Semi-Finals in São Paulo Are Ready. Corinthians is Out!

By: Bruno Romani | April 6th, 2008

For another year, the Paulista Championship will have a small club in the finals, proving once again how difficult this tournament is. The semi-finals will be Guaratinguetá x Ponte Preta and Palmeiras x São Paulo. The last round of the group stage was thrilling as Corinthians and Barueri fought for a spot in the semis.

In order to make to the semi-finals, both clubs counted on Santos to beat Ponte Preta. With that, Corinthians needed a simple victory against Noroeste. Barueri ont only needed the victory against Palmeiras, but also needed Noroeste to beat Corinthians. São Paulo took on Juventus for a draw. Palmeiras and Guará sough the first place. The leaders took on Ituano.

The matches started. With 10 minutes, Santos scored through Kléber Pereira. Corinthians was in and Ponte out. 20 minutes later, almost at the same time, Noroeste scored. Corinthians was out. Ponte tied through Luis Ricardo. Really, Corinthians was out. In the meantime, Adriano scored for São Paulo, once again with a header, his fourth goal in 3 matches.

At the end of the first-halves, Andre Santos took a foul and tied for Corinthians. That didn’t solve things for the timão. There was also time for goal-keeper Rogério Ceni take a penalty, scored his first goal of the season, and increased São Paulo’s advantage.

The second-half started and Palmeiras scored through Léo Lima, but at at that point Guará was beating Ituano 1 – 0. Barueri had a penalty. Marcos, the experient keeper denied it. Moments later, Alex Mineiro scored the second goal for the green team. In São Paulo, Borges scored for the locals, ensuring São Paulo in the semi-finals. The goal Juventus scored 4 minutes later did not make a difference. 3-1 for São Paulo was the final score.

The matches of Corinthians and Santos were the only ones that mattered. Ponte Preta had free-kick. Renato took it and Ponte came back. Corinthians was out. Ituano scored against Guará, making at that point the semi-finals: Guará x São Paulo and Palmeiras x Ponte.

In Bauru, Finazzi brought some hope to Corinthians’ fans. Happiness lasted 2 minutes. Edylton tied with a beautiful volley. Drama for Corinthians. Guaratinguetá scored the second. The 2 -1 was the final score, and Guará granted the first place.

Diego Souza gave final numbers to the match in Barueri. Palmeiras 3 – 0. The second spot was granted.

With 5 minutes left, Corinthians’ destiny was determined. Leandrinho scored for Noroeste. The 3 -2 eliminated Corinthians. The goal Renatinho scored for Santos, making 2-2, went unnoticed.

Corinthians finishes in 7th its first competition after last year’s relegation. Copa do Brasil is the only tournament left over for Corinthians to be among the big clubs. Série B waits for the club.

Next weekend Guara and Ponte and Palmeiras and São Paulo will fight for a spot in the finals.

The four clubs relegated in the championship were: Rio Claro, Rio Preto, Sertãozinho and Juventus.

Other State Championships

So far, everything very predictable. But for one match. And this deserves a few words. In Rio Grande do Sul, Grêmio had an impressive campaign. This afternoon, the club took won Juventude, a rival who historically loses when facing Grêmio, for a spot in the semi-finals. Juventude surprised with a 3 -2 victory, eliminating Grêmio at home. Shame.