Brazil’s Superliga Opening Weekends Marked By Upsets
[tps_title]Brazil’s Superliga Opens Strong[/tps_title]
Botafogo Reptiles 35, Minas Locomotiva 33
With 12 seconds remaining in the game on 4th and 5, the Reptiles quarterback Ramon Matire found wide receiver Loan Felisardo in the end zone to clinch the win over the 2016 Minas Gerais state champions.
Locomotiva head coach and offensive lineman Italo Mingoni will look to simplify things in the coming weeks.
‘’We did some things well, specifically our short passing game and gap runs, but we tried to run too many things for a first game and got away from our ‘feijao e arroz’ (authors note: ‘feijao e arroz’ means ‘beans and rice’ in Portuguese and this phrase is the equivalent of ‘bread and butter.’),’’ he said.
‘’We game up a big play at the end to two of the best players in the country. We have to finish games,’’ Mingoni added.
Recife Mariners 21, Recife Pirates 7
Above: Recife Mariners RB, Lucas Adolfo, stiff arms a Recife Pirates defender. Photo credit: Tiago Giordani Photography
The Mariners continued their dominance of the inner-city rivalry, and Mariners head coach Lucas Cisnero was not surprised to see his squad demonstrate the good and bad that often comes from a season opener.
‘’It was clearly the first game of the year, with both teams missing assignments and making some mental errors, but our guys stuck together and overcame a lot of adversity,’’ said Cisneros.
This game also marked the Brazilian debut for Mariners quarterback Alex Niznak, fresh off a successful run in Sweden for the Tyresö Royal Crowns, who completed a nifty shovel-pass for a touchdown to running back Lucas Adolfo. Adolfo also added a rushing touchdown in his efforts.
‘’Lucas ran with purpose and took advantage of every gap the OL opened up. He was the key for us to push our late lead,’’ said Cisneros.
Cisneros also cited key receptions from wide receiver Julio Acioly in holding on to the lead in the second half.
“Julio had a rough start but got back into the game with some really key plays late.”
The Mariner line ruled the day for their defense, keyed by moving a traditional defensive end to the interior of the line where he was disruptive throughout the game. Mariners nose tackle Nelson Ferreira anchored the middle of the line while end Tulio Albuquerque was his usual disruptive self.
The Mariners winning here is not surprising. The club has been a mainstay in the CBFA’s Superliga Nord-Este. Tougher opponents lie ahead.
