Boca top in Argentina after shock defeat for San Lorenzo
(Reuters)
Updated: 2005-09-26 10:52

Boca lead with 17 points from eight games, one ahead of Velez Sarsfield and Banfield.

Defending champions Velez beat Newell's Old Boys 1-0 with an early goal from Lucas Castroman in a match played Friday.

Banfield drew 1-1 away to Arsenal and are the only unbeaten team in the championship.

River Plate were left languishing in 11th place after losing 1-0 away to Estudiantes, their third defeat in a row.

It was an unhappy return for River coach Reinaldo Merlo, who walked out on Estudiantes days before the start of the competition.

Merlo then moved to River to replace Leonardo Astrada, who resigned after four games of River's campaign.

Jose Luis Calderon scored the only goal in the 76th minute after River had failed to clear a corner.

Estudiantes, coached by 1986 World Cup winner Jorge Burruchaga, climbed to seventh after their third win in a row.