The teams started the match the way their fans are accustomed: with speed. Santos FC, with Neymar, Madson and Pará and accurate passes from Paulo Henrique, while Verdão supported in the inspiration of Diego Souza and invested in Keirrison and Ortigoza.

With fast players, quick goals. Keirrison once did at 8′ to increase their numbers against Santos FC, which scored at 18′ in the beautiful Kléber Pereira’s shot.

After the goal, more run in the field, with Peixe a little more objective, but we weren’t in advantage again ‘cos two wasted chances from Keirrison.

Faster than that it was the 2nd goal from Santos: in the first minute of the 2nd half. Neymar received outside the area and shot in the Counterbalance of Marcos, who was not on the ball.

From there the game has changed. Keep an eye on the advantage, Sardinhas (for us) tried to defend themselves, while we were to attack with everything. Then came Fábio Costa, who made four saves and held the advantage. (congratulations to him)

Santos FC also attempted to counter-attack after 75′ and almost increased with Robson and Roberto Brum. Palmeiras has been closely to equalise the match with Danilo’s headed, but couldn’t move on the scoreboard.
Source: LanceNet

But the 2nd leg will be play in the next Saturday in our home. We just need a simple victory. So I’m still believe in the qualification to the Final.

HIGHLGHTS

SANTOS FC 2 v. 1 SE PALMEIRAS
Santos: F. Costa; Pará, Fabão, Astorga, Triguinho; R. Brum, R. Souto, P. Henrique (Róbson 77’); Madson (Roni 84′), Neymar (Germano, 66’) and K. Pereira.
Coach: V. Mancini
Booked: Pará, Fabão, Astorga, R. Souto, Roni and Róbson

Palmeiras: Marcos, F. Capixaba (Lenny 69’), M. Ramos, Danilo and Armero; Pierre, Edmílson (S. Silva, half-time), C. Xavier and D. Souza; Ortigoza (Marquinhos, half-time) and Keirrison.
Coach: Vanderlei Luxemburgo
Booked: C. Xavier, Pierre, Ortigoza, Marquinhos and S. Silva

Venue: Vila Belmiro
Attendance: 17,772
Referee: Wilson Seneme (FIFA)

Our goal is rival with Corinthians, São Paulo and Santos. If i said that i don’t wanna smash them, in the field, i couldn’t be Palmeiras’ chairman.

Second of all Edmílson and Armero made their debut for the club and play very well. With Edmílson and Armero in the Palmeiras’ defense there’s no mistakes.

And third of all Palmeiras won its 3rd match, after has beated Santo André and Mogi Mirim [with 2 Keirrison's goals, maybe future Atlético Madrid's striker (tsc.)], yesterday it was the time of Marília AC has beated by 3-0 [Evandro, Cleiton Xavier and Lenny (hallelujah)]

The final match was incredibly easy even Sérgio Guedes had lain about their line-up to say that Elias, César “pé frio” and Leandro were not in conditions to play.

“Dumb” Sérgio Guedes put someone to follow Valdívia and forgot flanks where Leandro and Élder Granja played freely.

Valdívia after the match:

Today is the day of celebration. I’m very happy with this result and today is the happiest day of my life after my daughter’s birth. Now i don’t wanna think to leave Palmeiras. I just wanna celebrate and thank Luxemburgo for this opportunity.

At 21′ in a dead-ball situation Leandro crossed the ball into the mixer and Ricardo Conceição scored an own goal.

At 33′ Élder Granja went up freely and crossed to Alex Mineiro who scored with a fine header.

At 73′ the greatest goal of the tournament. El Mago carried the ball off feinted a pontepretano and shot it in the right side of the goal.

At 75′ Valdívia among 3 opponents found Martinez that passed to Alex Mineiro just to push it in the back of the net.

At 77′ Alex Mineiro topscorer of the tournament with 15 goals made another goal.

The best attack 45 goals scored and best defence average 0.78 goals allowed/match

According to FPF we have the best player of the tournament (Valdívia), best defender (Henrique), best midfielders (Pierre and Léo Lima) and topscorer (Alex Mineiro who won $300,000 reais as prize.)

Palmeiras’ 22nd title of São Paulo State Championship

HIGHLIGHTS

SE PALMEIRAS 5 x 0 AA PONTE PRETA

Palmeiras
Marcos (D Cavalieri);
E Granja, Henrique, Gustavo and Leandro;
Pierre, Martinez, D Souza and Valdívia;
A Mineiro (Lenny) and Kléber (Denílson).
Coach: V Luxemburgo

P Preta
Aranha;
E Arroz, César, J Paulo and Vicente;
Deda, R Conceição, Elias (Giuliano) and Renato;
L Ricardo and Leandro (Wanderley).
Coach: S Guedes

Venue: Palestra Itália stadium
Referee: Cléber Abade
Attendance: 30,000
Red cards: PAL – D Souza; PP – Deda.

At 22′ Léo Lima had shot the ball plainly and nobody bothered him but Ceni made a howler, a basic mistake.

At half time the confusion showed up. The São Paulo FC’s players hadn’t stayed at locker room because of someone threw pepper gas at it.

At 2nd half Palmeiras was dangerous on the counter-attack and São Paulo FC preferred the long-ball game and their power in the air.

After André Dias had received the red card Wendel on the counter-attack passed to Valdívia that put it the back of the net.

Right after the goal Palestra Itália had a blackout around 15 minutes later restarted the match but the game ended 2-0.

Now in the final of Paulistão we’re gonna face Ponte Preta that we already won at Palestra Itália by 2-1.

HIGHLIGHTS

SE PALMEIRAS 2 x 0 SÃO PAULO FC
Palmeiras
Marcos;
E Granja, Gustavo, Henrique and Leandro;
Martinez, L Lima, Valdívia and D Souza (Wendel);
A Mineiro (Lenny) and Kléber (Denílson)
Coach: V Luxemburgo

São Paulo FC
Ceni;
A Silva, Miranda and A Dias;
Joílson (S Mota), J Wagner, F Santos, Hernanes and Júnior (Hugo);
Adriano and Dagoberto (Borges)
Coach: M Ramalho

Venue: Palestra Itália stadium
Referee: Wilson Seneme
Attendance: 27,680

São Paulo FC was able to neutralize Palmeiras. Joílson and Jorge Wagner blocked off both sides and in this way Élder Granja and Leandro couldn’t progress with liberty. Zé Luís was like a tick on Valdívia but El Mago didn’t seek the ball.

Palmeiras just began to play at 65′ when Lenny got in. He was the best palmeirense on the pitch, he messed up the tricolor defense and got a penalty-kick that didn’t happen.

But on next Sunday we just need to win by one goal difference and they won’t have Zé Luís and Richarlyson, though we won’t have Pierre too.

Because of that they need to appeal to Fábio Santos (on loan from Lyon) come back who has been suspended by misbehaviour.

1st HALF

At 7′ Ceni in a dead-ball situation shot the ball that passed close to goal.

At 11′ São Paulo FC scored it. After a free-kick Jorge Wagner crossed into the mixer Adriano with his hand push it.

At 16′ after a cross from right-hand Alex Mineiro headed and hit it the post.

At 36′ Pierre shot it and Ceni saved.

2nd HALF

At 47′ Gustavo his first touch let him down Jorge Wagner got the ball and passed to Adriano who committed foul on Pierre and did the goal.

At 50′ Diego Souza passed over 2 defenders and shot it but Ceni saved.

At 77′ The referee after has gave a goal using a hand he practically was forced to create a “penalty-kick” and got this opportunity when Lenny got into the penalty area and simulated has been tackled. Alex Mineiro scored it.

At 79′ out of the area Valdívia made a good shot that Ceni saved it.

HIGHLIGHTS

SÃO PAULO FC 2 x 1 SE PALMEIRAS

São Paulo FC
Ceni;
A Silva, A Dias and Miranda;
Joílson, Z Luís, Richarlyson, Hernanes and J Wagner;
Adriano and Dagoberto (Hugo).
Coach: M Ramalho

SE Palmeiras
Marcos;
E Granja (Lenny), Gustavo, Henrique, Leandro;
Pierre (Martinez), L Lima, Valdívia and D Souza;
A Mineiro and Kléber (Denílson).
Coach: V Luxemburgo

Venue: Morumbi
Referee: Paulo C de Oliveira (FIFA)
Attendance: 37,203

The match against Barueri was boring for my side, of course, Barueri still had a chance to qualify but it needed for other results like defeats of Ponte Preta and Corinthians. Corinthians lost (is not a surprise) to Noroeste at Bauru but Ponte Preta got a draw at Santos.

We got 10th straight wins currently Verdão has the biggest invincibility in Brazil already are 14 undefeated games.

Even Barueri started better in the match still dreaming to be in the semi-finals. They kept possession ball in a 1st half. Palmeiras had few good moments.

At 8′ after a free-kick Léo Lima crossed the ball Henrique touched it and Diego Souza headed it requiring a great René’s save.

At 14′ Denílson made a good shot right over the crossbar.

At 21′ Márcio Careca (former Palmeiras’ player) shot and Marcos put it to corner-kick.

At 42′ after Denílson has made a nice play he crossed right in Diego Souza’s head but René didn’t allow the goal.

2nd Half Palmeiras woke up with Luxemburgo’s orientation

At 48′ Martinez crossed and Jorge Preá headed in left-hand of goal but René inspired by Gordon Banks didn’t let the ball in. But in corner-kick Diego Souza back-heeled the ball to Léo Lima who shot in right-hand of the goal.

But the match was damaged by the weak referee Guilherme de Lima. He marked 2 penalties one for each side, the 1st one at 49′ Fernando dived into the area and besides penalty-kick he gave a yellow card to Léo Lima but São Marcos saved the penalty-kick. The 2nd one Diego disputed the ball with Alex Mineiro, no foul, but to compensate the “referee” gave us a penalty-kick, himself scored it.

At 90′ in a dead-ball situation Élder Granja crossed and Diego Souza headed indefensibly scoring 3rd goal.

HIGHLIGHTS

GR BARUERI 0 vs. 3 SE PALMEIRAS
Barueri
Renê;
M Pimentel, Duílio, Diego n’ M Careca;
M Carrasco, R Ponte, Flávio (Guaru) n’ J César(R Santos);
T Humberto n’ A Balada (Fernando)
Coach: M Araújo

Palmeiras
Marcos;
E Granja, Gustavo, Henrique n’ Leandro;
Martinez, L Lima (Wendel), D Souza n’ Denílson (Lenny)
A Mineiro n’ J Preá (Makelele)
Coach: V. Luxemburgo

Venue: Barueri Arena
Referee: Guilherme de Lima
Attendance: unrevealed

Palestra Itália will be the venue of couple rock concerts on next week (Rod Stewart and Korn, Black Label Society and as headliner Ozzy Osbourne) but on Saturday was Palmeiras that gave a true concert scored 3 goals and reached the semi-finals.

After 12 matches undefeated, 8 straight wins and 4 draw, situate itself as favorite to championship.

1st HALF

At 23′ criticize by many people (including myself) Alex Mineiro scored after has received pass from Valdívia.

At 32′ Denílson made a nice play through the middle went over 3 Azulão’s guys shot that stung Júlio César’s palms

At 37′ known by his defensive efficiency Pierre score his 1st goal after 65 games. The midfielder received pass from El Mago feinted and shot right in the right-hand of goal.

2nd HALF

At 49′ A. Mineiro alone had another chance to score but other time made a bad shot.

At 69′ Valdívia invaded right-hand of penalty area shot above Júlio César the ball touched the crossbar and fell it in the back of the net.

At 76′ after a cross the ball touch Élder Granja’s arm the referee beyond doubt mark penalty-kick. Douglas (our next rival ‘cos he goes to Corinthians) scored it.

HIGHLIGHTS

SE PALMEIRAS 3 vs 1 AD SÃO CAETANO

Palmeiras
Marcos;
E. Granja, David, Henrique e Leandro;
Pierre, Martinez, Valdívia (Makelele) e D. Souza (Wendel);
A. Mineiro e Denílson (J. Preá)
Coach: V. Luxemburgo

São Caetano
J. César;
Aderaldo, J. Paulo e Tobi;
Rogério (Daniel), Galiardo, Hernani (Luan), Douglas e Andrezinho;
Tico e Marcelinho (Rafinha)
Coach: Pintado

Venue: Palestra Itália stadium
Referee: Robério Pires
Attendance: 23,027

Palmeiras reach the leadership of the competition (momentarily) after to defeat Portuguesa but now we have 34 pts. and 10 victories against Guaratinguetá has 34 pts. and 11 victories.

But it was hard just at injury time 90+3′ Preá scored the goal. Alex Mineiro lost a lot of goals but he wasn’t the only one.

"With full stadium, it was very beautiful. The team fought pretty much and didn't deserve leave with draw."

J. Preá

1st HALF

At 20′ Valdívia crossed from left Alex Mineiro shot stung André Luiz’s palms.

At 21′ Léo Lima passed to A. Mineiro who circled over penalty area and shot very close to goal.

At 30′ best goal attempt in the 1st half. In a Lusa’s corner-kick Halisson showed up in 2nd goalpost and shot but Pierre’s clearance went out of penalty area.

At 32′ after of a fault in our defence Claudecir got the ball on penalty area São Marcos was quick off his line the ball skidded him and went out of play for a goal-kick.

At 43′ El Mago made a nice play on the left-hand reached the goal line passed back to A. Mineiro but he made a bad shot (he still blames the pitch because of that).

2nd HALF

At 52′ Diego Souza passed to A. Mineiro alone on the area he shot and lost one more unbelievable goal.

At 66′ after of a corner-kick Halisson headed Rogério free on the small area received and kicked above the goal.

At 90+3′ after of a corner-kick too David hit the crossbar D. Souza sent it to the mixer Jorge Preá just put it in the back of the net.

HIGHLIGHTS

SE PALMEIRAS 1 vs. 0 A PORTUGUESA D

Palmeiras
Marcos;
E. Granja, David, Gustavo and Leandro;
Pierre, L. Lima (Martinez), D. Souza and Valdívia;
Denílson (Lenny) and A. Mineiro (J. Preá)
Coach: V. Luxemburgo

Portuguesa
A. Luiz;
Patrício, Halisson (J. Santos), Erick and B. Recife;
Dias, M. Aurélio, Claudecir (Miltinho) and C. Alberto;
Ramón (Vaguinho) and Rogério
Coach: V. Benazzi

Venue: Palestra Itália stadium
Referee: José H. de Carvalho
Attendance: 19,061

Yeah! It’s right this sentence above. After 15 games playing unsteadily – win once, draw twice, loss once – Palmeiras with 4 wins straight and doesn’t defeat since Feb. 6th 0-3 Guaratinguetá.

Since 1997 Palmeiras doesn’t win the King Clash in State Championships last time was 1-0 goal scored by Viola.

São Paulo FC started well pressing Palmeiras. At 10′ São Paulo FC had a free-kick that Adriano Imperatore (Imperatrice for us) crossed the ball into the mixer Borges in illegal position disputed with São Marcos who socked it and Richarlyson (Bixarlyson for us) got the rebound shot it but the linesman already has rosen his arm.

At 38′ in a corner-kick Jorge Wágner crossed straight to the Adriano’s head and 0-1 for them.

At 44′ Kléber – who already played by São Paulo FC’s side – with a disillusioning dribble in Juninho shot like former players with category.

Now is our turn at 57′ in corner-kick Élder Granja crossed into the mixer Rogério Ceni pulled out of the goal and caught nothing Diego Souza headed it but it went above the wookwork.

At 70′ Adriano received pass in the right feinted Henrique and shot weakly São Marcos did his job.

At 76′ the game was balanced until Júnior – world champion 2002, several times champion inclusive by Palestra’s side – act like a young player has tackled Valdívia in penalty area. The referee unhesitating pointed in the direction of the penalty mark. Denílson with a lot of determination to revenge of old club scored it.

After 5 minutes another penalty-kick Juninho tackled Kléber and received red card. Now this time El Mago wanted put it in the back of the net and he did it.

At 85′ (i guess) Adriano shot and São Marcos made a great save remembering ‘99, ‘00, ‘01 and ‘02.

At 90 + 2′ Palmeiras scored the 3rd penalty goal Deigo Souza entered in the penalty area free and was tackled by Richarlyson in a dangerous way himself got the ball put it in penalty mark and scored it.

HIGHLIGHTS

SE PALMEIRAS 4 vs. 1 SÃO PAULO FC

Palmeiras
————–Marcos 6,5————-
E Granja 6–Gustavo 6,5–Henrique 6,5–Leandro 6,5
——–Wendel 5,5—–Léo Lima 7———
—Valdívia 8————Diego Souza 7—
——Kléber 7,5——–Alex Mieneiro 5,5—–
Coach: Vanderlei Luxemburgo 7

Subs.: Martinez 6,5(Wendel half-time), Denílson 6,5(Alex Mineiro 61′), Makelele 6(Kléber 83′)

São Paulo
——–Rogério Ceni 5,5———
Z Luís 5,5–A Dias 6–Juninho 0,5–Júnior 3
—–Hernanes 6—Richarlyson 4——
–Jorge Wagner 6—Carlos Alberto 4—
—Adriano 7,5——–Borges 6,5—–
Coach: Muricy Ramalho 5

Subs.: Joílson 4,5(C Alberto 54′), Aloísio 5,5(Júnior 77′)

(Notes according to Lance!, important sports newspaper)

Then Luxemburgo showed us why is he the best coach of Brazil. Made a substitution off Wendel on Lenny who ran the defence ragged.

Léo Lima gave a wonderful pass to Alex Mineiro just put it in the back of the net at 34′ Léo found him in the middle of the defence. He’s our topscorer with 8 goals.

In the beginning of the 2nd half started raining and the pitch was very wet complicating to the players.

Luxa made another substitution off Denílson on Martinez looking for improving the pass to attackers.

Léo again gave a pass to goal but in this time was to Kléber who scored his 1st goal dressed as Palestrino he rid himself of 2 defenders and put it in the back of the net at 66′.

At 77′ in a dead-ball situation Vicente now prepared better his kick and hit the woodwork.

Then we just needed keep ball possession.

HIGHLIGHTS

SE PALMEIRAS 2 vs. 1 AA PONTE PRETA
Palmeiras
…………..Diego Cavalieri…………….
E Granja..Gustavo..Henrique..Leandro
………..Pierre…………Wendel………
……..Léo Lima…….Denílson…………
……….Kléber………Alex Mineiro…….
Coach: Vanderlei Luxemburgo

Subs.: Lenny (Wendel), Martinez (Denílson), Makelele (Kléber)

Ponte Preta
………………….Aranha………………………
…………César……Jean…..João Paulo………
E Arroz..R Conceição..Bilica..Renato..Vicente
…………….Elias…………Luís Ricardo……….
Coach: Sérgio Guedes

Subs: Raulen (E Arroz), Renan (Bilica), Vanderlei (Renato)

Venue: Palestra Itália stadium
Referee: Luiz de Oliveira
Attendance: 13.396