Friday 26 March 2010

Campeonato Paulista A1 - Week 16

Rio Branco 2-2 Palmeiras
Mirassol 0-1 Portuguesa
Ponte Preta 2-2 Rio Claro
Ituano 0-1 São Caetano
Corinthians 0-1 Paulista
Bragantino 1-0 São Paulo
Santo André 3-0 Monte Azul
Prudente 3-0 Mogi Mirim
Botafogo SP 2-4 Santos
Oeste 2-1 Sertãozinho

The race for "The Four" hotted up as two of the current occupants came unstuck against lower league opposition as the woes of Palmeiras continued, this time at Rio Branco. The victory over Santos must have been a one off as the Big Green struggled to claim a point against a team destined for A2 next year. Diego Souza set Palmeiras on their way after 17 minutes but Rio Branco were level three minutes later through Alex Terra. It got worse in the 23rd minute when Romarinho put Rio Branco ahead, despite Ewerthon levelling ten minutes later Palmeiras couldn't find a winner and and they are now destined to miss out on "The Four". Portuguesa hauled themselved into "The Four" after victory at Mirassol. Only one goal seperated the teams and it came 19 minutes from time from Heverton. Rio Claro eased themselved away from the relegation zone after recovering from a two goal deficit to claim a point at Ponte Preta. Things were going well for the home side when a first half goal from Diego, coupled with a strike 8 minutes after half time from Fabiano Gadelha put Ponte Preta two goals to the good. Edu Sales halved the lead twenty minutes into the second half and Mirandinha levelled five minutes later.

After their belting at the Pacaembu on Sunday things couldn't really get any worse for Ituano. Ok, they lost again but they came so close to claiming a point against São Caetano. It was a heartbreaking defeat for Ituano, the goal came as the game entered second half injury time from Eduardo. Corinthians fell to a surprise home defeat to Paulista, who made it back to back wins in their fight against the drop. The only goal of the game came half way through the second half from Mazola. The result sees Corinthians fall out of "The Four" and more controversy arose after the game when Ronaldo was pictured (see left) giving waiting photographers the "international sign of disrespect". São Paulo were another of the current "Four" to come unstuck, they went down to defeat away at Bragantino. The only goal came nine minues from time from Mauricio to give Bragantino some breathing space away from the relegation zone. However São Paulo remain in "The Four" at the moment.

Santo André are now a point away from ensuring their participation in the end of season shake up after a 3-0 win over Mogi Mirim. Rodriguinho put Santo André ahead after 10 minutes and Bruno Cesar doubled the lead 15 minutes later. A second for Rodriguinho fourteen minutes from time sealed victory. Prudente continued their late bid to gatecrash "The Four" after victory over Mogi Mirim. Araujo was the Prudente hero, his hat-trick sealing all three points. Oeste hauled themselves away from the relegation zone after a vital victory over Sertãozinho. Ricardo Bueno put Oeste ahead after ten minutes and then doubled the lead from the spot 15 minutes into the second half. João Paulo pulled a goal back nine minutes from time but it was too little too late for Sertãozinho who now need a miracle to avoid the drop.

Santos confirmed their spot in "The Four" after a 4-2 victory at Botafogo SP. Paulo Henrique put the table toppers ahead four minutes before half time but the lead lasted three minutes before Ademir Sopa levelled from the spot. Marquinhos restored the Santos lead 11 minutes into the second half and this time lead lasted only two minutes before Adriano replied. A second from Marquinhos half way through the second half restored the lead again and Santos weren't going to give it up this time and sealed victory in the last minute through Zé Eduardo.

At the weekend it's Round 17, three games left and they line up like this

Palmeiras x Mirassol
Paulista x Rio Branco
Rio Claro x Bragantino
São Caetano x Ponte Preta
Oeste x Ituano
Corinthians x São Paulo
Santos x Monte Azul
Mogi Mirin x Santo André
Botafogo SP x Sertãozinho
Portuguesa x Prudente


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