retired_jackieschmitz

I've never run any of the South American leagues in my games of FM, but I might give it a go next time around. The Brazilian League sounds like a challenge with all the different formats and cups and all.

retired_workingmom77

Its tough what with the long season of 46 games crammed into rougly 6-7 months plus the endless cup competitons mean u'll play a game roughly every 4 days. Its a challenge but its fun!

retired_workingmom77

October 2004

The league was really hotting up and at the start of October we were just 2 points behind Santos. Surprisingly Santos slipped up away to Internacional meaning that a win against bottom club Criciuma would put us in first position for the first time this season. We duly beat them 2-0 to reach 1st place. We also overcame Universidad de Chile after a thrilling 3-3 second leg, we beat them on penalties. This set up a semi final with Argentinian giants River. In the league we picked up easy wins against Coritiba and Atletico Mineiro. However we dropped five points after a 1-1 draw with Flamengo and our unbeaten run finally came to a halt after a 1-0 defeat to Internacional. This left us 2nd, one point behind Santos at the end of the month.

Transfers
N/A

Results
-Criciuma 0-2 W, (Fred (2))
-Universidad de Chile, (Copa Sudamericana, Quarter Final, First Leg) 0-0 D
-Figueirense 2-0 W, (Martinez, Wagner)
-Flamengo 1-1 D, (Bruno Mezenga, Fred)
-Atletico Mineiro 1-0 W, (Kelly)
-Universidad de Chile, (Copa Sudamericana, Quarter Final, Second Leg) 3-3 W (3-2 pens.), (Michel, Jorge Gonzalez (2), Wagner (2), Cristian Torres)
-Internacional 1-0 L, (Marcelo Labarthe)

retired_workingmom77

November 2004

The highlight of November was undoubtedly the Copa Sudamericana semi final against River, confidence was high in the camp but we went down battling in Argentina 3-1. There wasn't to be yet another recovery in this competition despite a great performance we only managed a 0-0 draw in the return leg. In the league we picked up another 4 wins, most notably a comfortable 2-0 victory over Sao Paulo, who after a fantastic performance against Boca would go on to face River in the Copa Sudamericana final. Santos once again slipped up and by the end of the month we were two points clear at the top with just four games remaining, one of them against Santos which would surely be the title decider.

Transfers
N/A

Results
-Sao Paulo 2-0 W, (Wagner, Jean, Luizao sent off, Gabriel sent off)
-River, (Copa Sudamericana, Semi Final, First Leg) 3-1 (Edmundo, Ernesto Antonio Farias, Marcelo Salas, Matute Morales)
-River, (Copa Sudamericana, Semi Final, Second Leg) 0-0 L (3-1 agg.)
-Goias 2-0 W, (Martinez, Wagner, Aldrovani sent off)
-Guarani 0-1 W, (Jean)
-Sao Caetano 0-1 W, (Jean)

retired_workingmom77

December 2004

Just four games in December would decide the fate of the championship. It was between us and Santos. We entertained them on the 1st of December with both sides needing a win. A win for us would put us four points clear, as we started the game one point in front (not two as the typo above will say!). A win for them would put them back in the driving seat and with both teams' form being consistent, you had to say whoever came away with 3 points also came away with the title. It was an intensely cagey affair and it took 64 minutes for the first breakthrough. A highly controversial penalty was awarded to us after a push on Fred. Djalminha who hadnt made much of an impact this season, who had come on to replace Kerlon stepped up and netted the spotkick. Maldonado added a second on 83 minutes and the fans were jubilant. But there was drama at the end as William converted a very neat passing manoevure in stoppage time. It didnt matter as the final whistle went and we had edged it 2-1. But it wasnt over as we both won our next game, however Santos then drew with Corinthians leaving us needing a point against Atletico Paranaense to lift the championship. It was a home game so if we did it the trophy would be presented. For the first time the stadium was packed to capacity, awash with blue and white. The fans hadn't approved of their club's new English manager and the poor form at the start of the season but here they were waiting for their club's second title in 3 seasons. We won the game 3-0 to secure the title, Maldonado the captain heaving it aloft to the ecstatic fans. A defeat against Paysandu followed but it was irrelevant. At the start of the season we had been as low as 20th and now we were holding aloft the trophy.

Transfers
N/A

Results
-Santos 2-1 W, (Djalminha pen., Maldonado, William)
-Parana 0-1 W, (Edmundo, Ruy sent off, Regis sent off)
-Atleico Paranaense 3-0 W, (Fred (2), Edmundo)
-Paysandu 2-0 L, (Maurinho own goal, Leonardo)

retired_jdupont

Who won the Sudamericana final?


Good work with Cruzeiro, aka "Raposa" (fox). :thup:

retired_workingmom77

River, they oblitterated Sao Paulo over two legs, something like 6-1 on aggregate.

retired_workingmom77

Oh and thanks , hopefully ive sparked a bit interest into the Brazilian leagues

retired_workingmom77

2004 Season Summary

League Standings

1st Cruzeiro 101 pts.
2nd Santos 98 pts.
3rd Palmeiras 89 pts.

Relegated
Parana
Criciuma

Promoted
America (MG)
Paulista

Manager of The Year
1st Tite, Corinthians
2nd Sam Cox, Cruzeiro
3rd Joel Santana, Vasco

retired_workingmom77

January 2005

Whilst the opening two months of the new campaign would be reletively uneventful on the pitch because of the state championship fiasco, it would be a busy month for transfers. My squad was far too large and January saw 19 departures, 9 of those from the first team and just 5 new arrivals. I was able to raise 4.5 million in addition to the 3.1 million pound transfer fund from the sales of Ruy, Michel, Martinez and Kelly. Our first signing was U21 star Ederson. The 19 year old attacking midfielder has been capped 11 times at U21 level notching 5 goals. We managed to snap him up for just 250k from lower division side RS Futebol. 16 year old forward Celsinho joined us for 2 million. This was a player that had impressed scouts at the beginning of last season. Another potential gem was snapped up in the form of winger Anderson. We also signed two free transfers, veteran 37 year old Zinho and promising midfielder Leonardo.

Transfers
In
-Leonardo, free
-Ederson, RS Futebol, 250k
-Celsinho, Portuguesa, 2M
-Anderson, Gremio, 1.6M
-Zinho, free

Out
-Ruy, Fluminense, 1.3M
-Rogerio, free
-Gerson, free
-Jonathan, free
-Marcio Diogo, free
-Enio, free
-Regis, free
-Djalminha, free
-Arilson, free
-Cristian, Nautico (RR), 14k
-Marcelo Batatais, free
-Alemao, free
-Michel, Santos, 1.1M
-Martinez, Guarani, 1.1M
-Kelly, Atletico Paranaense, 975k
-Marcio Oliveira, free
-Carlos Alberto, free
-Thiago Braga, free
-Patrick, free

Results
N/A