Thanks for the recommendation, I might just watch that one.

Just reading Pita's season preview - it's fantastic, a great indepth insight. THanks!

On the non-Brazilian note, Jay Tabb had a super season. He often tires midway through the second half, but that's probably because he's done more running than the rest of the team put together. He must be the most fouled player in our division, but he saves opposing defenders bookings because he gets up straight away and makes no fuss. What a star :)

Well, the Carioca teams both blew it on penalties and it'll be a Corinthians v Sport final. I'd like to see Sport win as, even though they're the Serie A team, they'll probably be considered underdogs.

As predicted, Edmundo was at the centre of the drama. He got a last minute equaliser to take it to penalties but for the second time this season his penalty miss cost them the tie. (I believe he also missed the vital penalty against Corinthians in the 2000 Mundial). Someone at Vasco needs to pluck up the courage to tell him he can't take them any more.

As for Botafogo, under Cuca they again choked at the (almost) final hurdle with a great chance of winning a trophy. Last year it was also the Copa Brasil semi final against Figuierense, then the Sul Americana disaster against River Plate and this year the Carioca championship against Flamengo. This could spell the end for Cuca. He's being linked with Santos who have dispensed with Emerson Leão after an unlucky defeat in the CL and an admittedly lousy performance last weekend at Cruzeiro.

Cuca's already gone

Yeah, about an hour after I posted.

I wish I'd had as much influence when trying to get rid of various Brentford managers over the last couple of years.

Can things get any worse for Botafogo? After being beaten by Flamengo in the Carioca, by Corinthians on penalties in the Copa Brasil and having their manager walk out, they've now had defender Andre Luis arrested during their game at Náutico after he'd been sent off (for a non-existent foul). You can watch the whole farcical affair including a bottle chucked at the crowd, obscene gestures, pepper sprayed players, a locked dressing room and Andre Luis being forced to run the gauntlet of angry Náutico fans here.

Frankly, this was just about the most interesting event this weekend as the Brasileirão continues its slow start. Cruzeiro still lead after a draw at Coritiba and are level on points with Flamengo who beat Fluminense reserves 1-0. If Flu are going to qualify for the CL next season, they could well have to win it this season.

Well, at the risk of being excoriated by the football purists for daring to follow a club that doesn't play within 100 yards of my birthing bed, I'm going to dive in here. I've been marginally interested/aware of Brazilian football for a couple of years, but never got further than watching some sides in Copa Lib games, and keeping an eye on that fellow Tevez while he was still at Corinthians.

I've done a bit of poking around, and my scientific survey tells me that Vasco might be the team for me. (I like the kit, I like the history of racial inclusiveness, the badge is cool).

I see that they're currently third in the Brasieirao, though I take it that everyone has been playing their grandmothers so far, so that doesn't count for much. Am I going to be sorely disappointed when real players appear?

More to the point, what chance is there of watching actual games? Sopcast?

Sopcast will definitely work, and sometimes you don't even need to go that far. Check myp2p for streams (some of which are in Media Player and don't require other software) and keep an eye on the SportItalia link noted above.

Good choice FCL.

I still haven't attached myself to a specific team yet. I like to see any of the Rio teams do well but Vasco certainly have a lot going for them. As you said, it's a lovely kit, they've got a great history, fiercely loyal fans and a wonderful old ground, the São Januario. I like the fact that they play nearly all their home games in a ramshackle 25,000 capacity stadium which just reeks of history.

There is a darker side though. Eurico Miranda is still in charge and his antics are well-documented in the Alex Bellos book

As for this season, I don't think you'll be accused of glory hunting by the end of it. They haven't had the finance to invest in the team and I'd predict a bottom half finish. You might want to follow the progress of the goalscoring keeper Diego, forward Leandro Amaral and of course Edmundo who's actually been playing pretty well when he's not allowed to take penalties.

The André Luiz incident is all over the sports dailies here in Portugal due to his failed stint at Benfica. Amazing scenes, probably the most shocking is when the officer points his gun at Diguinho.

I noticed Carlos Alberto running around the pitch for Botafogo during the incident. I guess his career is continuing to nose dive spectacularly. For me he was the star for Porto in the latter stages of their Champion's League winning campaign. There were many rumours at the time about his partying and the plaster on his nose seems to have quadrupled in size.

after an unsuccesful stint at Werder and São Paulo, Carlos Alberto is back home in Rio with Botafogo - not sure how long that's going to last though!! talented player but needs to grow up a bit.

speaking of Botafogo ..... Cuca has just signed up at Santos

Pitaco--love your weekend previews at your blog, but I notice that you didn't mention the Vasco-Cruzeiro tie this weekend. What's your take there? Will Cruzeiro stay top? What to watch for?

Sorry FCL - can't see anything but a home win for Cruzeiro here with their strong attack (watch out for Guilherme and Wagner) coming up against Vasco's decidedly dodgy defence.

A shaven-headed Edmundo (penance for his recent penalty miss) will link up with Leandro Amaral but they might have to score several for Vasco to get anything out of this one.

FCLymond wrote:

QUOTE:
Pitaco--love your weekend previews at your blog, but I notice that you didn't mention the Vasco-Cruzeiro tie this weekend. What's your take there? Will Cruzeiro stay top? What to watch for?

Hi FCL

i'm just doing the games we cover for now.

i agree with SJ - cruzeiro will probably win. despite being top, they aren't that brilliant. and who knows? vasco might sneak a goal.

guilherme and wagner as SJ also said. but ramires and espinoza are worth watching - also Jean for vasco (who may be on the bench)

Even by the notoriously erratic standard of Brazilian refereeing, the decision by Wilson Souza Mendonça was bizarre to say the least. Vasco keeper Tiago patted the ball to one side then picked it up again only for the ref to give an indirect free kick from which Charles scored Cruzeiro's winner. Have a look here.

Elsewhere, Flamengo go top on goal difference from Cruzeiro after a five goal thrashing of Figuierense, a feat matched by São Paulo at home to Atlético MG but the poor quality of the opposition means we'll have to wait till next week when Fla meet SP in the Maracanã to get a better idea of their prospects.

I was trying to get some Brazilian p2p action last night and finally stumbled on the second half of the Sport v Palmeiras game on the Betfair site. It had the added bonus of some excellent commentary by our very own pitacodogringo! Perhaps he could let us know what the hell is wrong with my title tip Palmeiras.