Chelsea draws 1-1 with PSG

NEW YORK — Former England captain John Terry received a rousing reception at his first match since his acquittal on racism charges Sunday as European champion Chelsea played to a 1-1 draw with Paris Saint-Germain.

The friendly match between two of the world’s richest clubs was played at new Yankee Stadium, the $1.5 billion ballpark that opened in 2009 as the new home of the storied Major League Baseball Club the New York Yankees.
Both clubs received goals from Brazilians, Chelsea forward Lucas Piazon converting a cross by another Brazilian, Ramires, for the equalizer in the 82nd minute.

Nene had scored a goal off a rebound in the box after 30 minutes to give the lead to a PSG side that dominated the first half.
Terry, captain Premier League giant Chelsea, was given a standing ovation by overwhelmingly pro-Chelsea crowd of 38,000 when he entered the match in the 63rd minute.

Terry was found not guilty of racially abusing rival player Anton Ferdinand at the end of a five-day trial at Westminster Magistrates Court in London on July 13.

In another sub-plot, Carlo Ancelotti, who took over as manager of French club PSG in January, was facing the club that sacked him in May of 2011.
PSG delivered an energetic first half with a line up that included four pure attackers: Ezequiel Lavezzi, Nene, Kevin Gameiro and Javier Pastore.
In the third minute, a long pass from the right flank found Lavezzi wide open in the box. Chelsea keeper Petr Cech was forced to come off his line to thwart the Argentinian’s effort.

Nene combined with Lavezzi for a high shot in the 19th and with his captain, right back Christophe Jallet, who mis-fired eight minutes later.
Nene’s outstanding work was rewarded with his goal in the 30th minute. Pastore brought the ball down the left side, eluding three players before firing a shot that bounced off the post and to Nene, who fired into the back of the net from close range.

However, PSG lost its momentum after making eight substitutions to start the second half. Wholesale second-half substitutions helped Chelsea, however, paying off with the 82nd minute goal from Piazon, who collected a cross from Ramires and slotted the ball inside the left post.

Losing debut for Seedorf
Former AC Milan, Inter Milan, Real Madrid and Ajax Amsterdam midfielder Clarence Seedorf made a losing debut in the Brazilian championship as his Botafogo side lost 1-0 at home to Gremio.

The 36-year-old Dutchman produced a subdued performance, although he was applauded by home supporters on being substituted late in the game.
“The atmosphere was amazing, I hope every game is like that,” he told reporters after Sunday’s game.

“Seedorf has only been with us for two weeks,” said coach Oswaldo de Oliveira. “He’s at the start of the season and we’re in the middle.”
Botafogo is eighth in the 20-team table with 17 points from 11 games.
There were mixed fortunes for the three teams who fired their coaches Friday.

Bahia squandered a 2-0 lead and drew 2-2 at home to Coritiba under interim coach Eduardo Barroca with new coach Caio Junior watching from the standards. Internacional gave new coach Fernandao, who replaced Dorival Junior, a 4-1 win over Atletico Goianense. — AP