A new power is rising.
Rio duo Vasco Da Gama and Botafogo scored impressive and crucial victories in Round 20, moving up the table to second and third respectively. Could Vasco do the double, having won the Cup earlier this season ? It's definitely possible as the Rio giants are looking good, playing consistently and getting plenty of scoring from the entire roster. Botafogo are also quietly getting it done with efficient performances full of belief and confidence.
Vasco's latest win came at home, 3-1 over Ceara, Eder Luis's strike sandwiched between an Elton double. Once again Ceara got a goal from Washington, the striker's sixth. This was Vasco's eighth win in their last 12 games, during which stretch they have only lost once. Wednesday saw nine matches with the only game today ending in a tame goalless draw between Bahia and America.
Botafogo matched their Rio rivals result, scoring a huge 3-1 win over Palmeiras in a top of the table clash that saw fifth beat sixth. The Fire won for the third game in a row and the seventh time in nine matches. Consistency is what title tilts are made of and both Botafogo and Vasco are peaking at the right time. Palmeiras were undone by goals from German Herrera, Maicosuel and Gustavo, falling behind 3-0 before another late strike from Marcos Assuncao, again from a free kick, got them on the board.
Palmeiras stay sixth, dropping further behind the ascendant Rio duo.
In truth, both clubs were indebted to off-days from Flamengo and Sao Paulo, who were second and third at the start of play Wednesday. While Sao Paulo succumbed at home to a resurgent Fluminense, who scored through Manuel Lanzini and Rafael Sobis; Flamengo were upset at Avai with the relegation threatened club from Florianopolis, showing some real fight in a 3-2 win. Captain Rogerio Ceni scored a late penalty for Sao Paulo but could not prevent the Morumbi faithful from going home with their tails between their legs.
Star striker Ronaldinho duly scored a double for Flamengo but was eclipsed by goals from Lincoln (third goal in two games), Rafael Coelho and an early strike from the excellently named Robinho. Flamengo drop to fourth while Sao Paulo are now fifth.
Leaders Corinthians were able to evade any disasters and extend their slim lead at the top to two points. They edged Gremio 3-2 at home in a game full of incident and drama. Chicao put Tite's side in the early lead from the spot before Douglas levelled affairs just before half time. A quick fire double just after the hour from Paulinho and Ramon put Corinthians in front for good. The late dismissals of striker Liedson and Edenilson gave Gremio the advantage for the last 20 minutes but Gremio could only score one more goal through Andre Lima, just falling short against nine men. A key result for the league leaders, that showcases their ability to grind out wins even when off-colour. Some would say the hallmark of Champions.
Santos and Internacional played out another thrilling 3-3 draw in Porto Allegre as a late Borges double, either side of an Alan Kardec strike, brought Muricy Ramalho's side a point from a game they had trailed 3-0. Inter will be kicking themselves for throwing away a commanding lead they had built through goals from Leandro Damiao, Bolivar and the star of the World U-20 final, Oscar. Santos remain 14th but Inter fall to tenth.
In other games on Wednesday, Cruzeiro lost 4-2 at home to visiting Figueirense, with Charles and Julio Cesar trading doubles. The difference was made by goals from Elias and Wellington Nem. And excellent result for Fig who refuse to go away and remain in the top half. They rise to seventh and are now just three points behind Palmeiras in sixth.
Atletico Mineiro showed some real fight to down At Para in a relegation six pointer at the Estadio Joaquim in Curitiba. Much maligned Mancini sealed the points from the penalty spot. The result brings the two clubs together on 18 points.
Finally, At Go got and early penalty and an own goal to down Coritiba at home. Marcio scored from the spot, Pereira put through his own net and a late strike from Anselmo sealed the 3-1 victory. Anderson Aquino scored a consolation but could not prevent At Go from rising to ninth, as they crack the top half for the first time all season. This was their fifth straight win in an improving season.
In addition to the Goias club, watch out for the Rio duo, Vasco and 'Fogo are coming !
Borges's double keeps him ahead of Ronaldinho, who also notched two goals in the scoring charts. The Santos striker has 14 goals, Ronnie has 12 for Flamengo and Cruzeiro's Walter Montillo has ten.
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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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Week 21 plays out this coming weekend with At Go travelling to Fluminense to try and win six on the trot. A relegation tussle unfolds in Belo Horizonte as Mineiro host Avai.
Figueirense host Sao Paulo, Palmeiras host Cruzeiro while leader Corinthians visit Coritiba. Vasco and Flamengo have eminently winnable games, at home to Bahia and at America respectively.
Week 21 plays out this coming weekend with At Go travelling to Fluminense to try and win six on the trot. A relegation tussle unfolds in Belo Horizonte as Mineiro host Avai.
Figueirense host Sao Paulo, Palmeiras host Cruzeiro while leader Corinthians visit Coritiba. Vasco and Flamengo have eminently winnable games, at home to Bahia and at America respectively.
Obviously, expect upsets all round.
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