Robinho scored the winning goal in his first game back with
Brazil's Santos, giving the team a 2-1 win over top rival Sao Paulo
in state tournament play Sunday.
The striker entered the match in the 57th minute and
immediately showed signs of his old form, combining with Santos'
18-year-old sensation Neymar for some shots that just missed.
In the 85th, Robinho began a quick counterattack and passed
to Wesley outside the area. He then slipped by the defenders to
find himself clear in front of goal.
Wesley placed a perfect pass back to Robinho, who leapt in
the air and back-heeled the ball past the keeper to score.
"I know many people are talking about the way I kicked the
ball, but it was the only way I could have scored," Robinho said
after the match. "I'm happy with the result, but I still need to
play more with these young guys and get in better shape."
Robinho returned to Brazil last week on loan from Manchester
City in hopes of regaining his form and securing a spot on the
national team for the World Cup. He has been a regular in Brazil's
squad under coach Dunga, but several players are competing for a
position in the team's attack for the World Cup.
Santos got the game's first score when Neymar converted a
penalty kick after Wesley was pushed to the ground by a Sao Paulo
defender just as he tried to gain control of the ball.
Sao Paulo's score came in the 66th minute when Roger headed
in from a nice pass by Roger.
The win put Santos atop the leaderboard with 16 points.
In Saturday Sao Paulo tournament play, Corinthians got a
convincing 4-0 win over Sertaozinho.
"Today was the victory for the team that really wants it and
is getting better every game," said World Cup defender Roberto
Carlos, who left Fenerbahce a few weeks ago to join the team.
"Corinthians showed it is a very strong team."
Corinthians, coming off a disappointing loss to second-tier
Ponte Preto Wednesday, came out and played decisively, controlling
the match from the start.
In the 8th minute, a hard cross from Tcheco bounced off the
chest of the goalie and landed right in front of Corinthians'
defender Chicao, who scored with a right foot shot. In the 43rd,
striker Jorge Henrique lined up a precise shot from outside the
area to make it 2-0 Corinthians.
Roberto Carlos made a great pass to striker Marcelo Mattos,
who scored with a stunning shot from the top of the area. The team
got its final score as midfielder Edno took a pass from Jorge
Henrique, cut into the area and easily beat the keeper.
In other Sao Paulo state matches on Sunday, Paulista beat
Monte Azul 3-2; Palmeiras got by Bragantino, 3-2; Santo Andre
easily beat Rio Branco, 4-1; Ponte Preta beat Portuguesa, 2-1;
Botafogo-SP rolled by Mogi Mirim, 3-0; and Sao Cateano won over
Mirassol, 3-0.
On Saturday, Oeste got by Rio Claro 1-0 and Barueri rolled by
Ituano, 4-0.
In Rio state tournament play, Botafogo assured itself a spot
in the semifinals with a 5-2 win over Resende Sunday. Uruguayan
striker Loco Abreu scored a hat trick to lead the team.
The match didn't start well for Botafogo, however.
Resende scored in just 34 seconds, as Elias took a pass in
the area and scored on a hard right footer.
Botafogo bounced back in the 18th minute as Abreu knocked in
a header. In the 30th, Abreu scored another header on a nice free
kick from Lucio Flavio.
Abreu scored on his third header in the 50th on a cross from
Alessandro. Marcelo Cordeiro then knocked in a shot in the 60th
after a hard shot by Abreu bounced off the defense.
Botafogo got its fifth score in the 88th, as Wellington
Junior hit a hard right footer that left Resende's goal keeper just
watching it sail by.
Elias scored Resende's second goal in the 89th.
In other Sunday matches, Olaria and Fluminense drew, 0-0;
Flamengo beat Boavista 2-1; Friburguense beat Macae, 1-0; America
bested the Tigres, 3-0; and Vasco drew with Madureira, 2-2, to
remain unbeaten.
On Saturday, Americano beat Duque de Caxias 3-2; Bangu got by
Volta Redonda 2-1
