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.
Luis Fabiano scored two second-half goals to give Sao Paulo a 2-0 victory over Avai at the Morumbi stadium on Saturday. The win means the six-time champions still have an outside chance at the title.
Sao Paulo, who failed to qualify for the 2011 Copa Libertadores, dominated Avai throughout the game and recorded a crucial victory courtesy of goals from Luis Fabiano in the 57th and 64th minutes. In his first goal he shot on the turn to beat Avai goalkeeper Felipe, and in his second he met a rebound with a precise looping header.
Sao Paulo inflicted a nineteenth defeat of the season upon Avai, which sent them below America-MG to the bottom of the 20-team league.
Corinthians are on course to lift their fifth Brazilian championship after defeating Atletico Paranaense 2-1 at the Pacaembu stadium on Sunday.
Midfielder Paulinho put Corinthians ahead in the 2nd minute when he fired a Liedson layoff into the back of the net. Striker Emerson doubled their advantage two minutes later, when he received a ball from Danilo and blasted the ball home from outside of the box.
It seemed like Corinthians were cruising to a comfortable victory, however, Paulo Baier pulled a goal back for Paranaense two minutes into the second half when he tapped a front post cross into the back of the net.
The visitors almost drew level in the 57th minute when Nieto struck the crossbar, and moments later Baier hit the post with a low shot. Despite being outplayed towards the end of the match, Corinthians managed to hold onto their advantage.
Vasco da Gama beat Rio de Janeiro rivals Botafogo 2-0 at the Engenhao stadium to remain on the same points but with an inferior goal difference to league leaders Corinthians.
Midfielder Fellipe Bastos put Vasco ahead in the 16th minute with a left-footed shot from just outside of the area. Vasco could have doubled their lead in the 34th minute had Diego Souza not squandered a penalty kick.
Defender Dede, who scored twice as Vasco thrashed Universitario de Deportes 5-2 in the Copa Sudamericana last week, put the result beyond Botafogo in the 60th minute when he connected to a left-wing cross with a fine header.
Vasco, who last won the title in the year 2000, are still on track for a rare treble, as after winning the Copa do Brasil earlier in the year, they still have the Brazilian and Copa Sudamericana titles in touching distance.
Cruzeiro climbed out of the relegation zone, after claiming a crucial 1-0 victory over Internacional at the Arena do Jacare stadium.
The only goal of the match was scored by Argentine striker Ernesto Farias in the 19th minute. Farias, who recently earned his place back into the starting eleven, earned Cruzeiro the three points when he met a left-wing cross from Wellington Paulista with a front-post header.
While the win allowed Cruzeiro to move out of the relegation zone, it also diminished Internacional's chances of winning the league title.
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.
Luis Fabiano scored two second-half goals to give Sao Paulo a 2-0 victory over Avai at the Morumbi stadium on Saturday. The win means the six-time champions still have an outside chance at the title.
Sao Paulo, who failed to qualify for the 2011 Copa Libertadores, dominated Avai throughout the game and recorded a crucial victory courtesy of goals from Luis Fabiano in the 57th and 64th minutes. In his first goal he shot on the turn to beat Avai goalkeeper Felipe, and in his second he met a rebound with a precise looping header.
Sao Paulo inflicted a nineteenth defeat of the season upon Avai, which sent them below America-MG to the bottom of the 20-team league.
Corinthians are on course to lift their fifth Brazilian championship after defeating Atletico Paranaense 2-1 at the Pacaembu stadium on Sunday.
Midfielder Paulinho put Corinthians ahead in the 2nd minute when he fired a Liedson layoff into the back of the net. Striker Emerson doubled their advantage two minutes later, when he received a ball from Danilo and blasted the ball home from outside of the box.
It seemed like Corinthians were cruising to a comfortable victory, however, Paulo Baier pulled a goal back for Paranaense two minutes into the second half when he tapped a front post cross into the back of the net.
The visitors almost drew level in the 57th minute when Nieto struck the crossbar, and moments later Baier hit the post with a low shot. Despite being outplayed towards the end of the match, Corinthians managed to hold onto their advantage.
Vasco da Gama beat Rio de Janeiro rivals Botafogo 2-0 at the Engenhao stadium to remain on the same points but with an inferior goal difference to league leaders Corinthians.
Midfielder Fellipe Bastos put Vasco ahead in the 16th minute with a left-footed shot from just outside of the area. Vasco could have doubled their lead in the 34th minute had Diego Souza not squandered a penalty kick.
Defender Dede, who scored twice as Vasco thrashed Universitario de Deportes 5-2 in the Copa Sudamericana last week, put the result beyond Botafogo in the 60th minute when he connected to a left-wing cross with a fine header.
Vasco, who last won the title in the year 2000, are still on track for a rare treble, as after winning the Copa do Brasil earlier in the year, they still have the Brazilian and Copa Sudamericana titles in touching distance.
Cruzeiro climbed out of the relegation zone, after claiming a crucial 1-0 victory over Internacional at the Arena do Jacare stadium.
The only goal of the match was scored by Argentine striker Ernesto Farias in the 19th minute. Farias, who recently earned his place back into the starting eleven, earned Cruzeiro the three points when he met a left-wing cross from Wellington Paulista with a front-post header.
While the win allowed Cruzeiro to move out of the relegation zone, it also diminished Internacional's chances of winning the league title.
