Aurora 3-1 Vasco
With the Copa do Brasil title (and a spot in the 2012 Libertadores) already in the bag, and their domestic title challenge developing nicely, it's fair to say that Vasco da Gama aren't too fussed about the Copa Sul-Americana this year. The Gigante da Colina sent a reserve side to face Aurora on Wednesday night and were soundly beaten by the Bolivian outfit.
Vasco actually took the lead in the 40th minute, and in comical style; Bernardo tapped home after a long ball from Fágner (one of only two first choice players on display for the Rio de Janeiro side) bounced over the head of Aurora goalkeeper Pablo Lanz. The hosts reacted well, however, and took the lead through strikes from Aquilino Villalba and Augusto Andeveris. With time ticking down, Jair Reinoso sealed the victory with an emphatic volley. Vasco, then, have it all to do, but probably won't be too concerned about doing it.
Santos midfielder Ibson (right) competes for possession against Grêmio.Grêmio 1-0 Santos
Santos continued The Great Catch-up (coming soon to a cinema near you) at the Olímpico, losing to Grêmio in a match originally scheduled for gameweek 11 of the Campeonato Brasileiro. Much was made in the build-up to the game of Borges' return to Porto Alegre (the Peixe frontman counts Grêmio among his former clubs), but the spotlight was to be stolen by an altogether less celebrated striker. Brandão, who has struggled to readapt to Brazilian football since returning from a spell in Europe, nodded home the only goal of the game in the 9th minute.
NB - Cruzeiro and São Paulo also played on Wednesday night. That match, however, was part of gameweek 28, and so shall be included in Monday's round-up rather than here.
Results. Copa Sul-Americana: Aurora 3-1 Vasco. Série A: Grêmio 1-0 Santos.
(Photo credit: Ricardo Rímoli.)
Jack,
ReplyDeleteBeen following you on Twitter and have started reading the blog. Good stuff! I am a American sports reporter at Medill at Northwestern and I am trying to head down to Brazil to become fluent in Portuguese and soccer.
I am wondering if you can recommend any English-speaking publications that my school may be able to hook me up with. I want to go down their for a few months to get the lay of the land and then go back sometime before the Confederations Cup in 2013.
Also, any advice that you have on getting started as an international soccer reporter would be great.
Keep up the good work.
My email is mkelleynu@gmail.com and my twitter is @DuckFootie
Hi there,
ReplyDeleteThe only English-speaking publication I know of is called The Rio Times. You could try to get hold of them.
As for being a (paid) international reporter... I'm trying to work that one out myself!
Cheers