Fortaleza vs. Figueirense

Fortaleza 1 Figueirense 1
4 Out 2006
1930
Estadio Presidente Vargas

Fortaleza, currently mired in the relegation zone of Brasilian Serie A squared off with Figueirense Wednesday night at Estadio Presidente Vargas. The tricolors need to finish the season with a run of victories if they are to avoid relegation to Serie B for 2007.

Figueirense controlled play in the first half, scoring first after a nice cross found a striker wide open in front of the Fortaleza keeper. Fortaleza figured to need some help in the second half if they were to get back into the game. This help came in the form of misconduct by a Figueirense midfielder. Early in the second half, the player challenged a Fortaleza attacker hard, with the foul deemed worthy of a caution. In the aftermath of the foul, the Figuiriense midfielder shoved the Fortaleza attacker, earning a simultaneous second caution, mandating a send off. This left Fortaleza with an 11 vs. 10 man advantage for the remainder of the game. They quickly had an excellent chance and the ball appeared headed into the goal when it was touched by an offisde Fortaleza attacker, negating a potential goal. A few moments later, Fortaleza again entered the penalty area with numbers, and converted placing a shot into the upper corner of the net. Figueirense settled into a more defensive posture for the remainder of the game, and the game ended in a 1-1 draw. The draw left Fortaleza in 19th postion of 20 teams in Serie A, needing multiple victories to avoid relegation.

In other soccer news, Ceará of Serie B has been on a winning streak, positioning itself to potentially avoid relegation to Serie C. Ferroviário commences play today on Sunday 8 Out 2006 in the final group of eight in serie C. The top four teams from this group of 8 will play after each team plays a series of 14 games, playing each other tram home and away. A distinct possibility exists that Serie B could have a decidedly Cearense flavor next season as Fortaleza will likely be relegated, and Ferroviário could be promoted to join Fortaleza and Ceará in the