The South American Football Show - Two halves, just the way we like it.

First Half
http://thesouthamericanfootballshow.podbean.com/mf/web/zfp2f7/SAFS-PartOne2.m4a
Second Half
http://thesouthamericanfootballshow.podbean.com/mf/web/pqbj8/SAFS-PartTwo.m4a

Too narrow a lead at Beira Rio?

In the first leg of Copa Libertadores' semi-final between brazilian clubs Inter and Sâo Paulo, the locals took advantage and earned a close 1-0 victory. In the pitch Inter showed much more determination and at the final whistle looked as the rightful winner. Will it be enough looking forward to the second leg? Next week's match at Morumbi will tell the tale.

Copa Libertadores is back!

In a game played at Estadio Azteca, Universidad de Chile rescued an important 1-1 draw against Chivas in Ciudad de México, and look forward to taking the final step towards the final at home in Santiago next week.

Tonight, the other semi-final between Inter de Porto Alegre and Sao Paulo FC will take place in Porto Alegre and promises to be a classic brazilian clash.

Ciao Maradona

Diego Maradona is jobless after his contract as head coach of the Argentinian national team was torn up.

A meeting of the executive committee of the Argentinian Football Association (AFA) led by president Julio Grondona decided not to renew Maradona’s contract. AFA had the option to extend El Diego’s existing contract up until the completion of next year’s Copa America.

Maradona’s former World Cup winning team-mate Sergio Batista takes charge of Argentina for next month’s friendly against Ireland in Dublin.

Estudiantes’ Copa Libertadores winning gaffer Alejandro Sabella is tipped to be the next permanent head coach of Argentina.

Our thoughts with Alfredo

Alfredo Di Stefano is in a Madrid hospital as a result of heart problems.

Di Stefano, 84, was admitted to Hospital La Moraleja after complaining of chest pains. In December 2005 the former Huracán and Millonarios forward underwent a quadruple bypass.

The five-time European Cup winner and honorary president of Real Madrid is reported to be in a comfortable state and his stay in hospital is merely precautionary.

All the best Saeta Rubia, from all at The South American Football Show.

White smoke coming from the CBF

CBF has named Mano Menezes new head coach of the Brazil national squad. Corinthians released him and he will soon be officially announced. Muricy Ramalho, CBF's first choice turned down the offer and is expected to sign a Fluminense extension until 2012.

Colombian girls will bring caribbean heat to the Semis.

Colombia's Under 20 Women's team advanced to the U-20 World Cup semifinals in Germany for the first time ever after beating Sweden 2-0. They will face either the USA or Nigeria.

Host Germany advanced also, beating Korea DPR, and will face either Mexico or South Korea.

Riquelme set to leave Boca

Boca Juniors head coach Claudio Borghi expects free agent Juan Román Riquelme to exit La Bombonera.

On Borghi’s return to Argentina following his team’s tour of Oceania the coach said, “I’m imagining a Boca Juniors team without Riquelme.”

Contract talks between Los Xeneizes and the talented playmaker have stalled as a result of Riquelme’s wage demands.

Brazil replace Dunga with Muricy

Muricy Ramalho is on the verge of becoming the new head coach of the Brazilian national football team. The CBF are in the process of negotiating a compensation package with Ramalho’s current employers Fluminense.

Ramalho, 54, led São Paulo to three Brazilian league titles on the bounce between 2006 and 2008 and recently took Fluminense to the final of the Copa Sudamericana.

Rodrigo Paiva, spokesperson for the CBF, said “Ramalho has been invited to lead the national team and now he must make up his mind. We expect to hold a meeting soon with the officials at Fluminense.”

Boca Juniors beaten in New Zealand

Boca Juniors have been sent packing from Oceania after losing 2-1 to Wellington Phoenix in New Zealand. New signing Christian Cellay’s red card saw the tourists finish the match with 10 men.

Handbags, South American style

Paraguayan defender José Pedrozo has been handed down on a 27 match ban for his attempt to strangle referee Marcelo Miranda. Pedrozo took exception to Miranda issuing him a red card during the match between Rangers and Deportes Concepcion in the Chilean second division.

Chile's National Professional Football Association (ANFP) banned him for 20 games for his aggressive act, a further five for attacking the referee and two more for the red card.

Hola y bienvenidos amigos futboleros,

The South American Football Show brings you expert analysis of the Beautiful Game, from Cape Horn all the way up to the Panama Canal. The weekly show is hosted by football writers Alejandro Pérez and Tim Sturtridge. They speak to players, coaches, presidents, fans, journos and you the listener to get the definitive word on what is kicking off on the continent.

Alejandro has lived in Buenos Aires for a year now, sucked in by the passion for football that exudes from every corner of the city. He has a masters degree in journalism from Universidad de San Andrés and after not missing a kick of South Africa’s feast of football as part of the team at Argentinian television station Todo Noticias (TN) he is ready to hit the airwaves. Twenty plus years of suffering at the hands of his beloved Millonarios of Bogotá have only served to strengthen his love of the game. Who better to cover football in South American, warts and all?

Tim is back in Buenos Aires after covering the recent World Cup in South Africa for The Sun and The Independent plus contributing to the BBC World Service. Tim pitched up in Argentina two years ago and wasted no time in picking out Huracán as the club to share his existing allegiance to Exeter City. A journalism graduate from UCLAN, he now covers politics and sport in South America for The Independent as well as writing the English language website of Conmebol.com among other projects.

Without you the audience the show is nothing more than these two lads talking football over a couple of fernets and coke. Please get in touch through facebook, email, blogger, twitter and skype to help us out with the topics you want to hear discussed.

Un abrazo del Show de Fútbol Suramericano
thesouthamericanfootballshow@gmail.com