Eight-man Sao Paulo draw at Gremio
Reuters - Thursday 05 November 2009, 03:08
RIO DE JANEIRO - Sao Paulo had three
players sent off in the final 15 minutes against Gremio on
Wednesday but hung on for a 1-1 draw that put them top of the
Brazilian championship.
Strikers Dagoberto and Borges were sent off seconds apart
and midfielder Jean was shown the red card in stoppage time in
the match against the league's only team yet to be beaten at
home.
Sao Paulo, looking for a fourth successive championship
title, have 59 points after 34 matches, a point ahead of
Palmeiras, who visit bottom team Fluminense at the weekend.
Gremio went in front after 25 minutes when defender Rafael
Marques headed in a free kick from Douglas Costa but seven
minutes later a shot by Dagoberto took a deflection off Marques
and went in for the equaliser.
Substitute Borges was the first to be sent off - 12
minutes after he came on - for a second booking in the space
of two minutes. Dagoberto was shown a straight red card in the
next minute for a bad tackle on Tulio.
Jean was sent off for a second yellow card.
Third-placed Atletico Mineiro (56 points) are at home to
Flamengo (54) at the weekend in a tight race for the title and
four Libertadores Cup berths.