Archive for July, 2009

What started out as real crappy night for Flamengo turned into a huge win over Atletico-MG. Eder Luis fired a strike that found the back of the net three minutes into the match to give Atletico-MG an early 1-0 lead over Flamengo.

I thought, “Oh God here we go again. Let’s stink the joint out.”
Flamengo weathered some early attacks from Atletico before the Flamenguistas found their form and began a massive build up of their own.

Leo Moura got the equalizer in the 36^th minute. Moura fired a perfect strike to tie this baby up at one all.

Two minutes later, a Kleberson laser found the back of the net in 38^th minute to give Flamengo a 2-1 lead.

Flamengo continued to press the attack. Everton ripped a winner in the 60^th minute to make it 3-1 Flamengo. That was all she wrote. Flamengo pulled out a huge 3-1 win over Atletico-MG.

This win for Flamengo in their house at Maracana may have saved Flamengo’s season.

Sao Paulo picked up a 2-1 win over Gremio. This win was a big one for Sao Paulo too. Sao Paulo has been struggling all season. Maybe the clown Gomes has found an answer to Sao Paulo’s problems.

Avai bageled Vitoria 4-0.

Palmeiras is in first place with 31 points. Atletico-MG is in second place with 28 points. Internacional is in third with 27 points.

Flamengo moves up two places to seventh place with 23 points.

Sao Paulo is in eleventh place with 21 points.

Nautico is dead last with 11 points.

Fluminense is 19^th with 11 points. Fluminense has a better goal difference than Nautico. Nautico is minus 16 while Fluminense is minus 12.

Atletico-PR is 18^th with 12 points.

Sport is in 17^th spot with 13 points.

I am happy today. Flamengo won. Oh what a great day.

www.palau.org

http://www2.hillsong.com/tv/home.asp

Botafogo gave up a late easy goal and wound up snatching a draw from the jaws of victory. Marcos Aurelio scored in the 89^th minute on a powerful strike to lift Coritiba to a two all tie with Botafogo.

Six minutes earlier Renato found the back of the net to give what appeared to be the match winner for Botafogo but that was not meant to be.

Botafogo sorely needed the win.

Santos defeated bottom feeder Nautico 2-1.

Internacional escaped with 3-2 win over Gremio-Barueri. Gonzalo Sorondo scored the match winner in the 83^rd minute on a nifty shot to lift Internacional to the win.

Goias shut out Atletico-Paranaense 3-0.

Diego Sousa ripped a winner in the 59^th minute to give Palmeiras to 1-0 win over Fluminense. Fluminense is in a world of hurt. They are near the bottom of the table. Fluminense is in danger getting the heave hoe.

Cruzeiro defeated Sport 1-0.

Santo Andre and Corinthians tied at one all.

Corinthians has played like crap for two straight games.

With yesterdays matches in the books Palmeiras is in first place with 31 points.

Atletico-MG is second with 28 points however; they have a game in hand.

Internacional is in third place with 27 points.

Corinthians dropped a spot to sixth place with 24 points.

Fluminense is in 19^th spot with 11 points.

Some big matches are tap for tonight. Flamengo takes on second place Atletico-MG. This should be a good one.

Sao Paulo has a hot date with Gremio.

Avai takes on Vitoria.

Check out these sites.

www.palau.org

http://www2.hillsong.com/tv/home.asp

The financial hard times are hitting everyone these days. Reports are coming of out Argentina that some of the big clubs are hurting. They are so deep in debt that they may not be able to meet payroll.

It is reported that these debts are well over ten million dollars a piece for River Plate, Independiente, San Lorenzo, Newell’s Old Boys, Huracan, Racing, and Rosario Central.

Will the big boys push back the start of the season? It may happen AFA President Julio Grondona implied.

One of the lower level futebol leagues in Argentina will postponed the start of their spring and summer season for at least fifteen days.

How’s that hope and change working for ya?

Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first goal Real Madrid when he booted home a PF kick in the 48^th minute. Real Madrid defeated Quito 4-2 in the Peace Cup. Quito hung in there for the first half before the big boys from Spain turned up the heat and scorched em in the second half. 

The Ecuadorian side kept it close throughout. It was nice display of offensive fireworks by both sides.

Never underestimate the power of South American futebol. Most folks forget that South American futebol is very good. Four out of the last five winners of The FIFA World Club Futebol Championship were from South America.

Man U barely got by Quito 1-0 to the 2009 FIFA World Club Futebol Title.

If you think, I am lying, check out the facts. Facts don’t lie unless you make them up like the New York Times, the LA Times, CNN, ABC, NBC, CBS, MSNBC, and the rest of the state run media.

Brasilian club Santos just signed Emerson. Emerson has been out of futebol since April 2009. He did not resign with AC Milan.

Santos is making some changes in their lineup. Rodrigo Mancha will start for Santos against Nautico in Recife later tonight. Wagner Diniz, Eli Sabia, and Kleber Pereira will also start against Nautico as well. Headman Luxemburgo is making four changes to the starting lineup. We will see how this works against bottom feeder Nautico.

 www.palau.org

http://www2.hillsong.com/tv/home.asp

Ronaldo is out for at least five weeks. He broke his hand in Sunday’s match against Palmeiras. I hate to say I told you so but “NA, NA, NA.” He is getting old and his body is breaking down from all the wear and tear from playing top-flight futebol all these years.

Ronaldo is coming off of three knee surgeries. That last one should have forced him to retire but God was watching over Ronaldo.

This is too bad. He was having a great season. He has scored eight goals in fourteen matches in the Campeonato do Brasil. 

The other outcast Adriano has nine goals in fourteen matches.

Who would have thunked it two old men sitting a top the leader board of goal scorers.

Not in this lifetime.

Adriano’s teammate Emerson has scored six goals. Imagine this two Flamenguistas in the three goal scorers in the league.

Great “O” for Flamengo but no “D.”

Flamengo has scored 20 goals however they have given up 22 for a minus 2-goal difference. That’s not good. That &&%%$#.

Flamengo has a huge match coming up Thursday July 30^th against league leader Atletico-MG at home in Maracanã.

This is another one of those must win situations.

Atletico-MG has 28 points.

The “D” and the “O” have to show up on Thursday or it will be a long night.

Check out these sites.

www.palau.org

http://www2.hillsong.com/tv/home.asp

Flamengo fired their coach on Thursday. They fell behind 1-0 early in the second half before Adriano and Emerson scored within a span of ten minutes to propel Flamengo to 2-1 win over Santos. This was a much-needed win by the Flamenguistas in Santos house in Sao Paulo.

Actually, Emerson fired a salvo from the right flank into the box. The ball was redirected into the net by the Santos defender Para. We will take them anyway, we can. A win is a win no matter how you can get it. This was a much-needed three points for Flamengo.

Adriano has nine goals in 14 matches. Not bad for a guy who decided to leave Italy.

Palmeiras killed Corinthians 3-0. This was a pure whitewash. Palmeiras came out gunning for bear. They had a chip on their shoulder and wanted to prove a point. We are the best team. Corinthians you may have the fat man goal scorer Ronaldo but we have the better team. Point taken. A hat trick Obina led the massacre. Corinthians is good but not the world-beaters the press makes them out to be.

Sao Paulo finally got a win they badly needed. Sao Paulo defeated Gremio-Barueri 2-1.

Fluminense tied with Cruzeiro 1-0.

Sport and Nautico tied three all.

Vitoria defeated Coritiba 1-0.

Goias shut out Atletico-MG 1-0.

Atletico-MG and Palmeiras are tied for first with 28 points. Vitoria is in third place with 24 points. Flamengo moves up to ninth spot with 20 points. Sao Paulo is hanging tough in eleventh place with 18.

Fourteen matches are in the books and we have a log at the top of the table, in the middle and the bottom of table. Oh, what a fun season this will be.

Nautico and Fluminense bring up the rear with 11 points. Atletico-PR is step above the bottom with 12 points. Sport is in 17^th place with 13.

Wednesday and Thursday The Boys from Brasil will have round fifteen. Oh what happy days.

Check out these sites

www.palau.org

http://www2.hillsong.com/tv/home.asp

The crazy and wacky world of futebol Brasil just got wackier. In a goal fest, Botafogo defeated Internacional 3-2. Botafogo jumped out to an early 2-0 in the first sixteen minutes of the match.

Wellington started off the goal parade in the 11^th minute when he knocked home the winner to make 1-0 Botafogo.

Five minutes later Andre Lima tickled the twines in the 16^th minute to make 2-0 Botafogo.

Internacional came roaring back to score twice in the second half to tie this baby up at two all however Alessandro scored the match winner in the 75^th minute to lift Botafogo to a thrilling 3-2 win.

Internacional came into this mach in third place in the Campeonato while Botafogo was in the heave hoe zone. They were in 17^th spot. This win was a big deal for Botafogo. This might have saved their season. Time will tell on this for there are lots of matches to be played later today. For now, Botafogo is clear of the heave hoe zone. Botafogo moves up to 15^th spot in the table.

For Internacional this loss could have been a lethal blow to their chances of winning the title.

Depending on what happens later today, Internacional could fall behind leader Atletico-MG by as many as seven points.

Gremio defeated Santo Andre 3-2. Santo Andre jumped to an early 1-0 lead when Antonio Flavio scored in the 19^th minute. Gremio applied the pressure and scored the next three goals to win going away 3-2. The final score was closer than the match indicated. Santo Andre scored in the 90^th minute to make it respectable.

Gremio was in control of the match from the 30^th minute on.

Gremio moves up to sixth place. 

Avai blasted Atletico-PR 3-1.

Avai started off the hit parade with a 9^th minute on a wicked blast by Murigui to make 1-0. Williams scored the next two goals in the 26^th and 61^st minute to give Avai an insurmountable 3-0 lead. It was all over but the shouting. Atletico-PR scored a cosmetic goal in the 65^th minute on a great score by Marcinho to make 3-1. That was all she wrote baby.

Atletico-PR is buried at the bottom of the table in 18^th spot with 12 points.

Avai is in ninth spot with 19 points.

Today there are some huge matches. My Flamengo takes on Santos. Sao Paulo battles Gremio-Barueri. The grand daddy of them all has Palmeiras battling Corinthians. Oh, glory days what feast today will be. I can’t wait.

Check out these sites.

www.palau.org

http://www2.hillsong.com/tv/home.asp

The crazy world of Brasileiro futebol is spinning out of control. The revolving door and carousel of coaches is hitting an all time high. Let’s see four coaches getting the axe in little more than a month. The NFL, MLB, and NBA don’t have a blooding letting like this until after the season has ended. In Brasil, the blood bath takes place during the season. Thirteen matches into the season and four coaches fired that must be a record but whose counting I am not.

Let’s start with Palmeiras giving Vanderlei Luxemburgo the heave hoe June 27^th. Get this! He was fired not because his team stunk but Luxemburgo challenged the brass when they send their best player Keirrison to Barcelona.  I would be pissed too. I would be screaming at club VP Gilberto Cipullo, “ Are you crazy! You are selling my best to Barcelona! How am I supposed to win the title? With smoke and mirrors.”   

Palmeiras is currently in second place in The Campeonato do Brasil.

Sao Paulo has been playing like crap since the beginning of the season. Sao Paulo made it to the quarterfinals of the Copa Libertadores before getting axed by Cruzeiro. They have been struggling since losing super keeper Rogerio Ceni about four months ago when he broke his ankle. Ceni just happens to be one of the top keepers in Brasil.

Muricy Ramalho coached Sao Paulo to three straight titles. His team is struggling so they gave him the heave hoe.

At the time of firing Sao Paulo was near the bottom of the table.

Now the fun part begins. Palmeiras signs Ramalho as their new headman three days ago. I just love this stuff.

It gets even better. Palmeiras played on Wednesday and promptly lost to Goias 2-1 under interim coach Jorginho. Way to go guys. Lose one for the gipper. All is not lost Muricy is a very good coach so Palmeiras has a real shot to win the title.

Sao Paulo replaces Muricy with Gomes. Gomes the clown is taking Sao Paulo into a steep nosedive. Sao Paulo has one win, two draws, and one loss in their last four matches. Under Gomes Sao Paulo is sure setting the house on fire. 

My team Flamengo fired Cuca on Wednesday after their one all tie with Gremio-Barueri.

Flamengo is free falling down the table. We will find out shortly if Flamenguistas can right the ship or sink into the abyss of D-2 ball.

Bottom feeder Fluminense got rid of Alberto Parreira on July 13.

Maybe we can start calling Campeonato do Brasil Monty Hall and Lets Make a Deal.        

Check out these websites.

www.palau.org

http://www2.hillsong.com/tv/home.asp

It’s about time. Flamengo gave headman Cuca the heave hoe yesterday. Flamengo has been stinking the joint out lately. Flamenguistas have slipped to eleventh in the table. Flamengo has one win, one loss, and three ties in their last five matches.

All you have to do is see what is happening on the pitch. It is bad. Flamengo gives up too many easy goals. The defense is like a sieve. With players like Adriano, Emerson, Kleber, and Bruno Flamengo should have a better record than four wins, five draws, and four losses.

My guess is that the players quit playing in order to get Cuca fired. This is my educated guess.

The talking heads at www.uol.com.br wrote it this way: Ambos falaram sobre os motivos da saída do treinador. Segundo o dirigente, caso o Flamengo não contrate um profissional até lá, o auxiliar técnico Andrade estará á frente do time na partida de domingo contra o Santos, pelo Campeonato Brasileiro. O dirigente deu maiores detalhes sobre a decisão.

The assistant coach Andrade will take over the duties of head coach for Sunday’s match against Santos.

“A melhor solução é sempre em benefício do Flamengo. Depois do jogo, eu e o Cuca não jantamos. Não havia apetite. Foi uma decisão conjunta porque era o melhor para o clube e para o Cuca. Por isso, decidimos pela paralisação do trabalho. Mesmo a contragosto, com o coração partido, faço esse comunicação, foi um dos melhores profissionais com quem trabalhamos no Flamengo”, disse a respeito do técnico, que se pronunciou em seguida.

It was in the team’s best interest to fire Cuca. Vice President complemented Cuca saying Cuca was one of the best coaches Flamengo has had.

Right! This is total baloney.

I am sorry but this is pure BS. For the past two months Flamengo has played like ##$@@*&. They lost 5-0 Coritiba and stunk the joint out against Sport losing 4-2. Those two losses told the complete story.

I don’t care what the press said or reported Flamengo’s players stopped playing.  Get the players alone and they will tell you the real story.

I wish teams would show some guts, kahones or whatever you want to call it and just tell us the truth. The coach stunk. He should be fired.  That’s my take so sue me.

Maybe the firing of Cuca will wake the Flamengo up.

Next up is Santos.

This is a must win match.

Check out these sites

www.palau.org

http://www2.hillsong.com/tv/home.asp

Flamengo needed to pick up maximum points. What did they do?  Flamenguistas fell behind early and then they had a long hard road back to escape with a one all tie with Gremio-Barueri.

Gremio-Barueri scored first when Flamengo’s Emerson hit the ball with his hand inside the box. From my angle, it was an accidental handball. The ref called it and Val Baiano nailed the PK in the 52^nd minute to make 1-0 Gremio-Barueri.

Flamengo answered in the 69^th minute. Emerson made up for his boo-boo. On a well-placed corner kick that turned into a scramble ball in front of the Gremio goal Emerson chipped home the equalizer.

With the tie, Flamengo dropped one place in the table to eleventh. Not Good. Flamengo has a huge match with Santos coming up on Sunday. Flamenguistas cannot afford to drop too many more points. Wins are must now. Ties won’t do.

Santos picked up a big win last night. Santos defeated Atletico-PR 1-0. Santos now leap frogs ahead of Flamengo into ninth place in the table with 17 points on goal difference.

Cruzeiro picked a needed win over Santo Andre 2-0.

Avai upset Gremio 1-0.

Checkout these sites:

www.palau.org

http://www2.hillsong.com/tv/home.asp

Not a whole of a lot going on today. Yet, lots cool surprises are coming out of Brasil. Three time defending Campeonato do Brasil Sao Paulo has been struggling mightily this season. In an effort to fix their leaky sieve of a defense, Sao Paulo signed Argentine right back Adrian Gonzales.  Hopefully this signing will help Sao Paulo get back on the track.

The press reported the signing this way- www.uol.com.br O argentino Adrian Gonzalez já faz parte do elenco do São Paulo. Na tarde desta terça-feira, o lateral-direito assinou contrato de um ano com o clube tricolor e já treinou no CT da Barra Funda.
“O São Paulo é um clube muito conhecido na Argentina e eu tinha uma ideia de que teria uma estrutura dessas. Hoje pude conhecer melhor e vi que é fantástica. É tudo muito lindo e impressionante. Os campos são muito bons, é um local de treinamentos fantástico”, elogiou o veterano de 32 anos, em entrevista ao site oficial do time paulista.

My team Flamengo battles Gremio- Barueri later tonight and then they take on a struggling Santos side on Sunday. These next two matches are kinda close to a must win situations for the Flamenguistas. Flamengo has one win, one loss, and two draws in their last four matches. Not good.  Flamengo needs to pick up maximum points in their next two matches if they want to have a chance to compete for the Campeonato do Brasil.

Flamengo is currently in 10^th spot with 16 points. Flamenguistas trail league leaders Atletico-MG and Palmeiras by nine points. Atletico-MG and Palmeiras each have 25 points.

Gremio Barueri is currently in fifth spot with 21 points. This should be a tough match but Flamengo battles Gremio-Barueri in the friendly confines of Maracanã later tonight.

I will keep my fingers crossed when I listen to the match on the radio.

As you can see, I will have an exciting Wednesday night with my wife listening to futebol.

Check these sites.

www.palau.org

http://www2.hillsong.com/tv/home.asp