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2005 ARCHIVED ROUNDUP: May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December

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BRASILEIRO - FINAL ROUND REVIEW
Sunday - 04 December

* Round 42 Overview
* Final Standings
* 2005 Brasileiro Top Scorers

ROUND 42 OVERVIEW
Corinthians are the 2005 Brasileiro champions. Despite losing 3-2 against Libertadores qualifiers Goiás, the 'Big Team's' only remaining challengers going into the final round - Internacional - lost 1-0 at Coritiba.

While Corinthians were celebrating their fourth Brasileiro title, their archrivals Palmeiras were too rejoicing, after achieving qualification to the 2006 Copa Libertadores. Needing the three points to attain the elusive fourth spot, at the expense of their final round opponents Fluminense, Emerson Leão's green army twice came from behind and with the help of an own goal from Flu's 'star of the season' Petkovic, managed to complete a 3-2 victory over the Rio de Janeiro side. Correa netted the winning goal ten minutes from time.

Despite beating Internacional, Coritiba were unable to avoid relegation from the Brazilian top flight, due to the fact that São Caetano and Ponte Preta both attained victories, against Cruzeiro and Brasiliense respectively. The Coxa will join Atlético-MG, Paysandu and Brasiliense in the 2006 Serie B.

The final significant battle for places saw Botafogo and Fortaleza go head-to-head for a place in next year's Copa Sul-Americana tournament. And it was Botafogo who emerged victorious, goals from Caio and Reinaldo securing a 2-0 win over Fortaleza.

Finally, the legendary Rom´rio added to his notable list of conquests. The 39-year-old's double against Paraná saw him finish the campaign on 22 goals, surpassing Róbson of Paysandu - the long-term leader in the scoring charts - to clinch the artileiro award. His brace also helped Vasco win 3-1, to finish in twelfth position in the standings. The Rio big guns are now in with a strong chance of playing in the 2006 Copa Sul-Americana, as eleventh-placed São Paulo are unable to participate in the competition due to their involvement the 2006 Libertadores Cup, which they qualify for as defending champions.

FINAL BRASILEIRO STANDINGS
Pos - Team - Points

1. Corinthians - 81
2. Internacional - 78
3. Goiás - 74
4. Palmeiras - 70
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5. Fluminense - 68
6. Atlético-PR - 61
7. Paraná - 61
8. Cruzeiro - 60
9. Botafogo - 59
10. Santos - 59
11. São Paulo - 58
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12. Vasco - 56
13. Fortaleza - 55
14. Juventude - 55
15. Flamengo - 55
16. Figueirense - 53
17. São Caetano - 52
18. Ponte Preta - 51
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19. Coritiba - 49
20. Atlético-MG - 47
21. Paysandu - 41
22. Brasiliense - 41

TOP GOALSCORERS
The goals that were scored during the eleven annulled matches have too been cancelled out.

1. Romário (Vasco) - 22 goals
2. Róbson (Paysandu) - 21 goals
3. Tevez (Corinthians) - 20 goals
4. Alex Dias (Vasco) - 19 goals
4. Borges (Paraná) - 19 goals
4. Rafael Sóbis (Internacional) - 19 goals
7. Enílton (Juventude) - 18 goals
7. Marcinho (Palmeiras) - 18 goals
7. Souza (Goiás) - 18 goals
10. Gabriel (Fluminense) - 16 goals
10. Kelly (Cruzeiro) - 16 goals
10. Rinaldo (Fortaleza) - 16 goals
10. Tuta (Fluminense) - 16 goals
14. Edmundo (Figueirense) - 15 goals
14. Lima (Atlético-PR) - 15 goals
16. Alex Alves (Botafogo) - 14 goals
16. Finazzi (Atlético-PR)- 14 goals
16. Juninho Paulista (Palmeiras) - 14 goals
19. Fernandão (Internacional) - 13 goals
19. Washington (Palmeiras) - 13 goals
21. Amoroso (São Paulo) - 12 goals
21. Renato (Flamengo) - 12 goals
23. Adriano (Figueirense) - 11 goals
23. Alecsandro (Cruzeiro) - 11 goals
23. Kahê (Ponte Preta) - 11 goals
26. Adriano (Cruzeiro) - 10 goals
26. Fred (Cruzeiro) - 10 goals
26. Geílson (Santos) - 10 goals
26. Igor (Brasiliense) - 10 goals
26. Jorge Wagner (Internacional) - 10 goals
26. Marques (Atlético-MG) - 10 goals
26. Michel Bastos (Figueirense) - 10 goals
26. Ricardinho (Santos) - 10 goals
26. Rogério Ceni (São Paulo)
26. Rosinei (Corinthians) - 10 goals
26. Zé Carlos (Juventude) - 10 goals
37. Diego (Cruzeiro) - 9 goals
37. Dimba (São Caetano) - 9 goals
37. Ferreira (Atlético-PR) - 9 goals)
37. Lúcio (Fortaleza) - 9 goals
37. Marcelinho Carioca (Brasiliense) - 9 goals
42. Carlos Alberto (Corinthians) - 8 goals
42. Christian (São Paulo) - 8 goals
42. Evando (Ponte Preta) - 8 goals
42. Izaías (Ponte Preta) - 8 goals
42. Paulo Baier (Goiás) - 8 goals
42. Rodrigo Tabata (Goiás) - 8 goals
42. Roger (São Paulo) - 8 goals
42. Roni (Goiás) - 8 goals

BRASILEIRO - FINAL ROUND PREVIEWS

MATCH PREVIEW: GOIÁS (3rd) vs. (1st) CORINTHIANS
Sunday - 04 December - Coverage from 5:15pm on Sky Digital Channel 425

The final round of the 2005 Brasileiro takes place on Sunday, with just one single point separating Corinthians from the title. But standing in the way of Antônio Lopes' side and a fourth championship triumph is third-placed Goiás, and taking a point from a trip to the Serra Dourada Stadium is hardly a straightforward task. The green army have enjoyed a fantastic campaign, defying the odds to qualify for the 2006 Libertadores Cup, and following news that coveted coach Geninho will remain at the helm next season, Goiás are determined to finish the year on a high. It simply doesn't get much bigger than this - a gripping finale to a wonderful season.

Goiás Team News
The message from Geninho is defiant; "We will be going all out to beat Corinthians." The wily tactician is also promising to stick to his favoured 3-5-2 formation, despite a lack of options in defence. With André Silva and Júlio Santos both set to miss the all important fixture, Aldo and Rafael Dias - a midfield anchorman - will bolster the backline. Goalscoring Paulo Baier will parade down the right flank for the last time in the colours of Goiás, before an exit, most likely to Palmeiras.

Corinthians Team News
Bruno Octávio is set to return to the starting XI at the expense of youngster Elton, as Antônio Lopes reverts to a more defensive system. It will leave Carlos Alberto in a free role behind front two, Tevez and Nilmar. Fábio Costa missed training on Wednesday due to a shoulder problem but the ex-Santos keeper is expected to start against Goiás. With Eduardo Ratinho suspended, Coelho comes in at right-wingback.

Goiás (Possible Team)
Harlei; Rafael Dias, Aldo & André Leone; Paulo Baier, Cléber Gaúcho, Cléber, Rodrigo Tabata & Jadílson; Roni & Souza.
Corinthians (Possible Team)
Fábio Costa; Coelho, Marinho, Betão & Gustavo Nery; Marcelo Mattos, Bruno Octávio, Rosinei, & Carlos Alberto; Tevez & Nilmar.

Most Recent Results (Last Five Brazilian Championship Games)
Goiás - Won 3, Drawn 1, Lost 1
(Round 41) Flamengo 0-0 Goiás
(Round 40) Juventude 2-1 Goiás
(Round 39) Goiás 3-0 São Paulo
(Round 38) Goiás 4-2 Atlético-PR
(Round 37) Atlético-MG 1-2 Goiás

Corinthians - Won 3, Drawn 1, Lost 1
(Round 41) Corinthians 3-1 Ponte Preta
(Round 40) Corinthians 1-1 Internacional
(Round 39) São Caetano 1-0 Corinthians
(Round 38) Coritiba 0-1 Corinthians
(Round 37) Corinthians 7-1 Santos

Previous Confrontation
(Round 21) Corinthians 1-1 Goiás

Top Brasileiro Goalscorers
Goiás: Souza - 17, Rodrigo Tabata - 8, Roni - 8, Paulo Baier - 7, Dodô - 4.
Corinthians: Tevez - 19, Rosinei - 10, Carlos Alberto - 8, Roger - 7, Gustavo Nery - 7, Marcelo Mattos - 6, Nilmar - 6.

William Hill has Corinthians favourites at 13/10, with Goiás at 19/10 and the draw also a 19/10 shot.

William Hill has a 2-1 Goiás victory priced at 9/1, with a 4-1 result in Corinthians' favour priced at 50/1.

Click here to see all of William Hill's weekend Brasileiro odds, including Palmeiras at 3/4 to beat Fluminense, who are a 16/5 shot, Vasco at 4/5 to beat Paraná and Brasiliense 10/1 to pick up three points against Ponte Preta.

MATCH PREVIEW: CORITIBA (19th) vs. (2nd) INTERNACIONAL
Sunday - 04 December

What a climax to the Brasileiro season in store at the Couto Pereira Stadium. Relegation-threatened Coritiba up against title-chasing Internacional. Anything other than a victory for the home side and they'll be demoted from Serie A, while unless Internacional can record a win in Round 42, Corinthians will be confirmed as champions, even if they lose against Goiás. It's all about the three points, a draw being no good to either side, and with so much at stake, a fiery encounter is in prospect.

Coritiba Team News
Maia returns to the Coritiba side determined to lead them to top flight safety. The striker has recovered from a knee injury and looks set to lead the line against Internacional. He will be joined in attack by either veteran Renaldo or the lively Marciano. Defender Flávio will not feature in the decisive fixture having been hit by a whopping 120-day suspension for 'showing aggression towards an official', during the Round 38 defeat by Corinthians.

Internacional Team News
(Euro) �10 million Inter Milan target Rafael Sobis is likely to be playing his last game for Inter before a transfer to Europe. Can he end the season as the Brasileiro's top marksman? He currently sits just two goals behind Róbson of Paysandu but with Coritiba's shaky rearguard, it's not out of the question, especially as Muricy Ramalho has promised to select a "very offensive" team. Towering forward Fernandão appears to be winning his race to be fit to face Coritiba, but Rentería is on standby. Former Newcastle United misfit Gavilan and robust Ediglê will both miss out through suspension, meaning that Wilson, Vinícius, Edm�lson, Bolivar and Wellington are disputing two places in the XI.

Coritiba (Possible Team)
Douglas; Jackson, Wagner, Anderson; Ricardinho, Reginaldo Nascimento, Capixaba, Peruíbe, Caio; Renaldo & Maia
Internacional (Possible Team)
Clemer; Élder Granja, Wilson, Vinícius & Jorge Wagner; Edinho, Tinga, Ricardinho & Mossoró; Fernandão & Rafael Sobis.

Most Recent Results (Last Five Brazilian Championship Games)
Coritiba - Won 1, Drawn 2, Lost 2
(Round 41) São Caetano 1-1 Coritiba
(Round 40) Atlético-MG 1-0 Coritiba
(Round 39) Coritiba 2-1 Ponte Preta
(Round 38) Coritiba 0-1 Corinthians
(Round 37) Brasiliense 1-1 Coritiba

Internacional - Won 4, Drawn 1, Lost 0
(Round 41) Internacional 2-1 Palmeiras
(Round 40) Corinthians 1-1 Internacional
(Round 39) Internacional 1-0 Brasiliense
(Round 38) Santos 0-4 Internacional
(Round 37) Internacional 2-1 Ponte Preta

Previous Confrontation
(Round 21, but replayed in October after initial result was annulled) Internacional 3-2 Coritiba

Top Brasileiro Goalscorers
Coritiba: Jackson - 5, Renaldo - 5, Ricardinho - 5, Caio - 4, Capixaba - 4, Tiago - 4.
Internacional: Rafael Sobis - 19, Fernandão - 13, Jorge Wagner - 10, Tinga - 5, Iarley - 4, Rentería - 4.

William Hill has Internacional favourites at 5/4, with Coritiba at 6/4 priced at 13/5.