Episode 121: Reviewing the superclásico, previewing Argentina’s final WCQs & more

The hundred-and-twenty-first episode of Hand Of Pod sees Andrés welcome Sam and Mariano to his living room for the first time, as we look back on Boca Juniors’ 1-0 win away to River Plate in Sunday’s superclásico. That was far from the only talking point of the weekend; we had wrongly-given red cards for diving, two managers left their jobs, another two seem to be on the brink, and Racing, of course, are as awful as ever. We consider what value an injury-ravaged Argentina side can take from their final two World Cup qualifiers, given that their place in Brazil next year is already secure, and discuss Mauro Icardi’s impending debut for the national side among other things.

As usual, Mystic Sam’s predictions for this weekend (for there are domestic matches in Argentina on Saturday, Sunday and Monday) are just below. If you subscribe to us on iTunes, we’ll love you forever.

Mystic Sam’s round 11 predictions
All Boys v Colón
Rafaela v Argentinos
Belgrano v Quilmes
Arsenal v San Lorenzo
Vélez v Olimpo
Estudiantes v Racing
Boca v Central
Newell’s v River
Tigre v Gimnasia
Lanús v Godoy Cruz

Episode 108: World Cup qualifiers, police shooting fans, tense title/relegation run-ins and more

The hundred-and-eighth episode of Hand Of Pod is a bumper one, during which Sam, English Dan and Joel look back on Argentina’s two World Cup qualifying draws to start with, before getting into the serious stuff in the domestic league; two called-off matches and one fan shot dead by police, a restaurant looted by Independiente fans after defeat to River Plate left their side’s survival hopes hanging by the slimmest of threads, the possibility that Newell’s Old Boys could win the league on Sunday, the question of whether anyone at all involved in Argentine football pays their taxes, and much, much more besides. Enjoy.

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Episode 75: Tactical confusion at River, and an Argentina v Paraguay preview

The seventy-fifth episode of Hand Of Pod is a bumper one ahead of Friday evening’s World Cup qualifier in Córdoba between Argentina and Paraguay. Gearing up for that match, we’ve got Asunción resident Ralph Hannah on to tell us what’s been going on with the Paraguayan national team, and also take a look at the Argentine side and their chances. There’s a full weekend of league games in Argentina as well, and we look back on the last round which included a draw for River Plate seemingly in spite of their manager, a hat-trick from a potential Next Big Thing at Racing, an enormous number of red cards, and no shortage of goals. Enjoy.

As usual, Mystic Dan’s predictions can be read below. And don’t forget, we’re on iTunes here, and Twitter here.

Episode 41: Boca edge closer to the title, Racing win again at last, & upcoming World Cup qualifiers

The forty-first episode of Hand Of Pod is introduced by a real-life professional Argentine footballer, Crystal Palace goalkeeper Julián Speroni. After his dulcet tones, we discuss Boca Juniors’ continuing march to the league title, and Racing’s first win in six matches on Saturday night, as well as other weekend action including a hideous broken leg at Unión, and a derby win for Lanús (which means they need just a point to completely ensure qualification for next year’s Copa Libertadores). Attention then shifts to the upcoming round of World Cup qualifiers and Alejandro Sabella’s squad selection, which is starting to annoy us a bit. Towards the end, Ralph Hannah tells us about why he’s going to be meeting Paraguay and Vélez legend José Luis Chilavert on Friday, and we discuss some of the great man’s finest moments (you’ll find a couple of videos below).

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Juan Ramón Fleita’s bicycle kick against Chilavert

Chilavert’s halfway line goal against River

Episode 39: San Lorenzo players we’d punch & Argentina’s latest World Cup qualifying squad

There’s been violence in the air in Argentine football this week, and it’s infected us at Hand Of Pod. Sam, Dan, Dan and Seba begin this week’s podcast with a discussion of which San Lorenzo players we’d fancy our changes against in a fight, and move on to discuss World Cup winner Mauro Camoranesi – the most patriotic Italian who ever lived – kicking Racing’s Patricio Toranzo in the face during a game. As well as this, we wonder whether anyone can stop Boca Juniors as they storm towards their first title in ages, discuss the Panamerican Games (not just the football tournament) briefly, and look at both the Copa Argentina draw and (silly) format, and Alejandro Sabella’s squad for the next World Cup qualifying double-header against Bolivia and Colombia.

As ever, Mystic Dan’s predictions for the upcoming round are below, and you can click here if you hate this blog so much you want iTunes to save you the bother of ever having to visit it.