Friday, July 8, 2011

Brazilian Serie A Week 8

Corinthians surge clear.


Week 8 of the 2011 Serie A rumbles on in the shadow of the Copa America. For what its worth the Copa America has been tepid, boring and lacking in goals.


So why not watch the Brazilian Serie A instead ?

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Plenty of action and movement at both sides of the table. We finally have a different set of clubs in the top three. Atletico Mineiro are now in the drop zone.


Sao Paulo continued their run of wretched recent form. After winning their first five and storming to the top of the table, Sao Paulo have now lost three in a row. Their latest reverse came at Flamengo, losing 1-0 to a Dario Botinelli goal. His third goal of the season takes Flamengo into the top two. They are still unbeaten but have now won three games on the trot. Sao Paulo have now not scored in three games, conceding eight goals in the process.



Cruzeiro and Coritiba both added to their recent run of good results, as they continued to turn their season around. While a Walter Montillo double gave Cruzeiro a home 2-0 win over Gremio; goals from Emerson, Leo Gago (for the second game in a row) and Anderson Aquino (who hadn't scored since his hat-trick against Vasco) saw Coritiba crush Figueirense 3-0 at home.


Cruzeiro are now up to 9th while Coritiba are now 11th.  Excellent progress for two teams stuck in the relegation zone for the first several weeks.


Since Gremio lost, Internacional had to win, obviously, and so they did, winning 1-0 over Atl Para at home. Oscar scoring the only goal in the 74th minute.


Corinthians continued their excellent form as they surged clear at the top of the table, this time edging Vasco 2-1 at home. After Juninho Pernambucano (remember him) opened the scoring with his first goal of the campaign, Corinthians came back with strikes from Ralf and Paulinho. Resilience and belief of champions ? Perhaps. Corinthians are displaying the form of champions and are the class of the league.


They continue to sit in first with 19 points from seven games, unbeaten and with a game in hand on second placed Flamengo. That game in hand is against Santos.


Ceara scored an impressive home victory over Atl Mineiro, who seem to be sliding after their excellent start. A 3-0 win was made possible by goals from Marcelo Nicacio, Boiadeiro and Osvaldo. A tough trek over for Atl Mineiro but they have now lost three games in a row and are winless in five.  Gut check time.


Avai picked up another point with an entertaining 2-2 draw at home to Bahia. Rafael Coelho opened things for the 19th placed team before Junior Pipoca and Paulo Miranda replied for The visitors from San Salvador. Gustavo Bastos evened things up for Avai to earn a point. Bahia are now unbeaten in three away games and remain in 13th.


Botafogo tied 1-1 with Atletico Go. Gustavo Herrera opened the scoring for the Rio club while the visitors pegged back a point through Anselmo. At Go remain 20th while Botafogo lose pace and drop down to sixth.


In the remaining game America Mineiro tied Palmeiras 1-1.  Alessandro scored for America before Patrick levelled matters with his first goal for the visitors. Palmeiras also drop down a couple of spots and now sit in fifth, losing ground to Internacional and Flamengo.


After starting the season in a logjam just above the drop zone, Inter are upto fourth, unbeaten in six and on a three game win-streak.


With his double Walter Montillo has taken over the scoring lead with six goals.  Ronaldinho and Oscar are on behind with five strikes each.

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Sao Paolo clubs are no longer 1-2-3 but Corinthians are still in the lead. Flamengo have broken into the top three.
Both trios of the Rio and Sao Paulo clubs in action finished with with one win, one draw and one loss each.
Only two clubs remain unbeaten, Corinthians and Ronaldinho's Flamengo.
Two clubs remain winless in Avai and Atletico Paranaense who are 19th and 20th respectively.
All 10 games had a result as 32 goals were scored.

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At least the top 13 sides will qualify for continental competition next spring while the bottom four teams will get relegated to the 2012 Serie B.  Santos added to the four spots the league gets in the 2012 Copa Libertadores by winning this year's edition.

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Vasco Da Gama, who won the Copa Do Brasil, have booked a spot at the 2012 Copa Libertadores.




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