Corinthians leap-frog Fluminense at the top of the table with a 1-0 win over championship rivals Cruzeiro.
By Rick Crowe.
Ceara had virtually killed Botafogo’s chances of the title with a mid-week 2-2 draw, and the trapdoor finally opened for Prudente who lost 2-1 at Atletico-PR who then leapt to fourth place over Botafogo.
Championship leaders going in to week 35, Fluminense, were surprisingly held to a 1-1 draw at home to 19th placed Goias.
Of the other relegation candidates, all but Flamengo picked up points.
Avai were surprise 3-2 winners away to Internacional and Atletico-GO had a comfortable 3-0 victory over Palmeiras, and Guarani and Vitoria fought out a 1-1 draw in the Brinco de Ouro.
In this vital top of the table clash, Cruzeiro started the stronger, packing the midfield in a 3-5-2 formation. Corinthians left Ronaldo up as their lone striker.
Cruzeiro missed the better chances and when Wellington Paulista nodded on for his strike partner Thiago Ribeiro to beat goalkeeper Julio Cesar, he went to ground and claimed a penalty. Refereee Ricci thought otherwise and booked the striker for diving.
Corinthians started the stronger in the second half but Cruzeiro responded and Thiago missed after being put through with a beautiful pass from Montillo.
Both sides were going for the points, but five minutes from the end referee Ricci gave a dubious penalty when Gil and Ronaldo went up for the ball in the area. The defender, already on one yellow card, was promptly given another and sent off. Cruzeiro players surrounded the referee but Ronaldo stepped up to side-foot the ball inside Fabio’s left hand post.
This was all too much for Fabricio who stormed off the pitch to be replaced by Wallyson. To add insult to injury, Cruzeiro coach Cuca was so incensed by the penalty that he, too, was sent off.
The crucial three points went Corinthians way as the game finished 1-0.
With Gremio more in need of the points than Santos, it was surprising that the home side started so well. With Neymar suspended, Rodriguinho slotted in behind Keirrson and Ze Eduardo, all three threatening early on. However, Victor, in goal for Gremio was in good form and saved well several times.
The game took a turn in the 18th minute when Jonas, tussling with Adriano, appeared to hit out and was shown the red card.
As often happens when a team is reduced to ten men, Gremio closed ranks, none more so than Douglas who showed tremendous enthusiasm to defend. And when Rafael Marques fouled Ze Eduardo in the area the hapless striker stood up to fire a poor penalty that Victor saved comfortably.
Gremio fans went home happier than the Saints’ fans.
The home supporters had waited two months for the return of their unpopular former manager Vanderlei Luxembourg to return and it was worth waiting for.
Flamengo started well enough with the experienced Petrovic keeping play calm and mostly in the home half, and creating plenty of work for Diogo and Diego Maurico up front. Diogo went close first, bringing a save from Renan Ribeiro diving to his left.
Atletico-MG then started to take control. A mazy run by Tardelli ended with a shot that Lomba was equal to. Renan Oliveira put Leandro through but the Flamengo keeper palmed the ball away low down. On 30 minutes Lomba saved a header from Diego Souza. As the rain began to fall, Renan Oliveira played the ball in, the busy Flamengo keeper knocked the ball out but Obina stabbed in the rebound. Two minutes from half-time it was Renan Oliveria’s turn to slide the ball into the Flamengo net.
Luxembourg made changes during the interval, taking off Petrovic and Correa and bringing on youngster William Negueba and Marcos. Striker Diego Maurico made way for Osvaldo Felix Souza. This fired up the Red and Blacks with Fahti heading against the crossbar before Renan Ribeiro collected.
Soon after, Tardelli received the ball from Serginho, cut in from the left and hit a wonderful shot to make it 3-0. Although Marcos beat Serginho inside the box to pull one back, Renan Oliveira scored his second to complete a 4-1 rout.
The first half was dire. As usual for Guarani, Mazola tried to create chances for his side but neither team showed much enterprise.
Considering both teams are in need of points to escape relegation there seemed a unacceptable lack of interest.
The second half fared no better until after 33 minutes Adailton, on for Elkeson, netted for Vitoria. At least this spurred on Guarani and they were saved by another substitute, Geovane on for Douglas who equalized only two minutes later. Not a classic and will see both teams in Serie B on this sort of effort.
Avai had a spectacular start as defender put the visitors ahead after 15 seconds. Patric started the move himself and played a one-two with Rudnei which left him to blast an angled shot past Internacional goalkeeper Lauro.
The truth is that Avai, deep in relegation trouble, were the only team who showed interest. For Internacional D’Allessandro showed the only spark. It was a surprise that Avai hadn’t scored more but they deservedly went ahead seven minutes before the break, Batista putting them two up.
It was a different matter in the second half. Coach Celso Roth had brought on Leandro Damian for Alecsandro to breathe more fire into the attack and was rewarded by the striker after nine minutes. Now the game was on as Internacional pressured Avai more and more. After nineteen minutes Rafael Sobis hit a fine angled shot across goalkeeper Ze Carlos to bring Internacional level.
But with Internacional sensing victory Avai came back with a stunning strike. Emerson Nunes crossed from the right and Robinho headed home.
A pulsating match that gave Avai hope of escaping relegation.
The expected pressure Fluminense fans expected to put on struggling Goias rarely happened. Tarta and Fred were there to impove their lead at the top of the table but it never materialized.
Goias, in trouble at the bottom of the league had come to fight for some points and defended well and were trying to press on counter attacks. They were rewarded in the 19th minute when Jones intercepted a pass by Carlinhos and crossed for Rafael Moura to head home.
Fluminense continued to press but were again and again thwarted by the Goias defense and held out until seven minutes from the end when Ernando brought down Rodriguinho in the area. Conca hit a fierce penalty straight down the middle but Fluminense will see this as two points lost.
As expected, Atletico-PR started the game by pressing their opponents but Prudente had the best chance of the first exchanges when Roberto was through on Joao Carlos but the goalkeeper smothered the attack.
After that fright, Branquino was fouled in the Prudente penalty area and the experienced Paulo Baier hit his shot into goalkeeper Sydney’s top right hand corner.
After 25 minutes Prudente’s striker Wesley was sent off for senselessly kicking defender Manoel. Despite that, in one of Prudente’s rare attacks, William Jose took advantage of a defensive mix-up and put the ball out of reach of Joao Carlos.
Sadly, for Prudente, two minutes into time added on, Ivan Gonzalez crossed for Paulo Baier to head home, so netting his second and sending Prudente down to Serie B.
Palmeiras goalkeeper Bruno had made a sensational save from Josiel before Atletico-GO took the lead through Gilson who outjumped Palmeiras defender Fabricio to head home after more good work by Josiel.
Nine minutes into the second half midfielder Robston added a second and Atletico-GO were cruising. It became worse six minutes after that when Palmeiras defender, already on a second card, was booked again for a bad foul on Juninho and sent off. After nineteen minutes of the second half Robston added another leaving the greens looking for the final whistle.
A stunning goal after 15 minutes opened the scoring for Vasco by Eder Luis who cut in from the left and curled one into the top of the Sao Paulo net from outside the box leaving goalkeeper Rogerio Ceni a spectator.
Ten minutes later Lucas Gaucho hooked in at the near post for a deserved equalizer from a cross by Jean. In the last minute Vasco should have claimed the winner but Jeff Silva (on for Joanathan) blasted over the bar from inside the six yard box.
Ceara had virtually killed Botafogo’s chances of the title with a mid-week 2-2 draw, and the trapdoor finally opened for Prudente who lost 2-1 at Atletico-PR who then leapt to fourth place over Botafogo.
Championship leaders going in to week 35, Fluminense, were surprisingly held to a 1-1 draw at home to 19th placed Goias.
Of the other relegation candidates, all but Flamengo picked up points.
Avai were surprise 3-2 winners away to Internacional and Atletico-GO had a comfortable 3-0 victory over Palmeiras, and Guarani and Vitoria fought out a 1-1 draw in the Brinco de Ouro.
In this vital top of the table clash, Cruzeiro started the stronger, packing the midfield in a 3-5-2 formation. Corinthians left Ronaldo up as their lone striker.
Cruzeiro missed the better chances and when Wellington Paulista nodded on for his strike partner Thiago Ribeiro to beat goalkeeper Julio Cesar, he went to ground and claimed a penalty. Refereee Ricci thought otherwise and booked the striker for diving.
Corinthians started the stronger in the second half but Cruzeiro responded and Thiago missed after being put through with a beautiful pass from Montillo.
Both sides were going for the points, but five minutes from the end referee Ricci gave a dubious penalty when Gil and Ronaldo went up for the ball in the area. The defender, already on one yellow card, was promptly given another and sent off. Cruzeiro players surrounded the referee but Ronaldo stepped up to side-foot the ball inside Fabio’s left hand post.
This was all too much for Fabricio who stormed off the pitch to be replaced by Wallyson. To add insult to injury, Cruzeiro coach Cuca was so incensed by the penalty that he, too, was sent off.
The crucial three points went Corinthians way as the game finished 1-0.
With Gremio more in need of the points than Santos, it was surprising that the home side started so well. With Neymar suspended, Rodriguinho slotted in behind Keirrson and Ze Eduardo, all three threatening early on. However, Victor, in goal for Gremio was in good form and saved well several times.
The game took a turn in the 18th minute when Jonas, tussling with Adriano, appeared to hit out and was shown the red card.
As often happens when a team is reduced to ten men, Gremio closed ranks, none more so than Douglas who showed tremendous enthusiasm to defend. And when Rafael Marques fouled Ze Eduardo in the area the hapless striker stood up to fire a poor penalty that Victor saved comfortably.
Gremio fans went home happier than the Saints’ fans.
The home supporters had waited two months for the return of their unpopular former manager Vanderlei Luxembourg to return and it was worth waiting for.
Flamengo started well enough with the experienced Petrovic keeping play calm and mostly in the home half, and creating plenty of work for Diogo and Diego Maurico up front. Diogo went close first, bringing a save from Renan Ribeiro diving to his left.
Atletico-MG then started to take control. A mazy run by Tardelli ended with a shot that Lomba was equal to. Renan Oliveira put Leandro through but the Flamengo keeper palmed the ball away low down. On 30 minutes Lomba saved a header from Diego Souza. As the rain began to fall, Renan Oliveira played the ball in, the busy Flamengo keeper knocked the ball out but Obina stabbed in the rebound. Two minutes from half-time it was Renan Oliveria’s turn to slide the ball into the Flamengo net.
Luxembourg made changes during the interval, taking off Petrovic and Correa and bringing on youngster William Negueba and Marcos. Striker Diego Maurico made way for Osvaldo Felix Souza. This fired up the Red and Blacks with Fahti heading against the crossbar before Renan Ribeiro collected.
Soon after, Tardelli received the ball from Serginho, cut in from the left and hit a wonderful shot to make it 3-0. Although Marcos beat Serginho inside the box to pull one back, Renan Oliveira scored his second to complete a 4-1 rout.
The first half was dire. As usual for Guarani, Mazola tried to create chances for his side but neither team showed much enterprise.
Considering both teams are in need of points to escape relegation there seemed a unacceptable lack of interest.
The second half fared no better until after 33 minutes Adailton, on for Elkeson, netted for Vitoria. At least this spurred on Guarani and they were saved by another substitute, Geovane on for Douglas who equalized only two minutes later. Not a classic and will see both teams in Serie B on this sort of effort.
Avai had a spectacular start as defender put the visitors ahead after 15 seconds. Patric started the move himself and played a one-two with Rudnei which left him to blast an angled shot past Internacional goalkeeper Lauro.
The truth is that Avai, deep in relegation trouble, were the only team who showed interest. For Internacional D’Allessandro showed the only spark. It was a surprise that Avai hadn’t scored more but they deservedly went ahead seven minutes before the break, Batista putting them two up.
It was a different matter in the second half. Coach Celso Roth had brought on Leandro Damian for Alecsandro to breathe more fire into the attack and was rewarded by the striker after nine minutes. Now the game was on as Internacional pressured Avai more and more. After nineteen minutes Rafael Sobis hit a fine angled shot across goalkeeper Ze Carlos to bring Internacional level.
But with Internacional sensing victory Avai came back with a stunning strike. Emerson Nunes crossed from the right and Robinho headed home.
A pulsating match that gave Avai hope of escaping relegation.
The expected pressure Fluminense fans expected to put on struggling Goias rarely happened. Tarta and Fred were there to impove their lead at the top of the table but it never materialized.
Goias, in trouble at the bottom of the league had come to fight for some points and defended well and were trying to press on counter attacks. They were rewarded in the 19th minute when Jones intercepted a pass by Carlinhos and crossed for Rafael Moura to head home.
Fluminense continued to press but were again and again thwarted by the Goias defense and held out until seven minutes from the end when Ernando brought down Rodriguinho in the area. Conca hit a fierce penalty straight down the middle but Fluminense will see this as two points lost.
As expected, Atletico-PR started the game by pressing their opponents but Prudente had the best chance of the first exchanges when Roberto was through on Joao Carlos but the goalkeeper smothered the attack.
After that fright, Branquino was fouled in the Prudente penalty area and the experienced Paulo Baier hit his shot into goalkeeper Sydney’s top right hand corner.
After 25 minutes Prudente’s striker Wesley was sent off for senselessly kicking defender Manoel. Despite that, in one of Prudente’s rare attacks, William Jose took advantage of a defensive mix-up and put the ball out of reach of Joao Carlos.
Sadly, for Prudente, two minutes into time added on, Ivan Gonzalez crossed for Paulo Baier to head home, so netting his second and sending Prudente down to Serie B.
Palmeiras goalkeeper Bruno had made a sensational save from Josiel before Atletico-GO took the lead through Gilson who outjumped Palmeiras defender Fabricio to head home after more good work by Josiel.
Nine minutes into the second half midfielder Robston added a second and Atletico-GO were cruising. It became worse six minutes after that when Palmeiras defender, already on a second card, was booked again for a bad foul on Juninho and sent off. After nineteen minutes of the second half Robston added another leaving the greens looking for the final whistle.
A stunning goal after 15 minutes opened the scoring for Vasco by Eder Luis who cut in from the left and curled one into the top of the Sao Paulo net from outside the box leaving goalkeeper Rogerio Ceni a spectator.
Ten minutes later Lucas Gaucho hooked in at the near post for a deserved equalizer from a cross by Jean. In the last minute Vasco should have claimed the winner but Jeff Silva (on for Joanathan) blasted over the bar from inside the six yard box.
