Campeonato Carioca - Taça Rio Week 5

Olaria 2-0 Nova Iguaçu
Boavista 0-0 Botafogo
América 1-2 Duque de Caxias
Resende 5-2 Macaé
Cabofriense 0-1 Americano
Bangu 2-1 Volta Redonda
Flamengo 3-3 Madureira
Fluminense 0-0 Vasco da Gama

Olaria went to the summit of Group B after a two goal victory at a Nova Iguaçu side that is struggling to repeat it's form of the Taça Guanabara. Waldir put Olaria ahead a minutes before the break and his second with twenty minutes to go made the game safe for his side. It's a fourth straight win for Olaria who are in with a good shout of making the finals with just three games to go. Boavista dropped to second in Group B after a goalless draw at home to a Botafogo side still looking for a new coach after the fan forced departure of coach Joel Santana. The Alvinegro though, remain in a finals spot despite this result. Duque de Caxias made it back to back wins after a success over an América side that hasn't quite his the heights of last year. John put Duque de Caxais ahead with nineteen minutes on the clock but América levelled six minutes after the break through Leandrinho. The Duque de Caxias winner game just after the hour, John's second of the game giving them the three points. Resende were another side to make it back to back wins as they went to town on Macaé despite slipping two goal behind. Two goals in the space of four minutes from Andre Gomes and Gedeil put Macaé two goals ahead but Marcel pulled one back seven minutes before the break. Gabriel levelled matter for Resende ten minutes after the break and Elias put them ahead on the hour. Marcelo Regis gave Resende a two goal lead fifteen minutes from time before his second in injury time wrapped things up.

Americano kept up the pressure at the top of Group A after a 1-0 success at Cabofriense. The only goal of the game coming three minutes before the break from Diego. It leaves Americano in a three way tie at the top of Group A with only goal difference keeping them out of the play off zone at the moment. Bangu haven't enjoyed the best Taça Rio but kept their slim play off hopes alive after a 2-1 win over Volta Redonda. Bangu fell behind eleven minutes before the break when Glauber put Volta Redonda ahead but Bangu were level seven minutes after the break courtesy of Porssato. It looked like both teams were going to collect a point each but Abílio grabbed the Bangu winner deep into injury time. The woes for Flamengo continued as they were held to a third straight draw, this time by a Madureira side they really should be beating. A Welinton Souza own goal put Madureira into the lead ten minutes before the break but Leo Moura levelled for Flamengo seven minutes later. Michel then restored the Madureira lead twelve minutes into the second half and when Baiano made it 2-1 to Madureira six minutes later a shock was on the cards. Deivid pulled a goal back fifteen minutes from time and Thiago Neves rescused a point for Flamengo with the equaliser eight minutes from time. Finally no goals at the Engenhão as the Clássico dos Gigantes between Fluminense and Vasco da Gama. The result ended Vasco's three game winning run but still left them top of Group A, the result was more damaging for Flu's hopes of making the play offs.

Three games to go in the Taça Rio and they line up like this next weekend

Nova Iguaçu x Cabofriense
Madureira x América
Volta Redonda x Fluminense
Duque de Caxais x Flamengo
Americano x Olaria
Vasco da Gama x Bangu
Botafogo x Resende
Macaé x Boavista

Premier Sports TV is the new live home of South American football in the UK. You can subscribe at www.premiersports.tv or call 0871 663 9000

Campeonato Paulista A1 - Week 16

Oeste 4-0 Noroeste
Palmeiras 3-0 Bragantino
Mogi Mirim 1-3 Portuguesa
Grêmio Prudente 1-1 Mirassol
Santo André 1-0 São Caetano
São Paulo 2-1 Corinthians
Ituano 2-3 Santos
Botafogo SP 0-4 Linense
Ponte Preta 0-0 Paulista
Americana 3-1 São Bernado

Oeste did their chances of making "The Eight" no harm at all after a comfortable success over Noroeste in the early Saturday game. Anselmo Ramon put Oeste ahead just before the break and Roger doubled the lead six minutes into the second half. Fabio Santos made it three shortly afterwards and a second for Anselmo Ramon just after the hour wrapped things up. Palmeiras will go into week 17 top of the pile after other results went their way and thanks to their disposal of Bragantino. A game witnessed by the Premier Sports TV viewers. Thiago Heleno put the Big Green ahead with just two minutes on the clock but they had to wait until ten minutes from time before a second from Thiago Heleno gave them breathing space. João Vitor for the third three minutes from time to wrap things up for Palmeiras. Portuguesa continued their late charge for a place in "The Eight" after a 3-1 success at Mogi Mirim. Marcelo Cordeiro put Portuguesa ahead with seventeen minutes on the clock before Ivo doubled the lead on the stroke of half time. Luis Ricardo made it three just short of the hour before Niel pulled a goal back for Mogi Mirim fifteen minutes from time. Grêmio Prudente look doomed to Série A2 after they could only draw with Mirassol. Otácilio put Mirassol ahead a minute after the break but Grêmio Prudente did level through Eraldo with ten minutes to go the draw wasn't of much help the their survival hopes.

Santo André made it three games without defeat but they are still in the relegation zone despite a single goal success over São Caetano. Aloísio got the winner for Santo André twenty minutes from time but the result is a blow for the chances of São Caetano being involved in the end of season shake up. The big game of the weekend and on Premier Sports TV was the "Majestoso" between São Paulo and Corinthians at the Morumbi. Dagoberto gave São Paulo the lead four minutes before the break before Rogerio Céni's 30 yard free kick, his 100th career goal, made it two eight minutes into the second half. Corinthians then had Alessandro sent off just after the hour but the ten men pulled a goal back through Dentinho. São Paulo's Dagoberto was then sent off to make it ten a-side before Dentinho followed him four minutes later to reduce Corinthians to nine. It's São Paulo's first win in twelve attempts against Corinthians. Santos remain in the shake up for top spot after a 3-2 success at Ituano despite being without Neymar who was with the National side in England. Ituano took the lead half way through the first half through Jefferson but this stung Santos into action and they quickly levelled through Tiago before Keirrison put them ahead ten minutes before the break. Santos got a third twenty minutes after the break through Jonathan Cícero but Ituano pulled one back through Allan eight minutes from time to set up a nervy finish.

Linense picked up their third victory in their last five games as they hauled Botafogo SP back into the relegation dog fight after a stunning 4-0 success. Pedrão set Linense on their way with twelve minutes on the clock and his second six minutes before half time doubled the Linesne advantage. Tarracha made it three with twenty minutes to go before Éder Marcelo put the icing on the cake with the fourth twelve minutes from time. No goals at the Estádio Moisés Lucarelli as Paulista and Ponte Preta edged towards a play off spot. The result suited both sides and they should both now be in the end of season shake up. Finally Americana snapped their six game losing streak after they got their season back on track with a 3-1 victory over São Bernardo. Vinícius put Americana ahead with just two minutes on the clock but Dirceu levelled for São Bernardo twenty minutes before the break. Marcinho restored the Americana lead four minutes after the break and Lúcio Flávio gave Americana a two goal lead eight minutes later. It leave Americana with an outside chance of forcing their way into "The Eight"

Three games to go before the post season commences as the battle for places hots up. They line up like this with the clash of the week at the Vila Belmiro.

Ituano x Oeste
Portuguesa x Noroeste
Paulista x Mogi Mirim
São Caetano x São Bernardo
Linense x Americana
Santos x Palmeiras
São Paulo x Mirassol
Botafogo SP x Corinthians
Bragantino x Ponte Preta
Santo Andre x Grêmio Prudente

Premier Sports TV is the new live home of South American football in the UK. You can subscribe at www.premiersports.tv or call 0871 663 9000

Campeonato Paulista A1 - Week 15

São Caetano 2-0 Bragantino
Mirassol 2-0 Americana
Santos 3-1 Mogi Mirim
Palmeiras 3-0 Linense
Portuguesa 0-0 Santo André
Noroeste 2-2 Grêmio Prudente
Paulista 3-2 São Paulo
Corinthians 3-0 Oeste
São Bernardo 0-2 Botafogo SP
Ponte Preta 1-2 Ituano

São Caetano moved to the brink of the playoffs as they leapfrogged over Bragantino after a 2-0 victory. Artur set São Caetano on their way with the opener after eleven mintues and Aílton wrapped things up half way through the second half. Mirassol snapped their three game losing when run when they inflicted a sixth straight defeat for an Americana side that has lost its way rather alarmingly. Wellington Amorim put Mirassol ahead seven minutes before the break and Xuxa's eight of the season from the spot wrapped things up twelve minutes from time. Santos bounced back from their weekend defeat at Bragantino as they stayed in the top four with victory over Mogi Mirim. Zé Eduardo put Santos ahead with just six minutes on the clock and Keirrison doubled the lead four minutes after the break. Cristinano pulled a goal back for Mogi Mirim with twenty minute left but Edu Dracena restored the two goal advantage for Santos three minutes later.

Palmeiras remain in the hunt for top spot after pushing Linense closer to relegation at the Arena Barueri. Patrick put Palmeiras ahead six minutes before the break and Kléber doubled the lead from the spot four minutes later. A second for Patrick on the hour gave Palmeiras a three goal lead and ensured the points for the Big Green. Santo André picked up what could be a valuable point in their fight against the drop away at Portuguesa. There were no goals in the game, a result which doesn't help Portuguesa's top eight ambitions. Grêmio Prudente were another side to get an away draw in their fight against the drop, but they let a lead slip at Noroeste. The home side were ahead within two minutes thanks to Tiago Ulisses but Grêmio Prudente levelled a minute before the break through Alexsandro. Ângelo put Grêmio Prudente ahead twenty minutes into the second half but they were reduced to ten shortly after when Anderson Trindade was sent off for two yellow cards. Vandinho levelled for Noroeste with twelve minutes left but they also finished with ten me after Cris saw red three minutes from time. The shock result of the round saw São Paulo lose top spot when they went down to defeat at Paulista. Fabiano Viera and Welder put Paulista into a two goal first half lead before Rogério Ceni pulled a goal back from the spot seven minutes after the break. Vanderlei restored the two goal Paulista lead ten minutes into the second half and although Dagoberto got a second for São Paulo twenty minutes from time the home side held on to take the points.

Corinthians took advantage of the slip up of São Paulo to go top of the league after a comfortable victory over Oeste. Paulinho put Corinthians ahead ten minutes before the break before Liédson joined Elano at the top of the scoring chart with his tenth of the season four minutes after the break. Dentinho wrapped thins up for Corinthians with the third seventeen minutes from time. Botafogo SP eased away from relegation danger with their second consecutive win, this time at São Bernardo. Assis Mota put Botafogo ahead seven minutes after the break but they suffered a blow when Eduardo Dida was sent off eight minutes before time. That setback didn't prevent Botafogo making sure of the victory when João Henrique struck in injury time. Ituano hauled themselves out of the relegation zone when they held on for victory at Ponte Preta. Ituano went ahead two minutes before half time when Jefferson put them ahead with Rafael Malaquais doubling the lead ten minutes into the second half. Ferron pulled a goal back for Ponte Preta fourteen minutes from time but Ituano weren't to be denied victory.

Week sixteen begins today as we enter the final fight for play off spots

Oeste x Noroeste
Palmeiras x Bragantino - delayed coverage on Premier Sports TV
Mogi Mirim x Portuguesa
Grêmio Prudente x Mirassol
Santo André x São Caetano
São Paulo x Corinthians - delayed coverage on Premier Sports TV
Ituano x Santos
Botafogo SP x Linense
Ponte Preta x Paulista
Americana x São Bernado

Premier Sports TV is the new live home of South American football in the UK
You can subscribe at www.premiersports.tv or call 0871 663 9000

Copa Libertadores Week 8

Group 1

Libertad 2-2 Once Caldas
San Luis 3-1 Universidad San Martin

Libertad remain unbeaten and at the top of Group 1 after a late late goal rescued their unbeated record against Once Caldas. Wason Rentería put Once Caldas ahead with twelve minutes on the clock but Nicolas Pavlovich levelled four minutes later. A second for Rentería with twenty minutes on the clock restored the Once Caldas lead and it seemed they were going to get their first win of the campaign but a second for Pavlovich as the game went into injury time rescued Libertad and gave Once Caldas their fourth straight draw. San Luis got themselved back in the hunt for the round of 16 when they sent Universidad San Martin to a third straight defeat. Juan Medina and Michael Arroyo had San Luis two up within the opening fourteen minutes. Ronald Quinteiros halved the deficit on the hour but a second from Arroyo restored the two goal lead with fifteen minutes to go. Quinteiros then got himself sent off with twelve minutes to go.

Group 2

Oriente Petrolero 2-0 León de Huánuco

Bolivian side Oriente Petrolero picked up their first victory of the campaign when they had too much for León de Huánuco of Peru. Alcides Peña put Oriente Petrolero ahead with seventeen minutes on the clock and they were assured of victory when Jhasmani Campos for the second twelve minutes from time. That result leaves both teams with little chance of progressing into the round of 16.

Group 3

Fluminense 3-2 América

In the live Premier Sports offering Fluminense got their campaign back on track when they picked up their first victory of the campaign against América of Mexico at the Engenhão. Fluminense had to do it the hard way after falling behind to a Vicente Sánchez goal with fifteen minutes gone. Although Gum levelled matters six minutes later a second from Sánchez restored the América lead with eighteen minutes to go. As it stood Fluminense were on the brink of elimination but Araújo levelled with ten minutes left and Deco grabbed a dramatic winner with three minutes to go.

Group 4

Caracas FC 0-2 Universidad Católica
Vélez Sarsfield 2-1 Unión Española

In what is proving to be a tight group, Universidad Católica went top after a stunning victory at Caracas FC. Jose Villanueva put the visitors ahead four minutes after the break and Lucas Pratto ensured the win five minutes from time. Frustration grew in the home ranks and Nelson Barahona saw red two minutes from time. After back to back defeats in the competition Vélez Sarsfield were another team to get back on track after victory over Unión Española. Emiliano Papa put Vélez ahead half way through the first half but Leandro Delgado levelled for Unión Española ten minutes before the break. The Vélez winner came from Santiago Silva twenty minutes from time, three points cover all four teams in the group and anyone can still qualify.

Group 8

Godoy Cruz 1-1 Independiente

In the all Argentinian clash in Mendoza Godoy Cruz went top of Group 8 after a 1-1 with Copa Sudamericana holders Independiente. The visitors actually made the perfect start when they took the lead Matias Defedrico with less than a minutes on the clock. Godoy Cruz levelled eleven minutes before the break when Ruben Ramírez found the back of the net. Like Group 4, all four teams can still qualify for the round of 16 with two games to go.

Next weeks fixtures

Deportes Tolima v Estudiantes
Internacional v Jorge Wilstermann Live on Premier Sports
Guaraní v Cruzeiro
Peñarol v Godoy Cruz

Premier Sports TV is the new live home of South American football in the UK
You can subscribe at www.premiersports.tv or call 0871 663 9000

Campeonato Paulista A1 - Week 14

Noroeste 1-0 Ponte Preta
Portuguesa 4-1 Mirassol
Bragantino 2-1 Santos
Botafogo SP 2-1 Paulista
Santo André 2-2 Oeste
Corinthians 1-0 Americana
São Caetano 1-1 Palmeiras
Grêmio Prudente 0-1 São Paulo
Ituano 0-1 Mogi Mirim
Linense 0-2 São Bernardo

You go away for a couple of weeks and things change dramatically in the Campeonato Paulista. With new leaders now in place since our last review in Week 10. Noroeste dragged themselves out of the relegation zone after victory over Ponte Preta. Otacílio Neto with the winner for Noroeste with his first goal of the season on the stroke of half time. Portuguesa remain three points away from the play offs after victory over a Mirassol team in free fall since they went to the top of the table in Week 10. Luis Ricardo and a penalty from Jael put Portuguesa in control before Xuxa replied form the spot seven minutes before the break. A second for Jael restored the two goal cushion ten minutes after the break and Henrique made sure of the points with the fourth three minutes later. In the live Premier Sports game, a late goal from Marcelhino gave Bragantino a shock victory over Santos. Léo Jamie had put Bragantino ahead with 25 minutes gone but Elano's tenth of the season from the spot on the half hour levelled matters. Santos were never allowed to settle and were full value for their victory which came with that winner two minutes from time. Botafogo SP also climbed out of the relegation zone after a victory over Paulista. Eli Sabia put Paulista ahead two minutes before the hour mark but Anselmo levelled just four minutes later. Assis Mota for the Botafogo SP winner twelve minutes from time.

Santo André remain in deep relegation trouble after letter a two goal lead slip at home to Oeste. Celio put Santo André ahead five minutes before the break and Allan Dias made it two thirteen minutes into the second half. Reinaldo de Sol pulled a goal back eighteen minutes from time and Oeste claimed a point thanks to a Fabio Santos leveller twelve minutes from time. Corinthians remain second in the table on games won after a ninth minute goal from Liédson, his ninth of the season, gave them a single goal victory over Americana at the Pacaembu. In the delayed Premier Sports TV offering early on Monday morning, Palmeiras took advantage of the Santos slip up to move into third with a draw at São Caetano. Palmeiras went ahead with just six minutes on the clock when Kléber put them ahead from the spot but Artur levelled for São Caetano nine minutes from time. The game finished ten a-side after Anderson Marques of São Caetano and Thiago Heleno both saw red after a second half clash.

São Paulo remain top after their fourth straight victory, this time away at bottom of the table Grêmio Prudente. One goal was enough for São Paulo and it came sixteen minutes from time through Henrique. Mogi Mirim are still in with a shout of making "The Eight" after they pushed Ituano into the relegation zone with a 1-0 victory. The goal came from Val with twenty-five minutes on the clock. São Bernardo continued their rise up the table when they defeated fellow promoted side Linense 2-0. And own goal with thirteen minutes gone from André Turatto put São Bernardo ahead and Junior Xuxa made they game safe with the second six minutes after the break. The defeat snapped Linense's two game winning streak and put they back into the relegation zone.

Midweek action for week 15 and they line up like this

São Caetano x Bragantino
Mirassol x Americana
Santos x Mogi Mirim
Palmeiras x Linense
Portuguesa x Santo André
Noroeste x Grêmio Prudente
Paulista x São Paulo
Corinthians x Oeste
São Bernardo x Botafogo SP
Ponte Preta x Ituano

Premier Sports TV is the new live home of South American football in the UK. You can subscribe at www.premiersports.tv or call 0871 663 9000

Campeonato Carioca - Taça Rio Round Up

Taça Rio Round Up Weeks 1-3

Week one of the Taça Rio saw Vasco continue their poor form from the Guanabara when they went down to a 3-1 defeat at Macaé. Guanabara runners up Boavista got over the disappointment of their final loss with a 3-1 win over Bangu. The other of the big 4 were all victorious while Madureira and América also picked up maximum points. Week two saw the Big Four all win, with Vasco finally getting their season underway with victory over Duque de Caxais. Boavista went down to defeat at Olaria while Cabofriense and Americano both got their fist wins of the season as well. Week three saw the 375th Fla-Flu finish goalless at the Engenhão whilst Vasco and Botafogo both had comfortable victories. Boavista got back to winning ways and Olaria made it back to back victories as well.

Week 4

Nova Iguaçu 1-2 Duque de Caxias
Americano 2-1 Madureira
Volta Redonda 2-1 Macaé
Olaria 1-0 América
Fluminense 0-2 Boavista
Cabofriense 0-0 Flamengo
Bangu 0-1 Resende
Vasco da Gama 2-0 Botafogo

Duque de Caxias got their first win of the Taça Rio after success at Nova Iguaçu. Juninho put the visitors ahead with twenty minutes gone and his second fifteen from time doubled their advantage. Nova Iguaçu pulled a goal back in injury time but Duque de Caxias held on to collect maximum points. Americano got their second win of the Taça Rio after a late goal gave them victory over Madureira. Elson put Americano ahead with thirteen minutes gone but and own goal from Breda levelled things just short of the half hour. With six minutes left, Breda redeemed himself when he got the winner. Volta Redonda were another team to get their second win of the Taça Rio after inflicting Macaé's third straight defeat of the Taça Rio. Bruno Lança put Volta ahead with eighteen minutes gone and Kanu doubled the lead six minutes before the break. Robson pulled a goal back ten minutes after the break but Volta Redonda held on for the victory. Olaria moved into second in Group B after their third straight victory of the Taça Rio. One goal was enough to see off América who would have surely been happy with a point but for a winner from Renan Silva with just two minutes left.

Boavista proved their Guanabara semi-final victory was no fluke when they repeated their victory over Fluminense at the Engenhão. Gustavo put Boavista ahead eight minutes before the break and Max finished things off thirteen minutes from time. The win moves them into second above Flamengo who picked up their second consecutive scoreless draw, this time at Cabofriense. It's a very disappointing result for Rubro-Negro and they find themselves outside the finals at the moment. Resende picked up their first victory of the Taça Rio when they picked up a single goal victory away at Bangu. Marcel with the only goal of the game twenty minutes into the second half. The big game of the week was the Clássico Alvinegro at the Engenhão as Vasco da Gama made it three wins on the spin with victory over a very disappointing Botafogo side. Diego Souza put Vasco ahead just shot of the hour and on loan striker Éder Luis made it two ten minutes later with a stunner. The victory puts Vasco top of Group A and in with a shot of making the finals.

Week 5 takes place next weekend, centre stage is the Clássico dos Gigantes and they line up like this

Flamengo x Madureira
América x Duque de Caxias
Boavista x Botafogo
Resende x Macaé
Fluminense x Vasco da Gama
Cabofriense x Americano
Bangu x volta Redonda
Olaria x Nova Iguaçu

An Apology

Folks.

An apology for the lack of any coverage recently. I'm currently 12,000 miles from home and to be honest doing the blog hasn't crossed my mind whilst enjoying the weather here.

Normal service will resume on my return to the UK at the weekend and we'll be back on Monday as usual with a round up from the Paulistão and Carioca.

Sorry for any inconvenience this has caused you all.

Cheers

Matt