GROUP PHASE
The group stage will kick off with the duel between CSA and Confiança
Published on January 21, 2025 at 10:29
Northeast Cup Credit: João Gabriel Alves/CBF
It’s time for the Northeast Cup. The biggest regional club tournament in Brazil will kick off this Tuesday (21), with the opening match between CSA and Confiança, at 9:30 pm, at the Rei Pelé stadium, in Maceió, for Group B. Four other games will be played on Wednesday (22), and three others close the first round of the competition on Thursday (23).
In this edition, Nordestão will have something new compared to recent years. The eight teams in each group will measure strength against teams from their respective groups – and no longer with the opposite group. The definition of each bracket was made by draw, and the only compatriots who will face each other are Fortaleza and Ferroviário-CE, for Group A, and Bahia and Juazeirense-BA, for Group B.
The first phase of the Copa do Nordeste will have seven rounds and will classify the four best in each group for the quarterfinals, initially scheduled for June. The clashes will have the following criteria: 1st in Group A x 4th in Group B; 2nd Group A x 3rd in Group B; 1st Group B x 4th in Group A; and 2nd Group B x 3rd Group A. The quarterfinals, as well as the semifinals, will be played in single games. The decision will have round-trip matches.
For the first time in history, in fact, Nordestão will have five teams in Series A: Bahia, Vitória, Ceará, Sport and Fortaleza. Three will even represent the region in international tournaments: Bahia and Fortaleza are in the Libertadores, while Vitória will play in the Sudamericana.
First round games:
Ferroviário-CE x Sport – Wednesday (22), at 9:30 pm – Presidente Vargas, in Fortaleza
Fortaleza x Moto Club-MA – Thursday (23), at 7pm – Presidente Vargas, in Fortaleza
Sousa-PB x Altos-PI – Thursday (23), at 7pm – Marizão, in Sousa (PB)
CSA-AL x Confiança-SE – Tuesday (21), at 9:30 pm – Rei Pelé, in Maceió
América-RN x Juazeirense-BA – Wednesday (22), at 7pm – Arena das Dunas, in Natal
Náutico x Ceará – Wednesday (22), at 9:30 pm – Aflitos, in Recife
Bahia x Sampaio Corrêa-MA – Thursday (23), at 8pm – Arena Fonte Nova, in Salvador
