Fans flocking to see Brazil’s most upwardly mobile football team kick-off the 2011 season were treated to a glimpse of a Red Bull Racing stock car. The sheer velocity of the vehicle has seen it take chequered flags up and down the Samba Nation but can the car keep pace with Red Bull Brasil? The football team is now a fixture in the fast lane and chasing its third promotion in as many years.
It’s clear neither the Brazilian NASCAR incarnation of Red Bull Racing nor Red Bull Brasil are letting the grass grow under their feet.
The biggest job for RB Brasil’s head coach Márcio Fernandes ahead of the 2011 campaign was to lift his players after last year ended in heartbreak. The team from São Paulo made it all the way to the final of the Copa Paulista but were cruelly denied victory by a late goal.
After narrowly missing out on a league and cup double in his debut year as head coach Fernandes was in no mood to let the success stop anytime soon.
“The team did well in the cup final but the result left a bitter taste in the mouth, especially to concede a goal so late in the game. But we got back to work again straight away. We have to be stronger this year.”
Over the Christmas period there was plenty of transfer activity. 15 goals for the Brazilian Bulls made Henan top scorer in the Copa Paulista but also saw him attract interest from all over the country. The striker left to join Clube Atlético Paranaense – the fifth best team in Brazil last season.
While Henan waved goodbye, 12 new faces arrived at the RB Brasil training ground ahead of the 2011 campaign. The fresh mix of youth and experience added to existing RB Brasil stars such as defender Carlinhos and midfielder Hudson.
'We got back to work again straight away. We have to be stronger' – Márcio Fernandes
The opening game of the Paulista A-2 division saw the Brazilian Bulls at home to União Barbarense. It was the visitors who came out of the blocks quickest and found themselves 1-0 in front courtesy of a fine free-kick from Emilio.
Fernandes reacted to seeing his side go a goal behind by bringing on an extra striker. With four forwards on the pitch, RB Brasil pressed hard for an equalizer but found União Barbarense goalkeeper Thiago Passos in inspired form. Eventually it was a piece of fortune that allowed RB Brasil back into the game as visiting defender Carlão headed home an own goal to see the game finish 1-1.
Next up was an away tie with Pão de Açúcar: the teams had played on two previous occasions and won one game each. But the second game of the Paulista A-2 campaign was not the close encounter everybody had predicted and RB Brasil won by a comprehensive 4-2 scoreline.
Despite the heavy rain, the Bulls played an attractive, open game and the goals came from Rafael Tesser, Allisson, Alex Rafael plus another own goal.
Ari Ferreira/Red Bull photofiles
Fernandes was happy to see his side enjoying themselves on the pitch. “It was an important result and the team regained confidence.
“In the first game of the season we were nervous and this led to us making mistakes. In this game we put into practice the things we have been doing in training. I’m more happy about the performance rather than the result.”
The fourth goal against Pão de Açúcar was the 199th competitive goal in RB Brasil’s history. Unfortunately the Bulls could not find the historic 200th in their third game of the season against XV de Piracicaba.
A 2-0 win for the visitors at the Bull’s Moisés Lucarelli stadium saw RB Brasil suffer their first defeat of 2011 and ended an unbeaten streak stretching back eight games.
Fernandes was in philosophical mood. “We were much the better team until we conceded the first goal of the game. After that we lost our shape and the opposition’s quick forwards were able to hit us on the counter-attack.”
Despite the defeat, his team are still well placed to push for the top.
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