In the final of the Rio championship’s first stage, goalkeeper Lugao saved two penalty kicks as Volta Redonda beat Americano in a shootout at Maracana stadium. Striker Fabio and midfielders
Elson and Maciel each netted from the spot to secure Volta Redonda’s title. Volta Redonda, led by veteran striker Tulio, will play for the state title against the winner of second stage, which begins next week with all 12 teams playing from scratch. Rio’s top clubs Vasco, Flamengo, Fluminense and Botafogo were eliminated from the first stage.
Mean while in Sao Paulo state, Sao Paulo who leads the Sao Paulo championship with 22 points from eight matches, outplayed Palmeiras during most of the match at Morumbi stadium. Ceni netted his 41st career goal with a perfectly struck free kick from about 20 metres, firing a curling shot into the left-upper corner of Palmeiras ‘keeper Sergio’s net. Striker Diego Tardelli – the tournament’s leading scorer with eight goals – had put Sao Paulo ahead with a penalty kick just four minutes into the match, and 2002 World Cup veteran Luizao closed the scoring with a header in the 86th minute.
Palmeiras, debuting coach Candinho, lost for the third time in four matches, falling to 10th place in the 20-team standings. The four-time national champion hasn’t won since a 3-1 result against Paulista on January 26. Hundreds of Palmeiras’ fans, frustrated with the team’s lacklustre campaign, fought among themselves in the standings, prompting the second half to be shortly delayed.
Santos dropped to third place after drawing 1-1 with Ituano at Novelli Junior stadium. The defending Brazilian champions has 18 points, four behind Sao Paulo. Mogi Mirim, who won their fifth in a row by beating visiting Guarani 1-0 at Wilson de Barros stadium, is second with 21 points. Corinthians, close to signing Werder Bremen left-back Gustavo Nery, was held to a scoreless draw by Paulista in Jundiai. Striker Carlos Tevez failed to find the net despite several scoring opportunities.
Rio Championship
Americano-RJ (2) 0 x 0 (3) Volta Redonda
Sao Paulo Championship
19th Feb 2005
Ponte Preta 2 x 1 União Barbarense
20th Feb 2005
Palmeiras 0 x 3 São Paulo
Portuguesa Santista 3 x 0 Rio Branco-SP
Atlético Sorocaba 0 x 1 Marília
Mogi Mirim 1 x 0 Guarani
Inter de Limeira 2 x 1 Portuguesa
Santo André 2 x 3 União São João
São Caetano 3 x 1 América-SP
Paulista-SP 0 x 0Corinthians
Ituano 1 x 1 Santos
