STORE 
MY BEACH SOCCER 
Sampaio Correa earned the early intiative in the Copa do Brasil after winning the first stage in Maranhao.
Sampaio Correa were crowned winners of the first stage of the Copa do Brasil on Sunday after beating Espirito Santo 5-1 in Sao Luis.
Having eased through the group stage with maximum points, Sampaio were 4-0 winners against Rio Branco in the semi-finals before capping a near-flawless tournament with a convincing win in Sunday’s showpiece.
A brace from Paulinho (2) as well as further goals from Andrezinho, Andre Bigode and Eudim saw Sampaio claim the early initiative in the tournament, which will see further stages later this year, as the early pacesetters lifted the trophy after conceding just 11 goals.
That defensive prowess contributed to Leandro Fanta being named Goalkeeper of the Tournament while Rodrigo of Espirito Santo was named Best Player. Lucas Oliveira of sixth-placed Sport Recife finished top goalscorer with 15 to his name.
Sunday goalscorer Bigode said of his side’s triumph: “Everyone should be congratulated for their commitment and for the delivery!
“We played with the same intensity from the first to the last minute and I’m glad to be part of this team. We played a great championship, winning with the highest quality and always with the same unity, with the same focus and one goal, which was the title. It is an achievement to celebrate.”
Espirito Santo goalkeeper Mao added: “We fought the whole game, but Sampaio took advantage of the opportunities they had and have to be congratulated for the title.
“But this defeat does not take away the brightness of the good championship we have had here in Sao Luis. Espirito Santo made a great competition – we showed our strength and we will work even harder to get stronger in the coming tournaments.”
Final standings
1 – Sampaio Correa
2 – Espirito Santo
3 – Vasco da Gama
4 – Rio Branco
5 – Palmas
6 – Sport Recife
7 – Flamengo
8 – Santos
Individual awards
Top goalscorer – Lucas Oliveira (Sport Recife)
Best goalkeeper – Leandro Fanta (Sampaio Correa)
Best player – Rodrigo (Espirito Santo)
