MATCH ANALYSIS31/05/06, 20h32

All over again...

With one more man in the field, and scoring the first goal, Coritiba wastes two more points in a home match: 1-1 draw against Ceara in Couto Pereira Stadium

In one more night of angst, Coritiba couldn't beat the opponent's defense, and lost two more points in a home game. With the home draws against Guarani, Sport and Ceara, six points have been wasted. The 1-1 draw makes the team fall to fourth place, with 15 points, being passed by Nautico and Avai, 17 and 16 points, respectively. Sport Club do Recife still leads the championship, with 18 points.

Coritiba showed a lot of will, strenght and physical disposition. Ceara was just worried about their defense and counter-attacks. Their key player was Reinaldo Aleluia, who had great performance. Coritiba didn't have individual prominences, but Marlos entered during second half and proved his value, creating some opportunities from the left side, along with Ricardinho.

At the first half, Coritiba entered the field showing will to define the match soon. With just three minutes played, Indio headed for goalkeeper Adilson's defense. Two minutes later, Jackson crossed to the area, but the defense loose the ball before Anderson Gomes could reach it.

Ceara did not menace the green-and-white goal. At 18 minutes of game, Caio created a good chance, but Alberto's shoot was blocked. The center-forward also couldn't do well, being anulled by the north-easterns' marking.

The goal seemed to be just a matter of time and Coritiba's domain was evident. At the 25th minute, Ricardinho crossed to full-back Nivaldo's header, which passed near the bar. The defender's show up also deserved some cumpliments from the fans.

The Green team was always attacking, but with no effectiveness. Finally, at the 33th minute, Anderson Gomes made a perfect cross for Alberto to score. Coritiba 1-0.

It seemed that the match was defined, due to Ceara's lack of attitude, and the next goals would be just a matter of time.

After the goal, though, the north-eastern team changed its behavior and, just a few minutes before the end of the first time, the refferee whistled a doubtful penalty for the visitor team. Andrezinho was trying to steal the ball from Reinaldo Aleluia, who just fell to the field. Anyway, Ceara's Jorge Henrique kicked the penalty over the bar, for the fans' joy.

However, at the second half, for the almost nine thousand supporters' misbelief, Coritiba came back retreated, watching Ceara playing.

With six minutes of second half played, Jorge Henrique's kick was blocked after Reinaldo Aleluia's assist. Ceara was always with the ball, while Coritiba couldn't even touch it.

At the 50th minute, Anderson Gomes pulled a fast attack and was stopped by Tiago Vieira's hard foul. Ceara's player received the second yellow card and was sent off the match. Everything seemed to favor the green-and-white team, except for its own attitude.

Ceara kept on advancing and, at the 54th minute, in a rebound from a foul, Reinaldo Aleluia, umarked, kicked from inside the area and scored. The best player of the game could get the ball all alone inside the area, on one more defense fail. Coritiba had five players marking just two opponents inside the box, and left Aleluia alone to score.

After this goal, Coritiba rejoined its football, starting to play like they did at the first half. Aggressively, the team could always reach the opponent's area, but with no efficiency.

At 59, Jackson kicked out a foul, for goalkeeper's defense. Just after that, Marlos tried a kick from the outside, but the ball passed over the bar. At 25, Indio headed a ball out.

After a sequence of dangerous chances, at 33, Anderson Gomes received a pass from Caio, just in front of Ceara's goalkeeper, but lost the best opportunity of the match, by shooting the ball out.

Sadness for the green-and-white fans, which saw the third home draw in five matches. Less than a regular performance for a team who is looking forward to win the title.

The next match, the last before the World Cup, will be against Marilia, away. Only victory matters if the team still wants to reach 18 points before the Cup.


Leonardo Lovo