job.

Meanwhile on the pitch Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana meet in the two legged Recopa. Current holders Boca meet Sao Paulowith the first leg being played in Buenos Aires.

Davey

Victory in our previous game at home to Rangers put us in good stead for our visit to the Estadio Nacional as we played Universidad de Chile.

I again opted for Fuenzalida and Calderon up front, whilst Alexis Jose Garcia made his second appearence in an Union San Felipe shirt as he started from midfield.

Just over 10,500 fans watched on in the Sunday afternoon heat as 'La U' hammered our goal from the very beginning. After only eight minutes I was looking at the clock thinking how were they still goal less. With the formidible but aging Marcelo Salas up front they could of really been 3-0 up by 15 mins, however we dug in and took everything they hit us with. We struggled to get possession but when we did, our midfield were superb in allowing the ball to do the work and trying to create something for us. We had a few half chances but nothing clear cut until after some fantastic play, Fierro crossed for Fuenzalida to bury the ball past the stranded Universidad keeper to give us a shock 1-0 lead!!!

Universidad de Chile stepped up a gear and my aim was to just get us in at half time with the scoreline 1-0. With the quality they possessed it was near impossible and a superb Salas cross saw Cacereres head home the equaliser on 39 mins, 1-1!

We began the second half bright and confident following our performance in the previous 45 minutes. A good interception by Alexis Jose Garcia and a some great understanding between Fuenzalida and Calderon saw us free up space in their box for Calderon to smash the ball in as it clipped the post leaving Johnny Herrera the La U's keeper wrong footed, we'd taken the lead again!!! 2-1!

We'd managed a shock win against Universidad de Chile in the reverse fixture earlier in the season but to be winning on their home ground was another thing! As the confidence grew in our players so did the tiredness and despite using the ball well, Universidad were able to string passes around and look threatening. In the 71st minute, subsitute Marcelo Vega broke through our defence to level again for the home side. 2-2!

La U's managed to create further opportunites but tiredness and poor finishing saw them waste chances to go ahead, thankfully Marcelo Salas was already subsituted! We clung on and the match ended 2-2. A fantastic point!

With this being the first of two games against two of Chile's biggest clubs, it was important that we worked hard and fought to get something. The point ensured we remained second in the table, joint with Cobreloa and Huachipato. Palestino won their fifth consecutive match to put them five points ahead in first place!

Retaining our second place position is going to be a very difficult thing to do as we take on Opening Champions, Universidad Catolica at home. When we played them earlier in the season they slaughtered us 4-0 in Santiago. In front of the TV cameras, we need to be able to show we can cope with the bigger clubs.

For the first time in the Closing Stage Championship we have a full week between games. This will be a big help as we've had to chop and change things alot in our opening games as the players have lacked match fitness and have been in poor condition.

Davey

A slightly disappointing crowd of 3,678 turned out at Municipal de San Felipe for our clash with Opening Stage Champions, Universidad Catolica.

The impressive Fuenzalida and centre back Munoz missed this game as they are on loan to us from our opponents, so Reyes and Ahumada started instead. Both of our new signings Alexis Jose Garcia and Omar Riquelme started on the bench.

It was always going to be a difficult game, but when on 2 mins Catolica took the lead through a Cortes header, things were going to be even harder.

After the goal we responded well, almost immediatly as Santibanez headed a Fierro cross only to have it ruled out for being offside. We continued to battle and were really beginning to match Universidad Catolica but were undone again when on 37 mins, Molina slotted the ball away after our RB Contreras made a dreadful backpass. 2-0.

We begun the second half again having to start from scratch to try and get something from the game. The players had responded well to our half time team talk as they stood out, looking the better side, playing some fantastic football. Despite this Universidad Catolica's defence were rock solid as they dealt with every pass into their box. We were probably playing the best football we had played all season and we rewarded in the 64th minute when (LB) Suarez drilled the ball in across the box for Santibanez to remain on-side to smash the ball home, 2-1!!!

I really felt we could take something from the game, and throughout the second half I felt we the superior team. It was do be another defenisve lapse though which would cost us dearly, this time it was Suarez and Gutierrez was left with a simple finish past our helpless 'keeper Arcos. 3-1.

It was turning out to be a strange match, we had dominated the second have in terms of possession and we playing some wonderful football, but two individual mistakes had cost us. Despite the goal I had belief in team and we pushed up further, seeking two goals. We continued playing well and a great move finished with Suarez again crossing for Santibanez to finish his second of the afternoon in the 74th minute. 3-2!!!

With 15 mins left we had it all to do, we needed to continue the way we had and hoped we could again break through the solid Universidad defence. As we attacked more and more we began leaving ourselves vunerable at the back and Universidad could of scored another if they'd had more luck. Garcia had come on for Celedon in centre midfield with the aim of breaking up Universidad's attacks whilest we also brought on LB Riquelme in the 88th min for his debut for Suarez. The match finished without us unable to find a third goal and ended 3-2 to an impressive Universidad Catolica.

They defeat sends us down the league table to sixth. We still hold a healthy position in our sub-group, we are second place but are five points ahead of Concepcion who lie in third place.

We now have a two week break before our next fixture away to Melipilla. Melipilla are a week side without a win in the last seven games and are fourteen points adrift in their relegation battle. Anything less than a win would be a very poor result so we will go into the game attacking and looking to score.

This week also see's the return to full training of our reliable RB, Pablo Fuenzalida (not to be confused with our impressive on loan AMR/ST Jose Pedro Fuenzalida).

With us having a week off, our reserves who are also without a competitive game will play a friendly against our Under 20's. I will use the game as an opportunity to give players who are still short of match fitness to get some playing time such as Omar Riquelme and Pablo Fuenzalida.

News broke this week that M.L.S side Colorado Rapids have as expected, parted company with their manager Fernando Clavijo. I have applied for the job to test the water so to speak to see how highly regarded I am.

Boca also won the Recopa beating Sao Paulo 3-1 over two legs. The second leg at the Morumbi stadium finished 1-0 to Boca .

Davey

All is quiet from training this week as we enjoy our extended preperation time from our trip to Melipilla.

Omar Riquelme and Pablo Fuenzalida both came through the reserve match I'd arranged. Omar Arcos (GK), Juan Pablo Arenas and Freddy Armijo also featured.

I also requested a meeting with the chairman Rodrigo Oliver. With my contract expiring on 31/12/06 (current date is 6/09/06) I wanted to get my future sorted out.

I felt I've done well adapting to Chilian football and the club has definatly made progress both, on the pitch and financially. Ideally I want to stay at Union San Felipe next season but I'm not afraid to move on to another club in Chile or abroad if need be, particularly if I get an opportunity at one of the big Santiago clubs.

The club have been supportive throughout and I see no reason for the club not to want to secure my services. Dissappointingly, Rodrigo Oliver has decided to keep his cards close to his chest and refusing to consider offering me a new deal at this moment in time. I'm slightly concerned as I have less than four months remaining, so we'll have to wait and see.


In the news this week, Palmeiras are managerless after Leao was sacked. Atlético Paranaense have had a busy week they sacked Evaristo de Macedo before immeadiately appointing Lio Evaristo as caretake manager.

Sigi Schmid replaces Fernando Clavijo as Colorado Rapids manager.

Davey

Our extended break without a game was exactly what we needed and it paid dividends as we thrashed struggling Melipilla 6-0 at their Municipal Roberto Bravo.

With the exception of long term injury casualty Luis Nunez and Hector Santibanez who'd picked up a flu in the week, we approached the game with a fully fit squad.

After missing out the Universidad Catolica match both Jose Pedro Fuenzalida (AMR/ST) and Claudio Munoz (DC) returned to the strarting line up. Nelson San Martin who'd featured heavily also started on the bench to allow Celedon and Garcia to play centre midfield. Fierro started wide left and Juan Pablo Arenas started out wide right. Omar Riquelme and Pablo Fuenzalida both start on the bench.

From the opening minutes, we controlled the game without too much difficulty. Melipilla were unable to cause us any problems and I felt soon as we got the first goal things should be ok. Our first goal came with the typical combination of Gonazalo Fierro crossing from the left for Fuenzalida to finish on 14 mins. Hapless Melipilla 'keeper, Traverso did manage to get a touch but was unable to keep the ball out. 1-0! It took just another eight minutes for us to double our lead, this time with a move that started from the back, we played the ball through and across midfield resulting in LB Suarez crossing for Fuenzalida to head in his second, 2-0!! Things were getting bad for Melipilla but were soon to get worse. On 24 mins things were to get much worse, centre back Fica was sent off for bring Fuenzalida down in the box, Celedon stepped up and calmly slotted the penalty down past the 'keepers right hand side to make things 3-0!!! Rafael Celedon didn't needed to wait long to get his second of the afternoon, he found space in the box to put us 4-0 up after a good cross by Gonzalo Contrereas on 28 mins. If things weren't bad enough for Melipilla, Celedon was to complete his hattrick and get his 8th of the season with another penalty as Fuenzalida was again brought down in the area on 44 mins. We went in at half time flying! 5-0...

We began the second half just as the first, with goals! Our sixth goal came as Fuenzalida made it 6 goals in 6 appearences as he completed his hattrick after good work by Suarez on 49 mins. With the points comfortably ours, we took our foot off the pedal a little but slowing things down and keeping possession. (DR) Pablo Fuenzalida made his comeback from injury when he replaced Arenas on the hour, and ten minutes later Riquleme made his second appearence for us when he replaced the excellent Suarez at left back. With the coming to it's close, Melipilla again made life difficult for themselves as defender Arancibia was sent off after an off the ball incident. Reyes was brought off to give Calderon a run out in the 79th minute, but we couldn't manage to add to our impressive 6-0 scoreline.

I was delighted with the result, but need to bear in mind just how poor Melipilla were, I have no doubt that they will be relegated this season and their winless run is sure to continue as they travel to Santiago to play Colo Colo in their next game.

The win though was good for confidence, and I'm particuarly impressed with the form Jose Pedro Fuenzalida has shown us since signing. He has a goal a game record and has looked dangerous both up front and on the wing. Another player who has done very well for us is Victor Nicolas Suarez who is filling in at left back for me. Suarez was only playing orginally to cover for John Valladares who's on loan to Colo Colo. My signing Omar Riquelme was expected to play at LB, but he found himself injured early on and is still lack match fitness. Suarez has taken his opportunity and has been playing to a very high level. He is creative as a left back (6 assists) and a very good passer. Providing Suarez can maintain this sort of form, Riquelme will continue to be restricted to subsitute appearances.

Next weekend the TV camera's visit Municipal de San Felipe where we take on midtable Audax Italiano. We then have a difficult midweek trip to Union Espanola before playing Universidad de Concepcion at home the following weekend.

Davey

Unlike the Melipilla game we were unable to to find the back of the net against Audax Italiano and took a point from the game as the match ended 0-0.

We started with the same team that started against Melipilla except Pablo Fuenzalida started at right back for Gonzalo Contrereas.

We never struggled to compete with Los Italianos and dominated the game from start to finish, up front though we just weren't clinical enough.

I'm happy with the draw as we played well enough but our we'll have to step up a gear if we're going to get anything from our midweek visit to Santiago against Union Espanola.

Davey

We again failed to get on the scoresheet as we slumped to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Union Espanola. In what was a poor match, both teams scrapped it out until half time as it remained 0-0.

In the second half, we again failed to create anything clear cut. Espanola took the lead on 49 mins as we failed to clear our lines and Vilches was left with a close range tap in. We pushed forward attempting to ourselves into the game but with Reyes and Calderon looking uneffective up front it was hard to see where the goal would come from. Ubida doubled Espanola's lead with a miss-hit shot beating Arcos in goal in the 78th minute. We again, went forward trying to get ourselves back into the game but continued to be fustrated by the Union Espanola defence.

I was dissappointing with the defeat, despite Union Espanola have a good side they haven't been playing well recently and I expected us to cause them more problems than we did. With Fuenzalida playing on the wing rather than up front the Reyes/Calderon partnership up front didn't look likely of scoring. Patrico Reyes (11 goals) in particular is on quite a poor run by his standards and has not scored for a few games now. I think he may need to be rested from the first team for a few games. Calderon started off very well when I first came to the club but then struggled and spend some time in the reserves. He then came back into the first team when we began the Closing Championship and looked lively but again his form has slumped. At the moment withouth Fuenzalida up front we look very average.

Davey

With our first team minus Patrico Reyes and Sebastian Calderon up front, we managed to win our first game in three matches as we overcome Universidad de Concepcion at Municipal de San Felipe. Omar Riquelme and Pablo Fuenzalida both started at full back, whilest our midfield consisted of Fierro, Garcia, Espinoza, Arenas. Jose Pedro Fuenzalida continued up front with Freddy Armijo being given a chance to impress.

We took the lead in the 38th minute through a Jose Pedro Fuenzalida penalty after dominating the first half for long periods. We should of double our lead minutes later when Armijo who started up front was brought down in the box, only for Arenas to miss the spot kick. We went in at half time 1-0 up!

The second half was much of the same as the first with Universidad de Concepcion being no real threat to us and we continued being unable to convert our chances. On the hour we brought off our two strikers and brought on (ST)Fernandez and versitle midfielder/full back Suarez as we revereted to playing 4-5-1.

The final half hour saw us continue to push for the second goal and it finally game on 83 mins when Garcia headed in subsitute Gonzalo Contrereas' cross. 2-0!! Universidad had chances to get themselves back in it in the last five minutes, first with their forward hitting the ball over the bar from six yards and then they had a goal ruled out for being offside. We rode our luck but overall we were the best team and deserved the 2-0 scoreline.

I was quite pleased with the result. Reyes/Calderon were both left out and I'm hoping to give 21 year old, Armijo a run in the first team to see how he does.

Our forthcoming fixtures see us play-

27/09 - A - La Serena
01/10 - H - Huachipato
11/10 - A - Cobresal (T.V)
14/10 - H - Santiago Wanderers (T.V)
18/10 - A - Colo Colo (T.V)

Davey

We continued our winning ways with a delightful 4-0 win in La Serena in front of just 518 supporters.

We lined up with the Fernandez and Fuenzalida up front as Amijo wasn't fit enough, whilest Santibanez and Celedon replaced Espinoza and Arenas. Ahumada also came into the side to replace the tired Munoz.

The first half started as a fairly even affair however after just 9 mins Fuenzalida limped off and was replaced by Calderon. Victor Fernandez's pace was becoming increasingly threatening to La Serena's defence. It was just this which broke the deadlock as Fernandez burst through to put us ahead on 25 mins giving us theh lead, 1-0!!

We were still 1-0 up at half time where I told the players to ensure they kept things going and didn't get complaicent.

The second half kicked off and within minutes Fernandez doubled our lead after being put through by Garcia on 48 mins, 2-0!!! I didn't take long before the 31 degree heat was beginning to take effect on the player's fitness levels. Ten minutes in we made our final two changes, reverting back to 4-51, Fernandez and Santibanez made way for DMC Espinoza and RB Pablo Fuenzalida. The 4-5-1 suited us with the current scoreline and we able to add to it when Rafael Celedon scored a fantastic 25 yard curler straight in past the La Serena 'keeper, we were well on our way to victory now! 3-0!!! To put the game beyond all doubt Gonzalo Contrereas continued his run of impressive performances as his cross in from the right hand side was met by Gonzalo Fierro as he netted his 2nd goal of the season.

I didn't know what quite to expect from the match beforehand as I feel we are short on quality upfront. Victor Fernandez responded to his chance well by getting two goals and his pace was always a threat. Jose Pedro Fuenzalida who came off injured has picked up a deadleg and will be out for around five days, so he is a doubt for our next match, home to Huachipato. It was Huachipato who knocked us out of the Opening Stage playoffs so we're desperate to get one over them! They having won in five games so providing we can put in the same level of performance as we did today I feel we'll have every chance of taking the three points.

Today's win puts us fifth in the league and we're also top of our sub-group, eleven points ahead of third placed Concepcion.