Boca win Argentine championship with a win
(Reuters)
Updated: 2005-12-15 09:15

BUENOS AIRES, Dec 14 (Reuters) - Boca Juniors came from behind to beat mid-table Olimpo 2-1 away on Wednesday and win the Argentine Apertura championship.

Boca, coached by former Argentina trainer Alfio Basile, finished three points ahead of Gimnasia-La Plata, who were held to a 1-1 draw at Banfield.

Gimnasia, who have never won the title, led the race before last weekend but were overtaken when they drew 0-0 with Newell's Old Boys and Boca beat Independiente on Sunday.

Boca, who claim to be Argentina's most popular club, took a one-point lead to Bahia Blanca but were stunned in the seventh minute when striker Ismael Blanco fired Olimpo in front from just inside the penalty area.

Boca replied within two minutes when defender Christian Diaz outjumped the Olimpo defence at the near post to head the equaliser from a corner.

Federico Insua, who has been an inspiration throughout the championship, put Boca ahead in the 41st minute when he scored direct from a free kick which wrong-footed former international goalkeeper Carlos Roa.

The halftime interval lasted nearly half an hour as police tried to persuade Boca fans to climb down from the fences around the pitch.

Boca coasted through most of the second half with one eye on the other game in Buenos Aires, where Banfield had an excellent chance to bury Gimnasia's challenge when they were awarded a second-half penalty but Jose Sand fired wide of the goal.

Gimnasia's frustration boiled over when defender Andres San Martin was sent off in the 78th minute for an ugly challenge.

Alejandro Delorte gave Gimnasia a glimmer of hope when he put them in front in the 85th minute but Sand atoned for his penalty miss when he equalised three minutes later.