23 AUGUST 2000

BAHIA 1 : Dedé 54
CRUZEIRO 3 : Ricardinho 5, Oséas 10, Jackson 64

Easy win for Cruzeiro. The team from Minas Gerais started attacking and on the
5th minute they opened the scoring through Ricardinho, in a free kick that
deflected off the back of a defender. Five minutes later, Oséas put away the
match scoring with a header. After the break, Dedé scored for Bahia and gave
some hope for the home fans. But it didn't last long, as Jackson made it 3x1 in
the 64th minute.

Attendance : 16,379


26 AUGUST 2000

ATLÉTICO PARANAENSE 2 : Kléber 9, Lobatón 27
SÃO PAULO FC 1 : França 72

São Paulo lost its first game in the João Havelange Cup. Atlético, playing at 
home, was the better side, and deserved to win. Kléber and Lobatón scored on
the first half, and missed a guilt-edge opportunity each. After the break, the home
team retreated, and São Paulo dominated the match. But it didn't mean that they
played well. In fact, the only good news for the Tricolor was França's return from
injury. Even lacking form, the striker managed to score a goal.


CRUZEIRO 3 : Sérgio Manoel 14, Cris 45, Oséas 75
VITÓRIA 1 : Vítor 56

This match follow exactly the same script as Cruzeiro x Bahia. Once again, the
team from Minas Gerais played better and won with ease. Sérgio Manoel opened
the scoring in the 14th minute. Cruzeiro still dominated, but they only managed
to score a second goal in the last minute of the first half, after a corner kick. In
the second half Vítor scored a consolation goal for the away team, but in the
75th Oséas made sure that all three points belonged to Cruzeiro.

Attendance : 7,233


GUARANI 1 : Fumagalli 88
BOTAFOGO CARIOCA 2 : Donizete 64, Alexandre Gaúcho 89

This was the debut of coach Carlos Alberto Silva in charge of Guarani, after the
sacking of Dario Pereyra. Note : it's the sixth time that Silva is appointed to
coach Guarani. This match made clear that Guarani's poor performances weren't
Dario Pereyra's fault. The team has a poor squad and was dominated, even
playing at home against a weak opponent. Donizete scored Botafogo's first goal
in the 64th minute, heading home a cross by Gustavo. With two minutes to go,
Fumagalli tied the match for Guarani, with a long-range shot. But in the ensuing
play, Botafogo guaranteed the victory, scoring while some Bugre players were
still celebrating their goal.


27 AUGUST 2000

SANTOS 2 : Edmundo 9, 70
PALMEIRAS 3 : Adriano 7, Arce 12, Basílio 38

Any hopes of a decent match were drowned due the heavy rain that fell during
the game. In the 7th minute, Adriano opened the scoring for Palmeiras against the
run of play. Just two minutes later, Santos tied the match, after they were
awarded a debatable penalty. But it didn't take long for Palmeiras to regain the
lead, with Arce converting another debatable penalty. In the 38th minute, Basílio
entered Santos' box and faked a cross, fooling goalkeeper Carlos Germano. With
the goalie down, he just pushed the ball into the net. After the break, Santos
attacked but wasn't able to break Palmeiras' defensive lock. In the 70th minute,
Edmundo scored, in the 3rd debatable penalty kick of the match.


CORINTHIANS 1 : Gil 72
GRÊMIO 2 : Ronaldinho Assis 51, Anderson Polga 59

Osvaldo Alvarez's position in charge of Corinthians is becoming more and more
insecure. Since him took charge of the team, the Timão played 10 matches, and
lost 6 of them. This time, Corinthians was the better team, and could have got
away with a draw. In the first half, the home team was awarded a penalty kick,
but Ricardinho shot it wide. After the break, Ronaldinho Assis scored Grêmio's first
with a header, all alone inside the box. Eight minutes later, Anderson Polga
doubled Grêmio's lead, again with a header. Corinthians didn't give up, and
attacked as much as they could. In the 72nd, Gil scored a consolation goal, but
that was all.


PORTUGUESA 2 : Marquinhos 16, Lúcio 46
VASCO 2 : Luiz Cláudio 66, 90

Portuguesa has never beaten Vasco at home and this time they were very close
to breaking this streak. Marquinhos opened the scoring for Lusa in a free kick in
the 16th minute. They dominated the match until the 27th minute, when the
floodlights went out due to the heavy rain. After a quarter of hour, energy was
restored, and now it was Vasco that was playing better. Against the run of play,
Portuguesa made it 2x0 in the first minute of the second half. But in the 66th Luiz
Cláudio scored for Vasco, which gained momentum. Portuguesa managed to hold
on until the last minute, when Luiz Cláudio scored again. Bad news for Vasco and
the Brazilian National team : in the second half, Romário was forced to leave the
pitch with back pains.


PONTE PRETA 3 : Macedo 13, Adrianinho 27, Marco Aurélio
ATLÉTICO MINEIRO 2 : Gallo 56, André 74

A great first half display ensured this victory for Ponte Preta. In the 13th minute,
Macedo opened the scoring and 14 minutes later, Adrianinho made it 2x0. But
the highlight of the match was Marco Aurélio's goal. The midfielder received the
ball just two steps in front of the halfway line and shot from there, surprising
goalkeeper Velloso, that was off the goal line. After the break, the match became
rough. One player from each team was sent off in a scuffle. Atlético dominated the
second half, but they only managed to score twice, through Gallo and André, what
wasn't enough to avoid their defeat.

Red Cards : Daniel, Ronildo


SPORT 2 : Russo 17, Taílson 63
GOIÁS 0

While many teams, like Ponte Preta or Grêmio have played just five matches so
far, Goiás reached it's tenth game in the João Havelange Cup in this defeat against
Sport. With that many games played, it's no wonder why Goiás still leads the
Brazilian Championship. This match didn't have too many thrilling moments. Sport
was the better side and it was no surprise when Russo opened the scoring. In the
second half, Taílson scored an ensurance goal with a header.


INTERNACIONAL 1 : Diogo Rincón 59
CORITIBA 1 : Leandro Tavares 25

This was Internacional's fourth tie at home. Coritiba opened the scoring in the only
chance they had in the first half. Cris entered Inter's box and was brought down by
goalkeeper Hiran. Hiran saved Leandro Tavares' shot, but he managed to score on
the rebound. Behind in the scoreboard, Internacional went to the attack, but they
couldn't manage to create dangerous plays. In the 59th, Leandro Guerreiro crossed
to Diogo Rincón, who headed the ball into the net.


OTHER RESULTS

23 AUGUST 2000
VITÓRIA 2x4 FLUMINENSE
PONTE PRETA 3x0 GAMA
INTERNACIONAL 0x0 GUARANI
AMÉRICA MINEIRO 0x0 ATLÉTICO PARANAENSE
GOIÁS 1x1 SANTA CRUZ
JUVENTUDE 1x1 SANTOS

26 AUGUST 2000
FLUMINENSE 2x0 JUVENTUDE

27 AUGUST 2000
BAHIA 3x2 SANTA CRUZ

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