Ceará VS. Náutico

As I posted Monday, there are three professional soccer teams in Fortaleza. Fortaleza EC plays in the top division (Serie A), Ceará SC plays in the second division (Serie B), and Ferroviária plays in the third division (Serie C). Fortaleza and Ceará are currently find themselves at or near the bottom of their respective divisions, but Ferroviária is currently tied for second place in their Stage 3 group in Serie C, and can advance to Stage 4 with some good play in their next 3 games. More on Ferroviária another time, but last night I was able to get my first look at Ceará SC as they took on Serie B leaders Náutico. The great thing about professional sports in Brazil is that is actually affordable to go to a game, unlike in the US. I paid the equivalent of $4 for a ticket, $1 for popcorn, $0.80 for a bus ride to the game, and $7 for a taxi ride home (because it was late). Even with the taxi ride, the entire night only cost $13, probably what you would pay just to park at some US stadiums.

Ceará 1 Náutico 1
Estádio Casteláo
19 Sep 2006
2030

In Campeonato Brasil Serie B action last night, Ceará SC and Náutico of Recife, Pernambuco played to a 1-1 draw. Ceará started fast from the opening whistle, finding themselves attacking with numbers 3 minutes into the match. A nice cross from the right sided striker found his cohort on the left side streaking past the sweeper unmarked. The left sided striker finished off the chance with a beautiful one touch shot into the left upper corner of the net. This early goal seemed to provide a source of enthusiasm for the crowd as the singing of the team song grew louder, and the drum beats of the Ceara fan club reverberated throughout Castelão.

Five minutes after the goal, Ceará would leave one of the Nãutico midfielders unmarked, and the player made no mistake in beating the goalkeeper with a perfect shot into the upper 90, squaring the match.

Ceará continued to have the better of the chances and possession, but they never constructed another significant scoring threat until 5 minutes remained in the half. The right sided striker again found some space streaking down the side line and was able to cross the ball into the penalty area where a teammate skillfully attempted to head the ball into the ground passing the charging Náutico keeper. This attempt beat the goalkeeper, but was unable to beat the goalpost, as the shot skipped harmlessly off the outside of the goalpost. Ceará had one more chance late with another ball crossed into the box which the right striker pushed just wide of the post.

The teams returned from the break with Ceará again having the better of possession and chances. A Ceará midfielder created a chacne by weaving his way into the penalty area, advancing to the corner of the goal area before dropping the ball back to a wide open striker 10 yards out. The striker again pushed the ball wide of the net, wasting a golden opportunity. Náutico would next threaten to break the draw when one of their strikers found himself on a breakaway all alone in front of the Ceará keeper. The keeper made a brilliant reflex save, and was able to collect himself to quickly gather in a second shot off a rebound. Ceará had a final flurry of chances late with five minutes remaining, all parried by some equally excellent goalkeeping from the Náutico keeper. In the end, the match ended in a draw. The story of the match was outstanding speed and attacks by Ceará, hurt only by a frustrating inability to finish chances, coupled with great goalkeeping from both sides. The match was a great effort by last placed Ceará against first placed Náutico, but the Cearense have to be disappointed that they were unable to earn three points in the standings for their efforts. With the draw, Náutico drops to second palce in Serie B, trailing Sport, also of Pernambuco. Ceará remains in last place, and must improve their play over the last three months to avoid relegation to Serie C.