Wellington Júnior

While Botafogo’s professional side continue to run the risk of relegation to Série B this year, the Rio outfit’s junior teams continue to produce potential stars.

A number of Botafogo’s youngsters are attracting interest from European teams and may bring in some much-needed revenue for the cash-strapped club.

Centreback, Gérson, has gone on trial at Everton. The 17-year-old turns 18 in January next year but already has a contract with Botafogo until June 2012. The sale of the defender could bring in around RS$2.6 million (just under £900,000) – a fee Botafogo would readily accept in the current circumstances.

20-year-old midfielder, Wellington Júnior, could also be a target. Even though the player was not a regular starter with Brazil’s Under 20s in Egypt this month, the midfielder (who sometimes operates as a rightback) has attracted a great deal of attention. Wellington Júnior is contracted to Botafogo until the end of December 2012 and has made 12 appearances for the club scoring once.

Another prospect is 17-year-old goalkeeper Luis Guilherme who is currently with Brazil’s Under 17s in Nigeria. The shot-stopper was apparently close to joining Arsenal earlier this year but decided to continue his career back home in Rio.

The interest in these young players once again demonstrates the growing scout networks that European clubs – especially Premiership sides – have established in Brazil. The Botafogo youngsters are virtual unknowns in their own country and probably very few Estrela Solitária (lone star) fans are even aware of their existence. If the Rio side do manage to offload any of these players, it would be a great boost for their financial situation in the short-term. But a drop to the Série B – for a second this century – might just be the beginning of a slippery slope. Santa Cruz dropped all the way from the first to the fourth division in successive years. Paysandu, Criciúma and Vitória went from Série A to C (though the latter bounced straight back up again). A club such as Botafogo, who are constantly struggling to make ends meet, run the risk of following suit. Better for them to hang on to their best players and stay in the top flight than risk falling into the abyss of the lower divisions, which they may not return from.

Interested in Brazil’s emerging stars? check out our video feature:  Brazil: the talent factory 2009

With the season is moving towards the final stages, I thought it was high time I produced a follow up to last year’s ‘Brazil: the talent factory’ post. Once again, there has been an abundance of exciting new players that have caught the eye in their first season in Série A.

Of the players I picked out last year; Palmeiras’ Keirrison was bought by Barcelona and has been loaned out to Benfica. Portuguesa’s Diogo was signed by Olympiacos. Ex Cruzeiro forward, Guilherme, moved to Dynamo Kiev and was then loaned to CSKA Moscow. The youngsters that did not fare as well are Maikon Leite, whose career has been hit by serious injuries at Santos, and Anderson Pico who has temporarily swapped Grêmio for second division Figueirense.

First, a word about some of the obvious omissions from this year’s list. Santos’ Neymar didn’t make the cut. Much has been written about him (including on this site) but Neymar’s has had a so-so season and I’ve yet to be really convinced. True, he’s only 17 and I wouldn’t write him off. But he simply hasn’t stood out for Santos. Douglas Costa is not here because it’s his second year as a pro (and anyway, he still hasn’t done a thing for Grêmio). Corinthians Dodô, who may or not be joining Manchester United in 2010, has not even made a single appearance for the Parque São Jorge club.

So, to 2009 and the players I’ve gone for. Here’s their info but you can watch them in action in the video.

Full name: Elierce Barbosa de Souza; Playing name: Souza (or sometimes De Souza to distinguish him from Diego Souza); Position: defensive midfielder; DOB: 08/03/88; Height: 1.83m; Clubs: Ceilandense, Brasília, Dom Pedro, Palmeiras

Full name: Rafael Aparecido Silva; Playing name: Boquita, DOB: 0704/90; Height: 1.79m; Goals: 2; Club: Corinthians

Full name: Sandro Ranieri Guimarães Cordeiro; Playing name: Sandro Ranieri; Position: defensive midfielder; DOB: 15/03/1989; Goal: 3; Height: 1.87m; Weight: 75K; Club: Internacional

Full name: Giuliano Victor de Paula; Playing name: Giuliano; Position: midfield; DOB:31/05/1990; Height: 1.72m; Goals:4; Clubs: Paraná, Internacional

Full name: Diego Renan de Lima Ferreira; Playing name: Diego Renan; Position: right back; DOB: 26/01/1990; Height: 1.72m; Weight: 71k; Goals: 3; Club: Cruzeiro

Full name: Rafael Tolói; Position: centreback; DOB: 10/10/1990; Height: 1,85m; Weight: 75k; Club: Goiás

Hulk, Michel Bastos, Fábio Aurélio, Carlos Eduardo

Dunga has called up 24 players to face England on November 14^th in Doha, Qatar, and Oman three days later in Muscat.

The squad includes Liverpool’s Lucas and Fábio Aurélio plus Manchester City’s Robinho. Porto frontman, Givanildo Vieira de Souza (Hulk), gets his first call-up. Also in are Carlos Eduardo of Hoffenheim, and Lyon’s Michel Bastos. Brazil-based players such as Adriano (Flamengo), Diego Souza (Palmeiras), Diego Tardelli (Atlético Mineiro) and Sandro Ranieri (Internacional) have been ignored because of their teams involvement in the closing stages of the Campeonato Brasileiro.

Brazil squad in full:

Goalkeepers: Julio César (Inter Milan), Doni (Roma)

Wingbacks: Maicon (Inter Milan), Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Michel Bastos (Lyon),

Fábio Aurélio (Liverpool)

Centrebacks: Luisão (Benfica), Juan (Roma), Naldo (Werder Bremen), Lúcio (Inter Milan)

Midfielders: Gilberto Silva (Panathinaikos), Josué (Wolfsburg), Ramires (Benfica),

Felipe Melo (Juventus), Julio Baptista (Roma), Kaká (Real Madrid), Elano (Galatasaray), Alex (Spartak Moscow), Carlos Eduardo (Hoffenheim), Lucas (Liverpool)

Forwards: Luis Fabiano (Seville), Nilmar (Villarreal), Givanildo Vieira de Souza Hulk (Porto), Robinho (Manchester City)

Rogério Ceni scores then gets sent off against Santos

Three losses in a row has suddenly left Palmeiras’ championship chances in grave doubt. The latest defeat came away at strugglers Santo André on Wednesday. The result provided another opportunity for Palmeiras’ rivals to make ground on the leaders. After failing to take advantage of the Green’s failings on three different occasions, this time the chasing pack closed in.

On Saturday, 58,000 turned out at the estádio Mineirão to see Atlético Mineiro scrap a 1-0 win over a plucky Vitória. Diego Tardelli scored his 16^th of the season – though he also missed a second-half penalty. Atlético are now just a point behind Palmeiras – the two meet in the penultimate round in the Palestra Itália. See the goal

In a tedious game in the Beira-Rio, Internacional came out on top against archenemies Grêmio. D’Alessandro got the game’s only goal but Grêmio keeper, Victor, was largely to blame.  See the goal

The match of the round came at the Vila Belmiro were São Paulo came away with a 4-3 win over Santos. Hernanes seems back to his best after scoring a cracker. But it was keeper Rogério Ceni got the winner with his first goal of the season before he was sent off. See the highlights here

Flamengo are also in contention after moving to within three points of the top. Adriano grabbed the only goal versus neighbours Botafogo in the Engenhão to bring his tally to 16 alongside Diego Tardelli.

At the bottom Náutico, Botafogo, Sport and Fluminense are the teams in trouble.  

To see the rest of the Campeonato Brasileiro round 31 results and the table, click here

See the Brazil squad in full here

Brazil will get to lock horns with the country ranked 79^th in the world when they play Oman in Muscat on 17^th November this year.

Three days before, Brazil take on England in Qatar. The squad for both matches will be announced on October 27^th. Dunga (photo) is not expected to call up Brazil-based players whose sides are involved in the final stage of the Campeonato Brasileiro. This should exclude: Sandro Ranieri (Internacional), Adriano (Flamengo), Miranda (São Paulo), Diego Tardelli (Atlético MG), Diego Souza (Palmeiras) and Victor (Grêmio) all of whom were in the squad for the WC qualifiers vs Bolivia and Venezuela earlier this month.

Joint top scorer with 15 goals in the Campeonato Brasileiro (national league, which has 8 rounds remaining), 16 goals in the Campeonato Mineiro (local State championship), 4 goals in the Copa do Brasil (Brazilian cup) not a bad tally for Atlético Mineiro’s Diego Tardelli. Add to this his recent call up to Brazil and it’s not much of a surprise that the player is being linked with a possible move to Manchester City (though who isn’t these days?)

Even though he’s only recently turned 24, Tardelli already has six teams on his CV (São Paulo, Real Betis, São Caetano, PSV, Flamengo, and Atlético Mineiro). The forward showed early promise at São Paulo. There he played alongside Luís Fabiano and was expected to become the Morumbi’s principal striker when Fabiano left the club.

Comparisons can be made between the two. Both picked up a reputation for petulance – especially whilst playing for São Paulo – and both got more than their fair share of yellow and red cards. Tardelli’s spells in Europe have not been that impressive. But neither was Fabiano’s stint at Rennes were he appeared 11 times and failed to score. When he returned to Brazil, Fabiano started banging in the goals (62 in 84 games to be exact). After three seasons, he made the move to Porto and has not looked back since. Tardelli has put away 35 goals so far this year. Admittedly, the majority of those have come in some iffy competitions such as the Campeonato Mineiro and Copa do Brasil. But 15 in the Brasileiro is not a bad haul for a 24-year-old.

Is he the right man for City? Well, actions speak louder than words. So, you can decide for yourself by watching the video clip below. We interviewed Tardelli just before he got his call up to Brazil in August this year. One thing is certain: he’s not short of confidence, which is exactly what you want in a striker I suppose.

A Petkovic brace sinks the leaders

Two goals from Flamengo’s Petkovic ended Palmeiras’ unbeaten run in the Palestra Itália and cut their lead at the top of the table to just four points.

The Greens dominated for most of the first-half but an excellent dribble and finish by the veteran Petkovic put Fla ahead. In the second period, Pet struck again shooting straight in from a corner after the ball slipped beneath Wendell’s legs and past Marcos. Vagner Love did have the chance to pull one back from the penalty spot late on but sent his shot high and wide. Flamengo are now in 5^th on 48 just a point off the Libertadores places. See the highlights

On Saturday, São Paulo also lost their first game on home soil going down to an early goal by old boy, Diego Tardelli. The Atlético man is now joint top scorer with Flamengo’s Adriano and Inter’s Alecsandro all on 15 goals. Atlético moved to 2^nd four points behind Palmeiras. São Paulo dropped to 4^th. See the highlights

Internacional managed to blow another chance to close in on the leaders after they were held 2-2 by bottom club Fluminense. Inter twice took the lead in Rio but Flu had centreback Gum to thank for a precious point.

Cruzeiro are now just four points behind the top four after grabbing their third straight win. Thiago Ribeiro grabbed the game’s only goal against strugglers Botafogo in the Mineirão.

At the wrong end of the table, Atlético Paranaense took a significant step towards safety after a 3-0 win over Santo André. Paulo Baier, Marcinho and a Marcel own-goal secured the points.  

After beating Palmeiras last weekend 3-0, Náutico went down 3-1 away at Vitória.

Sport Recife, though, picked up three valuable points thanks to two former Corinthians men. Arce and Wilson scored the goals against the Parque São Jorge outfit but the Recife club remain in the bottom four.

See the Campeonato Brasileiro round 30 table and the rest of the results here

The ball and the title gets away from Alan Kardec and Brazil

Scoreless after a turgid 90 minutes, Brazil and Ghana went to extra time and then penalties in the Under-20s World Cup final in Cairo on Friday. Brazil failed to capitalize after Addo was sent off in the first-half and their lack of invention and drive was to cost them when the game went to a sudden death shootout.

Brazil’s much-vaunted squad lacked any coherence or understanding in the midfield and upfront. But it was their lack of adventure and belief against a ten-man Ghana that disappointed most. All credit to Ghana for holding on but in truth they were rarely threatened.

The game was a real let down but here are the penalties

Ghana (4) 0-0 (3) Brazil

Ghana: Agyei, Inkoom, Addo, Mensah, Addy, Agyemang-Badu, Quansah (Agyemang), Rabiu (Addae), Ayew, Osei (Kassenu), Adiyiah.

Coach: Sellas Tetteh

Brazil: Rafael, Douglas (Wellington Junior), Dalton, Rafael Tolói, Diogo, Renan (Maicon), Souza, Giuliano, Paulo Henrique Ganso (Douglas Costa), Alex Teixeira, Alan Kardec.

Coach: Rogério Lourenço

Venue: Cairo International Stadium, no Cairo (EGI).

Date: 16/10/2009.

Referee: Frank De Bleeckere (BEL).

Yellows: Douglas, Alex Teixeira, Souza (Brazil) Red: Addo (Ghana)

Brazil’s Under-20 team take on Ghana in the World Cup final in Cairo on Friday.

Rogério Lourenço’s side are unbeaten in the tournament and will be at full-strength. Giuliano, Paulo Henrique Ganso, Alex Teixeira and Alan Kardec have impressed for Brazil and the presence of these four makes the South Americans favourites to take the trophy.

Brazil probable: Rafael, Douglas, Dalton, Rafael Tolói, Diogo, Maylson, Souza, Giuliano, Paulo Henrique Ganso, Alex Teixeira, Alan Kardec.

Coach: Rogério Lourenço

Ghana possible: Agyei, Inkoom, Addo, Mensah, Addy, Agyemang-Badu, Quansah, Rabiu, Ayew, Osei, Adiyiah

Coach: Sellas Tetteh

Venue: Internacional stadium, Cairo.

Date: 16/10/09.

Kick off: 15:00 Brasilia       19:00 London

Referee: Frank De Bleeckere (Belgium)

No way through against Venezuela

Brazil ended their WC qualifying campaign with a goalless draw at home to Venezuela. Dunga’s side played most of the second-half with just ten men after São Paulo’s Miranda was sent off. But with Paraguay losing at Colombia, Brazil finished as group leaders. Chile, Paraguay, Argentina, and Uruguay also qualified.

Brazil’s next engagement is a friendly with England on 14^th November in Doha, Qatar.

See the highlights here

Brazil: Julio César, Maicon, Luisão, Miranda e Filipe Luís (Alex), Gilberto Silva, Lucas, Ramires (Elano), Kaká, Nilmar, Luis Fabiano (Diego Tardelli)

Coach: Dunga

Venezuela: Vega, Chacon, Vizcarrondo, Rey, Granados, Di Giorgi, Rincón (Seijas), Lucena, Arango (Fedor), Moreno (Rondon), Maldonado.

Coach: César Farias

Yellow cards: Luis Fabiano, Luisão (Brazil); Chacon, Vizcarrondo, Di Giorgi, Granados (Venezuela). Reds: Miranda (Brazil).

Venue: estádio Morenão, Campo Grande, Brazil  

Date: 14/10/2009.

Officials: Victor Carrillo, César Escano, Luis Abaddie (all Peru).

Attendance: 23,746