Thursday, September 22, 2011

Brazilian Serie A Week 25

Santos are on the move.



After a bad start to the season, characterized by a long hangover post Copa Libertadores win and then compounded by the constant disruption caused by top players being called away by international tournaments and friendlies, Santos has pulled itself together to embark on a winning run, as it slowly ascends the table. Their unbeaten streak was extended to eight games on Wednesday night as they beat bottom club Atletico Mineiro for their fourth in a row.




Kempes' eighth goal of the season for the home side was sandwiched by strikes by Borges and captain Edu Dracena. Borges scored for the fourth game in a row and notched his tenth goal in his last nine Serie A games. Santos moves into the top half of the table for the first time all season and now sit in ninth. America remain bottom.





Fluminense were the other big winners as they cast aside any lingering gloom from the weekend's loss with a 3-1 home win over second from bottom Avai. Fred scored a double and Alejandro Martinuccio added a late third. William scored for Avai. Fluminense are now fifth and have responded well to the sale of Dario Conca. This was their fifth win in six games. For Avai, a brief resurgence in July and early August seems a distant memory as they sink back towards the bottom of the table. Relegation seems an eventuality.



Coritiba won for the third time in five games and remained unbeaten in three with a convincing display to see off Cruzeiro 2-1 at home. Goals from usual suspects Marcos Aurelio and Bill put the home side up at the Couto Pereira before Bolo made it briefly interesting with a goal just after the hour for the visitors. For a team that was tipped to win the title by some, Cruzeiro descent into the lower part of the table has been an embarrassing collapse.



Junior Pipoca scored again after several months to help Bahia beat At Para 1-0. Bahia move further away from the relegation zone and are now 14th. Paranaense remain in 18th.



Elsewhere on Wednesday, Atletico Mineiro drew 1-1 at home with Flamengo. Former Champions' League regulars Daniel Carvalho and Ronaldinho both scored to keep the teams even. Flamengo remain in sixth and drop below city rivals Fluminense. Mineiro remain 17th.



Figueirense held Internacional to a 1-1 draw at home with Ygor's opener being cancelled out by Jo. Inter remain in seventh and are on a five game unbeaten streak, having only lost once in their last 11 games. Figueirense are now 12th after drawing their fourth game in a row. They are now winless in five.



Sao Paulo moved into the lead, for a day, on goal difference, with a goalless draw at home to Corinthians. While payback for their 5-0 humiliation was a bit fanciful, the 2011 Paulista runners-up will enjoy the knowledge that their latest result against their rivals moves them to the top of the pile, for at least a day.




Vasco promptly rescaled the summit on Thursday with a draw of their own holding visiting At Go to a 1-1 draw. While Anselmo scored his seventh goal for the 12th place team, who have only lost once in nine games, Diego Souza promptly replied with his sixth for the league leaders. Vasco remain on top for another round and will stay there till the weekend.




Fellow Rio rivals Botafogo were also big winners this round, scoring a priceless 1-0 away victory at Gremio to continue their assault on top spot. Uruguayan striker 'El Loco' Sebastian Abreu scored the winner in the 65th minute. Botafogo move up to third with 44 points, tied with former leaders Corinthians, but ahead on goal difference. They now have the best difference in the division, are just a couple of points off the lead and crucially, have a game in hand.  Could they go on to become the fifth different leaders this season ? Very distinctly.


The final game of the round saw Palmeiras edge Ceara at home with a jammy own goal scored by Thiago Matias. Palmeiras remain in the hunt somewhat but look tentative and unsure. They rise one spot to seventh, a point ahead of Internacional.




Borges remains the leading scorer with his 18th strike of the campaign. He now leads Ronaldinho and Leandro Damiao, tied for second, by five goals.



The full table, results and fixtures can be found here.


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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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