The Noise from Brazil

Futsal's coming home...

Celso de Campos Jr — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 09:00:00 GMT

There’s two legends surrounding the origins of futsal, whose FIFA World Cup started this week in Brazil.

The first dictates the sport was created in the 1930’s in Uruguay by Montevideo YCMA’s professor Juan Carlos Ceriani. The second tells that it first appeared in São Paulo, also inside the YCMA, by some lads who started kicking a football about in a basketball court, late in the 1940’s.

Fact is it was in Brazil, in 1952, that the futebol de salão’s first organisation was assembled – the São Paulo’s YCMA Salon Football League, founded by Habib Maphuz. (In Uruguay, there was no organised futsal until 1965.)

Maphuz was also the mastermind behind the rules of the indoor game – the most defining of them to change from the standard-size football to a smaller, heavier one, to prevent it from bouncing and going out of bounds all the time.

So if futsal isn’t coming home, with the FIFA World Cup in Rio de Janeiro and Brasília, it’s right there next door.

Falcão celebrates scoring vs Salomon Islands

That’s why it’s so important for Brazilians not to let the trophy slip in the motherland. Repatriating futsal’s greatest prize, usurped by the Spaniards a couple of tournaments ago, is a matter of honour.

Brazil had won the first three Futsal World Cup following its launch in 1982. But then came Spain. In 2000, they beat Brazil 4-3 in the final in Guatemala.

And then in 2004, in Taiwan, they knocked Brazil out again, in the semi-finals, on penalties before beating Brazilian-powered Italy in the final to claim their second consecutive title.

Spain celebrate winning 2007 Euro Futsal

Now, it’s time for revenge.

Brazil routed Japan 12-1 in their opening game in Brasília. Another showcase of Falcão, the world’s best player, Lenísio, Schumacher, Ari etc.

Spain’s opener was tougher: a 3-3 draw with Iran – who have a respectable futsal squad. The Iranians were leading 3-0 at half-time but, despite the full support of the Rio de Janeiro crowd, they couldn’t hold on to the lead.

Of course there are 18 other nations competing for the crown, among them Italy, Portugal, Argentina, Russia and Ukraine. The Noise from Brazil will keep a close eye on the action, and will let you know the good, the bad and the ugly of the FIFA Futsal World Cup, Brazil 2008.

Including, we hope, the ultimate Brazil-Spain clash – in which I expect Falcão and co. to send them home empty-handed...

----------------------------------------------

FourFourTwo.com: More to read...
The Noise from Brazil home
Blogs home
Latest South America news
News home
Interviews home
Forums home
FourFourTwo.com home

Gre-nal... the most Argentinian clash in Brazil

Celso de Campos Jr — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 10:00:00 GMT

Down there in the South, there’s a small part of Brazil whose football was forged in the traditional Argentinian mould – a hard, physical game with strength over skills.

It’s the Rio Grande do Sul state, and it has their own Boca-River-like die-hard hate rivalry: welcome to Grêmio vs Internacional, or simply Gre-nal as the clash between the two giants of Porto Alegre city is nicknamed.

With both teams recording decent results in recent years – Internacional won the 2006 Copa Libertadores and the Fifa World Club Championship against Barcelona, while Grêmio lost to Boca Juniors in the final of the 2007 tournament – the rivalry from the pampas has become even more fierce.

This Sunday, they will face each other in the Internacional’s Beira-Rio Stadium in the 373th Gre-nal since 1909. And, again, there’s a lot at stake.

Tournament punters Grêmio are defending a lead at the top that seems to be slipping away. A couple of weeks ago, they were seven points clear; now they’re just one.

On the other hand, Internacional, who started the championship in poor shape, have finally woken up – too late to win the title, but with time to still chase a Libertadores spot. They’re currently 11th, but there's just four points between themselves and 4th!

Winning and knocking their crosstown rivals off the top of the table... it doesn’t get much better for Internacional fans.

That’s why 45,000 people are expected to be at Beira-Rio, almost all of them Internacional fans, who will paint the stadium red. Visitors Grêmio received only 2,900 tickets.

I know you’re looking forward to my usually flawless prediction. Tell your bookie then: Internacional to win 2-1. Argentinian D’Alessandro will net the winner for the Colorado.

PS: Before our neighbours from the South get angry, of course there’s talent and skill there. Ronaldinho Gaúcho's name is based on the word gaúcho - how the Rio Grande do Sul natives are known.
To pay a tribute to him, look what the ace did in Gre-nal here, for Grêmio.

In both incidents, the humiliated opponent was... Dunga. Yep. The national team coach also hails from Rio Grande do Sul.

Enough said.

15 years since Romário’s second coming

Celso de Campos Jr — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 12:00:00 GMT

September 19, 1993. 15 years ago.

Brazil vs Uruguay at Maracanã, the last game of the 1994 World Cup qualifiers.

Bolivia and Uruguay led the group with 10 points. Brazil had 9. A draw would kiss the then three-time World Champions' chances of reaching the United States goodbye. It would be the first time Brazil failed to qualify for football’s top prize.

National shame, of course.

Carlos Alberto Parreira’s team were struggling in the tournament. They had lost for the first time ever in a WC Qualifier match – 2-0 to high-flyer Bolivia in La Paz. More than that, it was a dull, predictable, defensive-minded squad led by captain Dunga.

There was a solution, though... Romário.

The prolific Shorty had just signed for Barcelona from PSV, and kept scoring in Spain as if he was playing in a pelada in Vila da Penha. Definitely, the world’s best striker in his prime.

But Parreira insisted in not calling him up. For reasons only he knew.

With a World Cup spot on the line, and the whole country clamouring for Romário, finally Parreira gave in. (Romário said later that his call came only after CBF president Ricardo Teixeira’s pressure. Parreira denies it.)

And the rest is history.

Wearing the number 11 shirt on that sunny afternoon in Maracanã, Romário did it all – except make it rain. Brazil won 2-0, with two beauties from Shorty, of course. “The saviour’s second coming,” as the press tagged him the following morning.

It was the first step towards the ultimate triumph in the United States the following year, the fourth World Cup crown for the Seleção.

We owe it, let’s say 80%, to Romário. At least.

Relive Romário’s stellar performance against Uruguay – the game Shorty himself recalls as one of his best – here.

Too bad we can’t call upon him again for the next qualifying round. I’m sure he would be up to it – thing is Romário just left hospital following a minor leg surgery, to correct his “cowboy legs,” as the doctor put it.

That’s a new one on me.

If Romário’s legs are defective, what does that say of today’s Seleção forwards?

Brazilian championship hotting up... finally

Celso de Campos Jr — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 14:00:00 GMT

Lord almighty, I feel my temperature rising!

Alopecic midfielder and old-timer Elvis fan Paulo Baier set the Brazilian championship alight last Saturday by leading Goiás to a 2-1 away victory at leaders Grêmio.

Baier’s superb performance, which included a goal from a corner – or Olympic Goal, as we call it in Brazil – prevented the Porto Alegre squad from building a nine-point advantage over Palmeiras.

And it got worse for Grêmio. The next day, they saw their lead cut to just three points when Palmeiras beat Cruzeiro in a crucial clash between the second and third placed teams at the Mineirão Stadium. Diego Souza netted a class winner to shift the momentum in favour of Vanderlei Luxemburgo’s Boys in Green.

As the manicured gaffer predicted, the championship has turned on its head since the closure of the transfer window. Flamengo, who topped the table for most of the first half of the tournament, lost a handful of key players and are on the slide in 7th. Now, they would be more than happy bagging a Copa Libertadores spot (the top four qualify).

Flamengo: On the slide after strong start

Botafogo, whose average players weren’t targeted by foreign clubs, are on the rise under new coach Ney Franco’s management. They currently sit in 4th – and just staying there will be a major accomplishment.

It's now, seemingly, a two horse race for the title between Grêmio and Palmeiras – Cruzeiro still have an outside chance, but my guess is they too will settle for a Libertadores place.

But while Cruzeiro and Grêmio are still picking themselves up after last weekend’s defeats, Palmeiras go into the tournament’s 26th round with their morale sky high, hoping to take top spot.

On Sunday, the Boys in Green host struggling Vasco da Gama (17th), while Grêmio travel to Curitiba to face Atlético-PR (16th) and Cruzeiro go to Florianópolis to face Figueirense (15th).

Will Brazilian football have a new leader?

Tune in next week...

The Robinho story... part two

Celso de Campos Jr — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 16:00:00 GMT

As I was saying last week, young Robinho was a true gem.

Expectations were sky high in Brazil, the result of the two National Championships he delivered to Santos in 2002 and 2004. He was unanimously the country’s top football star.

When Real Madrid came sniffing in 2005, fans launched the “Fica, Robinho” (Robinho, stay) campaign. Young ladies and even grown men united to write letters and letters pleading him not to leave Santos.

Comparitvely, when Kaká left São Paulo for Milan in 2003 fans booed him, tagging him a “pipoqueiro” – which literally translates as “popcorn maker” but in sport refers to someone that chickens out and fails to perform.

Adored by the fans back home, unlike Kaka

But the clamor didn’t touch Robinho, who engaged in a battle with the Santos board to achieve his dream of playing abroad. He stopped showing up at training until club president Marcelo Teixeira accepted Real Madrid’s offer – Santos didn’t want to sell the pedaladas ace before the end of his contract, but the player left them no option.

If only Robinho knew what was to come in Spain...

It’s almost a blasphemy to say that going to Real Madrid is a wrong move. Playing for Fifa’s top club of the 20th century is the dream of any young footballer.

But to arrive at Santiago Bernabeu amidst the chaos of the end of the Galacticos era proved to be a complete disaster for the Brazilian. After a stunning debut, he only went downhill.

Spanish press kept questioning whether he wasn’t just another tricky player with no commitment or decisive power – something he failed to prove he was not. The stars were packing up, the merengues were disintegrating – and Robinho couldn’t dodge the cannonball.

Real Madrid: Right club, wrong time

He didn’t find help anywhere – not in the board, nor in the coaching staff. In fact, the main thing was that Robinho didn’t help himself. The Santos good kid became a selfish and pretentious best player in the world wannabe – and, ultimately, since he couldn’t achieve that, a whiny boy.

Then came the Real Madrid-Cristiano Ronaldo affair.

Those who saw the Brazilian during his Santos days know he’s got what it takes to reach the summit. Robinho knows it too. It wasn’t Real’s fault that he couldn’t take the team further than the Spanish League, though.

Being offered as a makeweight isn’t the best scenario, but it’s part of the game, specially if your performances have been poor and the other guy’s flying high. But it was too much for Robinho’s pride.

I guess Real Madrid would have loved to have gotten rid of him at the first opportunity – if they had signed a big name player like Ronaldo or even David Villa. Since no one arrived at Bernabeu, well, the solution was to toughen up on the Robinho move.

Happy times ahead at Eastlands with Jo and Elano?

Chelsea handed the deal poorly (the shirt on the website debacle was an offense to Real Madrid) and, when everyone thought Robinho was going to spend some extra months idle in Spain, Manchester City snapped him up. A terrific statement by Sulaiman Al-Fahim and the club’s new management.

Will Robinho became the world’s best player at Manchester City? Hardly. But I do think he can raise eyebrows in the Premier League, help to elevate City’s game and prove to the Europeans he’s the real deal. Then we’ll see where he goes from there.

Seleção, Madonna and the boo magnet

Celso de Campos Jr — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 16:00:00 GMT

See, it wasn’t so hard was it?

The 3-0 away win against Chile brought some much-needed lull days for Brazil, after weeks of turmoil following the Olympic fiasco.

The Seleção played like they should, and the score could have been higher if Ronaldinho hasn’t missed a penalty and Luis Fabiano hadn’t insisted on targeting the belly of the keeper – even so, the Sevilla matador still managed to score twice.

"Yes!!! We scored a goal..."

In his first game since the Real Madrid-Chelsea-Manchester City imbroglio, Robinho was flying high. The new Citizen netted one and still managed to showcase some of his old tricks, to the complete joy of the many Brazilians present at the National Stadium in Santiago.

But back home, fans are still sceptical.

Brazil face Bolivia on Wednesday night at Rio de Janeiro’s João Havelange Stadium, dubbed Engenhão, the first Seleção match in the arena built for the 2007 Pan-American games.

Only 9,000 of the 29,000 tickets available to the fans had been sold by Tuesday. But the 60,000 stadium – which, by the way, already needs a refurbishing – won’t be completely empty, since 15,000 tickets were taken in advance by CBF’s partner companies.

I wonder if those corporations will give the tickets to their best or to their worst costumers; after all, watching Dunga’s Seleção has been a true ordeal lately.

The truth is that, at this exact moment, Brazilians are more interested in Madonna – the Material Girl will perform at the Maracanã and Morumbi in December, and the tickets for all of her shows sold out in hours.

Bigger than football in Brazil... what the hell's going on!?

Given the current popularity of the Seleção, someone should tell Madonna not to don the yellow CBF mantle, like she did on her last tour in 1993.

Thanks to the samba boys' latest performances, it has become a true boo magnet.

Let’s hope at Engenhão on Wednesday they finally give reason for the fans to clap. Madonna surely will.

Dunga’s Seleção near record books... for wrong reasons

Celso de Campos Jr — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 07:00:00 GMT

Dunga’s Seleção can make history this Sunday in their World Cup qualifier match against Chile. Too bad it'll be for all the wrong reasons.

If Brazil don’t score against Chile, it will only be the second time that the Seleção, in its almost centennial history, go scoreless in four consecutive matches. The squad already missed the few chances they created against Venezuela (0-2), Paraguay (0-2) and Argentina (0-0).

The only time that has happened to date was in 1991, courtesy of the oh so unmemorable Seleção of coach Falcão. Then, a defeat to Spain (0-3) in his first game and three goalless draws (with Mexico and Chile, twice) doomed the former Roma king. 10 games later, he was fired and became a TV pundit – a position he holds to this day.

Like Falcão in his last games as a coach, Dunga is a dead man walking, as I’ve already noted in this blog. The question is when - not if - he’ll get the boot.

Bad results against Chile and at home against Bolivia next Wednesday will probably seal his fate – some say he’ll be hanging till the end of the year, when Vanderlei Luxemburgo will leave Palmeiras and take over the Seleção.

Marcelo Bielsa’s Chile’s are a treacherous side. They’re currently 3rd in the qualifying table (Brazil are 5th) and rely on their offensive front three – Gonzales, Suazo and Sanchez. To feed them, “El Loco” Bielsa has two fantastic options: Matias Fernandez or Jorge Valdivia, the former Palmeiras player who was one of the main stars of Brazilian football before he upped sticks to UAE’s Al Ain a month ago.

On Brazil’s side... well, the same thing. It’s Dunga trademark as a coach. 11 players, no tactics, no game plan. Each player has to show what they've got. Unfortunately for the fans, they’ve been failing to do so on a regular basis.

With or without Dunga, it’s time for them to step up.

One goal. Come on, it’s not that hard.

The Robinho story... part one

Celso de Campos Jr — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 15:00:00 GMT

Is it just me or do you all think that Robinho isn’t getting enough media coverage lately?

I’ll take the opportunity to fill this unbelievable blank by throwing some personal opinions on the career of the new Manchester City star – something I have been intending to do even before the regrettable Real Madrid vs Chelsea joust for his pedaladas.

Robinho was still a teenager when I first met him, back in 2003. FourFourTwo was running a special called “The wonder kids” – magazine editor Hugh Sleight had just interviewed Wayne Rooney, back in his Everton days, and the forward was the hottest prospect in Brazil that time.

An obvious choice. So I went to Santos to talk to him.

Santos' next big thing, 2004

Months before, the 18-year-old had led the Vila Belmiro squad to their first-ever National Championship, bedazzling the country with his zest and skills.

The foreseeable comparisons with a young Pelé had already popped up – after all, there was a kid with a similar body, playing for the same team, with as much success as the future King had amassed early in his career.

In fact, Pelé had singled out the skinny Robinho in a Santos youth squad practice, which attracted the media attention back then – watch footage of the 15-year old Robson de Souza here. “He’s got the skills, the intelligence,” said Pelé. “Let’s hope he achieves as much as I did.”

Back to our first meeting, in the Santos headquarters. Practice had just finished when Robinho entered the room. A shy boy, avoiding eye contact, keeping his answers short. I needed a while to start squeezing the answers out of him – how the Santos staff had stripped him of the number 10 shirt when he turned pro (to soften the “New Pelé” pressure), his dream of playing in Barcelona, how he managed to master the pedalada. His unmistakable grin finally appeared.

When we had done talking, the ace literally dashed to the door. He told me his mother, who always picked him up after the practices, was already waiting in the parking lot.

From day one, it was Robinho’s joy that caught my attention. He played with the same amusement and spontaneity that I did in my school days, with the difference that he was facing real pros, ready to crush him in the touchline. Me? Just four-eyed buddies.

It seemed he didn’t feel any pressure, from the fans, the coach or the opponents, when it came to football. It was all natural to him. Even when Robinho met a legend like Michael Schumacher on the pitch – watch here on 1:30min as he nutmegs the German ace in a 2003 charity match in Santos...

I remember thinking, “this is the future of Brazilian football.”

"So... when do I get to meet Terry, Lampard and Deco?"

I thought the sky was the limit for him. Robinho was the guy to lead Brazil to a World Cup, to be – as he so much wants to be – the world’s best player. Hands down. If I’m not mistaken, that’s what I wrote in that FourFourTwo piece. And I still believe he’s got what it takes to be the best.

So... how come he ended up, with all due respect, at Manchester City?

Part two next week...

The (un)popularity of South America’s UEFA Cup

Celso de Campos Jr — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 18:00:00 GMT

Here in South America we have our own version of the UEFA Cup. It’s called the Copa Sul-americana – or Sudamericana, in Spanish, Conmebol’s official language – and this year its seventh annual competition started exactly a month ago, with the clash between River Plate and Universidad Catolica.

Never heard of it? No problema, amigo. It’s far from being a big hit. While the Copa Libertadores rocks the continent during the first semester, the Copa Sudamericana kind of stirs it in the second. In Brazil, no one gives a damn about it, especially the big boys. And why is that?

First of all, it doesn’t have the prestige. Conmebol (the South American Football Confederation) has been trying to built a solid sidekick tournament for decades: Copa Mercosur, Copa Conmebol, the list goes on. But they never click, despite usually offering a good prize from the sponsors. Footballing-wise, it’s worth nothing.

There’s also the issue with the calendar – in Brazil, the Sudamericana takes place when the championship enters its most decisive time of the season. You can’t ship your team off to Mexico on a Wednesday if there’s a city derby on Sunday. So most of the coaches field the reserves – which isn’t enough to go far in the tournament.

In fact, in the championship’s first year, 2002, Brazilian clubs simply chose not to play, claiming a lack of available dates.

So, in order to squeeze itself into the 28 teams’ tight second semester schedule, the Copa Sudamericana becomes an ogre. Palmeiras and Vasco played their first leg two weeks ago on August 13. But the return match won’t be contested until three weeks from now – on September 17.

Yesterday, São Paulo and Atlético-MG were kicked out of the tournament by Atlético-PR and Botafogo respectively. Meanwhile, some squads, like Chile’s Ñublense and Peru’s Sport Ancash, have yet to play a game – they’ll play their games on September 4 and 19. It’s hard to keep track of it all.

So what to do? All this nonsense would be tolerated by the fans if winning the Sudamericana actually meant something. That’s why there’s a general claim that the tournament champion should be awarded a Copa Libertadores spot. However, so far, the Conmebol has reacted with indifference to the request.

In response, the fans don't bother turning up. Little more than 3,000 souls witnessed a comatose game between São Paulo and Atlético-PR reserves yesterday at Morumbi.

Sure, the Sudamericana will get hotter in the latter stages– as any badminton tournament does. To the small sides of the small countries, the Sudamericana might as well be the World Cup. However, if Conmebol wants this championship to have half of the respect the UEFA Cup has, they should listen to the big boys.

PS: Sometimes, even an ogre can be beautiful, as princess Fiona knows so well. Late, late on Wednesday, I was channel-hopping with the remote control when I discovered a live broadcast of the San Luis and Deportivo Quito clash in the Copa Sudamericana.

By sheer inertia, I carried on watching, just in time to watch live this Braulio Luna stunner.

Goodbye and good riddance Dunga

Celso de Campos Jr — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 16:00:00 GMT

Before Tuesday’s game against Argentina, I insisted that the Olympic semi-final was a win-win situation for us Brazilians.

If we beat our arch-rivals from the south, fantastic. The unbeaten run against them would go on – and it’s been a while since Brazil has dominated the clash, especially in decisive games.

On the flip side, if Argentina won, no one should cry for us. They would be doing Brazil a favour, by ending the misery of watching one of the Seleção’s worst ever squads and putting hapless coach Dunga out of his misery.

And, fortunately or unfortunately – only time will tell – option two came through after an implacable 3-0 Argentina win in Beijing.

Riquelme sinks final nail into Dunga's coffin

It was a walk in the Olympic park for Aguero, Messi and Co. The hermanos always looked more incisive, while the Brazilians, stifled by their coach’s policy, worried exclusively about defending.

The Seleção only decided to attack when they were two goals down. And by then it was too late. It wasn't too late, however, to send the Olympic spirit to hell and go manhunting the Argentinians. Foul! Foul! Foul! And yet Argentina, despite their thirst for revenge, maintained fair play to the end.

It was such an upside-down situation that two Brazilian players were sent off for fouling Javier Mascherano. I repeat: Javier Mascherano!

And so ended Brazil’s dream in Beijing. But if the Olympic gold is history, so too is Dunga. Back home, he was single-handedly blamed for the China fiasco – and thoroughly deserved, I should add.

Most of the country’s newspapers hit the stands with blood-dripping headlines. “Scrap iron coach can only get the bronze,” wrote Extra, while O Globo went further, running a Dunga’s Seleção obituary on the sports page.

O Globo: The morning after the night before

It reads: “Brazilian football, five-times world champion, announces the death of coach Dunga’s Seleção in Beijing, China. The 7th day Mass will take place on Friday at the Shanghai Stadium. Please don’t send flowers.”

Dunga still holds the position, but not for long. The worst coach ever to stick his behind on Brazil’s hot seat is a dead man walking.

Palmeiras gaffer Vanderlei Luxemburgo, favourite of the Brazilian Confederation president Ricardo Teixeira, has reportedly already been contacted.

Luxemburgo is the top coach in Brazil – only Scolari can match him – but to be honest, anyone is better than Dunga.

Brazil ready for revenge mission at Olympics

Celso de Campos Jr — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 00:25:00 GMT

The Brazilian Championship reached its midway point in the season this week, with Grêmio clinching the symbolic 'winter' title.

But, as most of the coaches have said, the 'real' championship only begins after August 31, once the transfer window is shut. (If you think it’s weird a tournament only starting in its last quarter, remember... this is Brazil.)

So we’ll get back to the domestic stuff at a later date.

For now, the hottest issue in Brazil is far away in Beijing. Winning an Olympic gold medal is a big thing for us Brazilians, since it’s the only major title missing in our trophy cabinet. (Well, 'major' is a relative concept – the absence of the world-class stars and the joust between federations and clubs have taken most of the fun out of the thing). But look where we’re standing now.

Ronaldinho double vs New Zealand eases Brazil through

Like in World Cup 2006, we've got a great group of players – even with the stars' absences – but no coach. Dunga has no idea how to build a team, how to position the players. For God’s sake, the guy can’t even pick the shirt he wears. It’s despairing to wake up at 5am (that’s the time the Olympic matches are on in Brazil) to watch the team struggling to beat Belgium. 5am. That’s the real chinese torture.

Brazil’s hopes rest, once again, on the individuality of its players. We’ve got them, make no mistake: Pato, Anderson, Lucas, Diego, Hernanes... and, of course, Ronaldinho – generously released by Milan, who chose to send him to China instead of shipping him to a spa. But Dunga’s letargy seems to have contaminated most of them. They need a wake-up call.

So it's great that Brazil’s adversary on Saturday in the quarter-finals is Cameroon – the country who kicked the Seleção out of the Sydney 2000 tournament.

Cameroon and 79-year-old? Roger Milla dumped out at USA '94

It happened once, it can happen again. And there’s more at stake for the youngsters: some of those who experienced the shameful 2-1 golden goal defeat to nine-man Cameroon were never given another decent chance in the national team. Great players like Alex, Geovanni and Fábio Aurélio became marked men by that defeat. Ronaldinho was there too but helping win the 2002 World Cup separated him from that bunch.

And what about the coach? Dunga said he doesn’t remember the 2000 defeat as much he remembers the 1994 World Cup 3-0 win against Cameroon. Yes, talk about enlightenment. Let’s recall a triumph against an ageing squad – Roger Milla was, what, 79 years-old? – who conceded 11 goals in three matches, instead of telling the samba boys the perils of Cameroon’s young lions, who already bit us once not so long ago.

Speaking of great leaders, let’s quote Julius Caesar... Alea jacta est.

The die is cast...

Flamengo fans find new way to fire up players

Celso de Campos Jr — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 10:00:00 GMT

That’s life (that’s life), that’s what all the people say
You’re ridin’ high in April, shot down in May.

Fast-forward two months to July in the lyrics of the 1966 classic “That’s Life”, immortalized by Frank Sinatra, and you’ll have almost have Flamengo’s story so far in the Brazilian Championship... including the shot down bit.

In June, Flamengo were riding high, topping the table with a seven-point lead. Coach Caio Jr, who turned down a millionaire offer from Qatar, was celebrated as a club hero, a genious of the race. It couldn’t get better. So...

Come July and the Rio de Janeiro side hit a major slump. Flamengo dropped from first to sixth, losing four games, drawing two and winning none. And as if that misery wasn’t enough, they faced an unexpected threat on Wednesday during training at Gávea.

Flamengo: Table-toppers have tailed off badly

A bunch of ultras-slash-bandits broke into the club and simply dropped a bomb on the pitch where the players were training. Even in the crime-ridden city of Rio de Janeiro, this was a new one.

Hit by the bomb splinters, forward Obina and defender Dininho suffered minor injuries. Goalkeeper Bruno, midfielder Ibson and left-back Juan (former Arsenal) tried to settle the scores with the thugs, but they were held down by the club staff and by captain Fábio Luciano, who tried to avoid further confrontation with the hooligans even in the aftermath of their violent act.

“We talked to the fans and it’s alright now. The bomb was an isolated thing.” It sure must have been, since no one was arrested, not surprising, considering we’re talking about Brazil.

Juan, however, lashed out. “This is the kind of thing that motivates a player to leave Flamengo and to play abroad. If anyone decides to pack, you can see why. It stains the club image.”

Frank Jnr: Never a good reason to turn down a photo op

It’s one of those funny coincidences that, amidst the July turmoil, some wise Flamengo director arranged a photo op with Frank Sinatra Jr, who has been touring Brazil since early June. The son of Ol’ Blue Eyes was given a Flamengo shirt, which he promised to wear in his Rio de Janeiro concert this Friday.

If Flamengo stay in tune, Frank Jr. might well sing the closing verses of “That’s Life” in tribute to the feelings of their disenchanted fans.

And if there’s nothin’ shakin’ come this here July
I’m gonna roll myself up in a big ball and die.

My, my...

Meet Palmeiras’ newest Animal

Celso de Campos Jr — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 10:58:00 GMT

After the clash against Palmeiras, São Paulo defender André Dias hit out against opponent Kléber, back in Brazil after three years playing for Dinamo Kiev.

“The guy is in the wrong sport. I guess he should be a boxer. He isn’t playing football at all.”

Since in boxing fighters aren’t allowed to use their head, elbows or legs to hit the opponents, a late-night ultimate fighting competition would probably be more suitable for the 24-year-old Palmeiras forward.

In the nine games he has played so far in the Brazilian Championship, Kléber has received three red cards and four yellows, making him by far the most untamed athlete in the country.

Since Edmundo the 'Animal' departed from the Palestra Italia stadium late last year the bad boy parking spot has been empty, and Kléber has moved quickly to occupy the vacated spot.

Kléber (left) is consoled after yet another red card

In his very first match against São Paulo, in the São Paulo State Championship, Kléber stuck his elbow on the aforementioned André Dias’ eyelid.

The ref saw nothing, and Kléber went on to score a beauty before half-time.

Palmeiras won 4-1, the defender received seven stitches and the striker received a three-game ban.

Predictably, he didn’t learn. A few days later, Kléber was sent off from practice by coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo after assaulting defender Mauricio. And, to top it, in the same week he was taken to a police station after hitting a São Paulo fan with his car just outside a disco.

According to the police report, a group of São Paulo supporters got mad with him after hearing Kléber tell his brother that “São Paulo fans are gay.” Some of them tried to stop the forward by standing in front of his car, but the Palmeiras ace didn’t think twice and pumped up the gas.

No wonder he has become a Palmeiras fan favorite!

André Dias: required seven stitches after clashing with Kléber

Kléber was a key part of the squad that won the State Championship after a 12-year draught, and has performed consistently well (when he’s not suspended).

Way before Edmundo, Palmeiras featured “Crazy” César Maluco, star of the 1970’s squad that won back-to-back Brazilian championships. And the former idol approves of Kléber’s wild behaviour. “I want Palmeiras to have 10 players like him.”

Since a wannabe heir of César Maluco and Edmundo couldn’t let a foe’s criticism pass by, Kléber retaliated against André Dias boxing quip.

“They talk too much. I get hammered every match but I don’t say anything, because that’s part of the game. What happened is that Alex Silva - André Dias' team-mate at São Paulo - complained that I stepped on his chest. It was a game thing. But his girlfriend got nervous and said these things. I guess it’s normal, isn’t it?”

Oh yeah, he's got a sharp mouth too...

Brazilian managers' and fans' worst nightmare

Celso de Campos Jr — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 16:35:00 GMT

“I wish this month ends soon.”

To the unaware listener, Flamengo coach Caio Junior sounds like his squad is having a black July. But it’s nothing like that at all, actually the team from Rio de Janeiro is top of the league, something they haven’t accomplished in around a decade.

The gaffer's concerns instead centre on what is also the Brazilian fan's worst nightmare, something which happens every June and July... the transfer window.

Since the Campeonato Brasileiro is the only top league in action during these two months, when the worldwide market is open, attention focuses almost solely on Brazilian teams' squads.

Every powerhouse has suffered at least one significant loss. Palmeiras have lost Henrique to Barcelona and keeper Diego to Liverpool, whilst Internacional watched Fernandão leave for Qatar’s Al-Gharafa, Fluminense's Gabriel went to Panathinaikos and Cícero to Hertha Berlin and Santos' Betão joined Dinamo Kiev.

Going Greek: Fluminense's Gabriel

Last week, Flamengo’s Caio Junior, who had seen Renato Augusto fly off to Bayer Leverkusen, also lost Marcinho – the tournament's top scorer – to UAE’s Al Jazira. No wonder he’s disappointed.

In some cases, the overnight departures take even the club staff by surprise. Midfielder Roger, who arrived at Grêmio in February as the club’s top signing and won fans' hearts with smooth football and promises such as “I will retire here,” has gone back on his word, signing for Qatar SC after receiving an offer too good to turn down.

Being the last one to hear the news, Grêmio president Paulo Odone went nuts. “He came to me on the Friday and said ‘I’m leaving, so I don’t want to play Sunday.’ How can I like that? He’s a traitor.”

But it’s not just the actual signings that make a mess of the squads. The gossip and speculation also upsets the coaches, who claim the players lose their focus.

That’s the case of Palmeiras’ Valdivia and São Paulo’s Hernanes and Alex Silva, constantly linked with European deals. So São Paulo coach Muricy Ramalho called Hernanes in for a little chat.

“I told him he has to concentrate here and tell the people who manage his career to stop talking to the press about proposals. The players say it doesn’t influence them, but of course it does. To talk about such enormous amounts of money shakes every one.”

It sure would make my legs weak...

Tip for Abramovich... let Scolari do it his way

Celso de Campos Jr — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 11:50:00 GMT

It’s been a week since Luiz Felipe Scolari gave his first press conference as Chelsea’s head coach. By now, the Brazilian gaffer should have already deciphered all of the Stamford Bridge club’s mysteries. In his own words, seven days was enough for him to “know everything” about Chelsea.

But the Blues will surely take a little longer, if they ever will, to crack the coach formerly known as Big Phil. Make no mistake: the kind, patient, entertaining, smiley fella that showed up at the press conference won’t stay around for long.

Cooee!

As soon as the day-to-day work begins, the moody, emotional, picky, real Scolari will pop up. And then he’ll really be getting down to business.

The Brazilian sergeant made his name not by pleasing people, much to the contrary. Throughout his career, he has been systematically challenging and upsetting those who have stood against him; and some of his major accomplishments came after he, following his guts, swam against the tide.

A quick trip down memory lane shows that, in 2002, the whole of Brazil wanted high-flying Romário in the national team for the World Cup. Even Scolari’s boss, the president of the Brazilian Football Confederation, was openly campaigning for Shorty. The gaffer chose to bet on a recovering Ronaldo, and the rest was history.

A year later, when Scolari took over as Portugal coach, one of his first missions was to naturalise the Brazilian midfielder Deco, who was starring at Porto. Many proud Portuguese, Figo included, roared. It was useless. Deco was called up to the national team and scored the winner on his debut in a friendly against Brazil. No one's complained ever since.

Ronaldo fires Brazil to World Cup glory

But now back to club matters. He’s going to deal with a handful of different tasks and report to many people, most notably, of course, Roman Abramovich. The mundane world of arrivals and departures, which in his national teams wasn’t an issue, will now require a lot of his time and will surely provoke many disputes within Stamford Bridge.

The first is already on. Caught in the middle of the fight between Frank Lampard and the club, Scolari misfired, assuring the player would stay, while it seems the owner wants to get rid of the midfielder. Since the Brazilian is just starting his term, it probably won’t undermine the relationship. However, Abramovich should be aware that he should handle his new coach with care.

I’ve been reading many English journalists writing that Scolari will have to learn to deal with the Russian billionaire. For me, it’s the other way around. Abramovich’s truckload of money lured Scolari to London, but I’m sure it won’t be enough to keep him if the Brazilian can’t do things the way he wants. If Roman wants his Chelsea to go the extra mile, Scolari needs to stay.

Deco takes on his fellow countrymen

During their morning walks in Cascais, Portugal, my wife’s grandparents more than once came across Scolari tanning and relaxing at the beaches of the beautiful city, where the gaffer also lived during his Portuguese days. It’s heaven on Earth, a place that makes him “smile on the inside,” as he once said. (Needless to say that he also cashed in big while coaching the Seleccionado.)

Leading Chelsea to Champions League glory is a challenge he will fully embrace, provided he’s free to work. After all, Scolari will always be faithful to his “my way or the highway” policy. Even if he’s the one who takes the highway out of greyish London. No problem at all.

Sunny Cascais is right there on the corner, always waiting for him.