Estadio Ingeniero Hilario Sánchez
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.
Overview
The stadium was inaugurated on Monday, 9 July 1951 in a friendly match between San Martín and Independiente Rivadavia. San Martín won 3–1. 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.
Six months after the passing of Sánchez (29 May 1987), the Executive Committee (leaded by Miguel Sánchez, Hilario's brother) 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) in 1995. Nevertheless, the stadium returned to the "Hilario Sánchez" name in 2006.
The venue was renovated in 2007 because San Martín had promoted to Primera División after defeating Huracán in the 2007 promotion playoff. 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.
Notable matches
One 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, with goals scored by Humberto Osorio (3), Jorge Luna, Lucas Landa, and Sebastián Penco.
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. Argentina won 3–2, with an attendance of 16,000. It was the second time Argentina played a match in San Juan.
References
Media related to Estadio Ingeniero Hilario Sánchez at Wikimedia Commons
- ^ A 32 años de su muerte, ¿quién fue el hombre que le dio su nombre al Hilario Sánchez? on Tiempo de San Juan, 29 May 2019
- ^ Un repaso por la historia del estadio Hilario Sánchez en su 70º aniversario on La Excusa Deportiva, 8 Sep 2021
- ^ El Club San Martín y su apasionantes historia on Los Andes, 12 Aug 2023
- ^ CA SAN MARTÍN DE SAN JUAN on Soccerway
- ^ El HILARIO SÁNCHEZ CUMPLE SU ANIVERSARIO 71° DE VIDA on Full Ascenso
- ^ A 13 años del ascenso de San Martín de San Juan a Primera División on Interior Futbolero, 16 Jun 2020
- ^ Histórica derrota de Boca en San Juan: cayó 6 a 1 ante San Martín on Infobae
- ^ San Martín SJ 6 - Boca 1 on Historia de Boca
- ^ San Martín goleó 6-1 a Boca, en San Juan on ESPN, 13 Apr 2013
- ^ Sedes: San Juan - Estadio Hilario Sánchez on Copa Argentina
- ^ Amistoso Mundial 2010: Argentina superó con lo justo a Costa Rica (3-2) on Goal.com (archived)
- ^ La Selección Argentina de fútbol está invicta en San Juan on SI San Juan, 28 Apr 2020