Sport Beats Corinthians and Lifts the Trophy of Copa do Brasil!

By: Bruno Romani | June 11th, 2008

“That was the goal of the title,” said Carlinhos Bala last week after his teammate scored the only goal of Sport in the 3-1 defeat against Corinthians. Despite Sport being the most exciting local team of the season, no one could take Bala’s word seriously.

Corinthians had a huge advantage and a coach who not only knows how to put a good defense together, but also in the past, divine hands gave him a little help in the same city where the second-leg of Copa do Brasil was going to be held. That match was at Naútico’s stadium, but Recife was a sacred land for Mano Menezes.

With the ball in action very few chances appeared for both sides. Good for Corinthians. Mano was doing the expected. Too bad for him that glory was reserved for another coach: Nelsinho Baptista.

Nelsinho was the man who gave the first title of Corinthians in the Campeonato Brasileiro back in 1990. Nelsinho was the man ahead of Corinthians in the club’s first relegation in Campeonato Brasileiro which happened last year. In the last match of Corinthians against a club from first division this year, destiny was ironic enough to let the history of Nelsinho Baptista with Corinthians come to a conclusion. By losing, Sport would’ve made the life of Corinthians in 08 beautiful, and the participation in second-division meaningless and not painful. After all, Corinthians’ rivals (Palmeiras, Santos and São Paulo) are not qualified to next year’s Libertadores yet. By winning, Nelsinho Baptista would’ve brought heavy sadness to Corinthians fans twice in 6 months.

Things started to become clear when Carlinhos Bala scored for the locals in the only chance they had. And two minutes later, more irony from the gods of football. Goalkeeper Felipe, the only man who managed to become an idol even during a campaign that ended in relegation, was the chosen victim. Felipe denied the penalty which put Corinthians in the final. Felipe was the man to make the biggest mistake of the match. Luciano Henrique shot from far and the ball passed under Felipe’s legs. 2-0.

Suddenly, all the tough memories from last year’s relegation were back to Corinthians fans. The players found themselves in despair. The second-half was even more difficult, but Corinthians was paralyzed by the “frevo” from Sport. The goal from Enilton last week was the goal of the title. Sport is the champion of Copa do Brasil.

The Brazilian Northeast, land of unique happiness and dense poverty, wins a national title 20 years after Bahia beat internacional to win the Campeonato Brasileiro. Sport was brilliant in defeating the two biggest favorites, Palmeiras and Inter, and killing to other very traditional clubs in the semis and finals. Nelsinho Baptista will never forget.

For Corinthians the remainder of the season has only matches in second division. For Sport, the title grants them a spot in next year’s Libertadores (let’s not forget that Fluminense, 08 Libertadores runner-up, won this same tournament last year). Play frevo. Congratulations Sport and Nelsinho.

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