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Friday May 8, 2009

Ronaldo's Corinthians a favorite for Brazil title

SAO PAULO (AP) - Ronaldo's revival has propelled Corinthians to title favorite in the Brazilian league beginning this weekend.

After spending a year in the second division, Corinthians is poised to contend for Brazil's most important title along with defending champion Sao Paulo and Flamengo with newly signed striker Adriano.

Corinthians was boosted by winning the Sao Paulo state championship on Sunday.

It also advanced to the quarterfinals of the Brazilian Cup on Wednesday, when Ronaldo scored his ninth and 10th goals since returning to competitive football in March after more than a year of being sidelined by the third major knee injury of his career.

Ronaldo was already a major draw while he was recovering, but since he started playing and thriving, he's attracted all of the attention in Brazilian football and made fans and local media pressure Brazil coach Dunga to return him to the national team.

Corinthians debuts in the 20-team, eight-month-long competition on Sunday against Internacional, which is one of the hottest teams in the nation at the moment.

Internacional is led by Argentine midfielders Andres D'Alessandro and Pablo Guinazu, in addition to former Lyon striker Nilmar and young sensation Taison.

Sao Paulo, which won a record sixth title last year, retained its core as it goes for its fourth straight trophy.

It will play at Flumimense, which is guided by former Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira and has former Lyon striker Fred as its top player.

Fluminense rival Flamengo - coming off its third straight Rio state title - made one of the biggest signings of the year when it acquired Adriano after he deserted from Inter Milan.

Flamengo will make its debut against Cruzeiro, which has lost only one match this year.

The 2003 Brazilian champion, Cruzeiro has Argentina World Cup defender Juan Pablo Sorin on its roster, and former Dynamo Kiev striker Kleber.

Four-time champ Palmeiras, coached by former Real Madrid manager Vanderlei Luxemburgo, meets Coritiba on Saturday.

Palmeiras has World Cup goalkeeper Marcos, former Barcelona defender Edmilson, and Colombia international Pablo Armero.

On attack, the team is led by young sensation Keirrison and Paraguayan Jose Maria Ortigoza.

Gremio, a two-time champion and last year's runner-up, plays Santos on Sunday. Gremio's top players include former Barcelona striker Maxi Lopez, Colombian Edixon Perea and Argentine German Herrera.

Santos enters with one of Brazil's most promising stars, 17-year-old Neymar, who many say is at least as good as Manchester City's Robinho.

Four-time champ Vasco was relegated to the second division last year.

The four teams promoted were Corinthians, Barueri, Santo Andre and Avai. Corinthians was the second division's champion after dominating the competition.

Brazilian football does not follow the European calendar and the Brazilian league begins only after the regional championships.


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