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Copa Sudamericana: Brazilian fratricide sees Libertadores champs eliminated [Fri Sep 2nd, 2005]
The second leg of the first phase of the Copa Libertadores’ baby brother saw Brazilians knocking out Brazilians to reach the grudge stage against Argentineans in the last sixteen of the tournament.
São Paulo 1 Internacional 1
Whilst the city of São Paulo suffered a torrential spring storm, Morumbi suffered an embarrassingly early exit of current Libertadores champions São Paulo FC from the Copa. Their executioners were Gaúchos Internacional, grabbing an away draw that combined with the first leg win in Rio Grande do Sul to earn a last sixteen place against Rosário Central scheduled for the 14th and 28th of September.
After an initial to and fro that saw Cicinho’s replacement Souza and centre-forward Amoroso come close and Fernandão get the visitors’ blood up, the Tricolor Paulista broke the deadlock as Christian’s shot was blocked by Clemer but the rebound was netted by Souza (42 min). A blackout marred the last minute of the first half, but ref Heber Roberto Lopes added the lost time to the second half.
Souza became the name of the game as he brought down Edinho in Rogério Ceni’s box. Fernandão (60 min) coolly converted the spot kick to equalise the game and give the Colorado that vital edge. The hosts almost recovered five minutes from time, but Mineiro’s flashing header was pushed wide by Clemer. Coach Paulo Autuori must now pull off a win against Corinthians in the domestic league or face a sad farewell despite the ‘Tri’ Libertadores conquest.
Santos 2 (2) Fluminense 1 (4)
Despite turning over an adverse result and forcing the penalty shootout, Santos bowed out of their last chance to kiss international silverware as Fluminense go forward to meet Banfield in the last sixteen after the Argentineans knocked out compatriots Estudiantes. The 2-1 final score aped the first leg result in Rio, but Flu had the angels – and, some say, the referee – on their side.
Santos went for the Tricolor Carioca jugular from the word go, ex-Real Sociedad defender Luiz Alberto powering a header into the hands of an inspired Kléber, and striker Douglas fluffing an excellent chance to break the game open. Felipe gave Flu their chance to get ready to shout ‘goooooooool!’ but sliced the ball appallingly, and Gabriel’s header forced spectators in the stands into a great save.
In the waning minutes of the first half, Flu went ahead through a beautiful scissor shot by Tuta (44 min) – a goal that any striker in the world would be thrilled with as he struck the ball at an almost impossible angle.
Kléber weathered the resulting storm of Peixe attacks and the game started to lurch into midfield trench warfare. Just as the stands began to empty, fans leaving early with hot heads and heavy hearts, Santos hit back with their head. In fact, two heads; EdmÃÂlson, on for ex-Inter midfielder Zé Elias, nodded a 73rd-minute equaliser past Kléber and as the whistle went to the ref’s lips, GeÃÂlson powered the life-giving second in to the delight of the remaining home fans.
The penalties saw Gabriel, Juan and Tuta convert the Flu chances, whilst Beto’s effort was repelled by the post. Giovanni and Wendell did their bit for Santos, but Luciano Henrique and 16-year-old EdmÃÂlson wavered. Controversy surrounded Felipe as his first attempt was fluffed, but the ref ordered a re-take and the resulting goal saw Fluminense through.
Corinthians 1 Goiás 1
Corinthians made it four in a row without the sweet taste of victory, but roll on through to the last sixteen thanks to their first leg 0-2 away win over Goiás. The next step towards the trophy will see River Plate standing in the way of the Timão in a fortnight’s time, the definitive second leg scheduled for the 28th of September.
The classification soothes some of the negative vibes that have wobbled the Parque São Jorge club in the wake of Kia Joorabchian’s battle against Stegosaurus look-alike Alberto Dualib and niece Carla. A clash against River should serve as a wake-up call for suits that need to make good on their professed love for the club rather than their personal bank accounts.
Dualib and Kia were forced to kiss and make up in London under the steely gaze of (alleged) MSI backer Boris Berezovski, so a mooted collapse of the partnership now seems unlikely. According to reports from the Brazilian daily press, Boris (a close friend of Chelski supremo Abramovich) will be sending over US$10 million to soothe Dualib’s spreadsheets.
Back on the field, teenage wing-back Ronny (Gustavo Nery’s stand-in) put the Timão ahead at Pacaembu thanks to a powerful 27th minute drive that took a providential deflection off a Goiás defender and buried itself in the back of the visitors’ net. The good news was countered by a Marcelo Mattos injury that hamstrung the team in the second half.
Goiás had to make do with ten men for the second act, defender Rogério Corrêa going off for an early bath. This was a red rag to Goiás’ bull, the visitors taking the initiative and unnerving the Corinthianos to the extent that Carlitos Tevez (discrete all night) saw red after a childish slap meted out to a deliberately provocative JadÃÂlson.
Paulo Baier got the visitors’ consolation goal via a 88th minute penalty, but Corinthians go on to face River minus the morbid thrill of Tevez facing his millionaire enemies. At least Mascherano will be able to return to playing duties against his former club, and Corinthians’ lawyers will try to limit Tevez’s absence to the first leg.
Cruzeiro 0 Juventude 1
Cruzeiro sail on in international waters in spite of sinking to a mediocre defeat at home against troubled Juventude. Éderson scored the only goal of an instantly forgettable bureaucratic game at the Mineirão, but his strike was unable to reverse the first leg result (1-3) that sealed the Raposa classification for the last sixteen.
Velez Sarsfield will be the next opponents in Cruzeiro’s campaign, in matches scheduled for the 14th and 28th of September.
Last Sixteen Fixtures
Rosário Central (Arg) v Internacional (Bra)
Corinthians (Bra) v River Plate (Arg)
Vélez Sarsfield (Arg) v Cruzeiro (Bra)
Fluminense (Bra) v Banfield (Arg)
DC United (USA) v [Alianza Atlético / Universidad Católica]
América (Mex) v [Atlético Nacional / Trujillanos]
Pumas (Mex) v [LDU / The Strongest]
Boca Juniors (ARG) v [Defensor Sporting / Cerro Porteño]
Aaron Marcus
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