Six shots, only one on goal: the one that was necessary. Novorizontino crowned a impeccable campaign in the Campeonato Paulista this Saturday (28), by eliminating Corinthians in the semi-finals of the tournament playing at home. The team won 1-0 with a goal from Mayk.
The result takes the team from the interior of São Paulo to a decision 36 years later – the last one was a “Final Caipira” against Bragantino in 1990. The team awaits the second semi-final, between Palmeiras x São Paulo, to know their opponent in the decision, scheduled for March 8,
With no chance of trying for their 32nd title, Corinthians turns their attention to the Brazilian Championship. On Wednesday, the opponent is Coritiba, at 9:30 pm, at Neo Química Arena.
The Game
The game started off busy in Novo Horizonte. In the first minutes, good chances for both sides. Corinthians arrived with Raniele and Rodrigo Garro. Novorizontino threatened and Gabriel Paulista was precise in the move.
André, who is involved in negotiations with Milan, came very close to opening the scoring for Corinthians. On the left, the midfielder challenged the marking and shot hard from distance. Jordi sent the ball into the corner and removed the danger there.
The surprise arrival was Corinthians’ best bet, as they appeared to have difficulty getting the ball out, despite having greater possession.
Bidu and André tried to resolve the situation in an exchange of passes at the edge of the area. The ball rolled through almost the entire attacking sector until the full-back hit it hard, free from marking, but upon completion, the full-back sent it out.
Also with problems in creation, Novorizontino found good passes, but without creating a great danger to Hugo Souza’s goal.
The same cannot be said for Jordy. In the first attack after returning from the break, Corinthians almost scored, if it weren’t for the intervention of Novorizontino’s goalkeeper. Bidon dominated the free kick in the area, but the ball ended up in the hands of number 1.
Discreet in the game, Memphis appeared well positioned and finished for the goal, but the ball deflected off Dantas and narrowly missed Jordi. Novorizontino mirrored Corinthians’ scheme, and was less incisive in its arrivals. The best of them was with Robson, who anticipated the defender and headed wide.
IT’S A TIGRE GOAL! 🐯
After a beautiful cross, Mayk appears free to open the scoring for Novorizontino.— Paulistão (@Paulistao)
Dorival gave up Raniele, brought Vitinho into the game and repositioned Breno Bidon on the field in search of the goal that would qualify.
And if the game already seemed truncated at the beginning, it only got worse with the number of fouls. Whoever made the most of rare opportunities would prevail – and that’s how Novorizontino scored. Rômulo played Robson on the right and, with a perfect cross, Mayk completed the ball into the back of the net.
At a disadvantage, Corinthians started to press, and Tigre closed in on defense. Dorival Júnior’s last attempt was Gui Negão and Carrillo, but the team’s intensity was not enough to tie the score.
In stoppage time, Memphis hit a volley in the middle of the area, but the weak shot ended up in Jordi’s hands.
