Sao Paulo wins a record fifth championship
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Sao Paulo's Leandro celebrates from atop the goalpost after beating America-Natal in a soccer match to win enough points to take the Brazilian championship for the fifth time on Wednesday. Reuters |
RIO DE JANEIRO: Sao Paulo won the Brazilian championship for the second year running on Wednesday on a night marred by a dressing-room brawl in another match.
Sao Paulo clinched a record fifth title with four matches to spare by beating bottom-of-the-table America-Natal 3-0 at the Morumbi stadium.
Amid chaotic scenes on the pitch, the Tricolor was presented with four trophies - the official one, another commemorating its fifth title, one from the local football federation and a fourth from local businessmen.
While Sao Paulo celebrated, however, there were ugly scenes following Atletico Paranaense's 2-0 win over Gremio as bad blood from a previous meeting spilled over again.
A tense second half, in which Gremio midfielder Tcheco was sent off for persistent dissent, was punctuated by continual provocations between the players and ended in a shoving match.
Witnesses said the real trouble happened afterwards when a Gremio player aimed a karate kick at Atletico midfielder Claiton as he was giving an interview outside the dressing room.
That led to a fight between players which ended with Atletico officials threatening to go to the police.
"It was a lamentable episode," Atletico general manager Joao Augusto Fleury said.
Sao Paulo needed only a point against opponent who has employed four coaches this season and won only four of 33 games before Wednesday.
Midfielder Hernanes gave Sao Paulo the lead in the 39th minute with a long-range shot and defender Miranda got in front of his marker to head the second from a corner after halftime.
Dagoberto headed the third in the 77th minute.
"The best, most organized team won the championship. We were far superior," said Sao Paulo coach Muricy Ramalho.
Sao Paulo has 73 points from 34 games, 15 ahead of second-placed Santos who won 2-1 at Nautico. It has won 22 matches and conceded only 13 goals.
It was the club's fourth major title in three years after it also won the South American Libertadores Cup and Club World championship in 2005.
Sao Paulo won the Brazilian title in 1977, 1986, 1991 and 2006.
Flamengo also claims to have won five Brazilian championships, but its 1987 title is not officially recognized by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF).
Agencies
(China Daily 11/02/2007 page23)
