The semifinals of the XIV Brazilian Championship were defined after a new thrilling and contested matchday. Rio Grande do Norte and Espírito Santo will face in the first knock-out to the final after their tight victories over Bahía and current champions Rio de Janeiro, respectively. São Paulo and Maranhão, with more emphatic wins, will fight for the second ticket.
Bahía and Rio Grande do Norte opened this quarterfinals round, and this first knock-out fixture ended up with the potiguar side closing the door for the bahianos for an oportunity to fight for their third consecutive final. The doublets by star Andre and bomber goalkeeper Alessandro, together with Dunga’s hit, made Anderson and Souza’s efforts insufficient for the pass.
Two of the Brazilian and World’s best players, Benjamin and Buru, faced each other in the second match of the quarterfinals, between Rio de Janeiro and Espírito Santo. It was to be a tough test for the carioca , current champions and with three titles on their record, since extremely competitive Espírito Santo, were set to reach the final to add the third cup to their tally after a nine-year drought. So it was, that the capibaixas sent Rio de Janeiro home, thanks to the goals by Bruno Malias (2), Duda and Buru. Benjamin, with two more goals, and Juninho, proved the fluminense industry, but it was not enough yesterday.
The third quarterfinal clash was not that leveled. Maranhão quickly built a good advantage, and that allowed them to control the match, not letting Distrito Federal any close. The hits by DDI (3), Lico, (2), goalie Sales Jr. and Pampero were a too heavy load for the capital city squad.
In turn, São Paulo restated their candidacy to the crown after a new emphatic win against Pernambuco. A new magic and powder display by the host side, with Portuguese star Madjer -2 more goals- ahead, gave no chance to the competitive pernambucano side. The Paulistas, then, keep strong on their way to their sixth championship, although it is not going to be a bed of roses, though. For their next step, Maranhão awaits in the semifinals.
Results and group tables
Matchday 1 – November 13th
Maranhão 8-2 Paraná
Rio Grande do Sul 3-2 Ceará
São Paulo 8-1 Distrito Federal
Bahía 5-2 Paraíba
Pernambuco 3-2 Sergipe
Espírito Santo 6-3 Goiás
Matchday 2 – November 14th
Rio Grande do Norte 8-2 Alagoas
Sergipe 2-3 Maranhão
Rio de Janeiro 6-4 Tocantins
Distrito Federal 5-4 Rio Grande do Sul
Paraná 4-8 Pernambuco
Ceará 3-4 São Paulo
Matchday 3 – November 15th
Goiás 4-6 Bahía
Tocantins 6-4 Rio Grande do Norte
Paraíba 3-8 Espírito Santo
Paraná 3-6 Sergipe
Alagoas 0-5 Rio de Janeiro
Pernambuco 2-3 Maranhão
Matchday 4 – November 16th
Ceará 7-6 Distrito Federal
Paraíba 2-3 Goiás
Sao Paulo 5-2 Rio Grande do Sul
Alagoas 4-3 Tocantins
Espírito Santo 3-4 Bahía
Rio de Janeiro 4-4 (4-5) Rio Grande do Norte
Matchday 5 – November 17th
Second round (teams not qualified for the quarterfinals)
Ceará 7-3 Paraíba
Rio Grande do Sul 3-4 Goiás
Tocantins 5-7 Paraná
Alagoas 5-3 Sergipe
Matchday 6 – November 18th
Quarterfinals
Bahía 3-5 Rio Grande do Norte
Rio de Janeiro 3-4 Espírito Santo
Maranhão 7-1 Distrito Federal
São Paulo 6-0 Pernambuco
Paraíbas 6-5 Tocantins (match for the 15th place)
Rio Grande do Sul 4-5 Sergipe (match for the 11th place)
Matchday 7 – November 19th
Semifinals
Rio Grande do Norte – Espírito Santo
São Paulo – Maranhão
Pernambuco – Distrito Federal (play-off for the 5th place)
Bahía – Río de Janeiro (play-off for the 5th place)
Goiás – Alagoas (match for the 9th place)
Ceará – Paraná (match for the 13th place)
Matchday 8 – November 20th
Final
Matches for the 3rd, 5th and 7th place)
