retired_manpk1

Preseason 2010
There were no signings made during the preseason, although I do have one or two coming in early February. Youngsters Hugo and Gabriel Brito joined Atlético Goianiense and Flamengo (PI) respectively for 3-month loan spells, and a few more faces that had struggled to hold a place down left the club. Marcelinho moved to Brasiliense for £180,000 and LuÃ*s Fernando joined Internacional for a fee of £40,000. Rafael Moçamba moved onto Criciúma for £220,000 and William joined América (MG) for a nominal fee. Pingo moved to our rivals Goiás for £180,000 and Geninho joined Criciúma for £300,000. The other player out of the club was Dykson; the left fullback moving onto Santa Cruz for a fee of £300,000.
I put out a very inexperienced side in the only friendly that we played – away at Anápolis. Alex Rodrigues got on the scoresheet for us, but we were totally outplayed and lost 4-1.

3rd place in the league last season saw us qualify for the Copa Libertadores, and we’ve been drawn in Group E for the group stages, alongside Peruvians Alianza Lima, Columbians América de Cali and Paraguayans Cerro Porteño. There are nine groups; the topside from each group, and the five best runners up qualify for the third round automatically. The other four runners up playoff in the second round to reach the last 16.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Name Age Position(s) ValueAdriano 26 GK £130K Albuquerque 18 DM RC £35K Alessandro Domingos 16 M RLC £0 Alex 29 D/DM L £650K Alex Rodrigues 17 S C £170K Alves Silva 15 D LC £0 Arlindo 16 D RC £0 Borges Neto 33 D/DM R £24K Bosco 29 D/DM RC £325K Bruno Ribeiro 18 D C £50K Carlos Alberto 28 AM RL £300K Carlos Alexandre 30 D R £160K Cavalcanti 16 D L £0 Cerqueira 15 D/DM C £0 Clóvis 31 DM C £200K Cristiano 30 F LC £775K Everson Paula 16 D L £0 Fernando Vital 17 S C £24K Ferreira 31 AM RC £170K Flávio Guilherme 29 S C £350K Flávio Mendes 32 GK £650K Gabriel Brito 17 DM LC £24K Guilherme 28 F C £2.5M Helinho 29 AM/F C £975K Hugo 17 AM C £24K Jean 30 DM C £120K Juliano 28 AM/F R £850K Juninho 27 D LC £240K Leandro 21 AM C £275K Leandro Diniz 30 AM L £2.5M Leonardo Dutra 15 D RC £0 Luiz Medeiros 16 AM LC £0 Mariano 17 S C £26K Marinho 33 D C £60K Pontes 16 D C £0 Rocha 16 DM C £0 Roger 25 AM/F RC £2.5M Roger Guerreiro 27 D LC £425K Ronaldo Santos 15 D C £0 Rubens 29 D LC £75K Schneider 16 F RC £0 Silva Moraes 16 S C £0 Souza Vieira 16 F RLC £0 Tiago 24 AM L £300K Tute 31 GK £40K Weber 26 GK £100K Xandão 29 D C £200K</pre>

retired_manpk1

January 2010
The fixture list gave us a first game of the season at home to Goiás. Our rivals were all over us early on, and twelve minutes in Muñoz had them ahead. That woke us up, and within two minutes Guilherme had equalised. We were now on top, and ten minutes before the break Guilherme was give too much time and he doubled the lead. And just before the break Cristiano scored a third. The second half was a bit of a damp squib, even when Goiás had Roni sent off on the hour.
I put out a second string side away at Real, but it wasn’t looking too clever when Xandão was sent off after a mere six minutes. We did well though to keep out the home side, and just before the half hour mark Flávio Guilherme struck to put us ahead. The game was poor after that, but twenty minutes from time we allowed Martins de Souza too much space, and the youngster claimed a draw for Real.
A similar side was sent out to face Aparecida at home. We took a while to settle down, but three minutes into the second half Flávio Guilherme put us ahead. On the hour Flávio Guilherme doubled the lead, and ten minutes from time young left-back Everson Paula fired in a third following a corner.
A stronger side was sent out to travel to Rioverdense, and seven minutes in Guilherme had us ahead. With 25 minutes gone the home side had Barros sent off, and within three minutes Leandro Diniz doubled our lead with a brilliant strike. Cristiano made it 3-0 early in the second half, but the game tapered off after the hour mark when Cristiano was given his marching orders.

I’ve been pleased with our start to the season, and some of the fringe players are taking their chances well. With the Copa Libertadores coming up over the next two months, there’s likely to be a bit more squad rotation, so it’s important that the players have some match practice under their belt.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Pos Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag G.D. Pts1st Goiânia 4 3 1 0 10 2 +8 102nd Atlético Goianiense 4 3 1 0 5 2 +3 103rd Anápolis 4 3 0 1 15 5 +10 94th Vila Nova (GO) 4 2 1 1 8 5 +3 75th Goiás 4 2 1 1 7 7 0 76th Anapolina 4 2 0 2 12 7 +5 67th Real (GO) 4 1 2 1 3 6 -3 58th Rioverdense 4 1 1 2 3 7 -4 4-------------------------------------------------------9th Aparecida 4 1 1 2 4 9 -5 4-------------------------------------------------------10th Caldas 4 1 0 3 5 9 -4 311th Jataiense 4 0 1 3 3 9 -6 112th Goiatuba 4 0 1 3 1 8 -7 1</pre>

retired_manpk1

February 2010
There were three free-transfer signings as the month started. Full backs João Pessoa and Athos joined from Guarani and defensive midfielder Mancuso came in from Bangu. All three started the home tie with Anápolis. The first half was a quiet affair, but just before the hour Guilherme put us ahead. Six minutes later though Alexandre Alvim got in behind our defence, and we had to settle for a 1-1 draw.
Our Copa Libertadores campaign began in Colombia as we travelled to América de Cali. We had our chances in the first half, but at the break it was still goalless. The second half was a very poor affair, and the game ended 0-0.
Prior to the hosting of Caldas I allowed young full back Cavalcanti to join Colo-Colo (BA) on loan for three months. There was more frustration for us at home to Caldas, and even when they had Lima de Souza sent off on half time, they defended deep, and we again had to settle for a 0-0 draw.
The home tie with Paraguayan side Cerro Porteño got off to a fantastic start as Marinho headed us into the lead from a corner after just five minutes. Ten minutes later though we were sloppy at the back and that allowed Oscar Nuñez in to equalise. On the half hour Juninho stupidly handled in the box, and Torres put us 2-1 down at half time. We struggled to get back into the match in the second half, although Jean did his the woodwork twice. We were further hampered when Roger Guerreiro was sent off 18 minutes from time, and in the end we had lost.
Sixteen minutes into the trip to Jataiense we had the lead through Cristiano and seven minutes later Carlos Alberto doubled the lead with a brilliant strike. Leandro Diniz sent a weak penalty into the arms of the goalkeeper on 57, but nine minutes later Alex Rodrigues opened his account for the season to wrap up a 3-0 victory.
We welcomed Peruvian side Alianza Lima to OlÃ*mpico, and we competed well. But just before half time we were punished on the break again as Juan Hernández pounced to put our visitors ahead. We couldn’t get back in the second half, and we find ourselves bottom of the group at the halfway stage.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Copa Libertadores Group EPos Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag G.D. Pts1st Alianza Lima 3 2 1 0 5 3 +2 7--------------------------------------------------2nd América de Cali 3 1 1 1 3 3 0 43rd Cerro Porteño 3 1 1 1 3 3 0 44th Goiânia 3 0 1 2 1 3 -2 1</pre>
Young striker Fernando Vital was loaned out for three months to Brazlândia prior to our trip to Anapolina. An awful game was brought to life just after the hour when a Dubinha free kick from just inside our half eluded everyone and crept in. We didn’t really look like getting back into the match, but in the final minute João Pessoa came from nowhere to fire in and rescue a point for us.

It’s been a pretty poor month for us. We’ve claimed just one win in the State Championship, and our Copa Libertadores campaign has started poorly. We’ve got to take our chances at that level, because otherwise teams will punish you – as we have already found out to our cost.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Pos Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag G.D. Pts1st Q Vila Nova (GO) 9 7 1 1 28 8 +20 222nd Q Goiás 9 5 3 1 19 13 +6 183rd Q Anápolis 9 5 2 2 24 10 +14 174th Q Anapolina 9 5 1 3 22 11 +11 165th Q Atlético Goianiense 8 5 1 2 13 7 +6 166th Q Goiânia 8 4 4 0 15 4 +11 167th Q Real (GO) 9 4 2 3 11 13 -2 148th Caldas 9 3 2 4 13 14 -1 11---------------------------------------------------------9th Rioverdense 9 2 1 6 7 25 -18 7---------------------------------------------------------10th Aparecida 9 1 3 5 8 18 -10 611th Goiatuba 9 1 1 7 4 21 -17 412th Jataiense 9 0 1 8 5 25 -20 1</pre>

retired_manpk1

March 2010
The month began with a crucial home tie against América de Cali. We didn’t really play all that well early on, and just after the half hour Viáfara put the Colombians in front with a free kick. Seven minutes into the second half though we were back on level terms thanks to a Roger strike, and we gained in confidence from that. Fifteen minutes from time Guilherme struck to put us in front, and three minutes later Cristiano had us 3-1 ahead. In injury time Viáfara pulled a goal back, but we held to claim a much-needed victory.
We dominated throughout the home tie with Goiatuba, having chance after chance. We only scored once though - an early strike from Guilherme keeping us going.
The first half in Paraguay at Cerro Porteño was poor, but on the stroke of half time the hosts had Francisco González sent off, and we had the advantage that we needed. We attacked relentlessly early in the second half, but it wasn’t until twenty minutes from time that we took the lead through Juliano. Eight minutes from the end we found ourselves 2-0 up thanks to Guilherme, and although Oscar Nuñez pulled a goal back almost immediately, we held on to win.
The trip to Vila Nova was a poor game. We did have the better of the few chances that there were, although they might have caught us on the break. Even when they had Almir sent off on the hour mark we couldn’t take advantage, and it finished 0-0.
We travelled to Lima knowing that Alianza had already qualified and that we needed only a draw to claim 2nd place in the group. Eighteen minutes in we struck through Flávio Guilherme, but within a minute Jorge Mendoza had equalised for the Peruvians. Guilherme headed us back into the leadJuliano from a corner on 26, and seven minutes before the break Guilherme produced a carbon copy of his earlier goal to double the lead. It got even better in injury time when Guilherme completed his hatrick with a fantastic strike. The second half was a bit disappointing, but in the final minute, Juliano struck to give us an amazing 5-1 win. The victory even meant that we finished 5th-best of the 2nd-placed teams, sending us straight through to the Third Round. :p

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Copa Libertadores Group EPos Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag G.D. Pts1st Q Alianza Lima 6 4 1 1 12 10 +2 13----------------------------------------------------2nd Q Goiânia 6 3 1 2 11 7 +4 10----------------------------------------------------3rd América de Cali 6 2 1 3 8 10 -2 74th Cerro Porteño 6 1 1 4 6 10 -4 4Copa Libertadores Second-Placed TeamsPos Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag G.D. Pts1st Q Colo Colo 6 4 1 1 8 3 +5 132nd Q Toluca 6 3 2 1 9 5 +4 113rd Q América (MEX) 6 3 1 2 11 5 +6 104th Q Ponte Preta 6 3 1 2 13 8 +5 105th Q Goiânia 6 3 1 2 11 7 +4 10------------------------------------------------------6th Pl Atlético Mineiro 6 2 3 1 12 11 +1 97th Pl BolÃ*var 6 2 3 1 10 11 -1 98th Pl Racing 6 2 2 2 9 9 0 89th Pl Blooming 6 2 2 2 6 7 -1 8</pre>
Back on State duty we travelled to Atlético Goianiense. It was probably our worst performance of the season, and we weren’t helped when Leandro was sent off on the half hour. The only goal of the game came on the stroke of half time when Wilton broke quickly, and that meant that our quarterfinal opponents would be Goiás.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Pos Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag G.D. Pts1st Q Vila Nova (GO) 11 8 2 1 31 8 +23 262nd Q Atlético Goianiense 11 8 1 2 18 7 +11 253rd Q Goiás 11 7 3 1 24 14 +10 244th Q Anápolis 11 7 2 2 29 10 +19 235th Q Anapolina 11 7 1 3 29 12 +17 226th Q Goiânia 11 5 5 1 16 5 +11 207th Q Caldas 11 4 2 5 17 17 0 148th Q Real (GO) 11 4 2 5 11 18 -7 14---------------------------------------------------------9th Rioverdense 11 2 1 8 7 32 -25 7---------------------------------------------------------10th R Aparecida 11 1 3 7 8 21 -13 611th R Goiatuba 11 1 1 9 5 26 -21 412th R Jataiense 11 0 1 10 5 30 -25 1</pre>
Two days later we were hosting Goiás in the quarterfinal. Midway through the first half Guiseppe struck for our visitors, but within two minutes we were level through Juliano and a minute later Flávio Guilherme had turned things around. Eight minutes before the break through Alan fired in an equaliser, and it was all square going into half time. We were totally in command in the second half, but we found it difficult to turn dominance into goals. Six minutes from time though Flávio Guilherme scored to put us back in front, and two minutes later Juliano made it 4-2. But there was still another twist. As the game entered injury time Goiás won a penalty. Guiseppe hit the spot kick against the post, but Guiseppe followed up to reduce the deficit to just one goal. We though weren’t about to let our lead slip, and went up to other end of the field and confirmed victory as Juliano completed his hatrick to set up a semi-final meeting with Anapolina.
We got off to a poor start at OlÃ*mpico against Anapolina as André Pinto caught us on the break and put us behind. By the half hour through Juliano had equalised, and early in the second half Flávio Guilherme scored to give us a narrow lead to take into the second leg.

It’s been an amazing month. We totally changed around our Copa Libertadores fortunes, and somehow scraped though to the State semi-finals. All that whilst taking into account that we have had a lot of injuries during the month, but things look like they’re going to improve on that front, so things are looking good.

retired_manpk1

April 2010
Prior to the second leg I allowed another young striker to go out on loan. This time it was Silva Moraes, joining Inter de Limeira for the next three months. We dominated the second leg at Anapolina, but we lacked much of a cutting edge up front. The home side had Pereira da Silva sent off seven minutes from time, and a 0-0 result saw us through to a final with Vila Nova.
We were at Vila Nova for the first leg, and after a decent opening, Cristiano gave us the lead midway through the half. But four minutes later Vila Nova had their only chance of the half, and Saulo Luiz chipped in beautifully to equalise. Ten minutes into the second half Flávio Guilherme restored our lead, and we had a decent advantage to take back with us into the second leg.
But before then we had a game at Vasco as our league campaign began. We started brilliantly with Cristiano putting us ahead after a mere 3 minutes. Fifteen minutes later though Fernandinho equalised after capitalising on a loose ball, but just before the break Leandro Diniz fired in his 50th goal for the club to restore our lead. On the hour mark Flávio Guilherme made it 3-1, and our league campaign had got off to a good start.
We were again on top at home to Vila Nova in the second leg of the State Final, but by the end we only had a Cristiano strike just before half time to show for our efforts. Still, it was enough for a 1-0 win on the day and a 3-1 aggregate victory as we claimed our third consecutive title.
The Third Round of the Copa Libertadores pitted us against Argentines San Lorenzo, and we hosted the first leg. It was a quiet affair from start to finish. We did have one or two chances, but we were happy to take a 0-0 draw into the second leg.
The second leg in Argentina started with San Lorenzo putting us under a lot of pressure for the first half. We defended gallantly though, and by half time it was still 0-0. Ten minutes into the second half Vargas put the Argentines ahead, but we responded well, and ten minutes later Cristiano slipped in an equaliser. Away goals weren’t going to count, so it was with great relief when, ten minutes from time, Flávio Guilherme scored an open goal, and we had somehow got through to the quarterfinal. :p

It’s been an excellent month for us - claiming the Goiás State Championship again, starting well in the league and qualifying for the Copa Libertadores Quarter Final. It’s not going to be easy though as we have to face River in the last 8. The first game will be in Buenos Aires, with the return game a week later at OlÃ*mpico.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Pos Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag G.D. Pts1st Santos 3 2 1 0 3 0 +3 72nd Bahia 2 2 0 0 6 1 +5 63rd Cruzeiro 2 2 0 0 5 1 +4 64th Paraná 3 2 0 1 6 4 +2 65th América (MG) 2 2 0 0 5 3 +2 66th Náutico 3 2 0 1 3 3 0 67th Juventude 3 1 1 1 5 2 +3 48th Corinthians 2 1 1 0 3 1 +2 49th Palmeiras 3 1 1 1 4 5 -1 410th Botafogo 2 1 0 1 5 2 +3 311th Goiânia 1 1 0 0 3 1 +2 312th Atlético Mineiro 1 1 0 0 1 0 +1 313th Guarani 2 1 0 1 2 2 0 314th São Caetano 3 1 0 2 3 5 -2 315th Flamengo 3 0 3 0 2 2 0 316th Paysandu 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 117th Criciúma 2 0 1 1 1 2 -1 118th Vasco 3 0 1 2 3 7 -4 119th Fluminense 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 020th Sport Recife 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 021st Goiás 2 0 0 2 3 5 -2 022nd Grêmio 2 0 0 2 2 5 -3 0----------------------------------------------------23rd Santa Cruz 2 0 0 2 2 7 -5 024th Internacional 3 0 0 3 3 12 -9 0</pre>

retired_jdupont

Good run in Copa Libertadores. In the first round you have done very well, considering how bad were the first 3 results. And you got a good victory against San Lorenzo. Now you will play against Cavenaghi (River). KUTGW.

retired_manpk1

Thanks :p


May 2010
I’ve been at the club for more than 6 years now, but I’ve just signed my first foreign player in the form of young Hong Kong midfielder Cheung Siu Kei. Still only 22, and with 2 caps under his belt, the youngster looks to have a good career ahead of him. The month began with a home tie against Fluminense. We played well, and 18 minutes in Flávio Guilherme had us ahead. We were doing all the hard work, and just before half time Cristiano struck to double the lead. The second half wasn’t quite as impressive, but four minutes from time Flávio Guilherme scored to give us a deserved 3-0 win.
We began our trip to River in startling form, giving the Argentines a hard time. We found it difficult to get through though, but that didn’t stop us trying. Just after the hour Alex Rodrigues squeezed us ahead, but eight minutes later Casas equalised. Five minutes from time Casas scored a second, and we have it all to do in the second leg.
It was a frustrating afternoon for us away at Atlético Mineiro, and we had to bide our time. Six minutes from the end Jefferson turned an effort into his own net, and three minutes later Alex Rodrigues made sure of the 2-0 win.
Prior to the return leg against River I allowed fourth-choice goalkeeper Tute to join CSA on loan for the next three months. The game started badly for us as Rosales headed in after just nine minutes, and although we tried our best to get back into the game, Maxi López doubled the lead on the night for the Argentineans just before the half hour. We prodded in the second half, but we couldn’t get that consolation goal as we crashed out of the Copa Libertadores 4-1 on aggregate.
A home tie with Grêmio was next up for us, and after a disappointing first half, Cristiano struck twice in seven minutes at the start of the second period, and Leandro Diniz added a third just before the hour. Grêmio pulled a goal back through a Cláudio Pitbull penalty, but the match was already wrapped up.
Bahia came to town midweek. They have the best defensive record this season, and were determined to keep it that way. We made all the running, but in the end we had to settle for a 0-0 draw.
The home tie with Sport Recife started badly as we conceded a penalty in just the fourth minute. Gaúcho hit the effort straight at Flávio Mendes, but the goalkeeper spilled it and Gaúcho fired in the rebound. We were not at our best, but five minutes before the break we got a lucky breakthrough as Mancuso saw a header creep in at the far post. Just before the break though we had Roger Guerreiro sent off, although Sport Recife didn’t take advantage, and twenty minutes from time they were also down to ten men when Wélber was sent off for his second booking of the game. Eight minutes from time Cristiano smashed us into the lead, and two minutes later Alex Rodrigues confirmed our victory.
Bosco had never really been a first-team regular for us, and so, with his contract nearing it’s end, he was allowed to move on to Paysandu. We recouped £350,000 in the process. The last game of the month took us to São Caetano, and after 14 minutes we found ourselves a goal down to a Patrick header. It took us a while to get back into the game, and just before the break Alex Rodrigues scored a precious equaliser. Twenty minutes into the second half Leandro Diniz put us ahead, and we were never in trouble after that, especially when the home side had Pereira sent off ten minutes from the end.

The only disappointing point to this month was our Copa Libertadores exit to River, but that’s no disgrace – they’re a far superior side than us. They also have a lot more experience at this level, and given that we were nearly out after three group games, it was a remarkable achievement to reach the last eight. On the league front we’ve been fantastic, having dropped only two points so far at the beginning of the season. The other point of note is that young striker Souza Vieira has been loaned out to Inter de Limeira for the next three months.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Pos Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag G.D. Pts1st Bahia 9 7 1 1 13 3 +10 222nd Cruzeiro 9 6 3 0 17 5 +12 213rd Goiânia 7 6 1 0 16 4 +12 194th América (MG) 9 5 2 2 16 12 +4 175th Atlético Mineiro 7 5 1 1 10 5 +5 166th Criciúma 9 4 4 1 15 6 +9 167th Botafogo 9 4 3 2 12 8 +4 158th Sport Recife 9 4 2 3 17 14 +3 149th Fluminense 7 3 2 2 12 11 +1 1110th Juventude 9 3 2 4 12 11 +1 1111th Náutico 9 3 2 4 9 13 -4 1112th Guarani 6 3 1 2 6 4 +2 1013th Santos 8 3 1 4 9 10 -1 1014th Paraná 8 3 1 4 8 9 -1 1015th Palmeiras 9 2 3 4 10 13 -3 916th Goiás 8 2 2 4 9 11 -2 817th Flamengo 8 1 5 2 6 9 -3 818th Santa Cruz 7 2 1 4 8 13 -5 719th Grêmio 8 2 1 5 5 12 -7 720th Corinthians 6 1 3 2 5 6 -1 621st Paysandu 4 1 2 1 4 3 +1 522nd São Caetano 9 1 1 7 7 14 -7 4----------------------------------------------------23rd Vasco 9 0 4 5 5 15 -10 424th Internacional 9 0 2 7 9 29 -20 2</pre>

retired_manpk1

June 2010
We started the match at Goiás quite brightly, but with ten minutes played we were caught on the break and Muñoz put us behind. We weren’t really in the races, but after the break we regrouped and seven minutes in Guilherme struck his first goal since returning from injury to equalise. Thirteen minutes later we were caught on the break again and Neto had us behind again. We didn’t get back into our stride after that, and in the final minute Dudu struck to condemn us to our first defeat of the season.
Goalkeeper Weber has found it difficult to break into the first team squad, and so was delighted to join Ponte Preta for £70,000. Young midfielder Luiz Medeiros also left the club, but only for three months; joining Treze on loan. A quiet opening to the home tie with Flamengo was broken on 24 when Jean had us behind, but six minutes later Leandro Diniz equalised with another well-taken goal. We were caught at the back again on the hour as Jean struck again, but with sixteen minutes to play substitute Cheung Siu Kei headed us level. Three minutes later Guilherme turned the game around, and we somehow got all three points.
We should have had a break because of the World Cup, but we had catch-up games to play. Before that though there was a bit of off-field action. Tiago was allowed to join São Caetano for £500,000 and youngsters Arlindo and Schneider joined River (PI) and Brazlândia respectively on loan for the next three months. We started well away at Guarani when Cristiano had us ahead, but just before the break we were caught napping and Léo equalised. We regrouped well though and six minutes after the restart Cristiano had us ahead again. Ten minutes later Roger scored a beauty to give us a decent cushion, and eight minutes from time Guilherme added a fourth. With Guarani wilting, Guilherme added a fifth in injury time.
We were never at the races at home to Corinthians, and there were warning signs aplenty during the first half. Eight minutes into the second half Paulo Almeida squeezed an effort in, and that was it for us.

Things have not gone brilliantly for us this month, but we’re still in the shake-up at the top, and with still plenty of games to go, I’m not going to complain. On another note, the groups for the Copa Sudamericana preliminary round have been drawn. We’ve been placed in group A where we will first travel to high-flying América (MG), and then host Santa Cruz. Both games will be played in August.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Pos Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag G.D. Pts1st Bahia 11 8 2 1 15 4 +11 262nd Goiânia 11 8 1 2 25 11 +14 253rd América (MG) 11 7 2 2 19 12 +7 234th Cruzeiro 11 6 4 1 19 8 +11 225th Atlético Mineiro 11 6 2 3 14 10 +4 206th Criciúma 11 5 4 2 18 9 +9 197th Fluminense 11 5 2 4 18 17 +1 178th Guarani 11 5 2 4 15 15 0 179th Grêmio 11 5 1 5 10 12 -2 1610th Corinthians 11 4 4 3 12 10 +2 1611th Botafogo 11 4 4 3 12 10 +2 1612th Paysandu 11 4 3 4 9 9 0 1513th Juventude 11 4 2 5 16 14 +2 1414th Sport Recife 11 4 2 5 20 21 -1 1415th Paraná 11 4 2 5 13 14 -1 1416th Goiás 11 4 2 5 14 16 -2 1417th Palmeiras 11 3 3 5 13 17 -4 1218th Náutico 11 3 2 6 9 15 -6 1119th Santa Cruz 11 3 2 6 10 18 -8 1120th Flamengo 11 2 5 4 12 15 -3 1121st São Caetano 11 3 1 7 12 14 -2 1022nd Santos 11 3 1 7 10 15 -5 10----------------------------------------------------23rd Internacional 11 2 2 7 13 31 -18 824th Vasco 11 0 5 6 8 19 -11 5State Winner State WinnerAcre Rio Branco (AC) Alagoas CRBAmapá Mazagão Amazonas Nacional (AM)Bahia Bahia Ceará FortalezaBrasiliense Gama EspÃ*rito Santo DesportivaGaúcho Internacional Maranhão Sampaio CorrêaMato Grosso Juventude (MT) MG do Sul Operário (MS)Minas Cruzeiro Pará PaysanduParaÃ*ba Treze Paraná ParanáPernambuco Central (PE) PiauÃ* River (PI)Potiguar ABC Rio FluminenseRondônia Gênus Roraima BaréSanta Catarina CricÃ*uma São Paulo São CaetanoSergipe Confiança (SE) Tocantins Tocantinópolis</pre>

retired_manpk1

July 2010
We didn’t have a game during the first half of the month, and young midfielder Rocha was loaned out for three months to third division Sergipe. We began the month with a home tie against Santa Cruz, but two goals in as many minutes from Roberto Santos had us 2-0 down after just eight minutes. We were just being ripped apart by our Copa Sudamericana opponents; Batata scoring a third on 26. Five minutes before the break Zé Antônio added a fourth, and Ricardinho made it 5-0. Guilherme pulled a goal back just before half time, but Zé Antônio added a sixth four minutes after the restart. Santa Cruz decided that that was enough, and we were humiliated.
Midfielder Alessandro Domingos was loaned out to Atlético Goianiense for three months before we travelled to Paraná. We started well when Cristiano put us ahead inside five minutes, and just after half an hour play we were up against ten men when Tácio was sent off. But Paraná were breaking well, and Geraldo scored twice in a minute to put them 2-1 up at half time. Guilherme equalised ten minutes into the second period, but we failed to move on after that, and fifteen minutes from time Simão restored the lead for Paraná. We finally started to play, and in injury time Alex Rodrigues came off the bench to earn us a point.
The last game of the month was at home to Botafogo, and another poor start fall us behind to a VÃ*tor strike after 9 minutes. We didn’t regroup until Gian had doubled the lead just after the break, and although Alex Rodrigues pulled a goal back twenty minutes from time, we had to settle for defeat.

Things have somewhat gone awry over the last two months, and with still a minimum of 34 games to play inside the next four and a half months, we’re going to be stretched. I’m worried that the squad won’t be able to hold out and maintain our form, but we’re going to give it our best shot.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Pos Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag G.D. Pts1st Bahia 16 9 5 2 20 10 +10 322nd Criciúma 15 8 4 3 25 12 +13 283rd América (MG) 14 8 3 3 23 16 +7 274th Goiânia 14 8 2 4 30 22 +8 265th Atlético Mineiro 15 8 2 5 17 14 +3 266th Palmeiras 16 7 4 5 20 17 +3 257th Grêmio 15 7 3 5 14 13 +1 248th Cruzeiro 15 6 6 3 23 14 +9 249th Corinthians 15 6 4 5 19 17 +2 2210th Guarani 15 6 4 5 20 19 +1 2211th Juventude 15 6 3 6 22 17 +5 2112th Fluminense 13 6 2 5 22 21 +1 2013th Santa Cruz 15 6 2 7 21 22 -1 2014th Botafogo 14 5 5 4 15 14 +1 2015th Sport Recife 15 5 3 7 23 25 -2 1816th Paraná 15 5 3 7 20 22 -2 1817th Goiás 14 5 3 6 17 20 -3 1818th Flamengo 15 4 5 6 19 20 -1 1719th Santos 13 5 1 7 17 15 +2 1620th Paysandu 15 4 3 8 9 20 -11 1521st Internacional 15 4 3 8 18 34 -16 1522nd Náutico 15 4 2 9 14 22 -8 14----------------------------------------------------23rd São Caetano 15 4 1 10 16 25 -9 1324th Vasco 15 2 5 8 11 24 -13 11</pre>

retired_manpk1

August 2010
We started the month with a trip to Cruzeiro, and we found the going tough. On the half hour Alex had the home side ahead, but just before the break Guilherme found an equaliser. Poor defending allowed Márcio Nobre to restore the lead for the home side on 57, but we hit back quickly, and within four minutes Guilherme had his second equaliser. Ten minutes later Guilherme struck again, and we had an unlikely win.
Internacional came to town, and played us off the park. Just before half time Nilmar put them ahead, and we didn’t look like getting back into the game. That was until the third minute of injury time when Flávio Guilherme scored an equaliser with the last kick of the game.
The Copa Sudamericana took us to América (MG), and we were under a lot of pressure early on. We held on, and midway through the second period Cristiano broke to put us ahead. We had to defend deep for the last twenty minutes, but we couldn’t quite hold on, and a minute from time Galvão scored an equaliser.
We were at América (MG) again at the weekend, this time in the league. Eight minutes in we were ahead when goalkeeper Chico scored an own goal, but midway through the first half Galvão was allowed to find an equaliser. Both sides competed well afterwards, but twenty minutes from time Galvão put the home side ahead. Seven minutes later though Guilherme equalised, and it ended 2-2.
We went into the home Copa Sudamericana tie with Santa Cruz knowing that anything other than a win wouldn’t be enough for us. 16 minutes in Alex Rodrigues gave us the lead, and just before half time Juliano gave us a crucial two-goal cushion. Santa Cruz proved little threat in the second half, especially when they had Leonardo sent off nine minutes from time. The victory was enough to see us top the group, and through to the first round proper.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Copa Sudamericana Preliminary Round Group APos Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag G.D. Pts1st Q Goiânia 2 1 1 0 3 1 +2 4-------------------------------------------------2nd Santa Cruz 2 1 0 1 4 2 +2 33rd América (MG) 2 0 1 1 1 5 -4 1</pre>
Back in league action we hosted Palmeiras, and with 18 minutes gone Juliano had us ahead. Six minutes before the break Leonardo was sent off for the visitors, and we should have added to our advantage. We didn’t though, and it didn’t matter; especially when Palmeiras were reduced to nine men for the last nine minutes when Frede was given his marching orders.
Midweek we travelled to Paysandu, and after a quiet opening few minutes, Cristiano had us ahead. Just after the half hour Roger marked his return from injury with a second, and a minute later a horrible goalkeeping mistake allowed Alex Rodrigues to make it 3-0. Just before half time Alex Rodrigues added a fourth, and we decided that 4-0 was enough.
The last game of the month was a home tie with Náutico, and with nineteen minutes gone we were behind to an Eri strike. We seemed to run out of steam after that, and had to settle for a 1-0 loss.

It’s been hard-going this month, but we’ve done well, and pulled off results when we needed them. I’m looking forward to the first round proper of the Copa Sudamericana, and with us still up there in the league, it could be a very interesting few weeks ahead.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Pos Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag G.D. Pts1st Bahia 23 12 7 4 29 16 +13 432nd América (MG) 21 12 5 4 34 24 +10 413rd Goiânia 20 11 4 5 41 28 +13 374th Cruzeiro 22 10 7 5 34 21 +13 375th Juventude 22 10 5 7 33 23 +10 356th Guarani 22 10 5 7 30 27 +3 357th Corinthians 23 10 5 8 27 24 +3 358th Grêmio 22 9 7 6 20 17 +3 349th Fluminense 19 10 2 7 31 26 +5 3210th Criciúma 21 9 5 7 30 22 +8 3211th Paraná 22 9 4 9 30 31 -1 3112th Botafogo 21 8 7 6 27 21 +6 3113th Santa Cruz 22 9 2 11 30 34 -4 2914th Internacional 22 8 5 9 28 37 -9 2915th Santos 20 8 4 8 30 20 +10 2816th Palmeiras 20 8 4 8 23 22 +1 2817th Atlético Mineiro 21 8 4 9 22 27 -5 2818th Náutico 23 7 5 11 23 31 -8 2619th Flamengo 22 6 5 11 24 35 -11 2320th Sport Recife 23 6 4 13 31 42 -11 2221st Paysandu 21 6 4 11 21 34 -13 2222nd Goiás 21 5 5 11 22 33 -11 20----------------------------------------------------23rd Vasco 21 4 7 10 17 33 -16 1924th São Caetano 20 5 2 13 24 33 -9 17</pre>