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Estadio Ingeniero Hilario Sánchez
Estadio Ingeniero Hilario Sánchez is a football stadium in the city of San Juan in Argentina. It is owned and operated by C.A. San Martín. With a capacity of 26,500 spectators, it is the second biggest stadium in San Juan Province after Estadio del Bicentenario.[5] The stadium was named after engineer Hilario Sánchez Rodríguez (1925–1987), former goalkeeper and then president of San Martín (1971–1983), regarded as one of the most prominent executives of the club.[1] OverviewThe stadium was inaugurated on Monday, 9 July 1951 in a friendly match between San Martín and Independiente Rivadavia. San Martín won 3–1.[3] During the presidency of Hilario Sánchez, the club added a lighting system to the stadium, and built new concrete grandstands which replaced the old wooden stands.[1] Six months after the passing of Sánchez (29 May 1987), the Executive Committee (leaded by Miguel Sánchez, Hilario's brother)[2] decided to name the stadium after him. Nevertheless, it would be changed to "Estadio 27 de Septiembre" (to commemorate the date of foundation of San Martín)[2] in 1995. Nevertheless, the stadium returned to the "Hilario Sánchez" name in 2006.[1][2] The venue was renovated in 2007 because San Martín had promoted to Primera División after defeating Huracán in the 2007 promotion playoff.[6] and the stadium needed a bigger capacity to host matches in the top-division league. Therefore a new grandstand for 14,000 people was built and the stadium increased its capacity. Works included construction of new press booths.[5] Notable matchesOne of the San Martín's most outstandings achievements playing in Hilario Sánchez stadium occurred on 13 April 2013, when the squad beat Boca Juniors 6–1,[7] with goals scored by Humberto Osorio (3), Jorge Luna, Lucas Landa, and Sebastián Penco.[8][9] The stadium hosted a Argentina national team match, when the squad then coached by Diego Maradona played a friendly game vs Costa Rica, on 26 January 2010.[10] Argentina won 3–2, with an attendance of 16,000.[11] It was the second time Argentina played a match in San Juan.[12] References
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