Santos and Santo André in the finals of the Paulista
April 19, 2010 at 10:51 8 comments
Santos sweep São Paulo aside in the Vila
The finals of the Campeonato Paulista 2010 will be decided between Santos and Santo André.
On Sunday, Santos put three past a toothless São Paulo to bring their total of goals to 90 in 25 games this season. São Paulo’s best chance of getting through the tie came in the first leg at the Morumbi. But at the Vila Belmiro, the Tricolor failed to show the grit they displayed last weekend. In the end, the result was never in doubt and the 6-2 aggregate score underlined Santos’ superiority. Yesterday, Neymar grabbed a brace. His first was probably a handball and the second came after a dubious penalty decision. But the teenager again showed flashes of brilliance that will only increase the demand for his inclusion in the Brazil squad for South Africa. Paulo Henrique Lima knocked in the third. The midfielder is also a strong candidate for the World Cup. Dunga’s preference for defensive minded players counts against the youngster and in all probability the pair will fail to make the competition this year. However, they are all but guaranteed a place in the squad of whoever takes over at Brazil after the World Cup. See the highlights here
The other finalists of the Paulista are Santo André. On Sunday, they lost 2-1 at home and ended the tie drew 3-3 on aggregate with Grêmio Prudente. But because of the Paulista’s bizarre rules, Santo André went through after finishing higher in the Group stage. See the highlights (Portuguese) or with yours truly and Bira Brasil in English here
The first leg of the finals will be played next Sunday. A venue has yet to be decided but in all likelihood, Santo André will play their ‘home’ game in the Pacaembu.
Entry filed under: Campeonato Paulista 2010. Tags: Campeonato Paulista finals 2010, Campeonato Paulista sem-finals 2010, Neymar, Paulo Henrique Lima, Santo André.
1. Leo Marques | April 19, 2010 at 11:27
John, I watched that great game on GolTV yesterday. I don’t know the name of the guy who comments games with you, but the man was clearly cheering for São Paulo! You guys must prohibit that guy from commenting São Paulo games! I hope he didn’t beat his wife and kids when he got back home since he seemed to be completely outraged by the humiliation that took place at Vila Belmiro yesterday.
Thanks for the great game anyway!
2. pitacodogringo | April 19, 2010 at 11:50
Fala Leo!
glad you enjoyed the game. it was good (though i preferred last week’s in the Morumbi for the sheer excitement).
my co-commentator’s name is Bira Brasil. and i can assure you 100% that he is NOT a São Paulo fan. as you may have guessed, Bira is a Brazilian and has his team in Brazil. but it’s not the Tricolor Paulista!! haha
3. Leo Marques | April 19, 2010 at 23:00
Ok John, I put a lot of thought into this and now everything makes sense. Bira Brasil is CORINTHIANO! That’s right. I remember a comment he made yesterday during the game, about how he has many friends from Santos who are not Santos fans. Corinthianos in general are very happy to say that the city of Santos has more Corinthians fans than Santos’. He didn’t say that exactly, but I know that’s what he had in his mind! It also explains his São Paulo bias, since all Corinthianos are still angry with Neymar after the Chicão case.
Moreover, Corinthianos love to say that Santos is not really a “rival,” but deep inside they all have a profound hatred for us.
It all makes sense now…. it all makes sense…
4. pitacodogringo | April 21, 2010 at 14:01
hahaha you should have been a detective or a psychologist! but i couldn’t possibly comment on Bira’s allegiances haha
5. Leo Marques | April 19, 2010 at 12:47
Hahaha, ok! I’ll trust you. But I’ll continue to pay careful attention to Bira’s comments.
Great comments from both of you anyway (despite his São Paulo bias!). I’ll see/hear you guys again on the finals!
Abraço!
6. Rodrigo F | April 20, 2010 at 10:32
I watched an extradordinary victory from the best brazilian team, Santos over Sao Paulo last sunday, the difference is huge and nowadays Santos has no competitor in Brazil… perhaps in the world!
Santos Forever!
7. pitacodogringo | April 21, 2010 at 13:58
don’t know about the world but without doubt santos are the best team in brazil by far
8. du doan worldcup | May 4, 2010 at 06:00
hahaha you should have been a detective or a psychologist! but i couldn’t possibly comment on Bira’s allegiances