RIO DE JANEIRO, April 6 (Reuters) - Four players were sent off when tempers flared after a provocative goal celebration in a Brazilian match on Sunday.
Gremio's game at home to Juventude, preceded by provocative
declarations between officials of the two clubs, turned nasty
after the visitors went 3-0 ahead midway through the second
half with a goal by Thiago.
Thiago celebrated by running to the Gremio fans behind the
goal and gesturing for them to be quiet by putting his finger
over his mouth.
Furious Gremio players, including several reserves who got
off the team bench, ran over and pushed and kicked him before
Juventude players joined the melee.
Eventually, Thiago was sent off along with Gremio's Tadeu.
Jonas pulled one back for Gremio but, with bad feeling
still bubbling under the surface, he was sent off for kicking
Juventude's Hercules three minutes later after initially trying
to knock him over with a two-footed lunging tackle.
As Hercules got up, he was pushed over by Gremio midfielder
Eduardo Costa, who was also sent off to leave the hosts with
eight men.
Juventude, who took control with two first-half goals by
Mendes, won the Gaucho championship quarter-final second leg
match 3-2 to go through on away goals after the aggregate score
finished 4-4.
Gremio had not previously lost in 15 outings in the
competition, one of the numerous regional tournaments which
kick off the Brazilian season.
In the Paulista championship, striker Adriano scored for
the fourth game in a row to set Sao Paulo on their way to a 3-1
win over Juventus.
Adriano, on loan from Inter Milan, has scored nine goals in
the tournament plus three in the South American Libertadores
Cup.
Goalkeeper Rogerio Ceni was also on target, converting a
penalty for his first goal of the season and the 79th of his
career.
The win guaranteed Sao Paulo a place in the semi-finals
along with Guaratingueta, Palmeiras and Ponte Preta.
Corinthians, needing only a win to pip Ponte Preta for
fourth spot, lost 3-2 at Noreste after leading 2-1 with 15
minutes left as Edylton and Leandrinho scored late goals for
the hosts.
Vanderlei Luxemburgo's Palmeiras chalked up their 10th
successive win by beating Barueri 3-0 away.
