Brasil Related Content
The Brazilian championship will be decided on the final match day as Corinthians and Vasco da Gama both won dramatic encounters.

Brazilian league leaders Corinthians moved a step closer towards clinching their fifth Brazilian championship after edging Figueirense 1-0 in the penultimate round of matches on Sunday.
Corinthians, with 70 points, would have won the league title had second-placed Vasco da Gama not scored an injury-time winner to dispose of Rio de Janeiro rivals Fluminense 2-1 in a dramatic encounter. Vasco, with 68 points, trail the league leaders, however, the owners of the title will be decided in the final round of matches next weekend.
Meanwhile, Flamengo and Coritiba are just one win away from joining Corinthians, Vasco, Fluminense and Santos in the 2012 Copa Libertadores after having won their respective matches on Sunday.
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Super-sub Adriano snatched Corinthians a late victory over Atletico Mineiro that keeps them on course for the title.

Adriano came off the bench to score two minutes from full-time to give Corinthians a crucial 2-1 victory over Atletico Mineiro at the Pacaembu stadium on Sunday, a result that keeps them on track to win their fifth Brazilian championship.
With 67 points from 36 matches, Corinthians have a two-point advantage over their nearest rivals Vasco da Gama, with 65 points, with only two rounds left in the Brasileiro.
Vasco beat Avai 2-0, but need Corinthians to slip-up in at least one of their remaining two league matches in order to have any chances of lifting the silverware come the season's end.
Meanwhile, Fluminense kept their title aspirations alive by moving within five points of the league leaders, after thrashing Figueirense 4-0 thanks in great part to a superb hat-trick from Fred.
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Thursday November 17 2011,
Corinthians extended their lead at the top of the Brasileiro with a late win, while arch-rivals Palmeiras did them a favour in holding Vasco da Gama to a draw.

Corinthians are just a step away from clinching the Brazilian championship, after opening a two point lead at the top, courtesy of a 1-0 win over Ceara on Wednesday. The only goal of the match was converted by Peruvian striker Luis Ramirez ten minutes from full-time.
With 64 points from 35 matches, Corinthians have a slight advantage over second-placed Vasco da Gama, with 62 points. Vasco were held to a 1-1 draw by Palmeiras, a result which drastically reduced their chances of lifting the silverware.
Meanwhile, Fred scored four times as Fluminense edged Gremio 5-4 in an absolute thriller. With the win the Rio de Janeiro club still have an outside chance of lifting back-to-back championships.
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Corinthians and Vasco da Gama remain tied for the Brazilian league after important victories.

Corinthians and Vasco da Gama have opened a five-point cushion ahead of the chasing pack after claiming crucial victories on Sunday, against Atletico Paranaense and Botafogo, respectively. With only four rounds remaining in the Brazilian championship both teams, with 61 points a piece, are expected to fight one another for the trophy.
Meanwhile, Fluminense, Botafogo and Flamengo missed out on the opportunity to move closer towards the league leaders, as all three Rio de Janeiro sides lost on the weekend. Figueirense, who have never won the championship, climbed into fourth-place with 56 points, the same number of points as third-placed Fluminense.
With such a short number of matches remaining in the Brasileiro, there is lots at stake, as while either Corinthians or Vasco seem destined to end up with the league title, there are also spots up for grabs for those teams that wish to participate in the 2012 Copa Libertadores and the Copa Sudamericana. Meanwhile, the scary race against relegation is also reaching its conclusion.
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Fluminense move within two points of the league leaders after beating Internacional.

Titleholders Fluminense took full advantage of the fact that league leaders Corinthians and Vasco da Gama both lost their games on the weekend, by beating 2-1 Internacional, a result that not only allowed them to jump from sixth to third-place, but it also enabled them to move within two points from the top of the table, with only five rounds remaining in the Brazilian championship.
With 56 points, Fluminense would move into first-place with a win over America-MG on Saturday, provided that Corinthians and Vasco, with 58 points each, don't claim victories in their respective league matches against Atletico Paranaense and Botafogo.
Meanwhile, Flamengo remain close by in fifth-place with 55 points after thumping relegation candidates Cruzeiro 5-1. Botafogo find themselves with identical points as Flamengo, however, the fact that they have won two more matches than Flamengo this season means they slot one place above their city rivals.
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Corinthians overtake Vasco in first-place, while Neymar scores four goals for Santos.

Corinthians are back on track to win the Brazilian championship, after beating Avai 2-1, a result which allowed them to overtake Vasco da Gama in first-place, after their rivals could only afford a goalless draw against Sao Paulo. Corinthians and Vasco are level with 58 points, however, Corinthians have a better goal differential after 32 rounds of the competition.
They are closely followed by Botafogo with 55 points, while Fluminense and Flamengo aren't too far behind either, with 53 and 52 points, respectively.
Once again, Santos striker Neymar was the player of the round. He scored four goals as Santos thrashed relegation candidates Atletico Paranaense 4-1. Neymar increased his personal tally to eleven goals this season.
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Vasco da Gama overtake Corinthians at the top of the Brazilian championship.

Vasco da Gama took advantage of Corinthians' slip-up against Internacional, with a win over Bahia that allowed them to leap into first-place of the Brazilian championship after 31 Rounds. Vasco, with 57 points from 31 matches, are on course for their first Brazilian championship since the year 2000, and their fifth in total.
Corinthians, with 55 points, failed to capture the three points against Internacional in Porto Alegre, but they should be satisfied with the result because they managed to grab a point with a late goal.
Meanwhile, the trailing pack comprised of Botafogo, Flamengo, Fluminense and Sao Paulo, all failed to gain maximum points, meaning the championship could well become a two-horse race between Vasco and Corinthians.
In this report:
Corinthians and Vasco da Gama share league leadership in exciting Brazilian title race.

The race for the 2011 Brazilian championship is hotting up, as after 30 rounds of the championship, five sides are still in the running for the title. Corinthians remain top of the table on the same points as second-placed Vasco da Gama, while Botafogo, Flamengo and Fluminense are all close by.
Unlike in past seasons, four of the top five clubs are based in Rio de Janeiro, however, Sao Paulo's Corinthians must surely be considered the team to beat, after having claimed 16 victories from 30 matches up until now.
The stakes are high but there will only be enough room for one winner. Will Corinthians be able to hold onto their advantage, or will one of the Rio-based sides end up victorious?
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Brazilian soccer fans are in for a treat on August 27-28 weekend as the Brazilian Football Confederation sets up a massive derby weekend.
A huge Brazilian Derby weekend brings soccer fans with eight local derbies in the Campeonato Brasileiro during the weekend of August 27-28. Matches are available in the US on GolTV, PFC Internacional and on TV Globo Internacional.
The following are the match fixtures for the Brazilian Derby Weekend:
Saturday August 27, 2011
1800 - Fluminense vs Botafogo
1800 - Coritiba vs Atletico Paranaense
Fluminense finally claimed the title in front of their ecstatic fans with a jittery 1-0 win against relegated Guarani.
 celebrates his title-clinching goal with skipper Fred (9) and provider Washington..jpg)
Second placed Corinthians went into their game still hoping to clinch the championship but slipped up and only managed a draw against a Goias team that will be spending next season in Serie B. That meant that Cruzeiro’s home win against Palmeiras allowed them to leap-frog Corinthians to snatch the runners-up spot by one point.
Gremio’s emphatic defeat of Botafogo ensured fourth place and automatic entry into the Libertadores Cup. The big game at the bottom was between Vitoria at home to Atletico-GO both sides starting on 41 points. The home side needed to win to avoid the drop but the visitors only needed a draw to stay up by virtue of them having won more games - 11 to 9 - during the season. Atletico-GO went home happy – the score was 0-0.
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This is it. The last round of Campeonato Brasileiro and any of the top three can clinch the title.

Fluminense, top with 68 points, entertain Guarani who were relegated last week so Flu can only blame themselves if they don’t claim the prize. Corinthians, one point behind in second place, also take on a relegated team but they are away to Goias. Third placed Cruzeiro, needing three points and the other two to slip up big time, can cross the line first. They are at home to Palmeiras, a team still smarting from a Sudamericana semi-final defeat to Goias. Who dares wins.
Gremio, in fourth place, welcome fifth placed Botafogo so a draw would confirm their automatic place in the Libertadores Cup. Botafogo need to win to leap-frog their hosts and clinch that fourth spot.
It’s just as tight at the bottom. With one relegation place to fill, Vitoria and Atletico-GO sit uneasily with 41 points each. Vitoria are in the dreaded seventeenth place by virtue of an inferior number of goals scored. And who does Vitoria entertain at home? Yep, Atletico-GO . Isn’t the Fixture Fairy wonderful? The visitors only need a draw so it’s all or nothing for Vitoria. Boa sorte.
Thursday night’s game between relegated Gremio Prudente at home to Internacional saw the visitors romp home out 3-0.
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One game to go and we still have no idea which of the top three teams will prevail.

Fluminense, on 68 points, maintain their one point advantage over Corinthians with Cruzeiro still snapping at their heels a further point behind.
All three teams carved out victories to leave everything up for grabs on the last day.
Guarani on the other hand went down lamely at home to Gremio and join Goias and Gremio Prudente in Serie B next season.
The thrill in the Serie A is set to reach its peak on the last match-day of the season. Who will win the title? We are yet to know... Well, in the meantime, fans of Fluminense, Corinthians, and Cruzeiro are all on their feet!
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Every weekend lately seems to be a crucial one in the Campeonato Brasilieiro and this one’s no different.

Two games left and Fluminense, starting the weekend in top spot on 64 points, travel to Palmeiras for what will be a tricky game. Second placed Corinthians (64 points) entertain mid-table Vasco in what should be three points. Don’t bet on it. At least Corinthians have home advantage.
Cruzeiro on 63 points in third place must win away at Flamengo if they are to maintain a challenge but the hosts are still needing points to be sure of beating the drop.
Don’t dare look at the bottom of the table. If it’s any consolation, Goias and Gremio Prudente fans know they are already relegated and can come to terms with that. Another half dozen teams will be fighting for survival. Stay calm.
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Another extremely exciting weekend in the Campeonato. Not many finger nails left in Brazil.

Leaders Corinthians were surprisingly held to 1-1 at Vitoria. Or was it a surprise? Although Vitoria drop into the bottom four, they are there only because they have scored less goals than Avai in 16th and Atletico-GO in 15th. All three have 40 points.
Fluminense, with an emphatic 4-1 win away at Sao Paulo, regain top spot from Corinthians by one point. Cruzeiro, in third spot with 63 points, are still in with a chance of the title.
Down at the bottom it’s Goias, Goias…. Gone. A 4-1 defeat at home to Santos condemns them to Serie B along with already relegated Gremio Prudente. Flamengo on 43 points and Atletico-MG on 42 still need points to ensure safety.
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Only three rounds left so who will be lifting the trophy? Frankly, it’s anybody’s guess.

By Rick Crowe,
Leading by one point from Fluminense, Corinthians travel to Salvador where hosts Vitoria are desperate for points to avoid relegation. After last week’s less than spirited display to claim a point against fellow struggling side Guarani, Vitoria must make sure that it’s not a certainty that the leaders will prevail.
Second placed Fluminense are also on the road, traveling to 9th placed Sao Paulo who still have a chance of entry to the Libertadores Cup. So that’s not going to be easy.
Three points adrift, third placed Cruzeiro, still furious about the dubious penalty that lost them the game 1-0 last Saturday against Corinthians, host middle of the table Vasco.
All of the top three in contention for the title will see it as a disaster if they drop points at this stage though it makes for exciting viewing. The race is still wide open.
Gremio Prudente are already down but there are a number of teams still trying desperately to avoid the last three places for the chop. Goias must have a win over Santos or they can start waving goodbye to Serie A, and six sides above them will feel the noose tightening.
In this preview:
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.
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Tie of the round is Corinthians against Cruzeiro, both on 60 points, just one behind league leaders Fluminense.

By Rick Crowe - As the Campeonato Brasileiro heads into its last month it looks like it’s going right down to the wire. Fourth placed Botafogo’s faltering 2-2 mid-week draw with Ceara means they have practically lost any chance of the title, so pick any one from the top three.
At the other end of the table it’s an equally tough and exciting battle though there is virtually no hope for Prudente to beat the drop, stranded as they are on the bottom with only 27 points. With four to be relegated there are a number of teams looking over their shoulders.
Some will be relying on the results of others to keep them in Serie A next year. It’s that close.
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La vuelta de Arjen Robben alimenta los sueños holandeses de obtener un lugar entre los cuatro mejores del mundo. Brasil, con cuatro jugadores sin posibilidades de presentarse tendrá una prueba de fuego este viernes.

Ambos equipos han liderado sus respectivos grupos sin mayores inconvenientes. Este duelo de gigantes enfrentará al equipo de Bert van Marwijk con uno de los favoritos, pero si logran vencer a Brasil, entonces tendran ya medio título en su haber. Elano no tiene chances de jugar -posiblemente por lo que reste del torneo- Ramires está suspendido, Julio Baptista y Felipe Melo están resentidos, podra Dunga vencer la batalla de mediocampo sin mediocampistas?
Victimas de violencia
"Felipe Melo, Julio Baptista, yo... Todos sufrimos la violencia. Al final, sólo son perjudicados los que se lesionan. Ninguno de nuestros jugadores intenta agredir con maldad a un colega. Debería haber un criterio de arbitraje que nos beneficiara a nosotros, los que nos lesionamos" fueron las declaraciones de Elano luego de unos días difíciles, ya que el favorito de Dunga tendrá que perderse el resto de la experiencia africano luego del ataque de Kioté en el partido de la etapa de grupos. Kaka volvió al equipo en el momento en que más se le necesitaba, pero será dificil encontrar quién se una a él y Gilberto Silva en la parte más determinante del campo de juego.
Sin la técnica clásica de los planteles brasileros, los 23 seleccionados por Dunga podrán dificilmente ser cuestionados a la luz de los resultados obtenidos.
Es cierto que jugadores con la experiencia y la calidad de Ronaldinho, Adriano o Ronaldo podrían haber ofrecido mucho al plantel carioca. Pero al mismo tiempo Dunga ha dado oportunidad a jugadores como Michel Bastos o Ramires de mostrar su valía al mundo. El desempeño de Elano no ha sido del todo satisfactorio, mientras que Daniel Alves ha asumido un rol nuevo contra Chile, demostrando su versatilidad en el campo de juego. El futuro de Felipe Melo es incierto, pero nada hará que deje de ser una parte integral de la estrategia de Dunga.
Luego de dos victorias consecutivas Chile debió saborear la amargura de una derrota por primera vez en suelo africano. La segunda posición en su grupo los trae a enfrentar a Brasil la noche del Lunes, podrán enviar a los Verdeamarelhos a casa?

Sin dar muestras de su clásico Jogo Bonito, Dunga y sus jugadores lograron obtener la primera posición en el Grupo de la Muerte, con siete puntos en tres encuentros. En su último partido contra Portugal pudo verse cuán importante es Kaka para el esquema de Dunga, ya que sus habilidades como enganche ofrecen una versatilidad inusitada...