Sao Paulo win thriller as leaders falter
Reuters - Monday 18 October 2010, 00:42
RIO DE JANEIRO - The Brazilian
championship race tightened on Sunday with leaders Cruzeiro's
defeat at Gremio while Fluminense and Corinthians were held to
goalless draws.
Ten-man Sao Paulo won an exciting "clasico" against
fourth-placed Santos 4-3 after scoring the winner in the dying
seconds at the Morumbi and feel they may yet have a say in the
outcome with eight matches to go.
"It's a victory that puts us within sight of the
Libertadores Cup and even the (national) title... It was
tough but we showed the strength of this club," said full-back
Jean, who headed the winner three minutes into added time.
Cruzeiro have 54 points, Fluminense are on 53 after a 0-0
draw in their Rio derby against Botafogo and Corinthians, who
have gone seven matches without winning, 50 following a 0-0
draw at Guarani. Santos have 48 while Sao Paulo are ninth with
44.
Santos opened the scoring in the fourth minute through
teenage playmaker Alan Patrick but Sao Paulo hit back to go 2-1
up after 15 minutes with two headers from striker Dagoberto.
An own goal by Santos full-back Para followed by a goal from
forward Se Eduardo made it 3-2 to Sao Paulo.
Sao Paulo midfielder Richarlyson was then sent off just
before the hour for a second booking and conceded an equaliser
when Santos teenager Neymar converted a penalty after he was
brought down.
Jean, however, headed the winner after Santos goalkeeper
Rafael had made a brilliant save from Ricardo Oliveira.
Corinthians' former Brazil striker Ronaldo, playing in only
his fourth match of the championship, had two goals disallowed
in the first half in controversial offside decisions. Video
replays appeared to show the 34-year-old onside both times.
"I'm there to score goals and to the refereeing was abysmal
in my view," an angry Ronaldo told reporters on the pitch after
the match at the Brinco de Ouro.
Corinthians announced that former coach Tite would take
charge of the team after Adilson Batista resigned last Sunday.
Tite, who has been with Al-Wahda in the United Arab
Emirates, returns to the club he first coached from 2004 to
2005. He is Corinthians' third coach since July when Mano
Menezes left to take charge of the Brazil team.