[Alexx]

Cruzeiro guaranteed their place in the final of the Copa do Brasil with efficiency and organization on the field. The team from Minas Gerais drew 2-all with Santos last Sunday in Vila Belmiro in the second leg match. Cruzeiro won the first leg 2 - 0 and administered this advantage well to ensure their place in the final.

Although Santos had more possession of the ball during the game they could not get ahead in terms of scoring. Their game was effectively stymied by some tight marking by Cruzeiro in the first half. The team from Minas played a very defensive game leaving only Oseas up front for the counter attacks.

Cruzeiro’s man of the match, Geovanni, started the move that led to the first goal. He sped down the left wing and crossed into the area. Ricardinho found himself in space and hammered one past keeper Carlos Germano.

After 38 minutes, Cris pulled Dodo’s shirt in the area and the referee gave a penalty. Rincon equalized for Santos who almost went one up just before the half time whistle. After 44 minutes, Dodo fed one down the right to Caio, whose shot was only just saved by Andre in goal.

Cruzeiro changed their tactics in the second half. They played a much more offensive game with freer marking. In so doing, Cruzeiro created some great opportunities, leaving Santos to struggle in their wake. They scored the second goal after 4 minutes, after Oseas received a well-struck pass from Marcos Paulo. Keeper Andre came out to meet him as he ran towards the goal but the striker managed to side step him to score number two.

Santos equalized again after 32 minutes from a corner kick. Eduardo Marques picked up the cross and slotted one to Andre Luis who put the ball in the back of the net. Nevertheless, it was far too late in the game to think of classification.

The teams:

Cruzeiro: Andre, Rodrigo (Marcelo Djian), Cris, Cleber, Sorin; Donizete, Ricardinho, Jackson, Marcos Paulo; Geovanni (Muller) and Oseas (Fabio Junior).
Coach: Marcos Aurelio.

Santos: Carlos Germano, Baiano (Eduardo Marques), Andre Luis, Claudiomiro, Rubens Cardoso; Anderson (Julio Cesar), Rincon, Robert (Caninde), Valdo; Dodo and Caio.
Coach: Giba.

 

[Ze da Fiel]

Alexx,
I saw the game on Tv. Our kids, sometimes in the game were playing better tahn the Botafogo team away. The problem we gave a silly goal, and our third goalkepper Yamada, made some good saves
Let's hope we can revert this score.....but I hope OSvaldo puts the sub team again...and let the first team rest for the wars agaisnt Sao Paulo and Palmeiras in the Paulista league and the Libertadores!

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[Alexx]

Two teams from the state of Minas Gerais classified for the quarterfinals of the Copa do Brasil last Wednesday night (31/05). Atletico Mineiro drew 0 - 0 with Portuguesa and the game was decided by a penalty shoot out with Athletico going through to meet Fluminense in the quarter finals. In Coritiba, Cruzeiro drew 2-all with Atletico Paranaense. As Cruzeiro had won the first game 2 - 1 they classify on away goal average to meet either Botafogo or the Corinthians.


Atletico-MG 0 vs. 0 Portuguesa-SP

Once again it was the Minas team that kept its head in the dramatic penalty shoot out. The normal and extra time had proved scorless, and thus the game had to be decided on penalties. Veloso saved one brilliantly and guaranteed Athletico's place in the quarters.

After missing an early chance when Guilherme 's shot was saved by a diving Ronaldo, Athletico did not manage to get close to scoring again. The Portuguesa defence intercepted most of the crosses made.

Portuguesa pushed upfield in the second half and missed a sitting duck of an opportunity. Emerson headed the ball centimeters wide of the post from an excellent scoring posistion. Then Athletico's Guilherme missed a penalty in the twlight of the second half.

The final whistle and the high-noon drama of penalties began. Emerson scored for the Sao Paulo side, Marquinhos shot wide and Tinho's was saved by Veloso. Athletico nothched 100% with Lincoln, Marques, Caíco and André.

Atletico-PR 2 - 2 Cruzeiro-MG

Corinthians or Botafogo had better watch out. One of these teams will have to face an on-form Cruzeiro. Besides having a great record in this competition, Cruzeiro is playing some excellent football this year. The latest opponent to be munched up and spat out was the redoubtable Atletico Paranaense.

Even playing away in Baixada, Cruzeiro were unperturbed by the whirlwind Athletico side. Led by Oseas, in an inspired performance, the team clicked and played well enough to go through. The 'rasta' striker scored first for Cruzeiro after 5 minutes and Gilson Batata equalized after 32 minutes.

Oseas scored again immediately after the second half got under way. Batata levelled after 48 minutes as the final whistle blew. If this had not been the case all indications were that Oseas would have scored again.

 

[Alexx]

At least one of the quarterfinals in the Copa do Brasil promises to be a humdinger of an affair. Flamengo play Santos in what will be a close fought rerun of two other finals. In 1983 Flamengo won its third Brazilian championship by beating Santos, but revenge was sweet in the final of the Rio-Sao Paulo tournament in 1997 in Maracana.

Both teams guaranteed their classification with relative ease last Wednesday night (31/05). Santos went into their match Juventude able to lose by 2 - 0 and still classify. Even so, they pulled out the stops and put on a fine display to win 3-nil over the current holders of the title.

Flamengo also had a two-goal advantage over Bahia. If the Rio team did not play to quite the standard that Santos did, they at least economised on resources, drawing 1 -1 in Maracana.

Santos-SP 3 - 0 Juventude-RS
Santos reached the quarterfinals having hardly broken a sweat. They won 3 - 1 in the first game in Caxias do Sul. Their opponents in Wednesday's match were a mere shadow of last year's trophy winners and played a poor game. Although needing a run-away win, Juventude failed to push the ball upfield and ended up being drummed out of the competition.

The Juventude strikers were of little help but one of their full backs added to the team's woes when he scored an own goal after 33 minutes to open the scoring for Santos to the disbelief and disappointment of the fans.

The veteran Valdo scored the second after catching the keeper Wellerson out of position 28 minutes into the second half with a great shot. Valdo also assisted in the third goal after 38min, when he crossed to Baiano who volleyed the ball into the back of the net snuffing out Juventude's chances of going any further in the Copa do Brasil.

Flamengo-RJ 1 - 1 Bahia-BA
The way of least resistance appeared to be the motto for play during this match. Flamengo did not try to make any real effort to open up an advantage over Bahia. Bahia went on the attack from the start, but failed to get the 2 - 0 scoreline they needed to go through.

In the end, a 1-all draw was a satisfactory result for both teams. Flamengo classified without to much loss of energy, and Bahia went out of the Copa do Brasil honourably laying to rest the memories of the drubbing they were given in the first leg in Fonte Nova.

Flamengo began the game well enough, but failed to convert any of the chances they had. Bahia was tactically wilier and tried to keep the pressure on up front. The first goal was scored by winger Jefferson who was assisted by Athirson in the 29th minute.

Even showing little signs of interest in the game, the Rio team knew that they could not afford to lose. And they drew level after 36 minutes Reinaldo fed to Tuta who drilled one into the net.

Flamengo stepped down the pace while Bahia tried to create as many chances as it could in the second half. However, keeper Julio Cesar proved to be a safe pair of hands and Bahia failed to penetrate.

 

[Alexx]

Once again, it was midfielder Roger who made the difference to the 'three colours' Rio side in their draw with Vasco - thus guaranteeing them a place in the quarter finals of the Copa do Brasil. They managed to force a 2 -all draw and thus go through on away goal difference. The goals were scored by Agnaldo and Magno Alves for Fluminense with Edmundo and Regis (own) for Vasco da Gama.

The traditional firework display when Vasco ran onto the field drove the multitude of fans that turned up last Wednesday to the Sao Januario stadium completely wild. But it only took a minute for Fluminense to shut them up with a goal by Magno Alves. After a cross into the area, the ball landed at the striker's feet and he had no problem in shooting past keeper Helton.

The few Fluminense fans had their turn to gloat and shouted their team on. Vasco continued making unforced errors and gave Fluminense far too much room to move. Roger found it easy to get through and threaten the Vasco defence and gave full backs Odvan and Torres a very hard time.

Vasco had their first opportunity to score about 22 minutes into the first half. Jorginho slotted one through neatly for Edmundo right in front of the goal, but Zetti saved his shot with his leg for a corner. Fluminense raised their game and Donizete nearly made it two nil with a rocket from outside the area.

Nothing much changed in the second half. After two minutes Roger crossed from the goal line to Agnaldo, who headed one into the net. Vasco began to despair and lost two important players in verbal skirmishes. First, Viola, who faced off with Cesar, and then Felipe, who argued with Fabinho. At least the referee sent all four players off.

Vasco got one back after 19 minutes with a goal from Regis, and began to impose their rhythm on the game. With only nine players Fluminense began to show signs of tiring and never really threatened to score any more. Vasco took advantage of this and shifted up a gear, levelling the score from a free kick taken by Edmundo. But time ran out and they could not score the goal they needed to classify.

The teams:

Vasco: Helton, Paulo Miranda (Felipe Alvim), Odvan, Torres, Gilberto; Amaral, Nasa (Dede), Jorginho (Alex Oliveira), and Felipe; Edmundo and Viola.
Coach: Abel Braga.

Fluminense: Zetti, Paulo Cesar, Cesar, Regis, Jorge Luís; Fabinho, Donizete (Luciano), Yan, Roger; Magno Alves (Jorginho) and Agnaldo.
Coach: Valdyr Espinosa


Sao Paulo win a nd go safely through

Sao Paulo guaranteed their place in the quarter finals of the Copa do Brasil by beating America-RN by 3 - 2 in Morumbi. Sao Paulo won the first leg in Natal 3 - 1. The goals were scored by Fabio Aurelio, Evair and Marcelinho for Sao Paulo and Ricardo and Valber for America.

The game was a close fought affair with neither side giving the other much room. The few supporters that turned out did little to motivate their team. Even so, the Sao Paulo team did what had to be done to get through to the next round where they will play the winner of Palmeiras vs. ABC de Natal, who first meet on Thursday (01/06).

 

[Ze da Fiel]

I saw the vasco x Fluminense game yesterday, . the first half was a bt boring to violent.
But the second half after 4 players were sent off...it was just AMAZING
Edmundo was superb...I feel sorry for Peru HOpe we kill them those cheats...1978 WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!!

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GAVIOES DA FIEL
Pelo Corinthians, com muito amor ate o fim.
A Corrente Jamais Sera Quebrada!
THE WORLD IS OURS

 

[Alexx]

Atletico Mineiro had to score three goals last Sunday. Ten out of ten for Cruzeiro’s attack as they had obviously worked hard in training. But classification did not depend entirely on firepower. Atletico’s defense had to put up with the phenomenal performance of Sao Paulo’s Marcelinho and a 3-all draw, which ensured Sao Paulo a place in the final of the Copa do Brasil for the first time.


Sao Paulo started out at a frenetic pace. After just one minute, Beleti crossed the ball across and empty goal mouth. Another cross after eight minutes found Edu free but he headed the ball down too early and it bounced over the cross bar.

Sao Paulo opened the scoring after nine minutes when Fabio Aurelio fed the ball into the area finding Franca who controlled the ball beautifully to Marcelinho who dribbled past Veloso to open the scoring.

Franca almost scored the second after 12 minutes. Atletico were unsettled for a few minutes and their players looked lost on the field. However, they recovered swiftly when Ronaildo crossed to Guilherme after 23 minutes who headed the ball in for the equalizer.

Franca was not having a good night and missed a vital goal after 31 minutes. Atletico played a different game in the second half. Caico substituted
winger Bruno to try and encourage a more offensive game.

Even with one player less, Cleisson was shown the red card, Atletico managed to pull one ahead. Caico showed why he had been put on when he found Guilherme free in the area after 17 minutes.

Encouraged by the goal, Atletico picked up their game and chased after the five goals they needed to classify for the final. Irenio hit the post taking a free kick after 26 minutes.

This seemed to wake Sao Paulo out of their trance and they pulled out all the stops to equalize the game. This they did after 31 minutes when Carlos Miguel found Marcelinho free in the area. The striker put away number two in the corner of the net to virtually end Atletico’s dream.

Knowing that they had no chances of going through, Atletico played to win the game. Guilherme passed to Ramon after 36 minutes who put them ahead again.

Only Marcelinho was not happy to let things rest this way. After 41 minutes, he scored his third and best goal of the match after a one-two with Edmilson, and then dribbling past three opponents.

The teams:
Atletico Mineiro: Veloso, Bruno (Caico), Gilberto Silva, Marcio, Ronildo (Andre); Cleisson, Irenio, Ramon, Lincoln; Guilherme and Marques.
Coach: Marcio Araujo.

Sao Paulo: Rogerio Ceni, Beleti, Edmilson, Rogerio Pinheiro, Fabio Aurelio; Alexandre, Maldonado, Rai (Fabiano), Edu (Sandro Hiroshi); Franca (Carlos Miguel) and Marcelinho.
Coach: Levir Culpi.