Monday 13 June 2011

Brasileirão Petrobras - Week 4

Avaí 2-2 América Mineiro
Cruzeiro 1-1 Santos
São Paulo 3-1 Grêmio
Vasco da Gama 1-1 Figueirense
Bahia 1-1 Atlético Mineiro
Atlético Goianiense 4-1 Ceará
Internacional 2-2 Palmeiras
Corinthians 2-0 Fluminense
Atlético Paranaense 1-1 Flamengo
Botafogo 3-1 Coritiba

Avaí picked up their first point of the season at the Ressacada against América-MG but left it late to claim a share of the spoils. The visitors took the lead eight minutes before the break when Alessando curled in the opener but Avaí levelled nine minutes after the break when Juliano levelled from the spot. Two minutes later, América where ahead again two minutes later, Avaí keeper Aleks conceding the spot kick and Fábio Junior levelled from the spot. Avaí levelled in the last minute when Cássio headed home and to compound things there was still time for Marcos Rocha of América to see red. Santos, with things on their mind will be happy coming away from Sete Lagoas with a point against Cruzeiro with yet another last minute strike and playing almost all of the second half with ten men. The red card came for Vinicius Simon four minutes after the break and Cruzeiro took the lead when Argentinian Walter Monitllo converted from the spot six minutes later. The ten minute didn't give up and got their reward in the last minute when Borges levelled matters. The Premier Sports TV cameras witnessed São Paulo remain the only team with a 100% record in the league after they accounted for Grêmio at the Morumbi. Casimiro put São Paulo with just thirteen minutes gone but his own goal seven minutes after the break levelled things for Grêmio. Marlos restored the São Paulo just after the hour and Jean wrapped things up six minutes from time. Grêmio finished the game with ten men after Rafael Marques was sent off in injury time. The final Saturday game saw Copa Kia do Brasil winners Vasco da Gama throw two points away against Figueirense. Elton put Vasco ahead with just eighteen minutes gone but the visitors snatches a point a minutes from time when Aloisio grabbed an equaliser for the Floriánapolis based side.

Sunday started with newly promoted Bahia making it two from two draws at home as the were held by Atlético-MG. Bahia took the lead five minutes after the break when Souza converted from the penalty spot. Atlético-MG levelled fourteen minutes from time through Neto Berola, who was then sent off three minutes from time. After back to back defeats Atlético-GO went goal crazy as they came from behind to defeat Ceará at the Serra Dourada. Thiago Humberto put Ceará ahead with twenty-two minutes on the clock but the lead lasted all of two minutes before Anselmo levelled. Atlético-GO went into the break ahead when Adriano struck with eight minutes of the first half left and Bida made it three on the hour. Anselmo picked up his second, and Atlético-GO's fourth, sixteen minutes from time to wrap things up. Another late late goal at the Beira-Rio rescued a point for the home side this time as Palmeiras came so close to taking all three points at Internacional. The home side took the lead five minutes after the break when Marcos Araujo put the ball into his own net but four minutes later Kléber came to his rescue to level for the Big Green. Luan then put Palmieras ahead half way through the second half, but write Internacional off at your peril and Leandro Damião came to the rescue in injury time go give Inter a point and frustrate Felipão.

The Premier Sports TV viewers were treated to Corinthians remaining unbeaten and keeping the pressure on São Paulo at the top of the table after a comfortable home victory over the Champions, Fluminense at the Pacaembu. Two goals in the opening half hour from Willian, the second from the penalty spot was enough to give the Muskateers the victory and possible help under fire coach Tite keep his job for another week. The task facing Abel Braga grows week upon week if he is to lead the Tricolor to back to back successes. Flamengo have a shocking record at the Arena de Baixada and will be happy to escape with a point after falling behind to a Madson goal on the hour. The misfiring Argentinian Dario Botinelli was removed at half time by Vanderlei Luxemburgo and his replacement Deivid got the equalising goal ten minutes from time. Finally Coritiba are still struggling to life back in the top flight after they went down to Botafogo at the Engenhão despite taking a first minutes lead through Bill. Maicousel levelled for the Alvinegro with sixteen minutes gone and recent signing Elkeson put Botafogo ahead Linkseven minutes before the break. Coritiba were reduced to ten men just after the hour when Emerson was sent off and the victory was sealed in injury time as Coritiba chased the game, substitute Alex securing all three points.

Week 5 sees just the nine games as the clash between Santos and Corinthians has been rescheduled to August 11 to give the home side valuable preparation time for their clash with Peñarol on Wednesday night in the first leg of the Libertadores final in Montevideo. A couple derbies thrown into the mix as well in Sete Lagoas and the Engenhão.

The rest though line up like this

Fluminense x Bahia - Coverage on Premier Sports TV
América Mineiro x Cruzeiro
Palmeiras x Avaí
Flamengo x Botafogo
Grêmio x Vasco da Gama
Figueirense x Atlético Paranaense
Ceará x São Paulo - Coverage on Premier Sports TV
Atlético Mineiro x Atlético Goianiense
Coritiba x Internacional

Premier Sports TV is the home of the Brasileirão Petrobras in the UK
To subscribe go to www.premiersports.tv or call 0871 663 9000

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