Scores and Recaps
Ross County 2 – Livingston 0
Some players are made for the biggest stages in the world. And some are made for random Wednesday nights in Dingwall.
Billy McKay’s brace helped the Staggies to a vital victory in the battle to stay off the bottom. With 8 games till the end of this first session, they’ll look to keep strong against overconfident sides at home, and salvage the off draw on the road.
Legon Cities FC 1 – Elmina Sharks 0
It was a rather uninspiring day in Accra, as the two teams combined for few quality chances. Those chances that did come seemed to owe as much to slipshod defending as serious skill.
It took until a hand ball from Elmina in the 89th minute for a break to truly hurt one side. Karim Jabilla calmly stepped to the spot and slotted home a much needed winner for the Royals.
Blooming 0 – Emelec (M) 3 (Copa Sudamericana)
Our favorite Ecuadorian side got 2020 off to a great start: racking up 3 away goals against Bolivia’s Blooming. Uruguay’s Facundo Barceló bookended the score sheet with a pair of goals from tight angles, and Dixon Arroyo slammed home a strong header to seal the win,
As a straight knockout tournament, the Copa Sudamericana offers plenty of drama, and though it’s less historic/prestigious than the Copa Libertadores, its a great chance for Emelec to step up on a continental stage
The score line gives Los Bombillos a significant advantage coming into their home leg, which should set them up well for the round of 32.
Interallies 1 – Legon Cities FC 1
Head coach Goran Barjaktarevic wanted a better performance from his side than what they turned in at midweek. Instead his side conceded an early penalty that scrapped their game plan.
A more aggressive Royals attack provided valuable pressure. But it took another penalty, committed by InterAllies keeper, to set up Legon’s goal: another Karim Jabilla penalty.
SC Freiburg (M) 1 – TSG Hoffenheim 0
One end of the Schwarzwald Stadion saw all the most decisive action Saturday. First fullback Christian Gunther was taken down/tapped lightly on a run in from the wing, drawing the penalty that Gian-Luca Walschmidt converted to give Freiburg the lead.
But it was almost all for not when Hoffenheim’s Christian Baumgartner dashes past the defense with a well-Angled low shot. Fortunately for Freiburg, it hit the post. Unfortunately, it caromed right back into Baumgartner’s path. And that’s where Dominique Heintz saved the day and three points
Alebrijes de Oxaca 1 – Dorados 1
Dorados put everything they had into their opening salvo: dominating possession and pushing Alebrijes deeper and deeper into their shell. Finally there was one cross too many and the visitors went on top.
That seemed to be enough to wake up Alebrijes who promptly peppered the Dorados defense with all manner of attacking moves: runs, crosses, through balls, but it wasn’t until Daniel Cisneros’ free kick pinged off a defender’s skull and into the net that the hosts went level. Despite several more opportunties for both sides to net the winner from less than 6 yards out, it finished that way.
Mohun Bagan 1 – Punjab FC 0
The I-League’s top of table clash didn’t disappoint. A late first half goal by Baba Diarwa set the Kolkata club on top. Then the sailors weathered a storm of Warriors attacks in the second half, with Leonardo Barboza looking particularly menacing.
At the start of the day, there were six points between the sides, and a win for the visitors would have shrunk the gap to 3. Instead it’s now 9 points and without any more head-to-head fixtures the title may be done and dusted.
Le Havre 4 – Grenoble Foot 38 (F) 0
It was a tough trip to Normandy for the Grenobloises, but the “Sky and Sea” were too much for them. To be fair, any team whose crest boasts a dragon in a pink scarf is tough to beat, or even to want to beat.
Lens 0 – Grenoble Foot 38 (M) 0
It wasn’t much better for the men up at Lens. Outmuscled in the midfield, they created more chances than their opponents, but they weren’t quality. Keeping up with a team fighting for promotion is promising. Coming up short is aggravating.
News & Notes
Minnesota United Ranked 7th in Western Conference before Season Starts
When not making sense of American elections, 538.com applies statistical analysis to ascertain potential and strength of various teams/leagues around the world.
Our local team has gone from laughing stock to reliable playoff threat, but with only a 50/50 chance (according to the statistical model) it might be a more tense atmosphere
What’s Next
Wednesday, February 12
1:45 Hibernian v. Ross County
Thursday, February 13
5:30 East Bengal Club v. Punjab FC
Friday, February 14
1:00–Grenoble Foot 38 (M) v. Niort
Saturday, February 15
8:30 Augsburg v. SC Freiburg (M)
9:00–Ross County v. St. Johnstone
10:00 Mladost Lucani v. FK Vozdovac
11:00–Legon Cities FC v. Great Olympics
2:30–Orense v. Emelec (M)
Sunday February 16
2:30–Punjab FC v. Real Kashmir
7:00–SC Sand v. SC Freiburg 
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