Canuck Oranje Posted December 23, 2009 Share Posted December 23, 2009 In the past, I have posted on this tournament. I find this tournament fascinating for a number of reasons. Another interesting thing for Canadian fans is that this tournament is now taking international teams. It has one this year from Saudi Arabia. Here are a few reasons why the tournament is interesting: One, this is a huge tournament that includes most of the best U-18/19 (born 1991 or later) teams in Brazil as well as a number of local teams from the State of Sao Paulo. This year’s tournament starts with 92 teams and includes an international team from Saudi Arabia. Two, this is a critical tournament in the development system in Brazil. Many young players are first revealed in this tournament. Scouts from all over Europe and Brazil converge on the State of Sao Paulo to see if they can capture a star or two before their transfer value begins to climb. Most young Brazilian superstars would have played in one or two of these tournaments. Three, this tournament is usually good for a few major upsets because some of the small clubs are stronger than one might normally think. Four, the tournament is great entertainment. Games are usually free for spectators and many of the games are also televised. The Favourites Corinthians – Last Year’s winner Palmeiras – 2009 Sao Paulo U-20 Champion Atletico Mineiro – Finalist in Brazil U-20 Gremio – Finalist in Brazil U-20 Barueri – Finalist in Sao Paulo U-20 (with 70% ’91’s) & Semifinalist in Sao Paulo U-17 Sao Paulo FC Flumenense Internacional Flamengo Dark Horses Desportivo Brasil – Grupo Traffic Paulinia – 2009 Sao Paulo State Finalist U-17 Rio Claro – 2009 Sao Paulo State Semifinalist U-20 & Quarterfinalist U-17 Ole Brasil - 2009 Sao Paulo U-17 Champion Wild Card Botafogo of Ribeirao Preto – At first, I didn't see the Ole Brasil entry but do now. This may still be one for a surprise or two. Pao de Acucar EC - Has been dangerous over the past few years. The tournament begins on January 2nd and the final takes place on Janaury 25th. http://www.futebolinterior.com.br/copasp/ http://www.futebolpaulista.com.br/copasp/copasp_equipes.php Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpg75 Posted December 24, 2009 Share Posted December 24, 2009 Canuck Oranje, did you catch any Santos matches from the Copa Brasil Sub-15 tournament? I'm curious to see how Jean Carlos Chera has been progressing, apparently ManU is still interested in him 6 years later (they missed out on signing him when he was 9 years old) aswell as Barca and other giants... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canuck Oranje Posted December 25, 2009 Author Share Posted December 25, 2009 Back in Canada now. But it needs to be said that it's getting complicated to get players out of Brazil before their 18th birthday. I suspect that is the real reason behind ManU's deal with Desportivo Brasil (Traffic) where Desportivo Brasil can be used to collect young players that they might be interested in but leave them in Brazil until the proper time. Also, Kids under 16 in Brazil can only be signed as an amateur. Between 16 and 18, the maximum term can only be 3 years so some of the best players are often kept under wraps until after their 16th birthday. I'm not entirely sure how development rights work in Brazil but there probably are some because you don't see too much movement of young players between clubs. Some small clubs have some very good youth teams and if it was possible to raid these small clubs, you can be sure that the big clubs would be doing it all the time. quote:Originally posted by jpg75 Canuck Oranje, did you catch any Santos matches from the Copa Brasil Sub-15 tournament? I'm curious to see how Jean Carlos Chera has been progressing, apparently ManU is still interested in him 6 years later (they missed out on signing him when he was 9 years old) aswell as Barca and other giants... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canuck Oranje Posted December 25, 2009 Author Share Posted December 25, 2009 Santos did win the Sao Paulo State U-15 title this year Jean Carlos Chera played regularly in that tournament. Don't know about the Copa Brasil U-15 tournament. I think the biggest title for Santos at U-15 would be the State title. BTW Copa do Brasil Sub-15 takes place in January (I think). There are many short tournaments with a select group of teams participating. The name of the tournament is not always indicative of their importance. For example, the Campeonato Brasileiro Sub-20 would sound like the ultimate Sub-20 tournament in Brazil but Sao Paulo FC didn't participate and outside of Figueirense which appears to be invited in Sao Paulo's place, not teams from clubs not in Serie A were invited. At the same time, the tournament took place at the same time as the final of the Sao Paulo State U-20 final between Barueri and Palmeiras. I'm not sure about Palmeiras but I know the teams that Barueri sent to the Campeonato Brasileiro tournament was in fact a U-17 team because their U-20 team was in the state final. I suspect Palmeiras did the same. In the end, it's not easy to judge who has the best players in a certain category based on their performance in these short tournaments. Copa Sao Paulo de Junior is unique in that it includes most of the teams you would expect in a national tournament (out of state teams participating are selected by each state federation). Second, the players are usually 16,17, and 18 and often ready to step onto the main stage. Clubs take this tournament seriously. While the best of the best U-18's may not play like Neymar of Santos, there are some players who have already appeared at the senior level in this tournament. But the key to the profile of this tournament is simply its inclusiveness (92 teams in the beginning). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canuck Oranje Posted January 11, 2010 Author Share Posted January 11, 2010 After the first phase of this tournament, here some interesting happenings: 1. Three of the recognized favourites are already eliminated. They are Gremio, Internacional, and Atletico Mineiro. 2. Three other academies from Serie A (2010) clubs are also eliminated. These are Ceara, Clube Atletico Paranaense, and Avai. 3. The major academy based clubs went through with the exception of Ole Brasil but it seems their team was based on their U-17 team so a little younger than most of the other teams. The strongest academy-based teams without senior teams in Serie A or B and through to the second phase are Desportivo Brasil, Pao de Acucar, Primeira Camisa, CFZ of Brasilia, Paulista (now connected with Campus Pele). 4. As an indicator of the State of Sao Paulo's power at the youth level, 16 of the 32 teams that qualified to the second phase are from Sao Paulo. While part of that no doubt has to do with being close to home, the greater reason is the level of competitiveness in the state youth leagues where there is no absolute domination by the biggest clubs. Some Additional Comments Biggest surprises for me: America (SP),Confianca and Internacional of Limeira (SP). International of Limeira was responsible for eliminating the much bigger Internacional (RP), Confianca eliminated Gremio, America (SP) eliminated Atletico Mineiro. The most interesting drama was how Fluminense squeezed into the second phase with an extra time goal through a penalty after the opposing team Sao Bernardo had missed a penalty just a few minutes before. Failure to convert by Fluminense or conversion by the Sao Bernardo shooter would have eliminated Fluminense. Second phase is single game elimination so anything can happen. There are no more soft teams. The biggest match-ups would be: Santos - Goias Palmeiras - Fluminense Vitoria - Sao Paulo Greatest potential for major upsets CFZ - Flamengo Paulista - Vasco da Gama The second phase begins on Wednesday January 13. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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