24 OCTOBER 2000

VASCO 2 : Juninho 43, Juninho Paulista 63
GOIÁS 1 : Josué 25

Dill and Romário, the two top scorers on the competition, disappointed the
fans, as neither was able to score in this match. In the 25th minute, Evair
made a good play on the left side, dribbled a defender and passed to Josué,
who was all alone inside the box, and the Goiás player made no mistake. In
the 43rd minute, Vasco's pressure paid off, as Juninho tied the match, with
a long-range shot. In the 63rd, Vasco took the lead of the match. Viola
received the ball inside the box and passed to Romário, who one-timed it to
Juninho Paulista, who scored a nice goal. Both teams had some chances to
score, but 2x1 ended up as the result.


25 OCTOBER 2000

SPORT 3 : Érlon 28, Adriano 42, Leonardo 69
CORINTHIANS 1 : Marcelinho 47

For the first time in history, Corinthians lost seven games in a row (six in
the Brazilian Championship and one on the Mercosur Cup). Coached by Emerson
Leão, the new Brazilian National Team coach, Sport dominated the match from
the beginning. In the 28th, Érlon rose higher than the defenders to head
home a corner and open the scoring for Sport. The home team kept the
pressure on, and Adriano scored after a fast counter attack to make it 2x0.
Two minutes after the break, Marcelinho scored a goal for Corinthians, but
in the 69th Leonardo ensured victory for Sport, thanks to a mistake by
Maurício. The Corinthians keeper wasn't able to hold on to a shot by Dutra,
allowing Leonardo to score on the rebound.


FLUMINENSE 6 : Magno Alves 7, 35, 62, 67, 75, Roni 65
SANTA CRUZ 1 : Márcio Alan 19

Magno Alves became the top scorer of the João Havelange cup with an
impressive five-goal match against lowly Santa Cruz. After eight minutes,
Magno Alves scored his first, on a rebound by goalkeeper João Carlos. Ten
minutes later, Márcio Alan tied the match for Santa Cruz against the run of
play. In the 35th, Magno Alves put the home team back ahead, again taking
advantage of a mistake by the opposing keeper. Five minutes after the break,
Fluminense had a player sent off. In a bizarre play, César punched his
teammate Paulo César, and was correctly sent off. But ten minutes later
Santa Cruz's Marcelinho was also sent off, making things even. In the
ensuing play, Magno Alves scored his third goal. Three minutes later, he
turned provider, assisting Roni, who made it 4x1. In the 67th, it was again
Magno Alves who found the net. With fifteen minutes to go, he scored his
fifth goal of the night, punishing Santa Cruz for another silly defensive
mistake.

Red Cards : César (Fluminense), Marcelinho (Santa Cruz)


BAHIA 1 : Nonato 60
PONTE PRETA 2 : Claudinho 62, Hernani 73

The first half was entertaining, but ended goalless. In the 60th minute,
Nonato's harmless shot deflected on Ronaldão's back and went in, putting
Bahia ahead. But it took just two minutes to Ponte Preta to even the match.
Émerson shot from outside the box, the goalkeeper saved, but Claudinho
scored on the rebound. In the 73rd, the 'Macaca' took the lead. Hernani
headed a cross and Emerson made a nice save. But Hernani got first to the
rebound and scored.

Attendance : 22,438


GRÊMIO 2 : Warley 45, Fábio Baiano 62
BOTAFOGO CARIOCA 1 : Rodrigo 66

Ronaldinho thought he had opened the scoring for Grêmio on the 28th minute,
but the referee dismissed it because of an inexistent offside. The match was
even until the 42nd minute, when Reidner (Botafogo) was sent off for his
second bookable offence. Three minutes later, Grêmio took the lead through
Warley, who headed home a cross by Zinho. In the 58th minute, Donizete
literally kicked Xavier's butt and was sent off. With a two-man advantage,
things became easy for Grêmio. In the 62nd, they made it 2x0, thanks to a
long range shot by Fábio Baiano. Four minutes later, Rodrigo scored a
consolation goal for Botafogo.

Red Cards : Reidner (Botafogo Carioca), Donizete (Botafogo Carioca)


27 OCTOBER 2000

FLAMENGO 4 : Petkovic 28, 63, Adriano 52, Edílson 85
VASCO 0

Flamengo defied all predictions and soundly beaten favourites Vasco in the
most important Rio de Janeiro derby. Flamengo snapped a five-game losing
streak, while Vasco lost an eight-game unbeaten run. This was de first time
in the competition that Flamengo really played well. They dominated the
match from the beginning and in the 28th minute Petkovic opened the scoring
in a perfect free kick. Flamengo made it 2x0 seven minutes after the break.
Edílson crossed and Adriano tapped in from close range. Ten minutes later,
Petkovic made a delightful play, going past two defenders and the goalkeeper
to score his second goal of the night. And with five minutes to go Edílson
completed the rout from the penalty spot.

Attendance : 60,156


28 OCTOBER 2000

CRUZEIRO 5 : Geovanni 15, Viveros 32, Ricardinho 52, 71, Oséas 60
PORTUGUESA 1 : Lúcio 21

Cruzeiro definitely established themselves as favourites to win the João
Havelange Cup with this convincing win over Portuguesa. On the 15th minute,
Rodrigo went down the right side and made a perfect cross to Geovanni, who
headed home. But six minutes later Portuguesa equalised on a set play after
a free kick. In the 32nd, Viveros pounced in a rebound to put Cruzeiro back
ahead. The second half was completely dominated by the home team. Ricardinho
made it 3x1 on the 52nd, and eight minutes later Oséas put the match
completely out of Portuguesa's reach in a penalty kick. In the 71st minute,
Ricardinho scored another goal to seal victory for Cruzeiro.

Attendance : 10,125


SÃO PAULO FC 2 : Marcelo Ramos 21, 83
ATLÉTICO MINEIRO 1 : Guilherme 32

Marcelo Ramos came back from injury to light up São Paulo's offence in this
match. He was in the centre of almost every attacking play by the home team.
And it was him who opened the scoring, heading home a cross by Alemão. But
in the 32nd minute Guilherme caught de 'Tricolor' defence napping and headed
home the equaliser. Eight minutes later, Célio Silva (Atlético) was sent off
after a violent foul. With one more man on the pitch, São Paulo attacked
more, but they seemed unable to break Atlético's defence. And it was up to
Marcelo Ramos to score the game-winner. Again Alemão crossed from the left
side, Marcelo Ramos' first shot was saved, but he scored on the rebound.

Red Cards : Célio Silva (Atlético Mineiro), Guilherme (Atlético Mineiro)


SPORT 0
INTERNACIONAL 1 : Leonardo Manzi 10

This was Sport's first defeat at home in the João Havelange Cup. The only
goal of the match came on the 10th minute. Fábio Rochemback sent a long ball
to Leonardo Manzi and the home defence stopped, asking for an inexistent
offside. So Leonardo Manzi was left all alone against goalkeeper Bosco, who
was unable to prevent him from scoring. From that point on, there were few
plays worth noting.

Attendance : 19,497


SANTOS 0
BAHIA 1 : Jorge Vagner 83

New coach, same old story for Santos. The 'Peixe' created most of the
chances on the game, but their strikers were guilty of some poor finishing
in front of the goal. To make things worse, Edmundo was sent off for two
silly handballs on the second half. With seven minutes left, Bahia scored
the only goal of the night. Claudiomiro brought down Dedé inside the box and
the referee awarded Bahia a penalty, which was converted by Jorge Vagner.

Red Card : Edmundo (Santos)


OTHER RESULTS

25 OCTOBER 2000
GAMA 0x0 ATLÉTICO MINEIRO

28 OCTOBER 2000
SANTA CRUZ 1x5 PALMEIRAS
GRÊMIO 4x1 GAMA
AMÉRICA MINEIRO 2x3 VITÓRIA


Tomaz R. Alves
tomaz@trivela.com
http://trivela.com