Club where Rivaldo Started his Career Goes from 1ts to 4th Division in Three Years

By: Bruno Romani | September 11th, 2008

Santa Cruz, the club where Rivaldo started his career, has suffered the biggest fall a Brazilian club has ever seen. The traditional club from Pernambuco was relegated to the fourth division in 2009. This is the third relegation in a row after the club reached the first division in 2006. In 07, the club was sent from B to C. With the creation of fourth division, Santa did not achieve good results in third division and end up being sent to the série D. The relegation was confirmed after Caxias thrashed Brasil de Pelota 5-1. The club was the victim of amateurish administrations, as it has been current in Brazil. Santa Cruz is not as big as the clubs from South/Southeast, but it is a traditional side of the state of Pernambuco and has extensive participations in the main divisions of Brazilian football. For the fans, it must hurt even more to see rivals Naútico and Sport in série A (with the last one winning Copa do Brasil earlier this year). Now, it’s time for Santa to regroup and clean its board of officials. Hope to hear better news from the club in the near future.

The time line for Santa Cruz

2006 – Série A

Campaign:
7 wins, 7 draws, 24 losses. 24 goals scored. 76 allowed.

Worst score:
4-0 against Vasco playing at home.

Main players:
Jorge Henrique, Carlinhos Bala, Márcio Mixirica.

Besides the league:
Eliminated in the second round of Copa do Brasil by Vitória. Second in the state championship after losing in the penalties for Sport.

2007 – Série B

Campaign:
10 wins, 12 draws, 16 losses. 47 goals scored. 65 allowed.

Worst Score:
6 – 0 against Ponte Preta playing away.

Main players:
Marcelos Ramos, Kuki, Carlinhos Paraíba

Besides the league:
Eliminated in the first round of Copa do Brasil by the unknown Ulbra Ji-Paraná from Rondônia. In the state championship, only the 6th place.

2008 – Série C

Campaign:
Last club in the second stage of the tournament

Worst Score:
3-0 for Potiguar playing away.

Main Players:
Rosembrick, Sandro

Besides the league:
Eliminated in the first round of Copa do Brasil by Fast from Amapá. 7th spot in the state championship, which forced the club into a tournament to escape relegation.