27 SEPTEMBER 2000

PORTUGUESA 2 : Marquinhos 32, Robson 90
GUARANI 3 : Fumagalli 47, Marcinho 71, Márcio Rocha 86

Guarani, which was winless in its first 11 matches, got its second victory in a row,
coming from behind. Portuguesa scored first, in the 32nd minute, and the team
from Campinas showed no signs of reaction. But after the break Guarani came
out strong and tied the match with Fumagalli. Guarani continued to press 
forward, and Marcinho put them ahead in the 71st. With four minutes to go,
Márcio Rocha ensured victory. In injury time, Robson scored from the penalty
spot for Portuguesa.


SÃO PAULO FC 3 : Gustavo Nery 26, Sandro Hiroshi 39, Marcelo Ramos 71
AMÉRICA MINEIRO 0

São Paulo FC started the match slowly. Their first chance came only in the 26th
minute, when they opened the scoring. Carlos Miguel passed to Gustavo Nery,
who volleyed the ball to the net. After the goal, the Tricolor completely dominated
the actions. In the 39th, Fábio Simplício passed to Sandro Hiroshi, who rounded
the keeper and scored. The second half was just a formality. São Paulo still
dominated, and could have scored many more goals. The only time they found
the net after the break was in a penalty kick converted by Marcelo Ramos.


PONTE PRETA 3 : Washington 17, Hernani 37, 92
SPORT 0

Ponte Preta got its sixth victory in seven matches played at home in the
tournament. After an early scare, Ponte Preta opened the scoring through
Washington, in a free kick. In the 37th, Wágner made a nice play, putting the
ball between the legs of a defender before crossing it to Hernani, who headed it
home. After that, Ponte's victory was never in doubt. In injury time, they scored
a third goal, again with Hernani.


BOTAFOGO CARIOCA 0
VITÓRIA 0

This match was as exciting as a turtle race. There was just one scoring chance
apiece, both coming off free kick. At the end of the match, both teams left the
pitch booed.


28 SEPTEMBER 2000

CORINTHIANS 2 : Marcelinho Carioca 56, 62
ATLÉTICO PARANAENSE 3 : Kelly 53, Kléber 55, 86

This was one of the few good matches on the João Havelange Cup so far.
Corinthians coach Oswaldo Alvarez faced for the first time his former team
and came out with a defeat at home, which deepened the crisis at Corinthians.
After a mundane first half, the match came to life in the 53rd minute, when
Kelly opened the scoring. Less than two minutes later, the visitors doubled the
lead, through Kléber. But in the ensuing play Marelinho Carioca scored
Corinthians' first goal of the match. In the 62nd minute, Marcelinho struck again,
this time with his shot being deflected by a defender before reaching the net.
From that point, Corinthians dominated the match, but wasn't able to score. With
just four minutes to go, Atlético made a fast play down the right side. The ball
was crossed to Kléber, who deflected home, giving the victory to the visiting
team.


30 SEPTEMBER 2000

ATLÉTICO MINEIRO 2 : Neguete 18, Guilherme 20
CRUZEIRO 4 : Fábio Junior 42, 55, Sorín 80, Oséas 87

This match was particularly intriguing for two reasons: first, because it's the
derby of the Minas Gerais state, between two archrivals. Secondly, because it
featured two of the most likely coaches to replace Wanderley Luxemburgo in
charge of the Brazilian National Team: Carlos Alberto Parreira and Luiz Felipe
Scolari. And it was 'Felipão' who came out as winner, once again proving that
he's the best coach in Brazil. Atlético opened the scoring in the 18th minute,
after a weak shot by Neguete was deflected by a defender, fooling goalkeeper
Jéferson. Less than two minutes later, Atlético doubled their lead, thanks to a
delightful volley by Guilherme. In the closing stages of the first half, Jackson
was brought down inside Atlético's box. In the ensuing penalty, Fábio Junior
stepped up and scored. After the restart, it was a completely different Cruzeiro
side, and they tied the game in the 55th, with another goal by Fábio Junior.
From that point on, it was all Cruzeiro. They wasted several chances, until Sorín
gave them the lead with a bullet from the edge of the box. Atlético tried to
equalise, but on a counter attack Oséas scored the ensurance goal for Cruzeiro.
Important notice: it seems that the Brazilian FA offered to Luiz Felipe Scolari
the job of coach of the Brazilian National team. But Felipão rejected the offer.


GOIÁS 2 : Araújo 26, Evair 74
SÃO PAULO FC 2 : Ilan 72, Sandro Hiroshi 77

The two leaders of the championship made up for an entertaining match at
Goiânia. São Paulo FC created the better chances early on, but it was the home
team who opened the scoring. Goalkeeper Rogério made a nice save on a strong
shot by Araújo, but Dill grabbed the rebound and passed it to Araújo, who shot
to the empty net. São Paulo FC pressed for the equaliser, which came at the
72nd minute, in a nice play by Ilan. Less than two minutes later, Evair (who was
rejected by coach Levir Culpi earlier in the year) got some revenge, scoring with
a rocket shot. But it didn't take long for the visitors to tie the match again. Fábio
Simplício made a long pass to Marcelo Ramos, who crossed to Sandro Hiroshi,
who tapped it in.


GAMA 2 : Juari 25, Mozart 52 (og)
FLAMENGO 4 : Petkovic 17, 37, 75, Adriano 87

Petkovic was in inspired form and practically ensured the three points for
Flamengo all by himself. First, the Serb received the ball inside Gama's box.
He missed the first shot but scored on the rebound. Juari tied the match for the
home team, but then came back Petkovic, converting a penalty suffered by
Edílson. Once again, Gama took advantage of Flamengo's defensive weaknesses
to equalise, but once again Petkovic came on their rescue. The Serbian
completed his hat trick with a perfectly taken free kick. With three minutes to
go, Adriano added an ensurance goal for the visiting team.


CORITIBA 1 : Allan
GRÊMIO 2 : Ronaldinho Gaúcho, Fábio Baiano

As soon as he came back to Brazil, Ronaldinho Gaúcho found his form. In this
match he did everything that was missing at the Olympic Games. He scored one
goal, assisted on the other, and made several good plays. After Grêmio opened
the scoring, their victory was never in doubt. Allan scored a consolation goal in
the closing stages for Coritiba, which has now reached the bottom of the table
(not that this means much, anyway).


SPORT 3 : Leonardo 33, 42, Taílson 35
FLUMINENSE 2 : Magno Alves 88, 90

After some early scares, Vitória took control of the match, and opened the scoring
on the 33rd minute thanks to a header by Leonardo. Three minutes later,
Fluminense's defence was caught napping, allowing Taílson to make it 2x0.
Still in the first half, Leonardo struck again, scoring from five yards out on a
rebound. In the second half, the home team just played with their advantage.
In the final minutes, Magno Alves scored twice for Fluminense, rescuing some
pride for the team from Rio de Janeiro.


OTHER RESULTS

27 SEPTEMBER 2000
SANTA CRUZ 2x1 JUVENTUDE
30 SEPTEMBER 2000
AMÉRICA MINEIRO x JUVENTUDE


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