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Rio Branco beat Palmeiras 2-0
Brazilian giants Palmeiras were beaten 2-0 at home by Rio Branco.
- Indo-Asian News Service
- Updated: February 25, 2007 10:39 AM IST
Read Time:2 min
Sao Pau:
Brazilian giants Palmeiras suffered another humiliation in the Paulista championship on Saturday when they were beaten 2-0 at home by Rio Branco. Emerson Leao's side, a shadow of the team who began the competition with six straight wins, were beaten by two first half efforts from Rio Branco striker Fabiano Gadelha. They can now only watch from the sidelines as Santos and Sao Paulo fight it out for the Sao Paulo State title. The Palmeiras faithful have drifted away from Emerson Leao's side following a disastrous run that has seen them slip from first to fourth in recent weeks. Full advantage Rio Branco, who have not won the Sao Paulo State title since 1924, took full advantage of their hosts' lack of confidence. The visitors had already had a 'goal' ruled out for offside before Fabiano Gadelha opened the scoring with a header as Palmeiras defender Guerrairo was caught in possession after only eight minutes. In contrast Palmeiras offered little threat themselves at the other end. The closest they came to a goal in the first half came from a Correa free kick on nineteen minutes that grazed a post off Washington. The game was effectively won and lost eight minutes before the break, when Fabiano Gadelha embarked on a solo run from inside his own half that ended with a ferocious shot that gave Diego in the Palmeiras goal no chance. It was the Sao Caetano-bound striker's ninth goal of the campaign. Palmeiras had the half chances, and missed them all, while Rio Branco created the more clear cut openings and could have had a hatful. The home side's night was summed up eighteen minutes from time when Enilton again narrowly missed out and Palmeiras went on to lose 2-0. (AP)Topics mentioned in this article
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