16 AUGUST 2000

PALMEIRAS 0
CORINTHIANS 1 : Gil 75

This match clearly exposed the fiasco of the João Havelange Cup. Corinthians
x Palmeiras is one of the greatest rivalries in Brazil. In spite of that, this
encounter only attracted 2,000 fans to the Morumbi. And those few brave souls
regretted going to the stadium. This was a poor match, with few attacking plays
and many bizarre mistakes. The only goal came 15 minutes from the end, after
Ewerthon made a good play down the right side and passed to Gil, who just had
to tap the ball in.


CRUZEIRO 2 : Geovanni 31, 56
SÃO PAULO FC 2 : Marcelo Ramos 28, Fabiano 42

This rematch of the Brazilian Cup final was an entertaining game, and had its
share of controversy. In the 1st minute, Oséas intentionally hit Belletti, who had
to be strechered off the field. The Cruzeiro striker wasn't even booked. São Paulo
was the better team in the early stages, and in the 28th minute they deservedly
opened the scoring through Marcelo Ramos. Three minutes later, Geovanni
received a long ball inside São Paulo's area. Seeing the challenge of goalkeeper
Rogério, he blatantly dived, but referee Reinaldo Ribas awarded him the penalty
anyway. From the spot, Geovanni converted. In the 42nd minute, the Tricolor
regained the lead, this time through Fabiano, but after the break Geovanni once
again came to haunt São Paulo, tying the match after a corner kick.


INTERNACIONAL 1 : Diogo Rincón 5
ATLÉTICO MINEIRO 1 : Marques 70

Less than 24 hours after playing for the Brazilian national team against Chile,
forward Marques once again took the pitch, this time wearing Atlético's jersey.
And the player left his mark on this match, scoring the game-tying goal in the
70th minute. In the beginning of the game, Diogo Rincón opened the scoring for
Internacional, which backed off after the goal. The Galo attacked more in the
remainder of the match, but could only equalise with 20 minutes to go.

Attendance : 8,744
Red Cards : Diogo Rincón (Internacional), Lincoln (Atlético Mineiro)


GOIÁS 3 : Marquinhos 45, Dill 49, Luciano 62
BOTAFOGO CARIOCA 2 : Túlio 4, 43

Túlio scored twice against his former team, setting up what seemed to be a
comfortable victory for Botafogo against league leaders Goiás. But the team
from Rio de Janeiro relaxed too much after gaining the two-goal lead, and
allowed Marquinhos to cut Goiás' deficit still in the first half. After the break, it
took only 17 minutes for the home team to take the lead. First, they equalised
in a penalty kick converted by Dill, and then Luciano scored the game-winning
goal in a long-range shot. Botafogo still had a couple of chances to tie the match,
but they couldn't score.

Attendance : 17,325
Red Cards : Fernandão (Goiás), Sandro (Botafogo Carioca)


19 AUGUST 2000

PALMEIRAS 1 : Gilmar 83
INTERNACIONAL 4 : Leonardo Valença 44, Lúcio 55, Leonardo 84, Serginho 92

Palmeiras started the match in high pace, and were awarded a penalty in the
first minute of play. But defender Arce shot poorly, allowing goalkeeper Hiran to
make an easy save. The miss seemed to affect the Palmeiras players and
Internacional took control of the game. In the last minute of the first half fullback
Leonardo Valença opened the scoring for the visiting team. Ten minutes after the
break, Lúcio was left all alone in front of goalkeeper Sérgio (Palmeiras tried to play
the offside line) and made it 2x0 for Inter. With seven minutes to go, Palmeiras
had some hopes of a comeback after a goal by Gilmar, but in the ensuing play
Leonardo restored Internacional's two-goal lead. In injury time, Serginho scored
one more goal, after a blunder by the Palmeiras keeper.

Red Card : Asprilla (Palmeiras)


ATLÉTICO MINEIRO 1 : Claudiomiro 51 (og)
SANTOS 0

Atlético's goalkeeper Kléber was the man of the match. He made several key saves
to frustrate Santos' forwards throughout the game. The only goal came in the early
stages of the second half. Mancine crossed the ball into the area, and Claudiomiro's
clumsy attempt to clear the ball ended up in his own net. From this moment on, it
was all Santos, but they couldn't get a deserved tie because of goalkeeper Kléber.


GUARANI 0
CRUZEIRO 1 : Sorín 80

Oséas, who headed a ball in the crossbar, made the only interesting play of the
first half. After the break, the game improved a little. In the 54th minute, Guarani
were awarded a penalty, but Renato's shot hit the post. The game-winning goal
came ten minutes from the end. Sorín got the ball, passed through two Guarani
defenders, and shot low and hard, giving no chance to goalkeeper Gléguer.

Red Cards : Otacílio (Guarani), Cléber (Cruzeiro)


20 AUGUST 2000

ATLÉTICO PARANAENSE 1 : Lobatón 78
CORITIBA 3 : Alexandre 29, Reginaldo Araújo 49, Daniel 92

Coritiba deservedly won the Paraná state derby. Their first goal came in the 29th
minute, with Alexandre capitalising on a rebound given by Atlético's defence. Four
minutes after the break, Reginaldo Araújo scored Coritiba's second goal, in a fast
counter attack. In the 66th minute, one player from each team was sent off, and
 the match lost pace. Lobatón scored a consolation goal for Atlético Paranaense
 in the 78th, and in injury time Daniel sealed victory for Coritiba.

Red Cards : Émerson (Atlético), Reginaldo Araújo (Coritiba)


BOTAFOGO CARIOCA 1 : Rodrigo 76
CORINTHIANS 1 : Luizão 24

The first half of the match was completely dominated by Corinthians. In spite of
that, they managed to score only one goal, in a free kick by Luizão, who hit a
Botafogo defender before going in. Botafogo only started to threaten their
opponents after the 70th minute, when Fábio Luciano was sent off for his second
bookable offence. Six minutes later, Botafogo tied the match, through Rodrigo.

Red Card : Fábio Luciano (Corinthians)


VASCO 2 : Romário 56, 82
PONTE PRETA 1 : Macedo 50

Romário once again was the star for Vasco, scoring both goals in this comeback
victory. The first half was dull, with just a couple of scoring chances. Five minutes
after the break, Ponte Preta's forward Washington collided with Vasco's keeper
Hélton, and the ball rolled free for Macedo, who scored an easy goal. But six
minutes later Romário tied the match for the home team. Both sides created many
good plays in the ensuing minutes. In the 82nd, Romário struck again, converting
a penalty kick.


OTHER RESULTS

16 AUGUST 2000
SANTA CRUZ 1x1 VASCO
SANTOS 3x0 AMÉRICA MINEIRO
FLUMINENSE 0x0 GUARANI
VITÓRIA 2x0 PORTUGUESA
GAMA 0x1 BAHIA

17 AUGUST 2000
FLAMENGO 2x1 CORITIBA

19 AUGUST 2000
AMÉRICA MINEIRO 1x1 FLUMINENSE
GAMA 1x1 GOIÁS

20 AUGUST 2000
SÃO PAULO FC 1x1 BAHIA
SANTA CRUZ 2x2 FLAMENGO
JUVENTUDE 1x1 SPORT

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