Archive for June 18th, 2009

Palmeiras had their chances to get the elusive all-important away goal however Zippo, nada as Palmeiras and Nacional tied zero-zero in Montevideo. With the tie, Nacional advances to the semifinals of the Copa Libertadores.

Palmeiras applied the offensive pressure throughout the match but they couldn’t connect and find the back of the net.

Nacional had their chances as well but they couldn’t find the dagger to put into the heart of the Brasilian side.

When it was all said and done, Nacional advances.

That pesky all-important away goal came into play again. Gremio and Caracas tied in Porto Alegre zero-zero however Gremio advances to the semifinals of the Copa Libertadores on away goal difference. Gremio and Caracas tied in Venezuela one all.

Corinthians defeated Internacional 2-0 to win the Copa do Brasil. Fading star Ronaldo scored a goal in Corinthians win.  Ronaldo showed that he still has some of the flair and magic that made him one of the best scorers in futebol history. He dribbled past the helpless defender and then did a little dip to pull the keeper in. He fired a shot past the helpless Internacional keeper.

www.uol.com.br had this to say about Ronaldo’s goal:  Ronaldo pouco tocou na bola, mas voltou a marcar após um jejum de cinco jogos e ajudou o Corinthians a dar um importante passo rumo ao título da Copa do Brasil. Com uma vitória por 2 a 0 na noite desta quarta-feira sobre o Internacional, no Pacaembu, a equipe de Mano Menezes leva para o Rio Grande do Sul a vantagem de poder até perder por 1 a 0 que, mesmo assim, ficará com a taça e a cobiçada vaga na Libertadores da América.

The article further states: No segundo tempo, porém, Ronaldo desencantou. Aos 8min, o camisa 9 recebeu na direita, cortou a marcação e bateu forte. Lauro não conseguiu fazer a defesa e a bola foi morrer no fundo do gol, levando à loucura a torcida que encheu o Pacaembu. Das arquibancadas, o público já gritava “o time que vai ser o campeão”.

Does Ronaldo still the scoring ability that made him a great player? Yes. Is he ready to perform on the world stage? No. There are times when Ronaldo looks great. Tonight is a perfect example however many times he plays like a slow fat old man. Dunga did right by not taking him to the World Cup Qualifying and Confederations Cup.

Ronaldo’s best playing days are behind him. He will show the flair that made him great but not on a day in and day out consistent basis.

We’ll talk USA-Brasil later today.

Check out these sites.

www.palau.org

 http://www2.hillsong.com/tv/home.asp