Sao Paulo dethroned from top place in Brazilian soccer

Sao Paulo lost to Goias 4-2in Sunday's penultimate round of the Brazilian soccer championship, jeopardizing its chance of winning this year's tournament.

Sao Paulo scored the game's first goal in the 16th minute through Washington, with its another goal in the 71st minute when the striker dribbled past the defense and blew it under Goais's goalkeeper Harlei.

Goias' first was scored by Vitor who beat Sao Paulo's veteran goalie Rogerio Ceni in the 22nd minute. Before halftime, it took a 2-1 lead in the 37th minute when Rithelly received a great ball from Vitor and slid it under Ceni.

Extending the lead to 3-1, Fernandao charged unmarked through the Sao Paulo defense to head the ball into the back of the net in the 67th minute. Closing the game at 4-2, Leo Lima launched a ball from long distance, catching Rogerio Ceni off guard, sending it into the lower right side of the net in the 72nd minute.

Sao Paulo entered Sunday's match with the possibility of mathematically guaranteeing yet another title. However, the defeat led to the team's tumble from first place all the way to fourth place with 62 points. Goais' win improves their position to 8th place with 54 points.

"I don't think it is possible to win the tournament. Internacional plays at home next week and so does Flamengo. We need to be realists and see that the title slipped through our hands," said Sao Paulo's superintendent of soccer, Marco Aurelio Cunha.

Sao Paulo's last game will be at home in the Morumbi stadium against last place Sport on December 6. In order to claim the title, Sao Paulo will have to win and hope that first place Flamengo, second place Internacional and third place Palmeiras all lose.

Source: Xinhua