5 SEPTEMBER 2000

CRUZEIRO 1 : Fábio Júnior 7
INTERNACIONAL 1 : Rodrigão 63

Boring first half, with Internacional playing defensibly and Cruzeiro unable to
create good chances. The match improved in the 52nd minute, when the home
team opened the scoring. In a quick set play after a free kick, Ricardinho
passed the ball to Fábio Júnior, who shot with no chance to goalkeeper Hiran.
Eleven minutes later, Internacional scored the tying goal in one of the few
chances they had, with Rodrigão heading a cross by Dênis. Right after the goal,
the match became tense, as one player from each team was sent off. After that
incident, the game lost interest.

Red Cards : Cris (Cruzeiro), Márcio Goiano (Internacional)
Attendance : 8,474


VASCO 2 : Viola 6, Romário 23
ATLÉTICO PARANAENSE 2 : Kléber 66, Cléberson 92

Less than 48 hours after scoring a hat trick against Bolívia, Romário found the net
again, this time against Atlético Paranaense. The 'Baixinho' scored the second
goal of his team, taking advantage of a great pass by Felipe, in a first half that
was completely dominated by Vasco. After the break, the home team clearly
intended to protect their lead, but they failed miserably. Just two minutes after
having a goal disallowed, Atlético scored their first, in a penalty kick. The equaliser
came in injury time, in a long range shot that goalkeeper Márcio should have
stopped.


6 SEPTEMBER 2000

AMÉRICA MINEIRO 5 : Wellington Paulo 22, 67, Celso 58, 62, Claudinei 88
BOTAFOGO CARIOCA 2 : Alexandre Gaúcho 28, Túlio 68

América scored four times with the head to sink Botafogo to a humiliating defeat,
which cost the job of coach Joel Santana. The match was widely dominated by
the home team, which opened the scoring in the 22nd minute. But six minutes
later Alexandre Gaúcho equalised for Botafogo against the run of play. América
ensured victory with three goals in a nine minute span in the second half. They
three times repeated the same play: a cross from the left side, headed by an
unmarked player. Botafogo replied with a long-range shot by Túlio, whilst
Claudinei completed the scoreline with two minutes to go.


7 SEPTEMBER 2000

ATLÉTICO MINEIRO 3 : Caíco 39, Guilherme 65, Reidner 81
CORINTHIANS 1 : Fernando 30

A well-organised Atlético Mineiro side spoiled Marcelinho's comeback from injury.
Corinthians was the better side in the first half, and they deservedly opened the
scoring with Fernando, who netted after a good pass by Dinei. Nine minutes later,
Atlético tied the match. Marques, Guilherme and Caíco made a neat passing play,
with the latter scoring the goal. Corinthians had two chances to regain the lead,
but those were spoiled due to poor finishing. In the 65th minute, referee Leo
Feldmann awarded Atlético a dubious penalty, which Guilherme converted. And
nine minutes from the end substitute Reidner ensured victory for the home team.

Attendance : 37,223


10 SEPTEMBER 2000

FLAMENGO 0
PALMEIRAS 0

Palmeiras and Flamengo played an entertaining match at the Maracanã Stadium.
It was Denílson's first match for Flamengo in the Brazilian Championship. The
best scoring chances came in the dying minutes of the first half. Palmeiras winger
Arce made a nice cross from the right to Flávio, but the header was superbly saved
by Júlio César. In the ensuing play, Petkovic entered all alone in the Palmeiras'
box, dribbled past the goalkeeper, but couldn't get a decent shot on goal, allowing
the defenders to clear the danger. In the second half, the visiting team was
slightly better, but the closest they could get to scoring was hitting the crossbar.


JUVENTUDE 4 : Michel 9, Adriano 48, 76, Clairton 85
GRÊMIO 3 : Zinho 20, Fábio Baiano 24, Anderson Polga 38

This was a very exciting match, between Rio Grande do Sul state rivals Juventude
and Grêmio. The home team scored first, through Michel. After that goal, Grêmio
took control of the actions and scored three times in the first half. The odds were
strongly against Juventude, but the team staged a remarkable comeback after
the break. Substitute Adriano scored twice to tie the match and with five minutes
to go Clairton netted the game-winner.

Attendance : 6,056


BAHIA 3 : Jajá 51, Filipe Alvim 56, Luís Carlos 89
VASCO 1 : Felipe 38

In spite of Bahia's early dominance, it was Vasco who had the best scoring chances
in the first half. Twice Romário found himself all alone in the opposing box but both
times he couldn't find the net. Only in the 38th minute the visiting team scored,
with Felipe taking advantage of a mistake by defender Filipe Alvim. After the
break, Bahia intensified the pressure and in the 51st minute Dedé forced Márcio
to a tough save, but the Palmeiras keeper couldn't prevent Jajá scoring on the
rebound. Five minutes later, Filipe Alvim put Bahia ahead. Vasco tried to attack,
but in the last minute were surprised by the home team, that scored its third goal
through Luís Carlos.


CORINTHIANS 1 : Fernando 47
VITÓRIA 1 : Sinval 78

Corinthians is now winless in its last five Brazilian Championship matches, after
this uninspiring draw against Vitória. There were some good scoring chances in
the first half, but the opener came only two minutes after the break, through
Fernando, who received a long ball, chested it down, entered Vitória's box and
shot low and hard, with no chance for goalkeeper Paulo Musse. After that, Vitória
took control of the match, and got a deserved equaliser in the 78th. Sinval
received the ball unmarked inside the box. His first shot was saved by Maurício,
but the Vitória player was able to score on the rebound.


PORTUGUESA 2 : Irênio 63, 82
ATLÉTICO MINEIRO 1 : Guilherme 75

Portuguesa got three vital points at home against Atlético Mineiro. After a rather
dull first half, the match gained pace when Irênio opened the scoring in the 63rd.
Twelve minutes later, Guilherme tied the match for the Galo. It seemed that the
scoreline would stand, but with eight minutes to go Irênio struck again, ensuring
victory for Portuguesa.


CORITIBA 2 : Vítor 43, Da Silva 70
PONTE PRETA 0

Coritiba won its first match at home in the tournament. The victory was well
earned, since the home team had several chances. It was only a matter of time
until they opened the scoring, what eventually happened in the 43rd minute.
Coritiba had a free kick, which was delightfully taken by Vitor, with no chance for
goalkeeper Adriano. After the break, the home team still dominated, but they
created less scoring chances. The second goal came after a great play by Da
Silva. He stole the ball near the halfway line, dribbled past three opponents and
scored.

Red Card : Fábio Vidal (Ponte Preta)


OTHER RESULTS

6 SEPTEMBER 2000
JUVENTUDE 2x1 CORITIBA
FLUMINENSE 2x1 PORTUGUESA
GAMA 1x1 SANTA CRUZ

7 SEPTEMBER 2000
GRÊMIO 1x0 SPORT
PONTE PRETA 2x1 VITÓRIA

9 SEPTEMBER 2000
SÃO PAULO FC 2x0 FLUMINENSE
SANTA CRUZ 0x1 SANTOS
SPORT 1x1 GUARANI
GOIÁS 2x0 AMÉRICA MINEIRO

10 SEPTEMBER 2000
CRUZEIRO 2x1 GAMA


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