BRAZILIAN CHAMPIONSHIP - PLAYOFFS - QUARTERFINALS - 2ND LEG

2 DECEMBER 2000

CRUZEIRO 3 : Sorín 39, Geovanni 44, Fábio Júnior 72
INTERNACIONAL 2 : Elivélton 2, Fábio Rochemback 46
(Cruzeiro wins 4x3 on aggregate)

Title favourites Cruzeiro survived a major scare and qualified for the
semi-final stage. In the second minute Internacional opened the scoring.
Elivélton made a good play down the left side and crossed low and hard.
The ball hit the goalkeeper, defender Cléber and went in (the referee
credited the goal to Elivélton). Cruzeiro needed to score and peppered
Inter's goal with shots. And they eventually tied the match in the 39th
minute, when Sorín received the ball near the penalty spot and shot first
time, scoring a nice goal. Five minutes later, Cruzeiro took the lead through
Geovanni, who sent a free kick in the top right corner of Hiran's goal. But
less than one minute after the break, Internacional tied the match, taking
the lead of the series (due to the away goals rule). Fábio Rochemback
received the ball on the edge of the box, dribbled a defender and shot
low and hard, with no chance to the keeper. Cruzeiro attacked with all
their power and finally got the game-winning goal on the 72nd minute.
Inter defender Leandro Guerreiro was caught napping, allowing Geovanni
to steal the ball from him. The Cruzeiro player then passed to Fábio Júnior,
who was all-alone in the box. The striker was cool enough to dribble the
goalkeeper before slotting home. Six minutes later, Rodrigão was sent off,
ending any hopes of a comeback for Inter.

Red Card: Rodrigão (Internacional)


3 DECEMBER 2000

SPORT 1 : Adriano 59
GRÊMIO 1 : Ronaldinho 53
(Grêmio wins 3x2 on aggregate)

Sport needed a win to qualify, but the team was too nervous to create good
plays. Grêmio took advantage of that and locked the midfield, making for a
slow and uninteresting first half. Eight minutes after the break, Grêmio
virtually sealed the tie with a goal. Zinho was brought down inside the box
and Ronaldinho converted the ensuing penalty. On the 59th minute, Adriano
put Sport back on the tie, slotting home a rebound after a scramble inside
Grêmio's box. The home team still needed one more goal, though. They
attacked with all they got, but couldn't breach Grêmio's defence.


9 DECEMBER 2000

SÃO CAETANO 2 : Serginho 40, César 49
PALMEIRAS 2 : Juninho 5, Magrão 27
(São Caetano wins 6x5 on aggregate)

Palmeiras needed a two-goal win to qualify and they started in great shape,
opening the scoring on the 5th minute. Arce took a corner kick from the
right side, the ball was deflected and Juninho tapped it in. Palmeiras
continued to dominate the match, and on the 27th minute luck rewarded
them. After a scramble, the ball went loose, and it would go out for a throw
in or a goal kick. But instead of leaving the pitch, the ball hit the corner flag.
Galeano reacted quicker than the defenders, took the ball and crossed to
Magrão, who was all alone in the box and headed home. São Caetano
refused to quit, and in the 40th minute scored a decisive goal. After a
corner kick, Serginho headed the ball with lots of class, sending it beyond
the reach of goalkeeper Sérgio.

Four minutes into the second half, São Caetano scored another goal. Wagner
was brought down on the edge of the box, but the referee called it a penalty,
when it should have been a free kick. César stepped up and scored. On the
66th minute, São Caetano had a player sent off. After receiving a foul by
Galeano, Wagner insulted the referee and received a yellow card. On the
ensuing play, Wagner intentionally pushed Magrão, and was sent off.
Palmeiras once again needed two goals and they pressed forward, while
São Caetano did everything they could to delay the game. Eventually,
that led a bizarre scene: Zinho (São Caetano) was going to be replaced.
When his substitution was announced, he threw himself to the ground,
clearly faking an injury. The referee correctly refused to let the player be
treated on the pitch, and the match continued for a couple of minutes
with Zinho lying on the ground. The situation was only resolved when
the Palmeiras goalkeeper carried the São Caetano player out of the field.
In spite of all their tries, Palmeiras couldn't score another goal. Note: this
was Palmeiras' 90th match this year.

Red Card : Wagner (São Caetano)


PARANÁ 1 : Reinaldo 50
VASCO 0
(Vasco wins 3x2 on aggregate)

Paraná had to score two goals to qualify. Knowing that, Vasco came to the
match with a very defensive formation, that almost cost them dear. Paraná
dominated the match and wasted some good opportunities on the first half.
Five minutes after the break, they finally got a goal. Reinaldo took a
rebound by the Vasco defenders and shot from outside the box, out of
Hélton's reach. The home team needed one more goal, but they were
constantly frustrated by the lack of precision of their attackers.

Red Card : Júnior Baiano (Vasco)


BRAZILIAN CHAMPIONSHIP - PLAYOFFS - SEMI-FINAL MATCHUPS

CRUZEIRO x VASCO
GRÊMIO x SÃO CAETANO


BRAZILIAN CHAMPIONSHIP - PLAYOFFS - QUARTERFINALS - 1ST LEG

29 NOVEMBER 2000

INTERNACIONAL 1: Oséas (og) 27
CRUZEIRO 1: Oséas 30

Cruzeiro forward Oséas scored both goals of the match in a four-minute
span. At the 27th minute, Internacional had a free kick on the left side.
Dênis took it, crossing the ball into the area, but then Oséas rose and,
in an attempt to clear, headed the ball into his own net. But on the
half-hour mark he redeemed himself, tying the match with a rocket from
long range. The second half was weak, with few noteworthy incidents.

Attendance: 42,760


30 NOVEMBER 2000

GRÊMIO 2 : Ronaldinho Gaúcho 41, 45
SPORT 1 : Taílson 62

Ronaldinho was the difference that gave Grêmio the lead heading to the
second leg at Recife. In one of his trademark runs, the attacker was
brought down near the box. Ronaldinho stepped up and took the free kick
with perfection, opening the scoring for Grêmio. Four minutes later,
Ronaldinho scored again. In a beautiful play, the attacker received the
ball on the edge of the box, dribbled past two defenders and scored from
a tight angle. Seventeen minutes into the second half, Sport scored the
goal that kept their hopes alive for the second leg. After a corner kick,
Taílson rose higher than the defenders and headed the ball in.

Attendance : 34,656


3 DECEMBER 2000

PALMEIRAS 3 : Arce 29, 54, Taddei 45
SÃO CAETANO 4 : Vágner 2, César 8, Adhemar 45, 66

This was the best match of the championship. Although both teams
lacked class, they compensated with lots of guts, making for a thrilling
match from start to finish, also filled with some controversy. With less
than two minutes gone second division São Caetano opened the scoring,
through Vágner. And just six minutes later the 'Azulão' ('big blue', São
Caetano's nickname) made it 2x0, with César. São Caetano dominated
the match, but Palmeiras managed to halve their deficit against the run
of play. Arce crossed a free kick into the box and no one touched the ball,
which ended up at the back of the net. At the first half injury time, more
emotion : Adhemar scored for São Caetano with a rocket free kick, but
less than one minute later, Taddei dragged Palmeiras back to the game.
Nine minutes into the second half, Palmeiras finally equalised, through a
questionable penalty kick converted by Arce. But on the 66th minute São
Caetano went back ahead, with Adhemar's second goal of the match.
Just a few minutes later, Adhemar received his second yellow card
(because he yelled at the referee) and was sent off. São Caetano coach
Jair Picerni was pissed about that and entered the pitch to complain, act
that sparked a mass confusion. But in the end no one else was sent off.
In the dying minutes, Palmeiras pressed forward, but they just managed
to hit the post. São Caetano also had a great chance to extend their
lead in a free kick by Esquerdinha, but Sérgio saved Palmeiras with a
magnificent stop.

Red Card : Adhemar (São Caetano)
Attendance : 25,706


VASCO 3 : Juninho Paulista 23, Romário 50, 82
PARANÁ 1 : Flávio 58

Vasco dominated this match and deservedly ended up as winners. The
first goal of the game came on the 23rd minute. Juninho Paulista passed
to Clébson inside the box. The Vasco player shot, and goalkeeper Marcos
managed to stop it, but the ball fell to Juninho Paulista, who easily tapped
it in. At the 50th minute, Juninho made another good play, leaving Romário
all alone against the keeper. And of course the Vasco striker wouldn't miss.
Eight minutes later, Paraná managed to score a goal, against the run of play.
Reinaldo sent a long ball to Flávio, who was inside Vasco's box. The Paraná
player quickly turned on the ball and fired a crossed shot, with no chance
to Hélton. In the 82nd minute, Romário was brought down inside Paraná's
box. Romário himself stepped up and scored the insurance goal for Vasco.


1ST LEG RESULTS

22 NOVEMBER 2000
INTERNACIONAL 0x0 ATLÉTICO PARANAENSE
PARANÁ 1x1 GOIÁS
REMO 1x2 SPORT

23 NOVEMBER 2000
GRÊMIO 1x0 PONTE PRETA
SÃO CAETANO 3x3 FLUMINENSE
MALUTROM 0x3 CRUZEIRO

25 NOVEMBER 2000
PALMEIRAS 1x1 SÃO PAULO FC
BAHIA 3x3 VASCO


25 NOVEMBER 2000

ATLÉTICO PARANAENSE 1 : Kléber 45
INTERNACIONAL 2 : Elivélton 68, Diogo Rincón 88
(Internacional wins 2x1 on aggregate)

Internacional earned qualification for the quarterfinals on a thrilling match.
After a goalless draw on the first leg, everything seemed to be going all
right for favourite Atlético when Kléber opened the scoring in the first half
injury time, on a penalty kick. Internacional defender Ronaldo was sent
off because of the penalty. Midway through the second half, Rodrigão
dribbled Reginaldo, and was brought down inside Inter's box. Elivélton
stepped up and tied the match. Atlético then needed a goal to avoid
elimination and attacked with all they had, but then it was time for
goalkeeper Hiran to shine, making four crucial saves. With two minutes to
go, Diogo Rincón scored an insurance goal for Inter, on a counter attack.

Red Cards : Ronaldo (Internacional), Rogério Souza (Atlético Paranaense)


GOIÁS 0
PARANÁ 3 : Gil Baiano 71, Flávio 73, Índio (og) 88
(Paraná wins 4x1 on aggregate)

Second division Paraná surprised favourites Goiás with this victory. The home
team wasted several chances to score, but it all seemed under control until
the 71st minute, when Gil Baiano shot from long-range and hit the top left
corner of Harlei's goal. Needing a goal, Goiás panicked and attacked
desperately, leaving a lot of spaces on their defence. Just two minutes after
the first goal, Paraná scored again, on a counter-attack. And with two
minutes remaining they sealed victory through an own-goal by Índio.

Attendance : 24,510


26 NOVEMBER 2000

FLUMINENSE 0
SÃO CAETANO 1 : Adhemar 73
(São Caetano wins 4x3 on aggregate)

Fluminense once again became the laughing stock of Brazilian football after
being eliminated of the João Havelange Cup by second-division São Caetano.
It was poetic justice, since Fluminense should be playing in the second
division. After a 3x3 draw on the first leg, the 'Flu' just needed a draw at
home to qualify. But Fluminense played crap on this match, which was
dominated by the visiting team. The game-winning goal came on the 73rd
minute. São Caetano had a free kick, which was superbly taken by Adhemar.
Fluminense tried to attack on the final minutes, but they couldn't create
good chances.

Attendance : 56,504


PONTE PRETA 2 : Macedo 49, Hernani 60
GRÊMIO 1 : Zinho 58
(Grêmio wins on the away goals rule)

The first half of this match was dull. Grêmio played too defensibly, and few
chances were created. The match came to life five minutes after the break,
when Macedo opened the scoring, heading the ball home after a cross by
Hernani. Ponte Preta continued to attack, looking for their second goal, and
Grêmio took advantage of that, scoring on a counter attack, with Zinho. On
the ensuing play, Ponte went back ahead, with Hernani. Ponte Preta still
needed one more goal, and they threw everything they could at Grêmio, but
to no avail.


SPORT 1 : Leomar 74
REMO 0
(Sport wins 3x1 on aggregate)

Sport had an easy task on this match, since they had won the first leg by
2x1. In fact, this was a boring match, with Sport more concerned on wasting
time. With sixteen minutes to go, Adriano took a corner for Sport, Leomar
jumped all alone in the box and headed the ball home, scoring the only goal
of the game.

Attendance : 36,698

CRUZEIRO 1 : Oséas 14
MALUTROM 1 : Calmon 83
(Cruzeiro wins 4x1 on aggregate)

This match was just a formality, since favourites Cruzeiro had won the first
leg 3x0. Oséas opened the scoring on the 14th minute, completing a good
play by Geovanni. After that, the match lost interest. With seven minutes
remaining Rodrigo Batata sprinted from midfield and on the edge of the box
passed to Calmon, who shot first time and scored, allowing Malutrom a
worthy exit from the competition.

Attendance : 13,671


28 NOVEMBER 2000

VASCO 3 : Euller 26, 49, Juninho Paulista 74
BAHIA 2 : Vágner 41, Fabrício Carvalho 58
(Vasco wins 6x5 on aggregate)

The first good chance of this match came on the 17th minute, when Bahia
had a penalty kick. But Jorge Wagner hit the post. On the 26th, Vasco
opened the scoring. Juninho took a free kick, goalkeeper Emerson was
unable to hold on to the ball and Euller poked home the rebound. Bahia
tied on the 40th. Fabrício Carvalho crossed, Dedé collided with the
goalkeeper and the ball fell to Vágner. Vasco went back ahead right after
the break with another goal by Euller. It was goal number 1,000 for Vasco
in the history of the Brazilian Championship. But Bahia didn't give up and
tied the match again, on the 58th minute. Fabrício Carvalho dribbled past
Junior Baiano, entered the box and shot with no chance for the keeper.
Bahia needed one more goal and pressed forward, but it was Vasco who
scored, on a beautiful goal by Juninho Paulista : he dribbled Jean, Reginaldo
Nascimento and Jefferson, before shooting on the right side of Emerson's
goal.


30 NOVEMBER 2000

SÃO PAULO FC 1 : Marcelo Ramos 56
PALMEIRAS 2 : Tuta 35, Galeano 57
(Palmeiras wins 3x2 on aggregate)

This was a very eventful match. Palmeiras played with more intelligence and
deservedly eliminated São Paulo FC. Palmeiras created more chances, since
they needed to score at least a goal. And they were rewarded on the 35th
minute, when Maldonado brought down Galeano inside the box. Tuta stepped
up and scored for Palmeiras. On the 52nd minute, São Paulo's situation
became worse, when Maldonado was sent off. But four minutes later Sandro
Hiroshi made a great play, entered Palmeiras' box and was brought down by
 Taddei.
Marcelo Ramos converted the penalty for São Paulo. But on the first play
after the restart, Palmeiras took the lead again. Arce crossed from the
right side, Paulo Turra deflected the ball goalwards and it hit Galeano
before going in. On the ensuing play, São Paulo had a great chance to tie
the game, when goalkeeper Rogério hit the Palmeiras' post on a free kick.
And that was all the 'Tricolor' managed to create.

Red Card : Maldonado (São Paulo FC)


BRAZILIAN CHAMPIONSHIP - PLAYOFFS - QUARTERFINAL MATCHUPS

CRUZEIRO x INTERNACIONAL
PARANÁ (from the yellow module) x VASCO
PALMEIRAS x SÃO CAETANO (from the yellow module)
GRÊMIO x SPORT


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