Vasco Fold Like a Pile of Laundry.

By: Mauro | September 18th, 2008

On paper, tonight’s result in the Palmeiras – Vasca Da Gama match would not have been that big a surprise. Fortunately for us viewers, Palmeiras coach, Vanderlei Luxemburgo, fielded a very offensive side giving us a real reason to watch this match and we had an appearance from an old friend, Edmundo “El Animal.”

While Palmeiras poured on the pressure, Vasco did very good work taking apart any and all attempts on goal by the Paulistas in the opening 30 minutes. With the intention of leaning on the result they got in the away match, Vasco concentrated mostly on defending and had little possession conceding the ball to their opponents.

The first goal came in the 30th minute. Off a sort of a bicycle kick type move, forward Jorge Preá, with most of his body facing away from the goal, strikes it over the keeper and into the side netting. Seriously, stop what you are doing and watch this goal. 1-0 to Palmeiras.

Shortly afterwards, Vasco intended to keep Palmeiras on their heels when they had a near goal stuck off the head of Leandro Amaral but that was short lived. Palmeiras planted themselves further up the pitch and kept the ball on Vasco’s side of the pitch.

The second half began where the first left off. Palmeiras with the ball in Vasco territory. It only took eleven minutes for Palmeiras to extend their lead. Off a cross by Kléber, who had just come on as a sub, the ball slipped through the hands of Vasco keeper Roberto, and landed at Denilson’s feet. Denilson didn’t hesitate and knocked the ball past the keeper. 2-0 to Palmeiras, and the light at the end of the tunnel got a little brighter for the Paulistas.

The second goal forced Vasco coach, Tita, to sub on the team’s star, Edmundo who does not usually play away matches. While this did give Vasco more presence in Palmeiras side of the pitch, it only created more space at the back for Palmeiras forwards to extend their lead even further.

Off a counter attack, Preá, received the ball in the penalty area and with a well placed left footed shot, scored the third and final goal of the match. 3-0 to Palmeiras.

Final Score: 3-0 to Palmeiras. Palmeiras advance and face Peruvian side Sport Ancash in the Round of 16.

I had this match going 2-1 with the expectation that Edmundo was going to play from the start. Still, Vasco’s current situation was the glaring problem last night and let’s all hope they get it together before they are relegated.

Palmeiras are a strong side and have many players to face both the Brasileirao and the Sudamericana. Let’s hope now that they are through to the Round of 16 that Luxemburgo will decide to field more of his first team players and give us something worth watching.

Feel free to check the CONMEBOL website for results and information about upcoming matches and for those of you in need of a bracket to get your heads around the competition, get one
here.