With difficult, São Paulo gets a tie with Figueirense

Article written by Boleiro
Posted on August 24, 2007
Filed Under São Paulo, Figueirense, South American Cup | Leave a Comment

For the South American Cup, Yesterday after a bad-played match, São Paulo got a tie against Figueirense at Morumbi Stadium and qualified to the international phase of the competition, facing next time Boca Juniors from Argentina.

São Paulo did not played a good game. The team made more than a few mistakes in passing the ball and in ending the attacks. Figueirense put together a good marking scheme and São Paulo got difficulties to pass by their players. Also, Aloísio was in a bad day and missed a lot of almost-made-goals, and taking too long to score, what happened was that Figueirense scored their own goal, when after a mistake by Souza trying to take the ball out of São Paulo area, Jean Carlos from Figueirense got a chance to score.

As the result of the first game was 2-2, a simple victory would qualify either one of the teams, and a 0-0 or 1-1 tie would result in São Paulo qualify; a 2-2 would take the match to penalty kicks and a 3-3 or more tie would benefit Figueirense. With the partial result of 1-0, Figueirense was with the upper hand, and São Paulo had to go to the offense.

Even so, the team had some problems, up until Muricy Ramalho, São Paulo coach, replace Jorge Wagner with Borges, and after a good pass by goalkeeper Rogério Ceni, Borges took the ball to the Figueirense 18 yard box and scored, giving the match its final result, 1-1.

I do really hope Muricy watch the tape of the game to check the problems that the team had, and work on them with the players. If those problems persists, there is a good chance of defeat when São Paulo plays Boca Juniors. I trust in the team, but they have to keep a regular good pace in order to win.

The Brazil and Algeria friendly

Article written by Boleiro
Posted on August 23, 2007
Filed Under Brazil National Team, Articles | Leave a Comment

Yesterday, the Brazil National Team won against Algeria with a 2-0 score the friendly match played in Mompelier, France. The match was an opportunity to once again see Kaka and Ronaldinho Gaúcho back on the team again, and the goals were scored by Ronaldinho himself and Maicon.

Brazil stated going to the attack, but after some time the team let its guard down a bit and relaxed the markings over Algeria, witch gave them more chances to attack as well. On the second half, this time with Kaka and Ronaldinho in the field, the team again began to play a more fast football and managed to score two times, giving the match its final score.

In general, a game which pleased me. Except in a few moments, Brazil was able to explore well the Algeria midfield in order to have its under control. However, the team needs to get better when its time to mark the adversary when they recover the ball.

A nice game overall, and togheter with the next two friendlies against USA and México, can help Dunga to put together the roster for the World Cup Qualifications, to begin next October. Regarding the roster of yesterday’s match, I’m in disagreement only about Vagner Love, Fernando, Maicon and Doni — I don’t find them players with styles that can be used well right now on the National Team, as they lack more technical skills.

For instance, I would place Luis Fabiano instead of Vager Love, or Cacau, who plays for Stuttgard in Germany, Ronaldo, who should get another chance, or even Kleber, from Santos. Instead of Maicon, Cicinho could be put to better use, and instead of Fernando, why not use the opportunity to see how Zé Roberto, from Botafogo, would play, or even Edmilson, from Barcelona? And instead of Doni, Bruno from Flamengo or Felipe from Corinthians could be good alternatives.

Still, it was a good roster and a good match, and let me wish good luck to all of them and to Dunga, in the next challenges to come.

Nilmar free and São Paulo on his way

Article written by Boleiro
Posted on August 21, 2007
Filed Under Players Transfers, São Paulo, Articles, Corinthians | Leave a Comment

On the case of Nilmar vs Corinthians, Brazilian Court of Labor Affairs has ruled in favor of the player, and with that, Nilmar is without any obligations with Corinthians, and he is free to go to any other team. The decision can be appealed, but it is unlikely that Corinthians can revert the decision.

Now, the season of speculation begins, and one of the most cited teams is São Paulo. The team has a state-of-art facility for fitness and recovery, of witch Nilmar could put to good use to recover of his knee injury. Be as it may, Nilmar also has stated in the past that he would like to play for São Paulo.

The court decision was fair enough. Nilmar was being disrespected by Corinthians managers for some time now – several times they promised to put his situation in good order on the team, but on the end always postponed any decision, counting that Nilmar would never take the course of action to go to the courts. Now, the scenario is quite different of that speculation.

Regarding the possibility of Nilmar on São Paulo, even tough I do believe that such arrangement is possible, I don´t think it is likely. The high costs of a player like him could be heavy, but that may be adjusted with a good negotiation, of course. Still, I prefer to be cautions about the possibility – but it would be great, as São Paulo could use a great forward like him.

Josué leaving São Paulo

Article written by Boleiro
Posted on August 18, 2007
Filed Under Players Transfers, São Paulo, Articles, Brazilian Players | Leave a Comment

Last Wednesday, it was confirmed the transfer of São Paulo midfielder Josué to the German team Wolfsburg, in a 2 million USD deal. The player has stated before his wishes to play in the European football, and São Paulo managers did not impose difficulties in the deal, as Josué has done great things for the team and if the deal had not been done now, at the end of his contract the team would get nothing for the transfer.

His absence will be great — Josué was the main power of São Paulo midfield, but I do believe that a replacement at the same level can be found. Besides, we have Richarlysson and Hernanes on the field, and both players helps a lot.

Regarding Josué decision, personally I find that Josué should leave São Paulo for a bigger European team. The deal was nice, but there are more professional factors to be taken in consideration here, such as the fact that Josué should be in a team with good chances for great championships. Anyway, I wish him and the Wolfsburg the best of luck, and the São Paulo fans are in debt with the player for the great help that he gave the team during his stay.

Lyon going to FIFA against Corinthians

Article written by Boleiro
Posted on August 13, 2007
Filed Under General News, Players Transfers, Articles, Corinthians | Leave a Comment

With each day the problem between Corinthians and Lyon gets worst, regarding the payment due of 8 million USD to the French club, for the player Nilmar. The most recent attempt to settle the matter included the young revelation Willian, but Corinthians does not accept to let the player go, and therefore Lyon will appeal to FIFA to settle the question.

It is puzzling the posture by Corinthians board of directors. They do not want to pay what is due and on top of that think it’s they right to impose conditions regarding what can or can’t be accepted. They do have a debt with Lyon, but seems that Corinthians managers think they are above anything and anyone.

This is a serious issue — if FIFA chooses to punish the club, Corinthians could loose precious points in the Brazilian Championship and be demoted to the second division. However, for the looks of it, that fact does not concerns Corinthians managers, because they really think a punishment can be avoided. We are now on other times, and they really may have severe punishment if a solution is not found. Something unfortunate with the Corinthians fans, no doubt.

Brazilian Championship roundups 18 and 19

Article written by Boleiro
Posted on August 10, 2007
Filed Under Brazilian Championship | Leave a Comment

Here are the results and next games on the 2007 Brazilian Championship:

Date Home Result Visitor Stadium and City
08/08 Wed 19:30 Cruzeiro 2-0 Sport Mineirao, Belo Horizonte
08/08 Wed 19:30 Juventude 0-0 Fluminense Alfredo Jaconi, Caxias do Sul
08/08 Wed 20:30 Náutico 4-2 Figueirense Aflitos, Recife
08/08 Wed 21:45 Goiás 3-2 Atlético-MG Serra Dourada, Goiânia
08/08 Wed 21:45 Atlético-PR 2-0 Flamengo Kyocera Arena, Curitiba
08/08 Wed 21:45 Botafogo 0-2 São Paulo Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro
09/08 Thu 20:30 Vasco 2-0 Corinthians São Januário, Rio de Janeiro
09/08 Thu 20:30 Grêmio 3-0 América-RN Olímpico, Porto Alegre
09/08 Thu 20:30 Palmeiras 1-1 Internacional Palestra Itália, São Paulo
09/08 Thu 20:30 Santos 2-0 Paraná Vila Belmiro, Santos

Date Home Result Visitor Stadium and City
11/08 Sat 18:10 Sport - Juventude Ilha do Retiro, Recife
11/08 Sat 18:10 São Paulo - Atlético-PR Morumbi, São Paulo
11/08 Sat 18:10 Flamengo - Náutico Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro
12/08 Sun 16:00 Corinthians - Grêmio Pacaembu, São Paulo
12/08 Sun 16:00 Atlético-MG - Palmeiras Mineirão, Belo Horizonte
12/08 Sun 16:00 Figueirense - Botafogo Orlando Scarpelli, Florianópolis
12/08 Sun 16:00 Internacional - Goiás Beira-Rio, Porto Alegre
12/08 Sun 18:10 Fluminense - Santos Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro
12/08 Sun 18:10 Paraná - Vasco Durival de Brito, Curitiba
12/08 Sun 18:10 América-RN - Cruzeiro Machadão, Natal

Vasco vs Corinthians: Vampeta talks too much

Article written by Boleiro
Posted on August 10, 2007
Filed Under Vasco, Corinthians, Brazilian Championship | Leave a Comment

Early this week, Corinthians midfielder Vampeta stated that Corinthians would walk away from the game against Vasco with a certain victory and a good taste of bacalhau, the traditional dried-and-salted-stockfish-based Portuguese dish — an allusion to Vasco, as the fan base is of Portuguese descent.

However, what we had last night was a completely disorganized Corinthians which seems to have choked with their bacalhau. Vasco won easy by a 2-0 score, putting Corinthians once more in the dangerous zone of descent in the table.

Vasco was superior during the entire game, as Corinthians midfield was losing control of the ball all the time and making bad passing, something that gave Vasco several good chances to attack, and the score was not even larger because Corinthians goalkeeper Felipe had a great performance.

Vasco is doing a good campaign during this 2007 Brazilian Championship. Difficult to say at the moment if they can have a good shot for championship, but keeping things as it is, Vasco most likely will got at least a spot on the next Libertadores Cup.

As for Corinthians, their problems continue to amount. When everyone believed that things could get better after the victory against Goiás, there we had it — the team once again showing a poor football and walking away from the field with another defeat. The situation continues to be bad in and out of the field, and Corinthians’ fans really don’t deserves such a state of affairs.

A double victory for São Paulo at Maracanã

Article written by Boleiro
Posted on August 9, 2007
Filed Under São Paulo, Brazilian Championship, Botafogo | Leave a Comment

Yesterday, during its match against Botafogo, São Paulo managed to win not only the match — a good 2-0 score, goals by Alex Silva and Leandro — but the team also overcome the unacceptable amount of violence that Botafogo showed, with its players making several violent incidents during the play.

One of the worst cases was by the winger Luciano Almeida, who broke the leg, no less, of São Paulo winger Reasco, who had to go to surgery and will not be able to play again until next year. Another case was by Túlio, clearly playing a nervous game and who kicked the face of São Paulo midfielder Leandro when he was already down after a foul.

Túlio got a well deserved red card, and even had the nerve to state afterwards that he did nothing of consequence, and that the referees had been unfair with Botafogo. Funny how things always seems to be errors and mistakes by the others, but never by themselves.

Still, there is something to be said about what really matters for a team — football, that is. São Paulo managed to had the midfield well under control, and with good marking of Botafogo. Also, São Paulo defense area still is in great shape and Botafogo had a lot of difficulties to finish the attacks with efficiency. São Paulo, on the other hand, put to good use the chances that got during the match, scoring two times.

Now, São Paulo is alone on the top of the table for the 2007 Brazilian Championship, opening a gap of no less than five points to Botafogo, which has a game less than São Paulo. If São Paulo wins the match against Atlético-PR next Saturday at Morumbi, the team will be champion of the first turn of the championship, taking home the Osmar Santos trophy for that.

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