Friday, 16 July 2010

Campeonato Brasileiro Série A Week 8

Grêmio 1-1 Vitória
Atlético Paranaense 0-2 Cruzeiro
São Paulo 1-2 Avaí
Flamengo 1-0 Botafogo
Guarani 0-3 Internacional *
Goiás 0-0 Vasco da Gama
Ceará 0-0 Conrinthians
Palmeiras 2-1 Santos
Atlético Mineiro 3-2 Atlético Goianiense
Fluminense 1-1 Prudente

As the Brasileiro swung back into action after the break for the FIFA World Cup it was more or less like starting the season all over again. Vitória came within 15 minutes of breaking Fortress Grêmio. Wallace put Vitória ahead 11 minutes before the break before an own goal from Egídgo levelled matters and saved the home side. Atlético-PR are in real trouble now after a 2-0 home defeat to Cruzeiro, it's a result that leaves them deep in the relegation mire. Wellington Paulista put Cruzeiro ahead just before half time and Robert finished things off four minutes from time as the home side chased a point. Avaí snapped a two game losing streak with a magnificent victory over São Paulo at the Morumbi. Roberto put Avaí ahead on the hour and five minutes later Vandinho doubled the lead for the visitors. Hernanes pulled a goal back 14 minutes from time for São Paulo but Avaí held on to claim the points.

In the big derby at the Maracanã, Flamengo stunned the pundits (us included) with a 1-0 victory over Botafogo. As expected El Loco didn't make it back to be in the Botafogo line up and Flamengo has a decimated front line. Dejan Petkovic showed his class as he run the show for the Rubro-Negro who won the game with the only goal from substitute Paulo Sérgio half way through the second half. Internacional hit the ground running and handed Guarani their first home defeat of the season. All the goals came in the second half, Sandro put Inter ahead on the hour and Alecsandro doubled the lead ten minutes later. Taison wrapped things up for Inter deep into stoppage time. The final two games on Wednesday night saw no goals. Chances were few and far between as Goiás and Vasco da Gama finished scoreless as did the big clash in Fortaleza between the top two, Ceará and Corinthians.

Palmeiras handed Santos their second Série A defeat of the season and repeated their success in the Paulista with a 2-1 win at the Pacaembu. A cracking goal from Ewerthon put Palmeiras in the driving seat with 13 minutes on the clock and Tinga doubled the lead half way through the second half. It was a nervous last 8 minutes foe the Big Green after Marcel pulled a goal back but they held on for win number three of the season. In the big relegation clash in Belo Horizonte Atlético-MG just for the better of Atlético-GO. After being discarded from the Seleção, Diego Tardelli is a man with a point to prove and he fired Atlético-MG ahead after 17 minutes. Marcão levelled for Atlético-GO on the half hour but Atlético-MG went into a two goal lead by the break thanks for a penalty from Tardelli and Ricardo Bueno just before the break. Atlético-GO reduced the defecit on the hour thanks to Rodrigo Tiuí but they finished with ten men after Jairo saw red two minutes from time. Fluminense missed out on a chance to close the gap at the top after being held by Prudente at the Maracanã. The evergreen Fred put the Tricolor ahead after just 16 minutes but Fluminense couldn't hold on and Wesley levelled matters for Prudente 8 minutes from time to leave it as you were at the top of the table.

The games come thick and fast and Week 9 takes place over the weekend. They line up like this

Vitória x São Paulo
Vasco da Gama x Atlético Paranaense
Corinthians x Atlético Mineiro
Atlético Goianiense x Flamengo
Avaí x Palmeiras
Internacional x Ceará
Cruzeiro x Goiás
Santos x Fluminense
Botafogo x Guarani
Prudente x Grêmio


* Highlights only of first two goals. Sorry.

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