Mission Unpossible (TCC)

"Martin love, what's this letter?"

"I don't know, dear." Stop bloody disturbing me woman. I'm trying to sort out my tactics.

"It looks important. Can I open it?"

Sigh. "Of course you can." Actually, you don't normally bother asking, I thought. But I wasn't going to say that out loud.

There was the sound of impatient ripping from the kitchen. Followed by silence. Then a squeal. She came running into the lounge.

"Martin, look at this, it says we've won a competition! And look, the prize is a round the world plane ticket!"

"Probably a scam. I haven't even entered any competitions. Chuck it in the recycling." Please, leave me alone.

"Well it looks real to me!" I can hear the pout in her voice. "It's got a proper ticket in it and everything."

Sigh. Again. "Let me look, woman." She held the ticket in front of my face. Sure enough, it was a proper, genuine, kosher, first class, unlimited round the world ticket.

She squealed. Again. "Ooh, Martin! Let's go tomorrow! Let's see the world!"

I slammed the lid of the laptop down in frustration. Going on a trip with Little Miss Annoying meant shopping. It meant spending lots of money. And most of all, it meant not having any time to play FM. "Let me have a close look!" I snapped, simultaneously snatching the ticket from her hands. My eyes drifted randomly over the piece of paper, as if desparately seeking an escape clause. Then I found one.

"Oh dear!" I said, with only the slightest hint of sarcasm in my tone. "Number of passengers: One. Non-transferable."

* * *

"Mr Grice?"

I didn't really hear the voice the first time. I was in that wonderful alternate reality that fills the void between sleep and awakeness. I was congratulating myself on making such a quick escape. I'd hardly looked at the destination when I checked in at Gatwick. My only objective was to get on a plane. Maybe at 35000ft I would no longer be able to hear the moans and wails of Little Miss Annoying. Had she thrown me out, or had I left? I couldn't really decide. But then, I don't supposed it really mattered. Not now. Not for a long while. Not until travelling the world became boring at least!

"Mr Grice, sir?"

This time it cut through the subconcious fog. I opened my eyes, blinked, and stared up into the face of the typically pretty and typically over made-up attendant. I nodded.

"Would you like to watch a movie?"

It seemed as though it was less of a question, more of a command. The DVD was already being slipped into the player's slot by slender, ringless fingers. I turned, briefly, to locate the complementary headphones. Having put them on, I turned back to thank the hostess. She'd already gone, and I couldn't see her near by. Shrugging inwardly, I turned to the DVD screen, which was flickering into life. Classic football stills from the 60s and 70s slid across the screen, accompanied by crowd noises.

"The world of football has changed. Large corporations and money making enterprises have taken control. The ideals of the game have been lost. It's time they were taken back. It's time to show that the beautiful game is about the skill of man. It's time for one man to take on the footballing world, and carry all before him."

The music and slideshow stopped. Now the words themselved slid across the screen, as the voice narrated them.

"Your challenge, should you choose to accept it, is to be this man. When you land, go straight to the Royal Rio hotel, where a room has been reserved for you. You will receive further instructions there. This DVD will self destruct in 5 seconds."

Ha! I thought. That's something you'd only hear in the movies! But sure enough, there was an almost indistinguishable fizzing noise, and a thin wisp of purple smoke. Alarmed, I looked around, certain that the smoke would have set off some alarm or other. The rest of first class seemed to be caught up in their own little worlds. Sighing inwardly, I hit eject on the DVD player. Nothing came out.

* * *

Six Crowns Challenge. This is an opportunity to test the capability of my machine as much as attempt the challenge I expect to complete this approximately never, but it might be fun trying.

Running:

Europe

England (to Blue Square Premier)

Italy (to Serie C1, due to a misclick)

Germany (to Third Division)

Spain (to Second Division B)

South America

Argentina (to Second Division)

Brazil (to Third Division)

Colombia (to Second Division)

Uruguay (to Second Division)

Africa

South Africa (to First Division)

Cameroon (to MTN Elite Two) added using http://community.sigames.com/showthread.php?t=167830

North America

USA (MLS)

Asia

China (to First Division)

South Korea (to K-League)

Oceania

New Zealand (to Regional Premier Leagues) added using http://community.sigames.com/showthread.php?t=197571

African players added using http://community.sigames.com/showthread.php?t=162876

Love it . Good luck, and welcome to the race that will never end!

Welcome along for the ride, Dalbeider. It's all your fault, after all!

---

The hotel room was very nice. Somehow I didn't think I'd be staying there for long, though. A quick search revealed no dissolving DVDs or exploding cassetes, so I relaxed a little. Whoever it was who wanted to set my destiny would have to wait until I at least had a shower.

Refreshed and fed, courtesy of room service, I relaxed on the king-sized bed, and searched for something watchable on cable TV. Within an hour I was snoozing, having completely forgotten about my "mission". I was rudely awakened by a knock at the door.

Of course, when I opened the door there was nobody in sight, despite the lengthy straight corridor. I was about to shut the door when I noticed a large, thick envelope on the floor. With a furtive glance, I picked up the envelope and closed the door.

The envelope contained a lot of paperwork, but my attention was immediately drawn to the top sheet, which was typed in large font, probably to ensure I noticed it.

Mr Grice,

In order to complete your mission, the first step is for you to assume managerial control of a football team in South America. We have taken the liberty of applying to a number of such clubs on your behalf. Please familiarise yourself with your CV, which we have necessarily embellished a little.

In order to keep your mission under the radar of our enemies, the job you take must be low key. You must work your way through the leagues, either with your first club or with another club in South America. You must qualify for, and win, the Copa Libertadores.

We have enclosed dossiers on the five clubs who are willing to take you on as manager. Please make your decision immediately. It is imperative you are in position by the end of this week.

This letter will self destruct in ten seconds.

Quick as a flash, I whipped the letter from the top of the pile of papers, and tossed it into the en-suite sink. Just in time, as it immediately burst into flames. What a waste of work that would have been.

Pouring myself a drink from the mini bar, I pulled out the dossiers to find out who it was who wanted me.

Treze FC, from Campina Grande, in the Northeastern state of Paraíba

A Botofogo FC, from Guara near the capital Brasilia

SC Corinthians Paranaense, from São José dos Pinhais in the Southern state of Paraná

AA Coruripe, from Coruripe, in the Northeastern state of Alagoas

São Raimundo. from Santarém, in the Northern state of Pará

Wikipedia has always been my friend, and it immediately allowed me to discard Corinthians Paranaense due to their lowly league position in what is now the dying embers of the first stage of league competition. A Botofogo FC also got the chop for a number of reasons. It seems they are a new club reformed last year and acting as an "A" club to the more well known Botofogo from Rio De Janeiro. Not to mention I'd already decided not to base myself in a big city. The middle amazon location of Santarém didn't appeal because of the climate.

There wasn't much to choose between AA Coruripe and Treze FC. In the end, I opted for the one that didn't translate to "River of Toads".

There are probably few people in the world who know less than me about Brazilian football. Hell, there are probably few people in the world who know less than me about Brazil! So as I took the four hour flight North, I had quite a bit of reading to do.

Treze, literally "13", were formed in 1925, and enjoyed competition in the highest division (Série A) in 1976, 1977, 1979, 1982 and 1983. Famously (to them at least), they went undefeated in the 1966 Campeonato Paraibano, the state championship. The fans seem a strange lot, having as the mascot a rooster, and singing an anthem which roughly translates as:

We Are The Champions We are the best Paraíba champions Thirteen baby you're the greatest

His fans are legion and each day grows ever more We are champions of champions and regional championships paraibanos

Thirteen, Thirteen Thou art the joy of the people Thirteen, Thirteen Thou art champion again

Are [alvinegro] Rooster Borborema In many glories and traditions Thirteen, Thirteen am [trezeano] heart.

It probably rhymes in Portugese.

Two people meet me at the local airstrip. Válter Bahia, my assistant and a young lady called Sam, who I understand is going to help fill in when my poor Portugese fails to allow communication.

I'm more impressed with Estádio Presidente Vargas when I first see it than I was when I read about it. Since Wikipedia was last updated, someone's stuck 9500 seats in, making it a 10000 all-seater stadium! Two things really shocked me though. Firstly, there are 36 "lodgings" within the structure of the ground, where some of the players live. Secondly, the pitch is bloody awful! How can anyone play samba footall on that?

Settled in what I'm told is my office, Válter Bahia starts gabbling on, throwing in typically Brazilian sounding names like Kaká, Edson, Beto and so on. I assume he's trying to tell me about the squad. I make a cutting off gesture, making it clear I want to see the players on the pitch rather on paper. I have the privileged position of managing a team not only established and playing well together, but playing well together at the top of their league. Not only that, but I only have to ensure that Treze take one point from their last three games to qualify.

Brazilian National Third Division, First Stage Group B, 7th July 2009

| Pos   | Inf   | Team             |       | Pld   | Won   | Drn   | Lst   | For   | Ag    | G.D.  | Pts   | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 1st   |       | Treze            |       | 11    | 9     | 1     | 1     | 17    | 5     | +12   | 28    | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 2nd   |       | Icasa            |       | 11    | 6     | 2     | 3     | 11    | 7     | +4    | 20    | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 3rd   |       | Ferroviário (CE) |       | 11    | 5     | 5     | 1     | 14    | 5     | +9    | 20    | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 4th   |       | Potiguar         |       | 11    | 4     | 2     | 5     | 11    | 11    | 0     | 14    | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 5th   |       | Baraúnas         |       | 11    | 3     | 4     | 4     | 11    | 12    | -1    | 13    | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 6th   |       | Itapipoca        |       | 11    | 2     | 5     | 4     | 7     | 12    | -5    | 11    | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 7th   |       | Sousa            |       | 11    | 2     | 2     | 7     | 9     | 16    | -7    | 8     | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 8th   |       | Alecrim          |       | 11    | 1     | 3     | 7     | 4     | 16    | -12   | 6     | 
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 

Surely even I can't cock that up?

Good to see you writing again, Gricehead

Thanks Terk. Will it stick this time? I'd like to think so...

---

So who are the players who have so far elevated Treze to such a lofty position?

Regular between the sticks (or Goleiros, as I have to learn to say) is local lad Mateus (Mateus Quaresma Guedes). He's 21, and only conceded 1 goal in his 6 games. Backing him up this season have been 30 year old Tony (Arytanna Vasconcelos Cavalcante) who signed from Caucaia this season, and 29 year old Wanderson (Wanderson Ferreira de Souza) who joined this season from Esporte Clube XV de Novembro, Piracicaba.

Because of the formation favoured through the season, wide players (Laterais) are not exactly numerous. There's a couple of wing backs in the squad who have been everpresent, though. On the right 23 year old João Paulo (João Paulo Gomes da Costa) who joined from First Division Avaí in the close season. On the left, and possibly the best prospect at the club, is 20 year old Cleidson (Cleidson Rodrigues dos Santos). Born in Olivedos, 30 or so miles north-west of Campina Grande, he's in his third year at Treze, and has finally made a first team place his own. 27 year old Cléber Manttuy (Cléber Ferreira Manttuy) is the only other traditional wide player, and he's been filling in in midfield for most of the season. To say he's been around a bit would be an understatement. In between spells at nine Brazilian clubs, he's played in Spain, Uruguay, Portugal and Greece.

Five central defenders (Zagueiros) have taken to the field this season so far. Everpresent Tiago Messias (Tiago Messias de Jesus) joined from CSA Alagoano at the start of the season. The 27 year old is also something of journeyman, playing most of his football in his native Rio de Janeiro state. He won't make everpresent to the end of the season, as he is suspended for the next game. 22 year old André Lima (André de Lima Silva) has performed well in over half of the team's matches, after joining from neighbours Campinense in the close season. Home-grown Weverson (Weverson Patrick Rodrigues de Oliveira), 21, has played when André Lima hasn't, but will miss the rest of this part of the season through injury. The remaining defensive games have been shared between Ranieri (Ranieri da Silva Rodrigues), 27, playing his first season in the league after a handful of seasons in the Campeonato Paraibano; and Jonny (Jonny Victor de Souza Santos), 21, another signing from Esporte Clube XV de Novembro.

Defensive Midfield (Volantes) duties have been shared between three players. Marcinho (Márcio André Corrêa Cantanhede), at 30, has been everpresent, having signed from Moto Club de São Luís this season. Alongside him for most of the time has been Fernando (Fernando Luís Gomes Guilherme) another recent signing from Fortaleza, the 21 year old's home town. 25 year old Roni (Ronate Lindos) has filled in where required, but the player from Maranhão state, in his third season at Treze, isn't a patch on his defensive midfield teammates.

Everpresent Attacking Midfielder (Meias) Kaká (Fágner Leite de Siqueira) is in his 21st year, and already has time at 8 other clubs under his belt. He came to Treze from Botafogo FC of Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, and with two goals and three assists, he's the most potent threat in our midfield. Da Silva (Erisvaldo Oliveira da Silva), 24, has contributed in both midfield and up front, contributing a single goal before a hamstring injury ruled him out. He may be fit in time for the last couple of games of the stage. 32 year old Miltinho (José Milton Azevedo da Silva) has made just two starts since arriving at the club, both on the right wing!

Up front (Atacantes), 28 year old Beto (Cícero Herbete de Oliveira Melo) has scored 4 goals in 6 starts in his 6th season at the club, and 30 year old Nonato (Raimundo Nonato de Lima Ribeiro) has scored 3 goals in 8 starts, but misses the next game through suspension. The veteran has top flight experience, albeit several year ago, scoring 33 goals when with Bahia, before an inexplicable move to South Korea. 26 year old Cléo (Cléo Martins da Costa) has a reasonable return of 2 goals in 2 starts plus three substitute appearances, but seems to have managed this more with pace than skill. With 17 year old Edson (Edson Rodrigues Farias) and 20 year old George (George Francisco dos Santos) not having made an appearance since joining the professional ranks, that leaves only 28 year old Valnei (Valnei Souza dos Santos), whose 1 appearance since signing from Campo Grande netted a single goal.

Which just leaves me the problem of who to pick for my first game in charge, in 5 days time...

Treze's next fixture just happens to be against Ferroviário AC from Fortaleza, who just happen to be the last club to take any points from us. They also happen to be one of only two teams that can catch us at the top of the table. They need to win. I can think of better circumstances to start a managerial reign. I was just as confused about tactics, formation and starting eleven after our first staff meeting as I was before it. Válter Bahia clearly wants us to play narrow, with either a 4-2-2-2, 4-1-2-1-2 or 4-1-3-2 formation. Understandable given the lack of width. I did get a good amount of information about my squad, though, and a hint on a central defender I might want to give a trial to. The problem with giving trials, though, is that signing players afterwards costs money. I'm already just over my allocated wage budget, so some tough decisions need to be made, especially if the club is going to progress to the second stage. I start by handing papers to Josinaldo da Costa Souza, the second goalkeeping coach at the club, and José Ricardo Rocha, who both slept through most of the staff meeting.

Válter reckons I should be looking for a new goalkeeper, but goalkeeping coach Magno Ramón disagrees. Useful. At least he agrees with my choice of captain, Tiago Messias.

Above all, I'm hoping to make the most of the days in the build up to the Ferroviário game to get to know my squad. The media have other ideas, and (along with the gorgeous Sam) I'm wheeled out in front of the local hack, one Lailton Muniz Gomes, of the Campina Grande Football Messenger. He runs me through what I expect is his standard script for new football managers on his patch. You know the sort of thing; Is this my dream job? Will there be changes at the club? What sort of football will my side play? He does ask me one question which sounds alarm bells though, and it concerns whether Beto will remain at the club. Considering no-one had made me aware he was leaving, I was a little confused. Just one more thing to sort out, I suppose. As far as I'm concerned, he's under contract and staying here.

Another interuption I didn't really need in my first week comes from the club's scouting department, in the form of Éverton Borges da Silva. He waltzes into my office with a huge dossier of recommendations, I file them. They're no use to me until I've freed up some wages anyway.

The day of our first game eventually comes around, and I'm still none the wiser about my selection. Válter has to fend off more questions about Beto in our press conference, and afterwards meets up with me for our match-eve discussion. I start off by telling him I'd like to give his unfamiliar 4-2-2-2 a try, and ask him who he'd start in the absence of Tiago Messias, Nonato and Cleidson through suspension, and Weverson through injury. His, and therefore my, first team will be Mateus in goal, a back four of João Paulo, Cléber Manttuy, Ranieri and André Lima. Holding midfielders Roni and Fernando, attacking midfielders Marcinho and Kaká, and forwards Valnei and the much fancied Beto.

Chapter 1 - The closure of Stage 1

I'm burning the midnight oil the night before the game, when Válter arrives at my office with a glass of champagne in one hand and a piece of paper in the other. His babbling Portuguese is too much for me to follow, but after much pointing and grinning, I ascertain that he's holding the results from Saturday's game, and that 2nd place Associação Desportiva Recreativa Cultural Icasa have only managed a 0-0 draw with Alecrim FC, and accordingly can no longer catch us, meaning we have qualified for the 2nd stage. Without me having to tell anyone to kick a ball. Excellent.

One thing is for sure. This isn't samba football. It's 22 degrees Celsius and absolutely hammering it down. Mix in our terribly bare pitch and the game quickly becomes a slog. The 4-2-2-2, when matched with Ferroviário's identical tactic, seems to act only as a cancelling mechanism. Our best chance of the first half comes, ironically, from a route-one punt from Mateus, which Valnei hits straight at the opposition keeper. At the moment, though, I've got no plan B, and even if I did I'm not sure I could get it across to the players. So I limit myself to a substitution, bringing Da Silva on for Roni, who is carrying a knock.

The second half isn't much better, really. Beto tamely puts a close range shot straight into the keeper's arms when he should have done better, but at least we don't allow Ferrovário any clear cut chances. The referee eventually brings a boring 0-0 game to a close, and with it my "experiment" with 4-2-2-2, I think.

12th July 2009, Estádio Presidente Vargas. Brazilian Third Division, 1st Stage, Group B, Round 12

Treze 0 Ferrovário 0

Attendance: 6658

Man of the Match: João Paulo, Treze

Not only did that result disappoint our fans, it also cost us the services of Roni for six weeks or so, with a thigh strain. But at least Tiago Messias, Nonato and Cleidson are now available. Some work on the training field and on the coaches' white board produced a 4-1-3-2 formation for the away trip to Alecrim FC. It's a three hour trip North East into the neighbouring state of Rio Grande do Norte, and the coastal capital Natal.

Tiago Messias and Cleidson come into the defensive line, replacing André Lima and Cléber Manttuy. Marcinho plays the holding role, with Fernando supporting the attacking midfielders Kaká and Da Silva. Beto and Valnei start up top. There's only a small crowd present, not surprising given the home team have nothing to play for, and again they aren't entertained much in the first half. Fatigue appears to be setting in by half time, along with a complacent attitude. It's almost as if the players are content to play these remaining games out rather than playing for their places under the new manager. Whilst Válter lays into them in Portugese, I sit in the corner and shrug. My only input is to signal the like for like replacements of Valnei with Cleó and Da Silva with Miltinho.

Whatever Válter said, it doesn't seem to have worked miracles, as the second half is pretty much the same as the first. What chances we get, Beto belies the apparent interest in him by displaying some wildly erratic finishing. I'm just about resigning myself to a second 0-0 draw when we get the goal from the most unlikely of sources. A deep corner is headed back across goal by Ranieri, and there's Tiago Messias just beyond the near post to dink a header back over the goalies head. 1-0 the thirteen, and relegation for the hosts.

15th July 2009, Estádio Juvenal Lamartine. Brazilian Third Division, 1st Stage, Group B, Round 13

Alecrim 0 Treze 1 (Tiago Messias, 83 [1st])

Attendance: 1430

Man of the Match: Tiago Messias, Treze

We come out of the game without any injuries, but Fernando's yellow card means he'll miss the final game. That was his sixth of the (short) season, and indicates that discipline could be something I need to look at sooner rather than later. On the long coach journey home, I can't help but comment to Válter that playing on Alecrim's pitch looked much easier than playing on ours.

In a move which shows just how thin our squad is, the categorically poor Miltinho replaces Fernando for our trip to Associação Cultural e Desportiva Potiguar, based in Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte. It's a 5 hour trip by road. 5 hours. And this is the regional stage of the competition! The pitch at Estádio Nogueirão looks just about as bad as ours, so no doubt this will be yet another slog.

We start promisingly. Beto blasts a fierce shot straight at the keeper in the opening minutes, but it's well saved and the resulting corner is fruitless. We lack sufficient height to truly threaten from set pieces, something else which I'll need to look at. On 28 minutes, Miltinho threaded a ball through to Valnei, and the attacker slotted hom clinically. He was miles offside though; even I could tell from my touchline position. Miltinho thought otherwise, and earned himself a yellow card from the official. Potiguar utterly failed to threaten our goal at all in the first half, although we were hardly rolling over them. So my half time intervention was limited to tinkering and substituting tired players again. It's Cleó for Valnei again.

Kaká and Beto both had reasonable chances, but it was looking like another dreadful attacking performance. The best chance probably fell to Da Silva, as the ball fell to him on the edge of the area following a corner. He struck it sweetly, but the Potiguar keeper tipped it agonisingly onto the bar. An injury to Marcinho with ten minutes to go, meant I had no choice but to change to a 4-4-2. It wasn't something we'd practised in training, yet, but it was in my mind to go that way eventually. Cléber Manttuy replaced Marcinho, and we reorganised. Other than Cléber Manttuy getting one or two decent crosses in, there was still nothing to shout about.

18th July 2009, Estádio Nogueirão. Brazilian Third Division, 1st Stage, Group B, Round 14

Potiguar 0 Treze 0

Attendance: 3076

Man of the Match: Lano (GK), Potiguar

So Treze finish top of Group B by eleven clear points, with only a little assitance from me. Lots of work to do before Stage 2 though.

Chapter Two - What happens next?

Whilst the club wait for the draw for the second stage (and, personally, I wait for someone to tell me what happens in the second stage) I thought it might be time to strengthen the squad. Well, that idea was short lived. For the first time since I signed on the dotted line, the Chairman, Mr José Petrônio Queiroga Gadelha, paid me a visit. With Sam's assistance, he congratulates me on our initial success, and asks why I haven't sorted out the salary budget yet. Not being aware that there was a problem with the salary budget, I'm at a bit of a loss. Turns out we're operating over the maximum, and I have to sort it out. With a squad of 23 professionals, that's not going to be easy. And it means new arrivals will have to be loans. For now.

The Second stage appears to be a two-legged single game, and we're drawn with mercifully local neighbours Santa Cruz FC of Recife, Pernambuco. We'll play away, taking the two and a half hour trip first, in a little under two weeks time.

One area I do manage to strengthen is the backroom staff. Scouts Edil (Edilberto Melo de Oliveira) and Luís Luiz sign on the dotted line. That would spell the end of the road for the inept incumbant Éverton Borges da Silva, were he not asking for £2.5k in termination fees. As it seems the board won't be happy until I do save a few quid, I offer out defender Weverson, and to my surprise seven or eight clubs practically snatch my hand off. Have I misjudged him?

Incoming, on loan and for zero wonga, are 17 year old right back Felipe Cordeiro (Felipe Cordeiro de Araujo) and 19 year old Diego (Diego Júnio Tavares) from Atlético Miniero. Manager Wanderley Luxemburgo goes straight onto my Christmas card list. Closely following, on the same terms, is Ricardo Goulart (Ricardo Goulart Pereira), an attacking midfielder from EC Santo André. Also signing after a trial at the club is 23 year old Daniel Polizer (Daniel Polizer de Oliveira), for wages that I'm sure the chairman will not be happy with.

Defenders, it seems, are what the news is all about. On the same day that Weverson departs for Deportivo Brasil, the club physio reports that Ranieri will be out for 6 weeks after damaging his foot whilst training. Presumably on our death trap of a pitch.

With that, we head South East, to the beaches of Recife.

Chapter Three - The Second stage

Diego gets a start for the vital away leg at Santa Cruz, out of necessity due to Ranieri's injury. The other loanees make the bench. It would be easy to throw all three into the first eleven, but a team that knows each other is more important. Things may be different for the home leg. Our limited recon of Santa Cruz indicates they have one potent, and very fast weapon - in the shape of Lenny. My plan was to nullify this threat with our own quick attacking game. My plan failed. Most worryingly, it came when we gave away possession easily in midfield. A simple pass to Lenny and he outpaced two defenders before slamming a none-too-shabby shot inside Mateus' near post. Santa Cruz had one more decent chance in the first half, with Marcelinho clipping the post, the move again essentially a counter-attack from our possession.

I didn't read the riot act at half time. I don't know the Portuguese for "riot act". Not yet, at least. I did allow Ricardo Goulart to take to the field in place of Marcinho though. It wasn't to much avail. Our best threat seemed to be coming from corners and freekicks, which considering we are approximately the shortest side in the league, doesn't sound like much. Santa Cruz were more concerned with blocking off any flowing moves we tried to build up by fair means or foul. Perhaps I'm being a little harsh on them? We're a good couple of steps away from "flowing" still, and many of our breakdowns were from sloppy, or badly chosen passes. In fact it wasn't until stoppage time that we finally got something approaching a flowing move together. Cleidson, Ricardo Goulart, Fernando, Kaká and Beto all contributed, but disappointingly it ended with a corner. Kaká pulled the corner to the point of the 6 yard box, where Tiago Messias was waiting. A smart turn gave him space, and he smashed the ball home. I don't know if away goals count for anything in this competition, but the players celebrated like it did!

2nd August 2009, Arruda, Brazilian Third Division, 2nd Stage, 1st Leg

Santa Cruz 1 Treze 1 (Lenny, 11; Tiago Messias 90+3 [2nd])

Attendance: 24453

Man of the Match: Beto, Treze

Even as we travel back home, I'm desparately trying to strengthen the squad. Elkeson of Vitória is my target, but believe it or not it's Santa Cruz that are vying for the loan signing. We miss out on the attacking midfielder, and I'm left pretty certain that it's going to come back to bite me.

I stick with the same eleven when Santa Cruz come to town, but look to change my style to a counter-attacking, defensive approach. The reason? A kind soul told me that away goals do indeed count should the two legs finish level. I like my away goal. We'll also go all out to ensure Lenny gets what is affectionately known as a "Welcome to Thirteen".

Santa take the early initiative, but Jackson's long range effort is seen wide by Mateus. João Paulo has our first effort, as he cuts in from the right side and, despite acknowledging that he needs to pass more often, blazes a shot right over the bar. Lenny threatens to speed through our defence straight from the goal kick, but instead passes right to Jackson, who still hasn't tuned his radar. High this time. Still in the same phase of play, Nonato shows us a very good example of closing down the opposition, forcing Allyson into a bad defensive clearance and setting us onto the attack again. He plays it back to João Paulo, who finds Marcinho infield. The midfielder completes the triangle, finding Nonato on the wing. The striker gets to the byline and fires a curling cross-cum-shot which forces Leandro Cardoso to head clear from under his own crossbar. Cleidson forces a corner from the rebound. Kaká directs the corner to Tiago Messias on point off the near post, but Darci is equal to his header this time.

Beto fires a freekick high and wide, and Santa Cruz countered, winning a corner. Nothing came of it though. Then, on 37 minutes, Fernando finally kept up with Lenny long enough to get a kick in. And he got away with it! In the closing minutes of the half, Jackson took charge of a freekick, and made it three out of three off target, so we headed back to the changing rooms unscathed.

For the first time I can actually afford a smile as I confront the players. I make the signals to encourage more of the same, not for a minute expecting anything else from a bunch of players who must know the importance of the game at hand. Indicating that it's not through any fault of his, I let Nonato know that he'll be replaced by Cleó for the second half. If my Portuguese was up to it, I'd explain that the substitute has superior pace, which will support our increasing opportunities to counter attack. But it's not, and I'd rather not have Sam in a room of sweaty Brazilian blokes, so my encouraging hand signals will have to do.

The second half starts quietly. Santa Cruz probe our defence, which on the whole holds out and even looks threatening on the counter. Beto wins a freekick on the hour. The striker flicks it wide to Cleidson, who fires a ball into the box ahead of Cleó. It bounces of a Santa Cruz defender and falls into the path of the forward. Cleó controls, and tries to jink round Alex Xavier, who becomes the villain of the piece, extending a leg and tripping him. Penalty!

Beto makes no mistake, firing the ball to the keeper's right. Not quite in the corner, but it didn't need to be, as Darci didn't move. For the first time in the tie we were ahead.

Five minutes later, Leandro Biton disposessed Da Silva and set Marcelinho away. He found Elkeson on the edge of the D, who shot but only found the top of the bar. Heading into the last fifteen minutes, we were looking more confident in possession. After some smart crossfield passing, Da Silva found Marcinho on the edge of the area, but his shot was blocked. From the resulting corner Jader clears, but Lenny upends Da Silva for another free kick. More comfortable possession follows, and once again Marcelinho finds himself with a shooting chance. This time he blasts terribly wide, a disappointing effort in the circumstances. Santa Cruz rebuild down the flanks and Gilberto Matuto fires a deep cross. João Paulo clears, but only as far as Jader, who puts an excellent ball back across the box. A bit of a scramble ensues before the ball lands at the feet of Elkeson, who again can't find the target. It's not looking like Santa Cruz's day on the shooting front, and their claims for an unlikely penalty are similarly denied.

Looking to slow things down, I signal a double substitution, with Ricardo Goulart and Miltinho replacing Kaká and Da Silva. We're not safe yet, though, and Allyson is the next to cause a threat, rattling the crossbar from a corner. Gilberto Matuto desperately hits a first time shot from wide on the left, which sails harmlessly past the post. Now we're being pushed back, and as the fourth official starts to prepare his board, Miltinho misshits a crossfield ball out of play. The quick throw-in finds Lenny, who proves he's still a handful even when crocked by skinning a midfielder and laying off for Goiano. The substitute midfielder plays it left for Jader who exchanges passes with Leandro Biton before crossing to the far post. Cleidson, having his best game to date for us, heads away, but Goiano is on point to head back into the box. Fortunately for us, the limping Lenny hasn't made it back on side, and the referee's whistle is music to our ears.

Five painful minutes of stoppage time followed. Jader was still probing down the left, and Lenny was still occasionally threatening to look dangerous. It was perhaps fitting that the ref blew the final whistle with the pivotal Santa Cruz striker in possession and heading towards our goal. Cheers went up from the stands, and I wasn't sure whether to be most relieved at our progression, or the fact we had at last put in a reasonable performance.

5th August 2009, Estádio Presidente Vargas, Brazilian Third Division, 2nd Stage, 2nd Leg

Treze 1 Santa Cruz 0 (Beto 66pen [5th]) Aggregate 2-1

Attendance: 5728

Man of the Match: Cleidson, Treze

The victory celebrations, and boy can these Brazilians celebrate a victory, are only slightly soured by the news that Diego's injured knee will keep him out of action for up to four weeks, which presumably means both legs of the 3rd Stage. The blow is sweetened a little with the news that Daniel (Daniel Henrique Souza de Jesus), and 18 year old defender, is joining on loan from Internacional.

Chapter 4 - How many more stages?

Our smug grins at capturing Daniel from Internacional are very short lived. On his second day of training with us, he pulls up during a sprint session and is diagnosed as a badly pulled hamstring. So I'm still very short of defenders going into the Third Stage.

Sixteen clubs remain, and the Third Stage draw pairs us with Nacional Fast Clube of Manaus, capital of Amazonas. As would be expected, the city lies on the banks of the Amazon, and by road it's a hell of a long trip. Fortunately, the chairman is prepared for us to fly, saving the three day, 4500km road trip. We're at home first, so hopefully can get a good result in the bag before undertaking the journey into the rainforest.

André Lima replaces Diego in the only change from the winning team from the last game. Danilo Polizer has recovered sufficiently to sit on the bench should emergency defensive cover be required. The bookies have us odds on favourites to win, but I'm not so confident. Their keeper Costa is two clean sheet minutes short of five hundred, and their striker Pimenta has scored eleven in his last thirteen games!

If the Second Stage tie was tight, then this was at the polar opposite in terms of one-sided-ness. Fast Clube seemed completely unable to get to grips with the hard, uneven nature of our pitch, and their close control was terrible throughout the game. We could have had a penalty in the 5th minute, when Francimar challenged André Lima unfairly whilst jumping for the ball. Any ire I felt towards the referee lasted just a couple of minutes, as Paulinho Guerreiro completely misjudged a bouncing ball in the penalty area. It struck his head and rebounded to Marcinho, who, amazed by his good, beat the stranded keeper from close range. Three minutes later, and a foul on Cleidson led to a series of corners. Kaká delivered the second, drilled to the back post, where André Lima rose highest and firmly planted the ball in the net. In the space of three minutes, two players who had never scored for Treze before had put the game and the tie firmly within our grasp!

Yet there could have been more goals for us in the first half. João Paulo headed over from a corner; Da Silva found Marcinho in space, but a desperate block tackle directed the shot into the keeper's hands; Beto's freekick was deflected wide and Da Silva's vicious strike headed harmlessly over the bar. It was one way traffic, and Mateus should really have brought a good book. Fast Clube, unable to break down our defence, elected to try to break our players as the half drew to a close. Two separate knocks for Marcinho spelled the end of the game for our opening goal scorer, although I allowed him to soldier on until the referee drew the half to a close.

Of course, he wanted to continue in the second period, but I made the change anyway. On came Cléo and Ricardo Goulart, as in previous games, to give us that injection of pace. I fully expected a backlash from the visitors in the second half, but they were very slow to start. We simply absorbed pressure, kept the ball, and looked for opportunities to frustrate and counter. Ricardo Goulart had a long range effort parried well by the keeper, which seemed to spur Fast Clube on. Disappointingly, Kaká got himself drawn into an unnecessary foul for shirt pulling, ensuring that he would miss the away leg. As we passed the hour mark, Fast Clube started to throw caution to the wind. Marinélson shot well wide with his team's first notable chance, whilst four minutes later Mateus was forced to make his first save of the game, tipping Francimar's effort over the bar. David's challenge of Da Silva effectively ended the midfielder's game, and with ten minutes to go Miltinho replaced him. Fernando and Cleidson both had decent chances in the last ten minutes, but it was left to Kaká to put the icing on the cake, taking hold of a ball from Beto before beating Francimar and slotting into the bottom corner. Game over.

9th August 2009, Estádio Presidente Vargas, Brazilian Third Division, 3rd Stage, 1st Leg

Treze 3 Fast Clube 0 (Marcinho 9 [1st], André Lima 13 [1st], Kaká 88 [3rd])

Attendance: 5280

Man of the Match: Kaká, Treze

We had to be in the amazon in three days, but first of all I had to check on the casualties. News was not good, with both Da Silva and Marcinho well and truly crocked. Both would most likely miss the rest of the league campaign, no matter how far we made it.

With all three of my first choice attacking midfielders out, and the lingering defensive worries, I'm forced into the short term loan market against my better judgement. Figueirense come up trumps, allowing nineteen year old defender Luiz Eduardo (Luiz Eduardo Campese) and his midfield team-mate Talhetti (Maicon Talhetti) to join on three month loans. Neither will stay with us longer than absolutely necessary. It's a rush job to get the paperwork completed in time, and the two youngsters fly together up to Manaus in time for a bit of kip before meeting their new team-mates on Wednesday morning.

Some of the squad - especially those who played the full ninety on Sunday - seem jaded after the internal flight to Manaus. The game itself actually takes place in the municipality of Itacoatiara, the next major settlement downstream on the Amazon river, only 270km away, so that means another lengthy coach journey to endure. I figure that with a 3-0 lead I can afford to make a few changes, so João Paulo and Cleidson and Nonato drop to the bench, replaced by Felipe Cordeiro, Cléber Manttuy and Cléo. Talhetti, Ricardo Goulart and Miltinho play across the midfield, whilst Roni and Luiz Eduardo step up to the bench.

Instruction number one, as far as I was concerned, was to get through the first twenty minutes without conceding a goal. Control possession, and look for opportunities to exploit it. Fast Clube, on the other hand, looked for all they were worth as though they had set out for a 0-0 draw. Perhaps the idea of getting the sort of beating they got at our place in front of their own fans didn't appeal? Whatever, they did that particular job well, limiting us to long range effort for most of the game, and defending our set pieces well. The home side troubled Mateus just the once in the first half, the keeper claiming the ball comfortable from Túlio's long range effort in the eighteenth minute. Our best chance of the half fell to Miltinho, who skimmed the top of the bar five minutes before the break, whilst Beto put a freekick wide with the last kick of the half.

In my mind that was job just about done. There was no way I could see this dejected side scoring three in the second half. They were already beaten mentally. So I hauled off the ever present Fernando, to give Roni a run and save legs, whilst Luiz Eduardo got the chance to meet his team-mates on the pitch in place of André Lima.

The second half was more of the same. Long shots, such as Ricardo Goulart's effor just after the restart, invariable ended up wide, whilst Beto hustled and bustled to work up the odd chance, without converting any. Mateus had literally nothing to do, and with ten minutes to go I relieved Ricardo Goulart's tired legs, bringing on Nonato and letting Beto drop into the hole. Miltinho had one last effort over the bar before the referee drew the event to a close, to the jeers of the home fans. I didn't care. We'd done the job we had to do, missing eight first team players, and we were through to the business end of the competition.

12th August 2009, Floro de Mendonça, Itacoatiara, Brazilian Third Division, 3rd Stage, 2nd Leg

Fast Clube 0 Treze 0. Aggregate 0-3

Attendance: 2710 (sellout)

Man of the Match: Cléber Manttuy, Treze

With no further injuries sustained, I can relax a little on the long journey home to Campino Grande, and wait to see what the Quarter Final draw brings. I just hope we get chance to see our houses before we have to set off again!

Chapter 5 - 8 teams standing

The quarter final hands us a home tie on the first leg. I'm pleased about that, as I doubt the players are yet over their Amazonian exertions. Our opposition will be Sociedade Esportiva e Recreativa Caxias do Sul, so we'll face a long trip to the Southern most state of Rio Grande dó Sul for the second leg. João Paulo and Cleidson return to the starting eleven, as does Kaká (for Miltinho) having served his suspension. Of the Caxias players, the only name I recognise is striker Lê, who was recommended to me by one of our scouts.

Again, I asked my players to get through the first fifteen minutes or so unscathed, so that we could take a closer look at the opposition. Caxias looked strong from the kickoff, with Edenílson creating himself space to head Tiago Henrique's cross over the bar. Our initial probes were limited to long range efforts from Ricardo Goulart, who hit the target but saw his shot well saved, and Talhetti, who didn't. Mateus saved comfortably at the far post from Renan's looping headed attempt, but the visitors showed belied their early strength on a hot and sultry afternoon. Our best chance of the half came seven minutes from the end, with some good build up resulting in Cleidson crossing deep to where Cléo pulled away from his man, but headed straight into the arms of the Caxias keeper. It was an omen of things to come.

The only other concern of the half was a knock to Cleidson in stoppage time. We assessed the injury during the interval, but deemed that the fullback could continue for now. I really didn't want to change too much, but I did ask Ricardo Goulart and Kaká to swap roles, and the team in general to look more at probing possession than counter attack. Tactical genius? Well, let's see...

We took possession from the whistle, moving the ball comfortably across the midfield on our scarred, weather-beaten pitch. It was Ricardo Goulart who eventually decided that a forward pass was on, and looped the ball to the far post, where Cléo had again broken away from his marker. His looping header was more hopeful than anything, but it fooled Fernando Wellington in the Caxias goal, who as a result of some sort of intervention will see himself credited with an own goal. You could see our confidence rise.

Route one is not a common tactic in Brazilian football, even at this relatively low level. However, it can be effective, and when Mateus restarted play with a freekick from just outside our own area, Cléo broke free from the defenders, sprinted forward, and looped another header over the badly misplaced Fernando Wellington. Fluke or not, it counted. and we were cruising. The hour mark sailed by, with Caxias forced to withdraw Lê through injury. With that, their chances of getting a result in this leg ebbed away, and I looked to make my own changes. A number of my players looke to be running on adrenaline alone, and it was purely for those reasons that Ricardo Goulart and Cleidson made way for Miltinho and Cléber Manttuy. Step forward that man Cléo again, to round off a perfect afternoon by turning creator. Dispossessing the Claxias midfielder, he made another diagonal run towards the right corner, and picked our Beto wonderfully with his cross. My star striker won't have an easier goal to score this season, that's for sure.

With Nonato on for Talhetti, and the adrenaline beginning to run out, Caxias finally forged a couple of chances. Ismael's cross was headed over by Tiago Adan, and Cristian Borja headed Diogo's centre into roughly the same part of the crowd, but that was about it. Once again, it looked like we would head into the second leg with enough advantage to see us home.

16th August 2009, Estádio Presidente Vargas, Brazilian Third Division, Quarter Final Stage, 1st Leg

Treze 3 Caxias 0 (Fernando Wellington (og) 46, Cléo 56 [3rd], Beto 72 [6th])

Attendance: 5336

Man of the Match: Cléo, Treze

We have the luxury of a whole week before we head south, and we'll have a deeper squad for the trip. Carlos Magno (Carlos Magno Gomes dos Santos) joins on a short term loan from Cruzeiro. The twenty year old is the ideal cover for Fernando in our pivotal defensive midfield position. Ranieri will also resume training, but the trip will be too early for him at this stage.

After another internal flight, another overnight stay and a training session to acclimatise to the distinctly cooler temperature in this part of the world, we're ready for whatever Caxias can throw at us. Once again, I opt for safety first, resting Cleidson and João Paulo, and letting Luiz Eduardo make his first start in André Lima's place. The job will be the same as our last away leg: keep the opposition at bay for the first twenty minutes, and then look to pass them out of the game. It soon turned out not to be that simple this time.

The first quarter of an hour was quiet, no doubt about that. I was slightly concerned that we didn't seem to be adapting well to playing on the opposition's surface, and the teeming rain wasn't helping either. Having repulsed a couple of Caxias attacks, we started an attacking move through midfield, which cumulated in Cléo's shot being saved well by Fernando Wellington. No silly mistake from the keeper this time! Caxias countered through Tiago Henrique, and won a corner. From the set piece the referee spotted an infringement on Mika by Ricardo Goulart and gave a penalty. It looked pretty dodgy to me, and Cléber Manttuy also seemed a little miffed. Of course, Lê stepped up and scored. Twenty-two minutes on the clock, and our lead was reduced.

We could have really been in trouble, had Lê got his shot on target almost straight from the restart, but as it was we built from the back and won a freekick on the left inside the Caxias half. Beto took it short and received the ball back, but he couldn't get his cross in. Instead he won a corner. Kaká took the corner to the near post, and Tiago Messias attempted a repeat of his set-piece goal. Somebody got a limb in the way, but the ball bounced out to Talhetti, who really didn't have much to do to score.

Caxias, on the other hand, now had it all to do. They were an away goal down, and now needed to score four more to win. The game descended into an exchange of midfield passing, with both sides making smart, flowing passing moves, without really making much progress. As frustrations started to build, niggly little fouls started to be given. There was a great deal of shirt pulling, some of it punished more harshly than others. Luiz Eduardo got himself a yellow for pulling Cristian Borja's shirt, but only because the Caxias player went down rather heavily and protested. 1-1 at half time was reasonably fair, in my opinion.

A very tired Ricardo Goulart was replaced by Cleidson at half time, and I sent the players out to enjoy themselves in the second half. Beto didn't waste much time, blasting a freekick inside the near post after Kaká was brought down twenty yards out. From that point, needing five to win, Caxias to their credit threw caution to the wind. They were kept at bay, for the most, by some good solid defending, and when that failed Mateus was there to make a save. I made my final two substitutions with 25 minutes to go, withdrawing both cautioned players (Talhitti having also been booked) to ensure nothing silly could happen. Fernando immediately got himself a yellow which I couldn't do anything about, but most importantly, Caxias were running out of time. They were getting shooting chances, but they weren't being given the time or space to get them on target.

As the fourth official raised his board to indicate one minute of stoppage time, Diogo curled a freekick into the area, and Anderson Bill headed his first Caxias goal to give respectability to the scoreline, on the night at least.

23rd August 2009, Centenário, Brazilian Third Division, Quarter Final Stage, 2nd Leg

Caxias 2 Treze 2 (Lê 22pen, Talhetti 27 [1st], Beto 55 [7th], Anderson Bill 90+1) Aggregate 2-5

Attendance: 5107

Man of the Match: Diogo (AML), Caxias

And that, apparently, is promotion. I just hope the party isn't over by the time we get home...

Chapter 6 - Job done, now for the semis, part I

"Treze FC will play Itumbiara Esporte Clube in the Brazilian National Third Division Semi Final"

That was the news on our return to Campinas Grande. The first leg will be at home, again. The away trip will be a flight, again. Itumbiaria, in Goiás state, is probably the smallest place we will have been to on this national tour. Nestled against the Paranaíba river in the very south of the state, with a population of 100,000 and a 30,000 capacity stadium. So almost a third of the population could come and watch the match. Novel, eh?

We're joined for our celebration party by Dori (Dorielton Gomes Nascimento), a 19 year old striker on loan from Fluminese. Not that there's much point, but he's free and I feel we might need extra strength for the Itumbiara matches. They look strong on paper, and my staff look worried.

The game is on TV, and a bumper crowd is expected. I'm actually quite excited. Cleidson and João Paulo come back into the side; Danilo Polizer and Dori make the bench. Kaká and Ricardo Goulart swap midfield berths as has been successful in the second half of recent games. We'll have to watch out for Landu, Itumbiara's top scorer, as he has been prolific so far.

The two sides exchanged early chances, without as much as troubling the respective keepers. Itumbiara restarted with a goal kick from one such sense, and built an attack through midfield. Luiz Eduardo abruptly ended the move by marking Landu a little too tightly, earning himself a yellow card in the process. Worse was to follow, as Aílton fired the freekick home to give the visitors the lead. Not to be dismayed, we went down the other end, and Talhetti rattled the crossbar after receiving a decent ball from Beto. Cleó returned the ball with interest, but Sérgio saved well and held on to the ball. Itumbiara had another couple of chances which they blazed high or wide as the half drew to a close, and Carlos Magna received a stern warning for his trip on Edivaldo, but the two sides went to the interval without troubling the scorers further.

My players were downcast at the break, but I didn't think we were beaten. I told them there was still every chance we could get something from the game if we carried on playing as we had done recently. I'm not sure they believed me. Both sides came out with a mind to attack as the second half started. Patrick won a corner for Itumbiara. The clearance led to an attack down the left channel, where Patrick had amazingly chased back and beat Beto to the ball. Itumbiara then built steadily from the back, with Patrick and Aílton combining to find Landu. The prolific striker left Tiago Messias for dead, but Mateus got across to tip the shot wide, a fine save. Would Itumbiara rue that miss? They failed to capitalise immediately, as first Ricardo Goulart and then Mateus dealt with corners.

With an hour gone, it was time for me to make a change. Cléo wasn't making the same impact this game as last, so I introduced the newest member of our party, Dori. Patrick was still causing us problems down the wing, crossing for Edivaldo to head against the bar in the best chance of the second half so far. As the half matured, we came gradually into the game. João Paulo's foray down the right was ended by Éder Monteiro, who headed the cross out for a corner. Beto's tricky run ended the same way shortly after, this time through Leandro's intervention. Just as we looked to be stepping things up further, Ricardo Goulart crashed into Aílton, and came off worse. After lengthy treatment, it was clear that he couldn't continue, so Cléber Manttuy came on. Talhetti, who had taken a knock from Edivaldo earlier, also came off for Miltinho.

Fresh leg seemed to make a difference. Cleidson combines with Cléber Manttuy from a throw, The left back passed to Carlos Magno who moved it forward for Kaká. Kaká combined with Miltinho, before the overlapping Carlos Magno and Cleidson were involved again. Cleidson's pinpoint cross found Beto, who surged past his marker and tapped in from close range! We were level, in the dying minutes of the game! But wait, the assistant referee had his flag up. Incredulously, Beto was ruled offside, and not surprisingly a number of my players disagreed vocally with the referee.

That seemed to knock the fight out of us, and despite four minutes of stoppage time, we couldn't find another meaningful attack. As the final whistle blew, I shook hands with Itumbiara's manager, remaining as professional as my seething mind allowed. Already I could hear calls from the backroom team, that replays showed Beto was clearly onside.

30th August 2009, Estádio Presidente Vargas, Brazilian Third Division, Semi Final Stage, 1st Leg

Treze 0 Itumbiara 1 (Aílton, 19)

Attendance: 9525

Man of the Match: Patrick (DR), Itumbiara

Chapter 7 - Job done, now for the semis, part II

Ricardo Goulart will miss the second leg, having sustained a severe cut to his face. However, Marcinho stands a chance of making the trip. Da Silva may also be fit, but probably too tired to have a major impact. We need an attacking game plan this time, and that looks like it might mean a 4-3-3 starting formation. Ricardo Goulart is replaced by Dori, whilst Fernando returns relegating Carlos Magno to the bench. Danilo Polizer makes his debut in place of Luiz Eduardo. The overnight stay gives us plenty of time together to discuss tactics, so by the time we get out on to the pitch everyone knows his role, depite the formation being a new one for us.

João Paulo and Beto combine to give Talhetti the first shooting opportunity of the game, but it's a long range effort which clears the bar with ease. Minutes later, Kaká played a smart ball into the box to meet the run of Dori, and only a well timed tackle from Leandro stopped a simple tap-in. Dori was involved again in our next attack, meeting Cleidson's cross with his head, and forcing a smart save from Lopes. On to the twenty minute mark, and after Kaká blasted another long range effort over the bar, Fernando fed Cléo, and the striker went on a run across the top of the area, beating Patrick twice and eventually shooting just over the bar. We were dominating, but we were going to need to make a chance pay soon, otherwise there was no point.

Just before the half hour was up, Beto played in Kaká, but he fluffed his shot and another chance went begging. Finally, Itumbiara woke up to the fact that they were being pummelled, and started to play. Aílton's freekick, as a result of Tiago Messias' trip of Landu, went wide of goal, but Geraldo did better, testing Mateus' reactions. Edivaldo came close still, blasting against the bar with Mateus beaten, with Patrick forcing a corner from the rebound.

The clock ticked towards half time, and we started to find our possession play again. Cleidson received the ball on the left wing, and elected to play the ball across the top of the area to Kaká rather than whipping in a cross. Kaká collected well, and turned the ball neatly around the corner to Dori. The loaneee striker spotted Beto's run through the middle, and slipped the ball in front of him. Our top scorer couldn't miss, and he didn't. Itumbiara were lived. They were convinced Beto was offside, but replays clearly showed a defender in the right back position playing our striker on. At last, the pressure had told, and we had the levelling away goal.

Itumbiara looked for a quick response, but with only a minute or two left, there wasn't the time. My half time team talk was now a different matter. I had to prepare the lads for the possibility of extra time and penalties if the scoreline stayed the same. I wanted to hold on to what we had, concentrating now on not conceding, but I kept the formation and made no substitutions. I might well need those fresh legs later.

The second half started with both sides cancelling each out in midfield, but it was Itumbiara who had the first chance. Tiago Messias got in another hard challenge on Landu, judged a foul by the official. The home side's set-piece specialist Fábio Vidal hit the freekick directly at the defensive wall, getting only a corner for his efforts. Tiago Messias rose well to clear, but Landu put the ball back into the mixer. João Paulo cleared, and this time Itumbiara were content to build more patiently. Our defense held firm, though, and saw out the period of pressure.

The hour mark passed, and once more we found ourselves camped in our own half, defending corner after corner, until eventually Edivaldo headed over the bar, giving us some respite. Mateus chose to restart with a pass out to João Paulo, and we built from the back with some more neat passing. Fernando, then Tiago Messias, then Cleidson took hold of the ball. the left back rode a challenge from Aílton and brought Kaká into play. He found Dori, who lost out to Éder Monteiro, but was persistent enough to win the ball back, directing it into the path of Cléo. the striker headed into the box, and a block tackle from Álisson sent the ball spinning out for a corner. Danilo Polizer climbed well, but headed over the bar. He looked disappointed, knowing that was most likely his best chance to make himself a hero.

Twelve minutes left, and Itumbiara thought they had a decent shout for a penalty, when Cleidson challenged Fábio Vidal and headed the ball out for the corner, but the referee ruled a fair challenge. The break in play gave me the opportunity to make a couple of changes, and introduce fresh legs in time for the newcomers to be bedded in for extra time. Talhetti departed for Miltinho, and Kaká made way for Da Silva. The corner came in, and this time Pachola rose highest, but his header sailed harmlessly over the bar. Fernando, however, was laying on the floor in the penalty area, clearly in pain. Great. I've just substituted two of my three midfielders and the third one gets injured. Quickly, Carlos Magno warmed up and took to the field.

With two minutes remaining, and the fourth official readying his board to show the stoppage time to be played, I turned my attention to the mental notes I had made in order to prepare myself for the extra time, spirit lifting team talk. Meanwhile, Edivaldo won a freekick, and Patrick's delivery found Pachola's head. The substitute spurned anouther chance, heading just over the bar this time. From the goal kick, Tiago Messias lost out to Edivaldo, and Landu took the ball forward. Leandro Carvalho put in the cross which again found Edivaldo. After a swift one-two with his team mate, Edivaldo looked ready to pull the trigger, but there was Danilo Polizer to make a vital intervention.

Three minutes of injury time were signalled, but even as the board was being tucked away, Landu went down in a heap after another crunching challenge. The seconds counted down. The original three minutes passed, and the referee played on. Éder Monteiro grabbed Cléo as the pacey striker ran past him to receive a long throw ball from Beto, and the defender received a yellow card for his trouble. Itumbiara took the opportunity to finally replace the stricken Landu. Whilst I was mentally celebrating the departure of the opposition's biggest threat, Beto stepped up and lofted the freekick into the area. It was deep, beyond the high defensive line, and as the gaggle of players scrambled back, a black and white shirt broke ahead of the rest. Up popped a head, and the ball fizzed past the Itumbiara keeper into the net.

The bench beside me erupted, with players and staff running onto the field. Silence descended on the stadium, other than our very small bunch of travelling supporters. I peered to try and see who had scored, but it was impossible to identify the black and white shirt at the bottom of the pile of celebrating players. Eventually, a figure emerged, one arm aloft, the other beating his chest. It was Danilo Polizer, a hero on is debut after all.

6th September 2009, Estádio JK, Brazilian Third Division, Semi Final Stage, 2nd Leg

Itumbiara 0 Treze 2 (Beto 43 [8th], Danilo Polizer 90+4 [1st]) Aggregate 1-2

Attendance: 6274

Man of the Match: Danilo Polizer, Treze

It took a fair amount of time for things in the visiting dressing room to calm down sufficiently to pack up and start our journey home. Possibly the only glum face in the party was Fernando, already sporting crutches to help him move around. He'd torn a groin muscle, which would see him out for three months and, more importantly to him, the final.

Chapter 8 - The final frontier

Our opponents in the final will be Criciúma Esporte Clube, and that will mean a trip back south to within a hundred miles of where our Quarter Final match took place. Criciúma, in Santa Catarina state, is another "relatively small" city of just under 200,000 inhabitants. Our opposition have been where I inevitably want to get when, in 1991, they won the Copa do Brasil and qualified for the Copa Libertadores.

We play the away leg first, so really we only get three days at home before we're turning round and heading south again. Carlos Magno and Da Silva both return to the starting eleven, with Dori relegated to the bench. Marcinho makes the bench, but Ricardo Goulart - now recovered from his facial injury - just misses the cut. That's enough to illustrate that I'll be reverting to 4-1-3-2 for this leg at least. Impressively, Criciúma haven't conceded a goal so far in the knockout stages.

How they have achieved that feat is a mystery. If it wasn't for Cléo's woeful finishing, we would have been 1-0 up inside 5 minutes. The striker, put through by a ball from Kaká, which left him stood on the penalty spot, face to face with the keeper, dragged his shot wide of the post. Kaká put Da Silva through 5 mintues later, but his long range effort was wild to say the least. From the goal-kick, Criciúma showed us what they are capable of, and stormed down to our penalty area. Marcello Moscatelli was guilty of poor finishing, heading a cross well wide.

On the twenty minutes mark, chief creator of chances Kaká lined a free kick up from the left hand side. His target was heroic defender Danilo Polizer, and he found him, but the resulting header was off target. Criciúma were starting to look more dangerous though, particularly when attacking down the right through Thiago Matos. Ivo was the recepient of an infield pass at the end of one of Thiaog Matos' runs, and his cross found Ferreria, who headed over. Sooner or later, someone would get a shot on target.

As it happens, it was sooner. From Mateus' goalkick, Glaydon beat Beto to the ball, fed Ferreira, who started a flowing passing move for the home side. A dozen passes later, Ferreira had the ball back at the corner of the area. A short pass to the arriving Ronaldo Capixab put the striker one on one with Mateus, and rather than blasting across goal, he placed it neatly inside the near post. The stadium erupted, with about 20000 partisan fans cheering the goal. My players appealed hopefully for offside, but without any joy.

Criciúma could sense that our heads dropped a little after conceding the goal, and they tried to push home the advantage to extend the lead. First Ferriera, then Ivo and then Djerabé had chances, but to a man they couldn't keep the ball down. We weren't in the game for the rest of the half, and I was glad when the final whistle went so that I could get the team back to the dressing room and try to rebuild.

I didn't see the need to change personnel during the interval, just remind the lads where they were and how they had got there, and tell them to go out and do their season justice. Good team talk or not, the first ten minutes of the second half were dominated by more wayward shooting from both sides. Then came five minutes of madness that could have spelled the end of the tie for us. On 54, Carlos Magno tugged on the shirt of Marcelo Moscatelli, and the referee harshly produced a yellow card. João Paulo's trip on Ferreira was similarly punished three minutes later. Ferreira twigged what was happening here, and the next time he ran past Carlos Magno he went down as if shot. The referee bought it, and showed our holding midfielder his second yellow card. Our players were starting to get flustered now, understandably, and there were signs of tempers being lost right across the park.

That would mean some substitutions. I couldn't risk losing another player, so João Paulo saw himself hoiked off to give Daniel his first run out. Da Silva, struggling a little for fitness, also made way for Marcinho, with the substitute being asked to fill two positions in the middle of the park.

The clock ticked down without any real moments of quality. With fifteen minutes left, Beto went down in a heap after an innocuous looking collision with Djerabé. I signalled to Dori to return to the bench from his warmup, and listened on as Válter gave him some last minute instructions. Just as the striker was stripping off his tracksuit, my attention was grabbed by the shrillness of the referee's whistle, and howls from the near capacity crowd. I looked up to see the referee signalling for a penalty to us. Talhetti, anonymous so far in the game, had been tripped by Ivo according to the officials. Obviously, I hadn't seen it, but from the reaction of the home players, it may have been a harsh decision.

Beto, limping significantly less than a few moments ago, picked up the ball and placed it on the spot. He paused, ran up, and hit quite possibly the worst penalty I've seen. Straight down the middle, and the goalkeeper deflected it away. He could quite as easily caught it, trapped it with his foot, or flicked it up and started doing skills. The shot was that poor. Dejected, Beto left the field to be replaced by Dori.

The game ended as it had started, with Cléo through on goal after a smart pass from Talhetti. Forced much wider this time, the striker just failed to get his shot on target. He tried to disguise his failure by claiming for a penalty, but he knew he should really have done better with both chances

13th September 2009, Heriberto Hülse, Brazilian Third Division, Final Stage, 1st Leg

Criciúma 1 Treze 0 (Ronaldo Capixaba 26, Carlo Magno sent off 62, Beto missed pen 80)

Attendance: 20930

Man of the Match: Ronaldo Capixaba (ST), Criciúma

Between the three strikers, we'd missed three gilt-edged chances to take an away goal into the second leg. That was pretty much all I could think about as we travelled the length of the country yet again. The other thing on my mind was whether the multitude of knocks and minor injuries we had sustained would survive the long journey, and if not, what sort of side would I be fielding next weekend?

Chapter 9 - Is there gold at the end of the rainbow?

The last thing I needed was any distraction for the players. As so often happens, you often get the last thing that you need, and chief story in the local rag (The Campina Grande Football Messenger - a grand title for tomorrow's chip shop wrappers) is of our largest city neighbours, Campinense Clube, looking to put in a bid for Beto. It's not the first time, but on this occasion I rise to the bait, and we put out a strongly worded "go away".

We'll revisit 4-3-3 for the second leg, because it worked last time. Carlos Magno's suspension means Marcinho will play, and Dori replaces Kaká, who is less than fully fit. We'll look to get the ball wide more, to find more space on our home turf. If you can call it turf.

Straight from the kickoff, the pattern of the game is established. We're on the attack, closing down Criciúma when they are in possession, and going forward at every opportunity. The visitors, however, are more interested in stopping us by whatever means necessary, and are lucky not to have a couple of yellow cards in the opening exchanges. By the time ten minutes have passed, there's a yellow card each to Ivo and Talhetti, for unconnected incidents. If the referee had given us the first card, I might have exploded!

Eventually, football started to take over. Both sides had chances, but the visitors were just edging it. First leg scorer Ronaldo Capixaba forced a fine save low to his left from Mateus, and Djerabé's header skimmed the bar. In return, we forced a couple of corners from Beto and Da Silva's attempts at goal. So you could say it was slightly against the run of play when we got the goal we really needed. Cleidson held the ball on the left and played it forward to Cléo, who was hugging the touchline. The pacey striker took the ball right to the byline, before swinging in a low cross to the near post. Dori was arriving at pace, and his presence caused a mixup between Galego and his goalkeeper. Whoever got the final touch, the ball ended up in the back of the net. Now we were level on aggregate, and it was all to play for, as long as we didn't concede...

...which we did, eight minutes later. Again, Criciúma beat us with a ball behind our defence from Ivo, but this time it was Marcelo Moscatelli running through, and firing past Mateus from just outside the area. The ball hit the inside of the post and bounced across the goal, giving a moment of hope to the bench, but it had crossed the line, and it nestled in the opposite side of the net. Elation to depression in eight, short minutes.

So there was nothing to do but attack. Galego's free kick in his own half was won in the air by Danilo Polizer, Galego got it back, but misplaces a crossfield pass straight to Cléo. The striker tried to find Dori with a forward pass, but Vinícius Simon got a foot in to clear. Da Silva picked up in midfield, but was tackled by Anderson. This was a great defensive effort by the visitors. Marcinho picked up this time, and was given sufficient time to get a pass out to Cleidson. The left back, afforded acres of space on the touchline, moved forward before whipping in a high cross towards the penalty spot. Djerabé cleared, but only up in the air and across his own area. Talhetti was storming towards the box, and Anderson was changing direction to try to reach the mishit clearance. The defender won the challenge and cleared as far as João Paulo. The right back returned the ball into the box with interest and Djarabé, still off balance from his original clearance, felled Dori. That was enough for the referee to blow his whistle and point to the spot.

It felt like the whole stadium was holding it's breath as Beto placed the ball on the penalty spot and paced back to the start of his run up. Every one of the capacity 10000 crowd had seen his miss in the first leg. Personally, I was proud of the player for having the balls to step forward and try again. To give him credit, he didn't seem fazed at all. Receiving the referee's signal, he stepped up, and struch the penalty low and to the keeper's left. 2-1 on the day, and we were back in the game.

With ten minutes to go to half time, the Criciúma keeper restarted with a long upfield kick. Danilo Polizer jumped with goalscore Marcelo Moscatelli, but despite winning the ball, the defender came off worse, left in a heap on the floor. Criciúma played on, much to the annoyance of Marcinho, who pulled back the offending attacker and earned himself a yellow card for his troubles. Danilo Polizer received treatment, and seemed OK to continue. He found his passing feet four minutes later, initiating a move down the left with a fine ball for Marcinho. The midfielder left Gaydon for dead before laying the ball to the overlapping Cleidson. His cross was towards the back post, over the head of Dori who was attacking the near post. However, Dori crashed dramatically to the floor, and once again the referee blew his whistle and pointed to the spot, Vinícius Simon being accused of the foul. Criciúma's appeals were loud and long, but were totally drowned out by the noise our fans were making. Once more, Beto stepped up, placed the ball on the spot, and paced back. Fans watched on, their fears over the first penalty forgotten. Beto took a deep breath, started his run up, and unbelievably repeated his first leg failure. If I hadn't seen both myself, I would have been convinced it was a reverse angle replay. I flung the water bottle that I happened to be holding to the floor in fury, and mouthed a few lesser known vulgarities that wouldn't attract the ire of the Portuguese speaking officials.

With only a couple of minutes to go to half time, we threw caution to the wind. Beto, Cleidson, Talhetti and João Paulo rained crosses into the box, but the combined forces of the Criciúma defence dealt with everything. There was a distinctly uneasy air as the players trooped back into the dressing room at the interval.

Now wasn't the time to point fingers and lay blame. We had a stadium full of supporters here, and we had to go out and fight to the death for them. Suitably fired up, the players took to the field again, and we were straight on the offensive, with Talhetti winning a corner. João Paulo headed over the bar in what was probably the best chance before the hour mark, and just after it I decided it was time to make a change. My opposite number had the same idea, so as I replaced Talhetti with Kaká, off went the first leg scorer to be replaced by Ferreira. Da Silva and Beto tried to combine down the right, and as a result won a corner. Kaká sent the ball near post to Tiago Messias, and the defender jinked past his man as he had done on my very first game in charge. This time, though, he blasted tha ball across the face of goal, and it curled harmlessly away for a goal kick.

Marcelo Moscatelli earned himself a yellow card with fifteen minutes to go, as the visitors started to descend into the fouling tactics they started the game with. Dori and Cléo combined down the left from the resulting freekick, and Cléo's far post cross seemed destined to reach Beto. But there was Vinícius Simon challenging again, and there was Beto crumpled on the ground. Penalty! Surely? No whistle from the referee this time.

Seven minutes to go, and Tiago Messias moves forward to collect a goalkick from the Criciúma keeper. But Marcelo Moscatelli holds him back. The referee dashes over, already brandishing the yellow card and reaching into his pocket for the red. The hero turned villain, and we'd got a man advantage for the remainder of the game. Desparately urging my team forward from the touchline, I'm frustrated as Criciúma waste time with a substitution. Three minutes of added time are indicated, but we just can't seem to penetrate the last line of defence. Marcinho, Cleidson and Kaká bear down on the penalty area, but Cleidson fouls Thiago Matos, and the move is halted. Our last chance fades away, and the referee puts his whistle to his mouth and signals that Criciúma are champions of the Third Division.

20th September 2009, Estádio Presidente Vargas, Brazilian Third Division, Final Stage, 2nd Leg.

Treze 2 Criciúma 1 (Galego og 20, Marcelo Moscatelli 28, Beto 32pen [9th], Beto missed pen 39, Marcelo Moscatelli sent off 83) Aggregate 2-2, Criciúma win on away goals

Attendance: 10000 (sell-out)

Man of the Match: Cleidson, Treze

Criciúma manager Wilson Vaterkemper shakes my hand as we leave the stadium. He's already mentioned Cleidson as the best player on the pitch in one of his post match interviews, a fact which hadn't escaped my attention. I congratulate him, and tell him I'm already looking forward to playing his side again next season.

Excellent read Gricehead; is that the end of the season or is there more to come?

Thanks Greasy Chip Butty, it is the end of the season (the time shifted season is hard to get used to) and competitive football doesn't start again until January. That's one hell of a close season!

---

Chapter 10 - Becalmed

There's a very strange atmosphere around the training ground in the days and weeks following the final. There's an element of sorrow at losing the final, combined with a faint memory of joy at having secured promotion seemingly so long ago. The reserves and youth teams are still working hard, as they are still involved in their respective leagues for the next 4 weeks, but what happens for the rest of us? I give the first team a choice as to whether they want to keep on their toes with the reserves or put their feet up. A surprising number opt to carry on playing football. For me, there's nothing to do but decide which, if any, of my players won't be good enough for the next level. From what I can make out, we don't actually have a competitive game to the new year.

I get used to the routine of coming into my office, putting my feet up with a nice cup of tea, and reading the various headlines from the European season, but this particular morning there's a strange envelope on my desk when I arrive. Now, there's nothing strange about post on my desk, but given that the temporary secretary finished her contract at the end of September, and no-one else but me has access to the office, I wonder how it got there.

Curiosity gets the better of it, and I open the letter.

Mr Grice.

Well Done on taking your first step along the road. It's up to you now whether you continue trying to achieve your goal here, or use your reputation to climb to a higher placed club that could make the achievement of your goal happen more rapidly.

We are happy to help if you decide the latter.

This letter will self destruct in ten seconds

I tossed the letter in the bin. Without a second thought, I threw a cup of water in after it. There was an acrid smell of smoke, but no visible flame. Settling back in my chair, I decided that actually I quite liked it here.

Chapter 11 - Holidays and Goodbyes

Interest in the Reserve and Youth competitions dwindled once it was clear we couldn't win either. The Youth competition provided the only real excitement, as we raced local rivals Campinense for 4th spot and ended up losing out on whatever tie break rule was in force. After that, there was nothing to do but put my feet up with my "Portuguese for Beginners" book. That was one of my three targets for the closed season: Learn Portuguese, Get a Holiday, and get into Sam's pants. I thought I could safely manage two out of three.

Of course, what a manager should be doing in the closed season is preparing for the next season. However, the chairman, when he was actually around the club, point blank refused to talk about finances, so I was stuck for now. I also asked if he thought it would be a good idea to pair us up with a parent club. He said he'd think about it, and consult the other directors. I didn't hold out much hope.

We had a last night party for the players in early November, before they went on their own holidays. Everyone turned up, apart from Luiz Eduardo and Felipe Cordeiro. Both these players had gone back to their parent clubs with a parting shot that they didn't get enough game time. It's not like there were many games to go round! A great deal of Brazilian beer was consumed, and the lads even had me up and dancing at one point. I don't think there were any video cameras present. Emboldened by the alcohol, I asked Sam if she wanted to come and do some touring round Brazil with me for a few weeks. She replied that she didn't have anything better to do, and it would help me learn the language, so as long as I paid her expenses she was up for it. Excellent.

Clearly she'd been waiting in the wings whilst I was busy getting to know a new club. Clearly.

Over the next couple of days, I tidied the remaining paperwork in the deathly quiet of the club offices. This largely consisted of adding Wanderson, Tony, Roni, George, Ranieri and Valnei on the transfer list. I'd see whether anyone was interested when I came back. With that done, it was back to the language training, and browsing wikipedia for interesting places to visit. On what I planned to be my last day, the chairman made a completely unexpected appearance, with Sam in tow. Between them they informed me that the board had drawn up a shortlist of potential parent clubs, and they would appreciate my input. Although they reserved the right to ignore anything I said because (according to Sam's translation) I knew sod all about Brazilian football. Cheers.

All three potential clubs were First Division. Clube Atlético Mineiro I discounted on the ground that Felipe Cordeiro had probably sullied my name there. So it was a choice between Grêmio Foot-Ball Porto Alegrense and Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras. Grêmio had struggled to finish 10th, whilst Palmeiras were runners-up. No choice really.

With my backpack packed, and Sam's, er, rather large suitcase also packed, we jumped on a plane and headed South. Working back up the country seemed a reasonable idea to me...

Chapter 12 - A new beginning

As I said, two out of three is quite a good achievement. The holiday was good and my Portuguese is now passable. Sadly, Sam now sees this as a reason to cease our working relationship, rather than progress on to any other sort of relationship. She's just playing hard to get.

There was an acceptably small pile of mail on my desk when I first made it back into the office. Having checked that none of it looked like it was going to burst into flames, I settled down to my work. A large portion of the mail was from my three scouts, rounding up their reviews of their trips around the various divisions throughout last season. There were some notably red-penned names, which were filed straight away in the "to do" pile. Other notable items included an invitation to something called "exit trials", again with some names to watch out for highlighted with red pen; and an invitation "plus one" to the club awards night. Somehow, I didn't think I'd be using the plus one.

At the bottom of a pile, was a note on Palmeiras headed paper, commenting favourably on the respective chairmen's decision to set up a relationship between the two clubs, and listing a number of players I might like to considering taking on loan. Bonus!

In my email was an invitation, well more of a demand actually - my newly honed language skills could now tell the difference, to appear at the board meeting on the 2nd January, in order to discuss the forthcoming season.

The awards night was quite fun, although wearing a dinner jacket was slightly uncomfortable in the thirty degree plus, very humid weather. João Paulo collected the supporter's player of the year award, which got the biggest cheer of the night. The whole first team took to the stage to take their rightfully earned applause for achieving promotion, and I gave a very brief speech. I was nervous, making my first public speech in Portugues, so I kept it very simple, but I think the effort was appreciated.

The nerves I'd felt at making the speech were nothing compared to how I felt going into the board meeting. The chairman and individual directors had all made noises about managing the wage budget, and I expected a very difficult conversation about our chances and what sort of funds were avaialble. To my surprise, the atmosphere was very pleasant. The chairman, in his opening remarks, stated how the whole club was proud of our promotion. It was nineteen years, he went on, since the club had competed at this level. My eyebrow raised slightly when he said that everyone realised it was going to be a struggle to establish the club in the higher division. At that point he handed over to the Finance Director to make his report. I sat on the edge of my seat.

The Finance Director opened his books, placed his accountant's glasses on his nose, and read. Again, to my surprise, he started off by congratulating me on our promotion. Promotion, he said, meant more supporters coming through the gates, and he expected a significantly larger number of season tickets to be sold for our Second Division campaign. In addition, he continued, the club had received the equivalent of £250,000 in the league's TV contract, and a new sponsorship deal worth over three time the previous contract had been agreed with the club's main sponsors.

Attention then turned to me. I was asked what my plans were for the forthcoming season, what I thought our chances of survival were, and what I thought I would need in terms of investment on the playing side. I wasn't going to lie. I said that I agreed with the chairman's opinion that it was going to be a struggle, and that the team needed half a dozen superior players to give us a realistic chance of establishing ourselves in the division. There were sharp intakes of breath at this. I quickly went on to say that I envisaged the majority of these players would arrive on loan deals, as many as possible at no cost to the club, with the majority coming from our new parent club. That seemed to calm the tension a little. Sensing things were going my way, I moved in for the kill, and asked what sort of wage budget I was looking at. A number of glances passed between the board members, and the financial director was the one who eventually spoke up. Peering over the top of his glasses, he told me I could spend wages up to the equivalent of £31k per week.

I could have fallen off my chair. I asked him to repeat the figure, wondering if my language skills had let me down. No, I had heard and translated right. The chairman wanted to almost treble my wage budget. I could work within that, I told him. I suppose if the financial director isn't worried, I shouldn't be, but I am left wondering just how the club would fund that budget if I stretched it to the limit.

With that, the meeting adjourned. I returned to my office to contemplate my new-found riches.

Chapter 13 - Down to business

Another benefit of learning the lingo, was that I could finally have a proper staff meeting with all the backroom staff, rather than having to rely on one to one sessions with Válter, translated by Sam. So my office was rather crowded as we began to plan for the new season.

First topic for discussion was loan signings. I passed around papers detailing the six players I had already made approaches for, including three from our new parent club. There were nods of satisfaction around the room. General opinion was that if all six of them signed on, we would be well on the way to having a strong enough squad to compete in this division. If not, that was a different matter. Válter thought we would need a better goalkeeper, as Mateus wasn't unlikely to make the jump up a level at this stage of his career. Goalkeeping coach Magno Rámon agreed, and suggested a handful of players we might be able to pick up to strengthen that area. Júlio Alencar, chief first team coach, wanted to point out that we had zero cover at right back, and although João Paulo was capable enough, even having the miserable Felipe Cordeiro back would be better than nothing.

Everyone was in agreement that we should try to hold on to Beto, regardless of any offers coming in. With a bit of work on his finishing, the 29 year old could still be figuring on the top scorers list in the Second Division. There were no qualms over losing the players I had transfer listed, though.

Moving on, we set our sights on the youth squad. Roughly half of our sixteen year olds won't make the cut, according to the coaching staff, so we drew up instructions to make them available to other clubs. Like all our youth players, they're all on long term contracts, so I'm not going to be just kicking them out onto the street. Yet. Válter ran us through the new intake to the youth team. Five boys had been signed on, all but one of the local lads. Of particular note, according to Válter, was Renan (Renan Alves Teles). The 14 year old attacking midfielder is "one of the best in his generation" accorgding to my assistant. Jokingly, I asked if he was any relation, but Válter was adamant. He was backed up by the other outfield coaches, and with that unanimous verdict, I vowed to take a closer look at the lad in our early youth fixtures.

Which brought us round to the topic of what our fixture commitments were in the next few months. I knew that the Second Division didn't start until May, but wasn't sure what we were supposed to be doing in the mean time. Válter explained that we had two friendlies, away at fellow Paraíba side Nacional de Patos and our contractual home fixture against Palmeiras. Then he introduced me to the wonder that is the Campeonato Paraibano. I sat there with a look of puzzlement on my face as he explained we were obliged to take part in the state championship, against a real mixture of other sides. Was it supposed to be a glorified pre season, I asked? Clearly, that was the wrong question. I was informed in no uncertain terms that Treze had won the competition four times this century already, and expected to be at least challenging this time round. Interesting. Food for thought, as I drew the meeting to a close.

Only one of my loan signings had arrived by the time we departed for Patos and our first friendly. Soutto (Fillipe Souto), an 18 year old midfielder from Atlético Mineiro, would most likely walk straight into the first team.

It was by no means ideal conditions for a friendly, especially for our few travelling supporters. The rain started a good hour before kickoff, and was still coming down in buckets during the game. A single strike from Da Silva in the first half won the game, but we hardly dominated. I had a look at Renan for 45 minutes, and Soutto seemed quite capable, but other than that I didn't really learn much. If we play like that against Palmeiras, we're going to get hammered.

4th January 2010, José Cavalcanti, Friendly

Nacional de Patos 0 Treze 1 (Da Silva 33)

Attendance: 849

Man of the Match: Da Silva

Chapter 14 - A case of misplaced parentage

There's a spare peg in the dressing room, as Roni packs his bags. The midfielder didn't figure greatly in any of my teams, and realised that he was unlikely to feature moving forward. He was therefore quite happy to accept a move to Trem Desportivo Clube, in the northern mining city of Macapá. A minor monetary consideration changed hands.

My full quota of desired loaness - and one extra - arrive in time for our next match. Of course, those from our parent club will be unavailable for the friendly. Those who will be avaialble are Lusmar (Lusmar Teodoro Gomes Júnior), 19 year old defensive midfielder, from Goiás, and Lucas Roggia (Lucas Ramos Roggia), 18 year old £1m rated striker, from Internacional. Palmeiras have kindly let us borrow Luís (Glelberson Luís Leopoldino Bertante), 23 year old striker, Patrick (Patrick Camilo Cornélio da Silva), 19 year old attacking midfielder and Rafael Dida (Rafael Alves Alexandrino Sant'Anaa), 20 year old goalkeeper. They've also sent along David (David Edson do Nascimento), 19 year old right back, who can play a number of positions, which will solve our right back cover issue.

Twenty-one year old reserve striker George follows his team-mate to Trem in a similarly structured deal.

Over 7500 show up for our blue riband friendly with Palmeiras. They bring a strong side, which helps. Some fringe players get a chance, along with Lusmar and Lucas Roggia. It's a reasonable backs to the wall performance, and we don't concede against our top flight opponents until after the hour mark. In terms of what I learnt about my team, Lusmar looks a class act, whilst Locas Roggia has some blending in to do before he's firing on all cylinders. The defence, in general, did very well indeed.

6th January 2010, Estádio Presidente Vargas, Friendly

Treze 0 Palmeiras 1 (Márcio Araújo 60)

Attendance: 7612

Man of the Match: Cleiton Xavier (Midfielder), Palmeiras

Things to build on, definitely, and a week now to prepare for the state championship. Joining us then will be Ricardo Goulart and Talhetti who both agree to rejoin us for the full season. A number of other irons are still in the fire, though.

Chapter 15 - What a state

The Paraíba State Championship, this year, is to be competed for by ten teams. Other than ourselves, there are two other sides from Campina Grande; Campinense Clube in the same division as us, and Sociedade Esportiva Queimadense, our nursery club, who share our stadium but have no history in the National League structure. Third Division Botafogo Futebol Clube hail from state capital João Pessoa on the Atlantic coast. The state's third city, Santa Rita, is home to Internacional Esporte Clube, who also haven't qualified for the Third Division. Patos in the west is home of two clubs; Nacional Atlético Clube de Patos, who we know well, and who play in the Third Division, and Esporte Clube de Patos, who don't. Sousa, a small town north-west of Patos, is home of Sousa Esporte Clube, who suffered Third Division relegation last year. Head west from there and practically on the state border is the town of Cajazeiras, where Paraíba Sporte Clube play their matches. Finally, Associação Desportiva Guarabira are from the small town of the same name, north west of us.

So the real interest will be in the games between ourselves and Campinense, which will give us a great opportunity to test ourselves against higher league opposition. But first up we have to play hosts to Paraíba. The media are predicting that this will be a slaughter, and all the talk is about how many we will score. I'll be happy with a solid win and a team performance as evidence that my players are getting to know each other, because I intend to field a team including eight loanees. Rafael Dida will start between the sticks, David at right back, Cléber Manttuy at left back with Tiago Messias and Danilo Polizer completing the defence. Lusmar will hold the midfield whilst Talhetti, Soutto and Ricardo Goulart will have license to create. Patrick and Luís will be looking for goals. The bench will consist of Mateus, André Lima, João Paulo, Cleidson, Fernando, Kaká and Beto.

Captain Tiago Messias doesn't set a good example, picking up a booking only 16 seconds into the game. As you would expect, we spent the first ten minutes getting on first name terms, before class eventually shone through and Ricardo Goulart topped a flowing move by sliding the ball in for Patrick who scored confidentally. Fifteen minutes later, Luís' left wing cross was deflected into the path of Ricardo Goulart, who hit an unstoppable drive into the top corner. Brilliant stuff! We were on fire now, and five minutes later David took the ball down the right wing and fired in a wickedly curling cross, evading the keeper and creeping in just under the bar. He claims he meant it, of course. We topped the first half with a goal for the captain. Another Ricardo Goulart drive was deflected behind. Talhetti's corner was met with a bullet header from Luís, which the keeper did well to block. Tiago Messias reacted quickest, and toe-poked the ball home for 4-0.

I didn't need to say much at half time. Instead, I just made like for like replacements for two carded players, Patrick and Talhetti. On came Beto and Kaká in their place. The players had clearly decided to take it easy on our inferior opponents, at least in the goalscoring staeks. Shame about our discipline, though. Just after I made the last substitution, replacing Soutto with Fernando, Tiago Messias earned himself a second yellow card. That fired the remaining players up just enough to make sure Ricardo Goulart could get his second of the game, with a great first time strike, having been played throught by Kaká.

13th January 2010, Estádio Presidente Vargas, Paraíba State Championship, Open Round 1

Treze 5 Paraíba 0 (Patrick 10 [1st], Ricardo Goulart 28 [1st], David 33 [1st], Tiago Messias 37 [1st], Ricardo Goulart 82 [2nd]. Tiago Messias sent off 76)

Attendance: 2498

Man of the Match: Ricardo Goulart, Treze

Ricardo Goulart was outstanding. David and Luís were also pretty impressive. Not a bad start, really, although Tiago Messias' suspension is irritating to say the least. Soutto reports a bruised rib after the match, which will rule him out for a while. In other games, Campinense beat Queimadense 2-1 and Sousa beat Esporte 1-0. The other two games end 1-1.

We strengthen again before the next game, with defender Cássio (Cássio Francisco Borges da Silva) joining in a calculated move from Associação Portuguesa de Desportos of São Paulo. He's one to watch for certain. he comes straight into the side to face Nacional de Patos, again at home. Other changes will see Fernando replace Soutto and Da Silva replace Talhetti. I also take our full backs to one side, and tell them I want them to get forward more.

We score another comfortable victory, as expected. Which was a good job really, as we spurned so many good chances that I would have been livid had we dropped points. Fernando opened the scoring inside ten minutes, with his first goal for us. Receiving the ball on the edge of the area from Kaká, he slammed it goalwards, beating the desparate dive of the Nacional keeper. He managed to do with a moving ball what most of the team failed to do from a set piece, as we racked up a number of missed opportunities from freekicks.

Patrick got us a second just after the half hour mark, after Da Silva's pull back was hammered straight at the striker by Lima in the Nacional defence. It's fair to say he didn't know much about that one.

Again, there wasn't much to say at half time, but this time I waited until twenty minutes from time before subbing Fernando and Luís with Kaká and Beto again. The second half, in general, was quiet, even though Nacional came into the game with a couple of half chances.

17th January 2010, Estádio Presidente Vargas, Paraíba State Championship, Open Round 2

Treze 2 Nacional de Patos 0 (Fernando 10 [1st], Patrick 35 [2nd])

Attendance: 2501

Man of the Match: Cléber Manttuy, Treze

More of a team performance this time, although Cléber Manttuy seemed to enjoy the change of role. Around the grounds, Campinense got another win, beating Paraíba 1-0, whilst Desportiva Guarabira and Botafogo both score wins to maintain their unbeaten records. We travel to play Botafogo for our next fixture.

Chapter 16 - The Seaside and the Scarecrow

Central defender Diego, who of Atlético Mineiro, rejoins us on loan for the rest of the year, obviously not too perturbed by his team-mate's report. He doesn't make the 18 for the trip to the seaside, though. It's less than two hours to the state capital João Pessoa, almost next door compared to our recent trips! The Atlantic air is refreshing, and the temperature a relatively cool 25 degrees. Ideal footballing conditions, as far as Brazilians are concerned.

João Paulo gets a chance to start, in the only change from the previous game. From the kickoff, Fernando takes the ball forward and hits one from just outside the area. At full stretch, the keeper deflects the ball onto the top of the post, and it bounces away harmlessy. Botafogo look to a come back at us straight away, and it's soon pretty clear this is going to be our toughest game so far. So it's a relief when we finally get a goal. It comes just after the half hour mark, after a sustained period of pressure for us. Patrick delivers the 5th corner in a row and Luís rises miles above his marker to head home. That's enough to see us to half time, where a knackered Da Silva makes way for Kaká. Válter and I urge the players to show a little caution, as it's clear Botafogo have the capability to come back and cause us problems.

Luís and Kaká both have chances to extend our lead, but eventually our defence is undone by a cute through ball and the lightning pace of Léo Papel. I'd already decided to give Lucas Roggia some game time, and with a flea in his ear he took to the field now to replace Patrick. It only took us five minutes to regain our advantage, with an excellently constructed move down the left between Cléber Manttuy and Luís. The left back played a ball inside when his defender was expecting him to go down the outside and put in a cross. Luís cleverly dummied to take the ball round his defender, but actually waited until the defender was committed and then placed it the other side of him, in off the near post. Amazingly, we nearly allowed ourselves to be undone again, in exactly the same manner, but Rafael Dida got down well to save at the advancing striker's feet.

20th January 2010, Almeidão, Paraíba State Championship, Open Round 3

Botafogo 1 Treze 2 (Luís 33 [1st], Léo Papel 64, Luís 71 [2nd])

Attendance: 2562

Man of the Match: Vinicius Colombiano (DM), Botafogo

Luís was the outstanding player of the game as far as I was concerned, so we'll agree to disagree with the voters on that issue. Around the rest of the championship, Campinese beat our next opponents Desportiva Guarabira 3-0, whilst the other three ties ended in draws.

We return to base for a couple of days, before heading to Guarabira to play "The Scarecrow in the Swamp". On the way we pick up the first permanent signing of the season, Kiko (Cléverson dos Santos Oliviera), who has joined from Mirrasol Futebol Clube, São Paulo state, for the princely sum of £250. At 26, the midfielder is the ideal cover for Lusmar.

Kiko makes his debut, and Luis Roggia starts. Ricardo Goulart and the disgraced Tiago Messias both return to the side. It's another game we're expected to win, and it takes just 8 minutes to get on the scoresheet. Lucas Roggia throws the ball to Cléber Mattuy, who slides a sideways ball to Fernando in the penalty area. Fernando spots the run of Kiko and plays the debutant through, but the ball is just too heavy, and by the time Kiko collects, he's too close to the keeper to beat him. The shot ricochets out into space, and Talhetti picks it up, and his shot deflects into the goal. We double our advantage on the quarter hour mark, when Fernando is given time to turn a couple of yards outside the area and absolutely tonks one into the far corner. A number of chances go begging in the rest of the half, a fairly common symptom in recent games, but going in 2-0 up away from home can't be sniffed at.

Inside the first ten minutes of the half, João Paulo heads forward down the right, and feeds the ball forward to Lucas Roggia. The striker heads for the byline, and pulls it back to the point of the area for the advancing Talhetti. The midfielder hits it first time, inside the near post, with the keeper stranded and clearly expecting the cross. Talhetti was unlucky not to collect his hattrick when he hammers another long shot which almost knocks the keeper out. This game is well won, so it's time for some fresh legs. Marcinho, Cleidson and Beto replace Fernando, Cléber Manttuy and Luís.

Lucas Roggia seemed determined to get on the scoresheet, and he did everything he could, rattling the cross bar, and firing two close range shots straight into the keeper. A little more composure, and he too could have claimed a hattrick. No-one else could hit the net, though, and we had to settle for three.

24th January 2010, Sílvio Porto, Paraíba State Championship, Open Round 4

Desportiva Guarabira 0 Treze 3 (Talhetti 8 [1st], Fernando 16 [2nd], Talhetti 53 [2nd])

Attendance: 1364

Man of the Match: Talhetti, Treze

We're scoring goals from all over the park, which is a good feeling. Kiko had a solid debut, which is also pleasing. There's not a lot for me to be unhappy about at the moment.

In the other games, Campinense beat Esporte 2-0, and Queimadense beat Internacional by the same scoreline. The other two games end goalless. With both teams holding 100% records, the match up with Campinense is looking like the Opening Stage decider, for sure.

Chapter 17 - A Landlord and a Tenant please.

Little Queimadense are 4th in the table. As our tenants and our nursery, there's a lot of rivalry. Normally, the sides play each other pre-season, but that game had to be cancelled in favour of the Palmeiras fixture. So the Treze board and their Queimadense counterparts decide to make the Paraíba State Championship fixture a fans day, with free tickets sponsored by local businesses. We expect a reasonable crowd, and will need to put on a reasonable performance.

There's still the opportunity to tinker, though, so David and Soutto come in for João Paulo and Fernando. Over four and a half thousand fans are in the ground, which I imagine must be quite high for this tournament. Queimadense and Treze fans stand united in terraces, and the atmosphere suggests it will be a good day. David is straight into the game, getting down the right and whipping in a great cross. It's headed out to Kiko who gives it to Ricardo Goulart, and the in form midfielder literally hammers it goalwards from 30 yards out. It curls fiercly, and there's no way the keeper is reaching it. Unfortunately, it pings off the inside of the post. It deserved more.

Ricardo Goulart showed the versatility of his game, by choosing to play the simple pass when confronted with a similar opportunity a few minutes later. He finds Luís who cuts inside and slots home at the near post. It's all about Ricardo Goulart, and the midfielder almost knocks a defender over with another fierce goalbound shot with 25 minutes on the clock. We spend the rest of the half creating chances almost at will, but not extending our lead. Juninho in the Queimadense goal was doing really well, pulling off fine saves from Ricardo Goulart and Soutto in the dying minutes of the half.

With the players back in the dressing room for half time, I reminded them that, despite the atmosphere, this was not a pre-season friendly. A win was vital, and goal difference could yet be the deciding factor in the race for the title. So go out and get more goals, I told them. Soutto took the words to heart, and finding himself on the edge of the D after a fine passing move down the left, he turned and hit a thunderous strike past Juninho. That was what the game needed, and allowed me to make some changes on the park. Cleidson and Beto were already warmed up, and took to the field, replacing Ricardo Goulart and Lucas Roggia. The midfielder received a standing ovation from all parts of the ground, having enjoyed another excellent performance. Cléber Manttuy would take up his midfield berth.

Beto had the ball in the net just before the hour mark, only to see the assistant referee deny him his first goal of the season with the offside flag. We probed and prodded our way through the middle fifteen minutes of the half, forcing a few more quality saves from Juninho, before Beto put the cap on another good team performance. It came from yet another move down the left, with Cléber Manttuy combining with the overlapping Cleidson, whose deep cross found Beto peeling away from his marker to head in at the far post. Job done.

31st January 2010, Estádio Presidente Vargas, Paraíba State Championship, Open Round 5

Treze 3 Queimadense 0 (Luís 16 [3rd], Soutto 48 [1st], Beto 88 [1st])

Attendance: 4721

Man of the Match: Ricardo Goulart, Treze

Campinense continue to match us, sneaking a 1-0 win at Sousa, whilst Botafogo pummel Paraíba 7-0. Esporte and Nacional de Patos both score victories.

Chapter 18 - The big one is coming

With one eye on the Campinense game, I decide it would probably be a good idea to rest a few players for our trip to Esporte of Patos. There was a small possibility I might have gone too far. Like, changing everyone but the goalkeeper and Cléber Manttuy. This haunted me for the full three hours of the coach trip west. In came João Paulo, Cássio, Diego, Lusmar, Da Silva, Marcinho, Kaká, Patrick and Cléo. Sure, the bench was strong, but I didn't really want to have to bring them on if I didn't have to. Esporte sat 7th with 4 points so far from their 5 games.

Despite Esporte's most potent threat, striker Téo, being carried off in the second minute, it was still a painful exercise to watch. My worst fears were being realised. We couldn't string three passes together, and when we got the ball into threatening positions, Cléo, in particular, was badly lacking sharpness. Him and Patrick between them wasted five guilt edged chances in the first half, with only Cléo's rattling of the bar causing any excitement. Finally, in the last minute of the first half, João Paulo took the ball down the left and swung in a cross. It was mishit, and curled towards goal. Keeper Pierre back pedalled. His defender jumped, but missed the ball, which must have put the keeper off, as the ball bounced off his outstretched hands and into the net. The relief was almost visible on the bench, mostly coming from me.

We might have got the goal, but the dressing room knew they hadn't been good enough. At least now, I told them, the pressure was off. They knew they were all fringe players, so I made it clear that they should go out and show me what they could do.

There seemed to be a more confident air as the team lined up for the second half. Sure enough, Da Silva broke up the first attack from the restart, and we build a move down the left. Cléber Manttuy did what he has been doing so well so far this season, and got to the byline before swinging in a deep cross. Patrick had made himself space at the back stick, and the keeper was helpless to stop his close range header. Ten minutes later, a smart turn and layoff from Cléo gave Patrick a second opportunity, and with his confidence clearly blossoming, he poked home from ten yards.

Esporte looked beaten now, their first half hopes obliterated. I signalled for Fernando to replace Da Silva, to tighten up the midfield just in case the home side had any tricks left up their sleeves. Whilst Cléo still couldn't get a shot on target, Patrick was on the hunt. Fifteen minutes from time, he collected a ball deep and played it to Kaká. The midfielder held it up, whilst Patrick made a storming run for the box. The precisely timed through ball beat the offside trap, and Patrick was one on one with the keeper. From a tight angle, he fired it across the goalie's body and it nestled into the top corner. The bench went mad as Patrick ran to the goal, collected the ball and jogged back towards the centre circle holding it aloft.

Easing back we coasted to full time. When the whistle went, my players all rushed to congratulate Patrick. As he left the pitch I patted him on the back and added my own congratulations, for being the first Treze player to notch a hattrick under my management.

3rd February 2010, José Cavalcanti, Paraíba State Championship, Open Round 6

Esporte 0 Treze 4 (Pierre og 45, Patrick 47 [3rd], 56 [4th], 75 [5th])

Attendance: 1026

Man of the Match: Patrick, Treze

Campinese won, of course, 2-0 against Internacional. Botafogo won again to cement their hold on third place, whilst Nacional and Sousa also scored away wins.

As if I didn't have enough to worry myself about, the draw for the Brazilian Cup first round was made as I was preparing to select my eleven for Campinese. We have to travel south to Arapiraca, Alagoas state to face Agremiação Sportiva Arapiraquense in the first of two legs next Wednesday. They themselves, although a Third Division side, are on form - leading their state championship after six games unbeaten. It won't be easy.

Chapter 19 - Derby Day

Whilst the Queimadense game was something of a carnival, Campinense are the real rivals. One of the main talking points amongst Treze fans at the end of the last season was the prospect of four guaranteed games with their city rivals this season. It was all that was being talked about for weeks beforehand around the stadium, and the fact that it looked like being the decider for the opening phase of the state championship just added to that buzz. Tickets sold fast, and on the eve of the game it looked like there might be another sellout crowd. To do my bit, I had to ensure that our best eleven players were on the pitch, and that they understood what this game meant to the club and it's supporters. Neither of those tasks was particularly easy. Firstly, I still didn't know my best eleven. Sure, some players come pre-printed on the teamsheet, but there are still a lot of questions in my mind. Secondly, with the likelihood of over half of any of my team being loanees, I can't expect them to have a full grasp of the "heart" of the club. Not when most of them have only been here five or six weeks. Still, I can think of worse problems.

The big day dawned hot. Very hot. The forecast was for temperatures to top 35 degrees, and we couldn't expect the heat to have receded much for the 4pm kick off. My deliberations had eventually produced a squad with just one or two surprises. Rafael Dida would start, of course, with a back four of David, Cléber Manttuy, Danilo Polizer and Tiago Messias. Kiko got the nod in the holding role, with Talhetti, Soutto and Ricardo Goulart in front of him. Luís and Patrick would start up front. Válter and I did our best to rouse the dressing room, and club captain Tiago Messias also gave an imploring speech. I expected nerves, though, if my own feelings were anything to go by.

Ricardo Goulart had the best tonic for my nerves. In only the second minute, he received the ball from Luís after a closely worked throw in high up the line on the left. He took stock of the situation with his foot on the ball, stepped inside the line of the approaching defender by a couple of paces, and fair leathered the ball towards goal. The keeper dived valiantly, and managed to get his fingertips to the ball, but it was only enough to divert it onto the inside of the post. As the ball struck the back of the net, the roar went up around the stadium. What few empty seats there still were got lost in a sea of black and white shirts.

The goal struck a real blow to Campinense. I wanted us to take full advantage and press for more. Campinense wanted to foul their way level. Patrick and Ricardo Goulart were both unwitting victims of this policy, but both rose from the ground and shook off their knocks. Talhetti created himself the next opportunity, nodding a ball down into his own path as he entered the area, but his shot was mighty wide; disappointingly so. The player scowled, probably as angry with himself that he couldn't match his fellow midfielder's accuracy. As if sensing this, when he next received a short cut back from David on the point of the area, he elected to pass sideways to Ricardo Goulart, who again took one step to the side and blasted an even fiercer shot goalwards. Again, the keeper was at full stretch, but this time he was relieved to see the ball ping down off the bottom of the crossbar, hitting the ground about three yards in front of the goal line.

With Campinense's attacking threat limited so far to one long range effort which Rafael Dida easily collected, a one goal lead was the least we could have expected given the quality of our play, but it was a lead I happily took into the interval. I expected the second half to be much tougher.

As expected, our rivals put us under pressure. They put together a sequence of three corners, which we defend adequately, before we break free on a counter attack. The sweeping move is ended somewhat prematurely when Patrick is hacked down on the halfway line, amazingly without even a yellow card in sight. Campinense see a lot more of the ball, though, as the clock ticks past the hour mark. Overall, I'm pleased with the way we close them down, and limit their chances to shots from outside the area. They're pretty good at getting them on target, but Rafael Dida is pretty good at catching them. He restarts after one such catch, and we quickly build down the left. Ricardo Goulart and Talhetti switch the play across the midfield as we enter the attacking third, and the ball ends up with David on the right wing. The wingback's attacking play has already been a revelation this season, and again he makes it to the byline and whips a good far post cross in. Luís knows where it's headed - he's read the script - and he's on hand to rise high to meet it with his head. This time, though, he fires it over the bar. He jogs back shaking his head. He knows he should have scored that one.

Danilo Polizer heads Patrick's corner over the bar a couple of minutes later, and I decide it's fresh legs time. Kaká and Lusmar replace Soutto and Ricardo Goulart, giving us a slightly more defensive spine in the midfield. Both are involved in a move straight the way, moving the ball across the field from left to right again, to find David. This time the wingback exchanged passes with Talhetti before storming forward and swinging another exquisite far post cross in. Luís made no mistake this time, heading down into the corner out of reach of the keeper. 2-0, and that was the game. The only silence in the ground was the stand behind that goal. The other three sides, and the bench, erupted in celebration once again.

Campinense reverted to trying to kick my players, which quelled my celebratory mood a little. Kaká and Lusmar both needed treatment as the game moved into it's last throes. Cléber Manttuy proved to us why he is a wingback and not a forward, by driving over the bar when he found himself with rather more space than he expected. It didn't matter. Two minutes into stoppage time, Kaká pulled a short corner back to the captain on the point of the six yard box. The defender turned inside and poke a shot towards goal. As much to his surprise as mine, the ball somehow found it's way between the goalie and the man standing on the near post, and nestled in the back of the net. Treze fans were in heaven.

7th February 2010, Estádio Presidente Vargas, Paraíba State Championship, Open Round 7

Treze 3 Campinense 0 (Ricardo Goulart 2 [3rd], Luís 71 [4th], Tiago Messias 90+2 [2nd])

Attendance: 9797

Man of the Match: David, Treze

3-0 flattered us a little, but I was happy to take it. To say the supporters and board of directors were happy was, well, a classic in understatement. Botafogo, Nacional and Sousa won their games to keep up the chase, but it was largely immaterial. With three points and a 14 goal difference, we would need to lose both our remaining fixtures not to finish first.

Chapter 20 - Calm after the storm

Celebrations continued well into the night. I couldn't afford such luxuries, however, and the news from the physio's room dampened my high spirits a little anyway. We'd miss Lusmar for three weeks and Patrick for two as a result of Campinense's violent approach to the game. With the State Championship almost sorted, I could afford to send a strong team out for the cup game, so the only changes to the starting eleven would see Cleidson and Lucas Roggia coming in.

We travelled by road on Wednesday morning to Arapiraca, taking BR104 south to Caruaru in Pernambuco state, then BR232 and BR423 southwest to Garanhuns before turning onto PE218 to cross the state border into Alagoas. A short stretch on BR316 through (or rather round) Palmeira dos Indios and then we were on AL115 for the final stage. A five hour journey, but not worth a flight. A quick stretch of our legs and a meal, and we're prepared for the game. As we head out to take our positions, I'm struggling with a nagging feeling that I'm forgetting something. I'm sure I read somewhere about a strange rule in this competition involving the away team winning, but I can't for the life of me remember what it is.

Whatever it was, there doesn't seem much risk of it coming into play, when Agremiação Sportiva Arapiraquense, or ASA as I'll call them from now on, open the scoring in the eleventh minute. David gave the ball away cheaply right up by their byline, and we never recovered back to deal with their rapid attack, Kal eventually crossing for Edson Gabreira to nod home. Shocked into action, Ricardo Goulart got the ball from a throw-in, slipped it inside to Lucas Roggia, and with a swift turn and shot the ball was in the back of the net and we were level. The rest of the half was a catalogue of half chances for both sides. With two minutes of the half to go, we won a free kick out on the right, and Ricardo Goulart went over to take it. He swung it into a crowd of players in the penalty area, in the middle of which Luís jumped for the ball. He never reached it, and the ball continued to curl harmlessly out for a throw in. As the players turned to jog back, the referee blew his whistle and pointed at the penalty spot. ASA were livid, and understandably so. None of us could see what it was given for, and none of my players had appealed. Apparently Plínio had fouled Luís. Dubious at least. As if in sympathy, up stepped Kiko to take it, which certainly wasn't on the plan. However, he did what Beto couldn't always manage, and slotted home, sending the keeper the wrong way.

The officials received a torrent of abuse when the half time whistle went shortly afterwards. There was a fair amount of abuse thrown my way as well, the more colourful parts indicating that the referee's decision was in some way influenced by my actions. I shrugged it off and retired to the dressing room with my players. The team talk was all about seeing how ASA came out for the second half. Two things could happen: either they could still be rattled about the penalty decision, or they could be fired up by a stirring team talk themselves. We needed to adapt to each situation. Push home the advantage if they were rattled, defend solidly and look to counter if they were looking to attack.

Despite all that tactical thinking, in reality both sides cancelled each other out in the second half. Both sides missed the target on a couple of occasions, and both keepers made run of the mill saves, but there wasn't that spark of individuality which was needed to add to the scoring. Happy to return North with this scoreline, I made a triple substitution and introduced Kaká, Da Silva and Diego for the last few minutes. Celso had the chance to equalise for his team in stoppage time, but fired wide.

10th February 2010, Coroacy de Matta Fonseca, Copa do Brasil, First Round, First Leg

ASA 1 Treze 2 (Edson Gabreira 11, Lucas Roggia 14 [1st], Kiko 45pen [1st])

Attendance: 2964

Man of the Match: Ricardo Goulart, Treze

ASA's manager Vica went ballistic at the end of the game, criticising the penalty award in no uncertain terms. Válter wouldn't comment, but if it had been me I would have been inclined to support my opposite number.

We stay overnight in Arapiraca, heading home on Thursday. That leaves just Friday and Saturday to get our feet for the next installment of the state championship. We travel east to Santa Rita to face rock bottom Internacional Esporte Clube, knowing a win will secure first place in the opening stage. In come João Paulo, Cléber Manttuy, Diego, Kaká, Fernando, Da Silva and Beto for a game we should easily win. Ricardo Goulart moves across into the central position of the three midfielders, carrying slightly more defensive responsibility than normal.

Beto seems eager to make the most of his first start of the season, collecting a ball from Luis, running at the defence, beating his man with a sneaky drop of the shoulder before neatly tucking the ball inside the post, all in the fourth minute of the game! On 28 minutes, a clever variation of our corner routine sees Kaká pick out Diego on the penalty spot, and the defender, finding himself completely unmarked, comfortably directs his header into the back of the net. From the restart, Kaká robs Júnior Paulista, and runs 40 yards with the ball before whipping in a David-esque cross. Two Internacional defenders, Trinidade and Leandro Costa, get completely mixed up with Beto storming in behind them, and Leandro Costa needlessly heads past his own keeper. I look at the clock: 3-0 up after thirty minutes. Not bad at all. We make it to half time without anything more disturbing than an unnecessary yellow card for Fernando.

I withdraw Ricardo Goulart at the interval, as he is struggling to adapt to the new role. Kiko replaces him, and I ask the team to continue with their level of performance, in the knowledge there's no midweek game to worry about. Internacional certainly seem a different side in the second half. They cause us one or two problems down the right through Júnior Paulista in the opening exchanges, but nothing comes from it. On the hour mark, Cléber Manttuy pulls the ball back to Kaká on the point of the area. The midfielder, who is also making a good case for more pitch time, plays the ball into the mixing pot. It rebounds out to Kiko, who takes a touch before firing a well palced shot beyond the reach of the keeper. We ease back from that point. Internacional come at us, but still fail to cause any defensive problems of note.

14th February 2010, Teixeirão, Paraíba State Championship, Open Round 8

Internacional 0 Treze 4 (Beto 4 [2nd], Diego 29 [1st], Leandro Costa 31og, Kiko 60 [2nd])

Attendance: 719

Man of the Match: Kaká, Treze

In the other games, Campinense scrape a 3-2 home win against Nacional de Patos, coming from behind twice, and getting the winner only after the visitors had a men dismissed. Botafogo continue their good form with a 3-0 away win. Sousa also win away from home, and Queimadense move up to 6th with a win of their own. Barring a statistical abberation, we've won the stage. There will need to be a 17 goal swing on the last day for Campinense to steal it!

Chapter 21 - The open closes

My first contract negotiations with a player I want to retain go well. Mateus agrees to a new two and a half year deal on the same money, despite not featuring in the first team this season as yet. I'm active in the permanent transfer market as well, bringing in 25 year old midfielder Geninho (Émerson Rogério Sena Araújo) from non-league Grêmio E Osasco of São Paulo state for the princely sum of £250. Crazily, by matching his current contract, Geninho becomes one of our top wage earners. To appease the board, I look at our list of surplus players and offer a few out without much hope. To my surprise, Wanderson, Nonato and Miltinho all attract numerous bids, some for cash! Even Tony interests one club. We enter negotiations with them all. I also send youngster Jonny to Queimadense for the rest of the season. Let's see if that makes them any more competitive!

Finding the balancing act between pushing for a clean sweep in the Opening stage and keeping a strong squad for Wednesday's cup game means there's a triple change for Sousa's visit. Cleidson, Soutto and Lucas Roggia come in. Over 6500 pack in to the stadium, ready to see us claim the title (if such a thing even exists).

We spurn a number of early chances, whilst Sousa, who are effectively playing for third spot, show a surprising amount of urgency. I'm beginning to think we might struggle in this one, until the visitors do us a massive favour on the half hour. Milton goes in two footed on Lucas Roggia, and the ref waves his red card in the air. That should make things easier, and it does. Literally from the freekick, we head down the left through Cleidson, and Kaká crosses towards the penalty spot. The uninjured Lucas Roggio rises tallest and confidently nods home. Da Silva gets a knock before half time, and Cleidson should really have had a penalty, but going in at 1-0 still seems a relief.

My jaw almost hit the floor as the stadium announcer read out the details of Sousa's substitution. As I was bringing on our own David to try out a new midfield tweak, on came a player for them with the unlikely name of Cristiano Ronaldo. Sadly, that was the most exciting thing to happen in the first twenty minutes of the half, until Kaká's second attempt at a cross found Lucas Roggia. For the second time in the game, the striker found the back of the net. With ten minutes to go, I replaced Kaká with Cléber Manttuy and Luís with Cléo (thus maintaining the appropriate number of accents in the team). Neither made much impact on the game, and we were reduced ourselves to ten men minutes later, as Soutto departed with a knock of sorts.

21st February 2010, Estádio Presidente Vargas, Paraíba State Championship, Open Round 9

Treze 2 Sousa 0 (Lucas Roggia 31 [2nd], 66 [3rd], Milton sent off 29)

Attendance: 6572

Man of the Match: Lucas Roggia

The news from the physio's room is that Soutto has suffered a groin strain. He'll be back in around a month or so. There's some good news from that department, though, as Patrick will be available for selection in our next fixture.

Around the championship, Campinense pinched a 1-0 win at third placed Botafogo, thanks to a penalty, whilst Nacional de Patos secured 4th with a 3-1 home win. Queimadense came away from Desportiva Guarbira with a point in Jonny's first game and Paraíba played out a 0-0 stalemate with Esporte.

| Pos   | Inf   | Team                 |       | Pld   | Won   | Drn   | Lst   | For   | Ag    | G.D.  | Pts   | 
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 1st   |       | Treze                |       | 9     | 9     | 0     | 0     | 28    | 1     | +27   | 27    | 
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 2nd   |       | Campinense           |       | 9     | 8     | 0     | 1     | 15    | 6     | +9    | 24    | 
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 3rd   |       | Botafogo (PB)        |       | 9     | 5     | 2     | 2     | 18    | 5     | +13   | 17    | 
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 4th   |       | Nacional de Patos    |       | 9     | 4     | 3     | 2     | 13    | 7     | +6    | 15    | 
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 5th   |       | Sousa                |       | 9     | 4     | 3     | 2     | 9     | 5     | +4    | 15    | 
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 6th   |       | Queimadense          |       | 9     | 2     | 3     | 4     | 8     | 12    | -4    | 9     | 
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 7th   |       | Desportiva Guarabira |       | 9     | 1     | 3     | 5     | 8     | 20    | -12   | 6     | 
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 8th   |       | Esporte              |       | 9     | 1     | 2     | 6     | 5     | 16    | -11   | 5     | 
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 9th   |       | Paraíba              |       | 9     | 0     | 4     | 5     | 1     | 17    | -16   | 4     | 
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 10th  |       | Internacional (PB)   |       | 9     | 0     | 2     | 7     | 3     | 19    | -16   | 2     | 
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 

Chapter 22 - Copa copa copa

Three of our "rejects" agree deals elswhere. Wanderson will move to Portugal to play for Clube Desportivo Trofense, whilst Nonato will find employment at Prato in Italy. Both will move in June, thus not solving the problem of us paying players we don't need. Miltinho agrees a £1500 move to Parnahyba Sport Club of Piauí state, which takes effect immediately. Tony, however, refuses an offer from River Atlético Clube, also of Piauí state.

David, Cléber Manttuy, Kiko, Ricardo Goulart and Patrick all come into the side for the second leg of our cup tie with AS Arapiraquense. Kaká keeps his place on form, keeping Talhetti on the bench for this one. ASA this time try 5-3-2 against us, which wasn't something we had prepared for, and met we had to adapt on the field once the game had kicked off. Whilst we were re-organising, the visitors created the first chance through Sílvio's cross, but Rafael Dida saved Clebson's header. Off we went down the other end, with Kaká forcing his way into the area before cutting the ball back to David. As usual, the wing back's cross was on the money, but Luís' header was straight at the ASA keeper, who blocked the shot more out of instinct tha anything else. But, as in the first leg, it was ASA who opened the scoring. It was route one at it's best, with the keeper's long clearance finding our defence flat-footed and Éderson through one on one with Rafael Dida, calmly beating the keeper to his right.

In response to the early set back, we huffed and puffed for quite some time. Ricardo Goulart uncharacteristically smashed a freekick well wide. Patrick and David combined to set Luís up with another great cross, and his close range header was tipped over by the keeper. Corner followed corner, which followed corner, but ASA eventually cleared. It was one-way traffic, alright. Just after the half hour mark, Patrick again stormed down the right, beating his man before cutting back to Kaká in the area. Plínio tackled the midfielder, but he was late and Kaká crashed to the ground as the ball rolled harmlessly away. Penalty! Up stepped Luís, and found the left corner with the keeper left standing.

ASA tried to pick up the pace, but the quality of their build up wasn't met by the quality of their finish. Celso headed harmlessly over the bar, with Rafael Dida watching on. Five minutes before half time, though, we're off on the attack again. Patrick, again, beat his man down the right, crossing for Luís (who was either unmarkable, or ASA had short memories). The striker hit a firm, point blank header, which the keeper instinctively pushed up onto the bar. But the ball went straight up into the air, and when it came down there was Kiko to marshall it over the line for our second.

As far as I'm concerned, there's no need to make any changes at half time. The team are performing well, and even though Ricardo Goulart isn't tearing it up today, we've enough attacking intent from other areas. So the same eleven troop confidently back out for the second period. ASA win a corner early on, and Celso plays the ball to the point of the six yard box. Pílnio turns with it, and blasts it at goal. Rafael Dida blocks, but with no control, and the ball rebounds out to Gleidson, who blasts the ball towards the top corner, but the shot pings back off the post.... straight to Éderson, who heads the ball into the outstretched arms of Rafael Dida. It's the closest they came for a while. Ricardo Goulart's promising run was ended by Edson Gabreira, earning the midfielder a yellow card. David's long range effort sailed over the bar, Just after the hour mark we put together a promising passage of play. A couple of corners are dealt with, and Ricardo Goulart's goal-bound shot is deflected wide by a man on the far post. Cléber Manttuy's cross, after a smart backheel from Luís, sails straight into the keepers hands. We need to make the pressure count!

In the 70th minute, we do. Patrick advances down the right, and plays a pinpoint cross-field ball to Luís. The forward drops the ball to Cléber Manttuy, who fools his man by passing inside to the advancing Kiko. He looks up, sees no immediate passing option, and leathers it. Maybe the look was a deception, but regardless the ball flies into the goal to give us our third. I've seen enough, sending Talhetti on for Ricardo Goulart for the last quarter of an hour. ASA come forward from the restart, and win a corner, but the move breaks down when Luan's cross is caught by Rafael Dida. Luan has another go a couple of minutes later, and this time Éderson flicks on, but Clebson's header is miles over the bar. We put another promising set of moves together, which results in a fierce Patrick shot being saved by the ASA keeper again. Frustrating for the forward, but he doesn't let it show. We comfortably make it to full time, and on the final whistle the players celebrate their progression in front of their adoring fans.

24th February 2010, Estádio Presidente Vargas, Copa do Brasil, First Round, Second Leg

Treze 3 ASA 1 (Éderson 14, Luís 35pen [5th], Kiko 41 [3rd], 71 [4th]) Treze win 5-2 on aggregate

Attendance: 5739

Man of the Match: Luís, Treze

The Finance Director, not someone who I associate with post-match high spirits, shakes my hand as I enter the lounge after the regulation interviews. Apparently our progression earns the club prize money of around £58,000 - pretty much a month's wages at the moment. Moving on, the VIP host takes me to one side and points out a besuited gentlemen, sat on his own, talking on his mobile phone. The host explains that the gentleman is German, and has been making notes throughout the game. Waiting patiently for his conversation to finish, I approach him. I learn that he is Dieter Ferner, manager of Saarbrücken. With some reservation, he tells me he's looking at Tiago Messias. That concerns me. To travel half way across the world in the middle of the season, he must be very interested. I make a note to look at Tiago Messias' contract as soon as I get back to the office.

Chapter 23 - The Close Opens

We'll play fellow Second Division side Esporte Clube Juventude, from the familiar Caxias do Sul, in the Second Round of the cup, but not until we've commenced the Closing stage of the Paraíba State Championship. Which starts in just three days, incidentally. We start against whipping boys Paraíba, this time heading west along the infamous BR-230 "The Trans-Amazon Highway" to Cajàzeiras. This is as good an opportunity as I'm going to get to give some fringe players a chance. Only Luís, Tiago Messias and Ricardo Goulart (who need an opportunity to get that last performance out of his system) remain from the cup game, with Mateus, João Paulo, Cleidson, Danilo Polizer, Talhetti, Lusmar and Beto coming in.

It's the epitomy of "the game we should win at a canter", and we start at a canter at least. Ricardo Goulart quickly demonstrates that his last performance was a one-off, blasting a 30 yard curling effort home in just the 2nd minute. Beto has an effort ruled offside, and another parried by the keeper inside the first quarter of an hour. Ricardo Goulart hits the post, and then Lusmar repeats the trick. By the time twenty minutes have passed we've created enough chances to win three or four games, but still only have one on the scoresheet. The game enters a quiet period, in which we maintain possession without threatening Paraíba's goal. Then, with ten minutes of the half to go, João Paulo finds Lusmar twenty yards out, and this time the midfielder has adjusted his radar and hits our second inside the far post. Ricardo Goulart puts Luís through five minutes later, and the confident striker puts us three up with a tap in. It should have been four in stoppage time, but I'll let Luís off for his misplaced header.

There's absolutely no need for me to say or do anything at half time. To be honest, I feel a little sorry for Paraíba, and am inches away from telling the lads to eas back. That wouldn't be professional though, so I simply applaud their efforts and ask for more of the same.

The players seem to have read my unspoken thoughts, though, and we don't make our first assault on the Paraíba goal until the hour mark. Ricardo Goulart fires a long effort wide. Cleidson does the same two minutes later. Then probably the most shocking thing possible happens - Paraíba score. Sidnei's right wing cross finds Flávio Mendes free of his man at the far post, and there's nothing Mateus can do about it. The keeper is livid, as he sees his clean sheet bonus going up in smoke. I'm not happy either, and indicate to the substitutes that they should get warmed up.

Lucas Roggia replaces Luís, Cássio replaces Danilo Polizer, and we move to a more attacking frame of mind. Our long range shooting remains erratic, as both Lusmar and Fernando fire wide. Credit to Lusmar, whose effort curled from many yards outside the post only to just miss. Fernando at least got his next effort on target, only for the keeper to tip it over the bar. We don't trouble the scorers again, though, and the match can best described as "entertaining" rather than an annihilation.

28th February 2010, Perpetão, Paraíba State Championship, Closing Stage, Round 1

Paraíba 1 Treze 3 (Ricardo Goulart 1 [4th], Lusmar 37 [1st], Luís 41 [6th], Flávio Mendes 68)

Attendance: 695

Man of the Match: Ricardo Goulart, Treze

The win only puts us third in the embrionic table, as Botafogo beat our next opponents Nacional de Patos 4-1 and Campinense score a 3-0 victory at Queimadense. Desportivo Guarabira are the other winners, as Esporte and Sousa play out a 1-1 draw in the televised match. Once again, I'm informed post match that a foreign scout was present at the game, and it was another German manager, namely Dirk Schuster of Stuttgarter Kickers. Assuming he too is looking at Tiago Messias, he's wasting his time as the defender gave me the nod on the way home to say he's signed his two year contract extension. Ha!

Chapter 24 - The Grind

We've got some important fixtures coming up, two a week for the next fortnight, so I need to manage my squad carefully. Having returned from Cajàzeiras, we head west along BR-230 again midweek, to Patos. The next two games are at home against a strengthening Botafogo and then the cup against the unknown strength of Juventude. So it's largely a fringe squad that face Nacional de Patos. Cássio, Marcinho and Kaká come in.

We give ourselves a challenge to overcome in the 2nd minute. Cássio gave away a freekick on the right, and when Marcellinho Mattos swings it in, Lecheva gets in front of João Paulo and finds himself with plenty of time. His header give Mateus no chance. That becomes a mountain to climb twenty minutes later, when we allow Thiago Cunha to run right across the front of the penalty box and pop in a left footed shot. Mateus should probably have done better, really, as he got both hands to the shot.

I was being made to rue my selection. I felt very alone on the bench. This wasn't a feeling I was used to. Fortunately, not many of our fans had fancied the trip west, so I wasn't being subjected to any Brazilian booing. Gesticulating furiously, I tried to get across via Tiago Messias that this wasn't acceptable, and to get bloody attacking. Eventually, we seem to get the message. Luís intercepts a poor throw in. He plays a good sideways pass that gives Beto the opportunity to break forwards across the halfway line. Beto runs into a wall of Nacional defenders, and is forced to turn back and pass right to Talhetti. He puts it left across the centre circle to Kaká, and our in-form midfielder plays a great first time ball forward ahead of Beto's continued run. It was a glorious move, and left Beto with the simple task of slotting inside the post to bring us back into the game.

The goal takes some of the edge off the half time talk that was brewing in my head. Some of that edge returned when Kaká needlessly scythed down Lecheva to earn himself a yellow card a couple of minutes later. João Paulo also got himself booked in the dying minutes, but that was forgiveable given it stopped the building of another dangerous attack.

Most of the players felt my wrath during the break. I eased off on Kaká and Beto a little, as they had recovered at least some respectability to our performance. The rest of the players were asked just exactly what they were playing at.

They waited just five minutes to show me. Marcinho played it into Luís who had a back to goal, but Rafael got above the striker to clear. Cleidson puts the ball back in, and this time Luís wins the header, directing it left into the path of Kaká. He hit it, first time, straight into the top corner. Christ this man can play when he tries. Parity restored, and game on. Just after the hour mark, I'm parading round the technical area looking smug. We construct a flowing attacking move, pulling the Nacional defence from pillar to post. Talhetti swings the ball left to Cleidson, who plays it into the box along the floor to Luís. The striker is blocked from getting his shot in, so passes backwards, and there's that man Kaká again, to hammer home left footed. Get in!

I let the side settle down for a few minutes, before making my substitutions. On come Cléber Manttuy and Ricardo Goulart for Cleidson and Fernando. The smug smile is wiped from my face with ten minutes to go, and it's that man Cássio again who the finger of blame is pointing at. The defender gets pulled miles out of position by Thiago Cunha, who cleverly plays the ball forward, via Tazinho, to Frédson, standing exactly where Cássio should be. Credit to him, he lobbed Mateus exquisitely. Bastard.

Forced to push forward again, our cause was further hampered by the game's earlier hero, Kaká. His over enthusiastic attempt to dispossess Alex Sandro was deemed not only a foul, but a second cautionable offence, and the referee dispatched him for a slightly early bath. I had no choice but to withdraw Beto and replace him with Da Silva for the dying minutes.

3rd March 2010, José Cavalcanti, Paraíba State Championship, Closing Stage, Round 2

Nacional de Patos 3 Treze 3 (Lecheva 2, Thiago Cunha 20, Beto 40 [3rd], Kaká 51 [1st], 64 [2nd], Frédson 81, Kaká sent off 87)

Attendance: 1977

Man of the Match: Kaká, Treze

So my current midfield maestro can win the man of the match award even though he gets sent off? I have to be careful with Kaká, as he's currently considering a contract extension. In the end I elect to warn him for his indiscipline. He accepts, graciously, and I breathe a sigh of relief.

Around the championship, Campinese win (of course) at Paraíba. Botafogo win against Internacional and Desportiva Guarabira beat Esporte. The Sousa versus Queimadense fixture is postponed due to Sousa's cup commitments, apparently. So we're 4th. Bah. But I guess it serves me right.

Kaká signs his new deal, keeping him at the club until December 2011. João Paulo eventually does the same. I spend a lazy Saturday afternoon watching the reserves from the stands. It's an ideal opportunity to look at a few things: Colombian trialist Carlos Salazar will play his last game before I'm forced to make a decision on him; Geninho plays his first game since gaining fitness and Cássion might well be playing for the future of his loan deal. The stand out player, though, is fourteen year old Renan, who scores one and sets the other up. Great. Now I'll have to listen to the coaches singing his praises again.

Our tough looking Botafogo game is televised, and I put out a strong side (Rafael Dida, David, Cléber Manttuy, Tiago Messias, Diego, Lusmar, Talhetti, Kiko, Ricardo Goulart, Patrick, Luís). The team from the state capital are the most improved side of the competition, and if our away game was tough, this will be tougher.

As much as the last game was exciting to watch, this one was dull. Kiko's early freekick, deflected off the wall, and palmed over by the keeper, looked promising. From there the game degenerated into a turgid midfield battle with very few chances for either side. We do have a couple of periods of extended possession, but just can't create anything clear cut. Talhetti had perhaps the best chance, just before the break, but hit the ball straight into the keepers hand from about 15 yards out. Possibly, on balance, we had most of the play, but it was turgid stuff.

I couldn't see how to turn it around. Botafogo's closing down and tackling was preventing us getting through their ranks. My only plan was to continue into the second half trying to batter down the door. However, it's Botafogo who have the first real chance, when Kell's long range looping shot strikes the bar and rebounds to safety. If we had the better of the first half, then Botafogo clearly had the better of the second, and with ten minutes to go I replaced tired Talhetti and disappointing Patrick with Da Silva and Lucas Roggia. Yet nothing I tried seemed to work. Everytime we looked to break, two or three defenders would close in on the player in possession, preventing them from getting a forward pass away. And so the game fizzled out into a bore draw.

7th March 2010, Estádio Presidente Vargas, Paraíba State Championship, Closing Stage, Round 3

Treze 0 Botafogo 0

Attendance: 6649

Man of the Match: Kell (MF), Botafogo

This particular competition wasn't going that well. The other four home sides; Campinense, Esporte, Internacional and Sousa; all scored wins, leaving us nursing 4th place, with the possibility of dropping to 5th due to Sousa's game in hand. I dread to think what the paying punters thought, never mind those watching on TV.

Where's chapter 24?

Seriously, great work so far. The State championships really do look like an extended, glorified preseason, whatever those crazy Brazilians say. I guess they'll be a bit different in the "big" states like Rio.

Chapter 25 - The Road to Nowhere

Is it really only three months since I was saying how much I was enjoying this job? How things can change in such a short period of time. Ahead of the meeting with Esporte Clube Juventude, I have absolutely no idea how to approach the game. It's an opportunity to put a stake in the ground in terms of pitching ourselves against a solid Second Division team. Taking the last two games into account, I feel we must do something different. It looks like teams have sussed out how to play against our 4-1-3-2 formation, certainly in terms of stopping our attacking spark. So I opt for 4-3-3. Cleidson, Da Silva, Kaká and Lucas Roggia come in.

It's a cagey start from both sides, with more of that turgid midfield action, and solid defending that has been the trademark of our recent games. Certainly, there are no decent chances in the first quarter of an hour. Kaká changes that in the 17th minute, though, waltzing forward into space and blasting goalwards, only to ses his hot excellently parried by the visiting keeper. Luís heads a corner over the bar five minutes later, and Da Silva blasts inches wide shortly afterwards. Juventude's first chance of note comes in the 26th minute, and it's only a long range shot which Lauro puts a little bit wider than Da Silva's effort. Bang on the half hour mark, we win a freekick. It's well over thirty yards out, and Tiago Messias stands behind it. Everyone expects the back post cross, but our captain has other ideas, firing a low curling effort at the near post. Silvio Luiz scrambles across, and just manages to turn it round the post.

Two minutes before half time, Lucas Roggia finds himself with the ball just outside the area, fairly central. He pulls back his right peg and smashes one of his better efforts towards goal. It pings off the underside of the bar, and is cleared by the defence. We end the half with Patrick shooting just over the bar. Sums us up at the moment really.

Talhetti replaces Da Silva during the break, as I try to instill into the players that if they're patient they will eventually get the breakthrough. Luis Roggia has our first chance in the second half, being played through by Talhetti. But he missed. And he was offside. David hit one over from long range soon after, but Juventude counter-attack through Felipe down the left. He pulls it back to Lauro in typical Ricardo Goulart territory, and the visitor scores in just that fashion. If ever we needed a goal, now would be nice.

Our next attack sees Talhetti feed Patrick. The forward can't find space for a shot so he plays a short ball to Lucas Roggia. With back to goal, the striker lays it back to Kaká, who hits a half volley over the bar. Talhetti's shot on the hour mark literally scrapes the paint off the near post. Cursing our luck, I swap Beto for Lucas Roggia, and Talhetti promptly hits the other post. Ten minutes to go, and we're still creating just as many chances. This time, Kiko shaves the post. We win the ball back from the goalkick and build another patient attack, only to see Beto head over from David's cross. three minutes later, Kaká has the ball thirty yards out. Guess what? He hits it wide, by the narrowest of margins. And that's our last chance. I suppose, given our luck, we were fortunate Juventude didn't nick a second to end the tie.

10th March 2010, Estádio President Vargas, Copa do Brasil, Second Round, 1st Leg

Treze 0 Juventude 1 (Lauro 55)

Attendance: 6090

Man of the Match: Silvio Luiz (GK), Juventude

Positives? Goalscorer Lauro's yellow card will see him miss the second leg. And, well, that's sort of it really.

Little news escapes my office over the days before our next game, and what does is mixed. Most of the time I can be heard pacing, and brooding, about how to solve our current dip of form. I'm buoyed when I learn that Colombian trialist Carlos Salazar has agreed to sign on, accepting our reduced terms. The 28 year old left sided midfielder doesn't solve any particular problem in my side, so I wasn't going to pay his wage demands which would have put him in the top five earners. However, at a lower wage, he adds good depth. Salazar plied his trade at Colombian top flight outfit Atlético Huila last season, but the rest of his playing record makes it seem like he has his own round the world ticket. Chile, Venezuela and Costa Rica. Less popular news is a training injury to Patrick. The forward damages his knee, and could be out for a month.

I can't imagine a worse time to hold a fans day, but the powers that be have decided that our fixture against Desportiva Guarabira suits their criteria. It should boost the crowd. I just hope not too many of them bring rotten fruit. I'll revert to the 4-1-3-2 our fans are used to seeing, and just hope it performs better than of late. We may have dealt smartly with our opposition when we played them in the Opening stage, but they're 3rd and we're....not. No underestimation from me. Cléber Manttuy, Lusmar and Ricardo Goulart come in.

We've learnt from last time to pay particular attention to their right back called, imaginatively, Daniel. However, in an "enthusiatic" exchange of challenges in the first ten minutes, the Deportiva Guarabira star is booked for a mistimed lunge on Luís. That should reduce the threat at least slightly. We put some good pressure together from that point on, but create practically nothing. The closest we get is a ball in from Daniel on the right, which Lucas Roggia challenges for in the area. It's fifty-fifty, and both players end up on the floor. The referee adjudges Lucas Roggia the guilty party and gives him a stern talking to. The partisan home crowd get pretty wound up about that.

On the quarter hour mark, Aquiles of Guarariba picks the ball up in the left back position and runs. And runs. We back off. And back off further. He plays it inside, and two passes later Franco is clear of our defence with only the goalie to beat. 1-0 the visitors, and we've been the architects of our own demise again. I put my head in my hands and shake my head (which isn't as easy as it sounds) and feel the pressure of thousands of Treze supporting eyes boring into the back of my head. I miss the restart, the pass back to Lusmar, the ball forward, via Ricardo Goulart and over the top to Lucas Roggia. I just look up in time to see the strike slip the ball past the keeper. Back level, and that's more like it!

The rapid fightback seemed to be the catalyst we needed. We're all over the visitors, and if anything it's a surprise that it takes so long for the next goal to come. When it does, it's a through ball from Kiko, and Lucas Roggia finds himself in space. He has less thinking time, but still blasts past the keeper. Excellent. We finish the half clearly on top, and Ricardo Goulart could have embellished the scoreline, had he not headed over Cléber Manttuy's cross just before the break.

Comfortable that things were going our way, I substituted an under-par Kaká to give my new Colombian signing a run out. It was an immense pleasure being able to give a half time team talk without the need to lambast anyone.

Precisely one minute and fifty-one seconds into the second half, Salazar goes into a challenge with Adauto and stays on the floor. We get the physio on as soon as the ball is out of the play, and after treatment he signals that he can continue. I'm not convinced that this isn't more because he want's to make the most of the first team opportunity, but I have to trust the player. We keep the ball confidently for the first fifteen minutes or so, with the best chance being when Salazar played Lucas Roggia in. The striker couldn't connect to complete his hattrick before he was closed down and challenged well by the defence.

With twenty to go, we did increase the scoreline, and again a through ball from the Colombian made it. Luís this time was ahead of the defence to beat the keeper. It was the last thing he did, as Beto was already warming up to replace him. Less than ten minutes later, Kiko added a fourth, latching on to a loose ball and "Ricardo Goulart"-ing it into the top corner. Maybe a fans day wasn't such a bad idea after all? Just to put the icing on the cake, Ricardo Goulart himself got free at the back post to volley home Cléber Manttuy's deep cross in the first minute of stoppage time. Com.Pre.Hen.Sive.

14th March 2010, Estádio Presidente Vargas, Paraíba State Championship, Closing Stage, Round 4

Treze 5 Desportiva Guarabina 1 (Franco 16, Lucas Roggia 18 [4th], 39 [5th], Luís 70 [7th], Kiko 79 [5th], Ricardo Goulart 90+1 [5th])

Attendance: 7476

Man of the Match: Lucase Roggia, Treze

My instincts were right - Carlos Salazar will be out for up to six weeks having pulled his hamstring. How he carried on is anybody's guess. Around the rest of the championship, it was like the results had been decided deliberately to favour us. Botafogo were held 1-1 at Sousa, but even more incredibly Campinense were held 0-0 at home by Esporte! Internacional and Queimadense also played out a 0-0 draw, with the only other victors in the group being Nacional de Patos. As a result, we climb to second in the table on goals scored. Ideal, as we face our nursery club after a weeks much needed rest.

Where's chapter 24?

Good spot

And fixed...

Chapter 26 - Home away from home

It seems like there's a revolving door on the physio's room at the moment. In the very session that Soutto finally returns to training, Fernando strains his wrist in the weights room. He'll miss up to four weeks. The squad will need to rotate, again.

Geninho will make his debut for the "visit" to Queimadense. It's strange to see our fans crammed into the away end, whilst only a handful of red clad opposition fans are scattered around the rest of the ground. Thankfully, we make the breakthrough quickly. David crosses, and Lucas Roggia dives full length to connect with the header. An excellent goal. We batter Queimadense pretty much from the restart, forcing them back into a more defensive formation than the one they started with. Geninho, on debut, proves he has a good long range shot, working the keeper on a number of occasions. Cléber Manttuy absolutely wallops a thirty yard freekick just wide of the post, and Diego of all people has the home side scrambling back to clear off the line.

Queimadense's best attack of the first half comes on the half hour mark. Despite the careful, methodical build up, the move ends up with the ball falling comfortably into Rafael Dida's arms. With eight minutes of the half left, Geninho crosses, and Luís meets the ball with a decent header, which rattles the crossbar as we continue to dominate in terms of both possession and chances.

We don't convert before half time, though, and I let my players know that there's still a job to be done in the second half. They go out in the same frame of mind, and pick up where they left off. Lusmar picks up a pointless yellow in the grand scheme of things, and when Tony is left completely unmarked at a corner, I'm left wondering if we're going to be made to regret not extending our lead. Fortunately his header falls straight to Rafael Dida. It's almost as if our nursery club don't want to score.

Geninho and Kiko came off with 25 minutes to go, and I introduced Marcinho and Kaká, with Lusmar being asked to play in a slighty more advanced role. Getting to grips with his new position, he takes the ball forward on 77 minutes, but blasts it way over the bar. Five minutes later he picks up the ball in the roughly the same place and tries again. The result is somewhat different, with the ball pinging off the underside of the bar on it's way to bulging the net. Job done, Cleidson replaced Ricardo Goulart (with Cléber Manttuy moving to midfield) and we saw out the remaining minutes to full time.

21st March 2010, Estádio Presidente Vargas, Paraíba State Championship, Closing Stage, Round 5

Queimadense 0 Treze 2 (Lucas Roggia 11 [6th], Lusmar 83 [2nd])

Attendance: 3793

Man of the Match: David, Treze

Campinese narrowly defeated Sousa 1-0, whilst Botafogo demolished Paraíba 4-0 and leapfrogged us on goal difference. Nacional de Patos and Esporte also scored victories.

After a couple of days on the phone trying to strengthen the squad, we pack our bags and make the short trip to the airport for the much longer trip to Caxias do Sul. Flights are boring, but at least they give me chance to mull over the team. As the chairman kindly chartered a plane rather than paying for seats on a scheduled flight, I've brought along a fair number of my squad for the ride. We get into the southern-most state late on Tuesday evening, with just time for a light meal before heading for bed. Wednesday dawns bright, but significantly cooler than we're used to up north. After a light training session, it's time for me to let those players who will be involved know their fate.

As it happens, it's a fairly easy decision. The starting eleven will remain the same, with Soutto returning to the bench. Kiko gets our first chance, receiving an infield pass from Cléber Manttuy, and curling a shot which is palmed away by the keeper. Then Juventude win a corner. Kiko wins the header, but only at the expense of another corner. Carlos Alberto swings it in, and this time Ricardo Goulart heads away.... for another corner. At the third attempt, Ricardo Goulart heads clear, and this time it stays clear.

Perhaps our best first half chance to get the goal we needed fell to Lucas Roggia five minutes from half time. Kiko, operating wide on the right, played a cute ball towards the striker, who ran across the front of his marker to collect. Picking up the ball, he turned but placed his shot too close to the keeper.

Half time came and went. There was nothing to be said. We'd had most of the first half, without really troubling the Juventude keeper. The home side start strongest, forcing corners on a couple of occasions. Then, on the hour mark, Luís receives the ball on the halfway line, wide on the left. He makes a good run forward, eventually winning a corner. Geninho fires in a fizzing cross deep to the far post, and there, rising high, is Tiago Messias, to nod back across goal and into the far corner from an almost impossible angle. David gains himself a yellow card before I elect to play my cards, swapping Kiko and Ricardo Goulart for Soutto and Kaká. The rest of the half passes in a nervy blur of shots just over the bar from the opposition, and they ended the half as they had started it, forcing a couple of corners which came to nothing.

And so we went into unknown territory for me - a penalty shootout. Penalties was not something we had practised, so I was left asking for volunteers. Luís stepped up first, to face Sílvio Luiz. He stepped up and fired a pretty good penalty, right into the bottom left corner, but the keeper guessed right and turned it round the post. Claudinho stepped up for Juventude, and Rafael Dida also guessed right to save a less well placed strike. A let off, in my opiniong. Up stepped Soutto, who fired his shot to the keeper's left, and the stationary stopper could only watch as the ball pinged in off the post. Talk about the narrowest of margins! Carlos Alberto took the next penalty for our opposition, and again Rafael Dida guessed right, diving full stretch to his left, and getting everything behind the ball. Come on!

Our other substitute, Kaká, stepped up from a short run up, blasting the ball to the keeper's right. Marcos Denner finally got on the board for Juventude, and David calmly placed his penalty into the bottom corner. With the tension in the stadium like the buxx of a high voltage cable, Alexandre stepped up. He had to score to keep Juventude in the game. He hit it chest height, to Rafael Dida's right, and amazingly, the keeper guessed right again. The bench absolutely exploded, as everyone involved rushed onto the field to mob our remarkable keeper.

24th March 2010, Alfredo Jaconi, Copa do Brasil, Second Round, Second Leg

Juventude 0 Treze 1 (Tiago Messias 61 [3rd]) Treze win 3-1 on penalties

Attendance: 3712

Man of the Match: Tiago Messias, Treze

It's fair to say we did that the hard way. We fly straight back north, arriving in the early hours of the morning. There are some very tired faces, not least mine. The chairman kindly met us at the airport, shaking hands with the players as they disembarked and went their separate ways. He took me to one side, congratulating me on our progression, and giving me a history lesson at the same time...

Chapter 27 - Derby time again

Lots of people want to talk to me on Thursday morning. Which is annoying. We've got another big game against local rivals Campinense on Sunday, which needs preparation for. First in the queue is the local Campina Grande press, who want to discuss the fact that I've taken Treze to the last 16 of the Copa do Brasil for only the second time in the club's history. Fortunately, this is what the chairman has prepared me far. I'm well versed in the club's history in the competition. The only other time we've got to this stage, we progressed to the quarter final, where we lost on penalties to Fluminense after both legs finished 1-0. We've twice before reached the second round, only to be beaten by current cup holders Corinthians Paulista.

Everybody also wants to know what I think of our round of sixteen opposition, Associação Portuguesa de Desportos of São Paulo. The answer is "not much". Apparently they were promoted to the First Division last season, so it will be our first opportunity to test ourselves against top flight opposition. But, I tell them, we have to finish the state championship first.

The Finance director wants to see me as well. He brings a couple of bottles of local beer (no expense spared) and has a big smile on his face. This usually happens when he gets a big cheque, and apparently this time we've won the equivalent of £68000. With the beer consumed, he leaves with a parting shot not to let my spending get out of hand.

Of course, there were games in the state championship whilst we were away on cup duties. Campinense, Botafogo and Sousa all won 3-0, whilst Nacional grabbed a 2-0 win themselves, which leaves us third, three points behind Botafogo and five behind Campinense. The game at the weekend at Amigão is massive.

One more player will join up with us in time for the Campinense fixture. We fight off the attentions of Ipatinga and Santa Cruz to sign Mithyuê (Mithyuê de Linhares) from Grêmio. Labelled "the next Zinho", the 20 year old midfielder is highly rated, and valued in excess of £1m. He's a similar player to Ricardo Goulart, with a bit more pace and physical presence. With that in mind, he goes straight into the starting eleven, with Geninho making way.

Whilst nothing like full, there's a fair crowd at Amigão. They watch a game which is slow to get started. The first quarter of an hour can be summed up with three half chances. Campinense's Ricardo Virtuoso lobs a shot into Rafael Dida's arms; Kiko hits a weak shot straight to the home keeper and Ricardo Goulart heads a cross just over the bar. Twenty minutes in, Kiko plays Lucas Roggia through into space, and although the striker slots comfortably past the keeper, even a blind man could see it was offside. Three minutes later, Ricardo Goulart and Mithyuê exchange passes in midfield, before passing the ball forward and making a dash for the box. The ball comes back to midfield lynch-pin Kiko, who exchanges passes with Luís wide on the left. He receives the ball back, turns and hammers the ball into the top corner. Goal!

Ten minutes before the break, Campinense test Rafael Dida properly for the first time. Léo Lima strikes one from twenty-five yards or so, and the ball swerves viciously, forcing the keeper to put his fists up defensively in front of his face. The ball pings off to safey and is tidied up by Ricardo Goulart. Campinense finish the half strongest, with a string of corners in the closing minutes, including one which we struggle to clear a number of times. When we do eventually clear, the ball falls kindly for Lucas Roggia, who has an ideal chance to counter-attack. The covering Campinense defender shepherds him well towards the corner, and he's forced to check back and centre the ball. The usually excellent Lusmar misses the pass completely, and the chance is gone. Back come Campinense. Jorge Dias runs the ball down the left and centres. Robert flicks on, and Almir beats Rafael Dida at the far post. The ball bounce back across the goal line and ripples the net on the far side, and the crowd go mad. But the assistant is waving his flag, and after a brief discussion, the referee indicates a foul on our keeper. That looked soft.

At halftime we're in front, but lucky to be so. I tell my players that there's still plenty to be done, and encourage them to give that little bit extra in the second half. I lose the battle of the half time teamtalks, though, as Campinense win a corner pretty much straight from the kick-off, which Ricardo Virtuoso pulls back to Torres a good twenty yards out. The midfielder controls the ball (badly), before hammering past Rafael Dida. We were caught napping. We should have closed down Torres easily, especially given his poor control. I seethe to myself, trying to ignore the taunts of the opposition fans.

Sub Léo Medeiros forces another fine save from Rafael Dida, as Campinense look to push home the advantage now they have the crowd behind them. Cléber Manttuy wastes a free kick from a good central position, missing both high and wide. He repeats the trick from open play shortly after, and really isn't endearing himself to me at the moment. Time for changes. Ricardo Goulart, who has been playing well but is tiring, gives way for Kaká. Lucas Roggia, who hasn't been playing well, is replaced by Beto.

Beto is involved straight away, cleverly winning a corner on the right, but he blots his copybook by straying offside when moving too early to receive a through ball from Kiko which would have put him one on one with the keeper. With five minutes to go, we win a free kick, right on the edge of the area, on the right hand side, about six yards in from the byline. Kaká lines up, but pings the shot straight into the first defender. He pulls the resulting corner short for Diego, who sees his shot deflected behind. Kaká swings the ball in for a second time. This time it's met at the near post by Pedro, whose header flies away for another corner from the opposite side. Kaká makes the trek across, and again swings the ball in. This time, it heads for the penalty spot, and Robert heads away as far David. The fast approaching defender has a crack, which gets deflected and leaves Jorge Dias scrambling the ball away for yet another corner. This time, Campinense get hold of the ball, and move comfortably away in possession. All that pressure, and nothing to show for it.

28th March 2010, Amigão, Paraíba State Championship, Closing Stage, Round 6

Campinense 1 Treze 1 (Kiko 24 [6th], Jefferson Torres 48)

Attendance: 10435

Man of the Match: Jefferson Torres (AM), Campinense

We've missed our chance to improve our position in the table, but a draw is still considered a good result for a club that has for so long been the underdog. Botafogo take maximum advantage with a narrow 1-0 win at the other Campinense team, moving to the top of the table in the process. Sousa and Nacional both win away to go third and fourth respectively, leaving us fifth, whilst Deportive Guarabina play out a dull 0-0 draw with Paraíba.

Chapter 28 - Close, close

Wednesday is our catch-up match. Esporte at home. Esporte, who we hammered 4-0 away in the opening stage. I resist wholesale changes to the squad, but do hand starts to Danilo Polizer, João Paulo, Soutto, Kaká and Beto. Hell, even to me that looks like wholesale changes!

The game is won in the first half. As it should be. Anything else would be another disappointment. Mithyuê opens his account with fifteen on the clock, after Soutto is flattened on the point of shooting and Beto taps the ball back to our latest midfield maestro. His shot, from all of thirty yards, seemed to go straight throught the keeper. He then doubles our lead ten minutes later. Kaká's corner is headed away, but Lusmar plays it back into Mithyuê. Under pressure from a cheavy challenge, he turns and puts his shot over the keeper's right shoulder.

Just for good measure, Mithyuê turns provider, sliding a ball through for Beto. Not for the first time, the forward's shot is straight at the keeper, but with the Esporte defence at sixes and sevens, Soutto picks up the reboud and fires across the keeper for number three. With that, the gas is off and we coast to half time.

Well done, I tell the lads during the interval. We're winning this well, as we should be, but this competition could come down to goal difference, so go and get me some more.

They never listen to my team talks, the buggers. We're so laid back in the second half that we're practically horizontal. Esporte are useless, never threaten and defend deeper and deeper, whereas we're content to pass the ball about the midfield, unchallenged, rather than look to create openings. An eerie silence descends on the stadium, as our fans drift in and out of conversation, whilst there are absolutely no away fans to create an atmosphere. Even a triple substitution to bring Geninho, Talhetti and Lucas Roggia on doesn't change things. At least there'll be no excuses for not being fresh on Sunday.

31st March 2010, Estádio Presidente Vargas, Paraíba State Championship, Closing Stage, Round 7

Treze 3 Esporte 0 (Mithyuê 16 [1st], 28 [2nd], Soutto 40 [2nd])

Attendance: 2609

Man of the Match: Mithyuê, Treze

So we climb back to third, two points behind Botafogo and Campinense.

Sunday comes around quickly, and I don't need to make any changes to the side to face Internacional. I'm a bit of a tinkerer at heart, though, so I do allow Cleidson to start at leftback. If it wasn't for the rain and the muddy pitch, this could be a repeat of Wednesday. Low turnout from the home fans, zero turnout from Internacional. All us, without them creating as much as a chance. Kaká headed against the foot of the post in the eleventh minute. From the resulting throw-in, Luís found Mithyuê unmarked on the edge of the six yard box, leaving the midfielder a relative tap-in. Luís missed about a hundred headers, before Soutto curled a long range effort against the post on 25. More Luís headers over the bar, before Kaká took the ball forward in the last minute of the half. Instead of crossing at the byline, he ran inside and fired a shot at a very tight angle, which forced the keeper to get down and turn it round his near post. His corner came back to him off the first defender. His second cross came back via two headed clearances. His third ball found Luís in space, and more importantly with the ball at his feet. 2-0, and half time.

It was time to tackle the problem of how to get my team to push on in the second half. I'd tried encouragement, I'd tried switching to a more attacking formation, and I'd tried telling them to keep up the good work. This time, I just sat back, smiled at them, and told them what a good job they were doing.

I had to wait just seven minutes for goal number three. Mithyuê created it, taking the ball out wide to the right from the penalty area, and crossing. Luís was there to finally hit the back of the net with one of his headers. Ten minutes later, Diego played a long ball forward. Mithyuê picked it up and slipped it sideways to Soutto. The midfielder struck another bullet, which the keeper failed to deal with, the force almost knocking him into the back of the goal.

I grinned inwardly as I ordered the triple substitution of the midfield. Geninho, Talhetti and Kiko took their places. Five minutes later, Internacional had their first shot on target, which went harmlessly over. Inside the last ten minutes, Kiko made it five, with another shot from the edge of the area which gave the keeper no chance. Magic stuff.

4th April 2010, Estádio Presidente Vargas, Paraíba State Championship, Closing Stage, Round 8

Treze 5 Internacional 0 (Mithyuê 13 [3rd], Luís 45+1 [8th], 53 [9th], Soutto 69 [3rd], Kiko 82 [7th])

Attendance: 2604

Man of the Match: Mithyuê, Treze

Of course, Botafogo and Campinense both scored victories. by two goals and one goal to nil respectively. Sousa and Paraíba also won their matches. We remain third, two points behind the leaders. There's just one round of games left, and that round sees Botafogo travel to Campinense. A draw would be perfect, but I can't see past a Campinense win. I just have to concentrate on negotiating a five hour coach journey west, and beating Sousa at the end of it, whilst maintaining my squad's fitness ready for Portuguesa. At least there's a week off beforehand, we could all do with a rest.

My team of physios report that Patrick will be back in contention for the Portuguesa game, but not before. I've already decided that I'm keeping the same eleven for the trip to Sousa. I am, however, putting Ricardo Goulart on the bench. I'm itching to see him and Mithyuê operating in tandem!

Of course, five hours on a coach will sap at anyone's energy, so I don't expect the commanding performances we've shown recently at home. Soutto demonstrates our attacking intent in the second minute, forcing the keeper into a smart save with a long range effort. It's the only time in the half that we test him. Luís once again proves that, for a striker, he's extremely wasteful with his head, and Soutto and Cleidson fail to find their range from distance. Fortunately, Rafael Dida has a quiet time of it as well, and half time arrives with the scores 0-0.

I start our teamtalk thinking that Campinense and Botafogo are level at one each, and all we have to do is score. However, I'm only a couple of minutes in when a note is passed to say that Campinense scored a stoppage time goal to move ahead. Pants. I wave to Lucas Roggia and Ricardo Goulart, and the two subs strip down to their kit, to join the fray for the second half.

Seven minutes into the second half, Mithyuê collects the ball from Joâo Paulo, and plays a seemingly poor ball forward towards a gaggle of Sousa defenders. Unbelievably, though, he's spotted the run of Lucas Roggia, who is weaving his way into space just in time to collect the ball and fire past the keeper. What an excellent piece of vision! A quick check reveals Campinense still hold the lead, so there's little we can do but keep ours. I give the signal on to the pitch to keep possession, and we keep Sousa at bay until the 85th minute, with Ricardo Goulart and Luís both coming close at the other end. At that point I am passed a note from behind the bench. Botafogo have equalised, through Kell, a player who is suddenly on my Christmas card list. It's hard to keep the excitement on the bench from the players on the park, and both Danilo Polizer and Lusmar pick up yellow cards in frustration waiting for the final whistle.

We manage to play keep ball for the entire three minutes of stoppage time, and when the whistle does blow, all we can do is wait for news.

11th April 2010, Marizão, Paraíba State Championship, Closing Stage, Round 9

Sousa 0 Treze 1 (Lucas Roggia 53 [7th])

Attendance: 1361

Man of the Match: Mithyuê

It takes about five painful minutes for the result from Campina Grande to be relayed. It was a draw. I must be the luckiest manager alive.

Chapter 29 - We are the Champions

It's nearly 11pm as the coach pulls back into it's parking spot at Estádio Presidente Vargas. It's raining, and yet there must be five hundred fans lining the way. Black and White streamers are thrown as we start to disembark, and there's a huge cheer when I step off the coach. It's just a shame they make such a horrible job of chanting my name. I let the players mingle, receive their congratulatory hugs, and sign a few autographs, before making a short speech thanking the fans for their support, and ask them to be understanding that the players need to get to their beds so that we can make an early start preparing for our next big challenge. They all cheer, which either means I've explained that well, or made some lingual gaffe of epic proportion.

Paraíba State Championship, Closing Stage

| Pos   | Inf   | Team                 |       | Pld   | Won   | Drn   | Lst   | For   | Ag    | G.D.  | Pts   | 
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 1st   | C     | Treze                |       | 9     | 6     | 3     | 0     | 23    | 6     | +17   | 21    | 
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 2nd   |       | Botafogo (PB)        |       | 9     | 6     | 3     | 0     | 20    | 4     | +16   | 21    | 
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 3rd   |       | Campinense           |       | 9     | 6     | 3     | 0     | 16    | 3     | +13   | 21    | 
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 4th   |       | Sousa                |       | 9     | 5     | 2     | 2     | 12    | 5     | +7    | 17    | 
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 5th   |       | Nacional de Patos    |       | 9     | 5     | 1     | 3     | 12    | 9     | +3    | 16    | 
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 6th   |       | Esporte              |       | 9     | 3     | 2     | 4     | 6     | 10    | -4    | 11    | 
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 7th   |       | Desportiva Guarabira |       | 9     | 2     | 1     | 6     | 5     | 16    | -11   | 7     | 
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 8th   |       | Queimadense          |       | 9     | 1     | 1     | 7     | 2     | 12    | -10   | 4     | 
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 9th   |       | Paraíba              |       | 9     | 1     | 1     | 7     | 2     | 17    | -15   | 4     | 
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 10th  |       | Internacional (PB)   |       | 9     | 1     | 1     | 7     | 2     | 18    | -16   | 4     | 
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 

Paraíba State Championship, Final

| Pos   | Inf   | Team                 |       | Pld   | Won   | Drn   | Lst   | For   | Ag    | G.D.  | Pts   | 
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 1st   |       | Treze                |       | 18    | 15    | 3     | 0     | 51    | 7     | +44   | 48    | 
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 2nd   |       | Campinense           |       | 18    | 14    | 3     | 1     | 31    | 9     | +22   | 45    | 
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 3rd   |       | Botafogo (PB)        |       | 18    | 11    | 5     | 2     | 38    | 9     | +29   | 38    | 
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 4th   |       | Sousa                |       | 18    | 9     | 5     | 4     | 21    | 10    | +11   | 32    | 
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 5th   |       | Nacional de Patos    |       | 18    | 9     | 4     | 5     | 25    | 16    | +9    | 31    | 
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 6th   |       | Esporte              |       | 18    | 4     | 4     | 10    | 11    | 26    | -15   | 16    | 
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 7th   |       | Queimadense          |       | 18    | 3     | 4     | 11    | 10    | 24    | -14   | 13    | 
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 8th   |       | Desportiva Guarabira |       | 18    | 3     | 4     | 11    | 13    | 36    | -23   | 13    | 
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 9th   |       | Paraíba              |       | 18    | 1     | 5     | 12    | 3     | 34    | -31   | 8     | 
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 10th  | R     | Internacional (PB)   |       | 18    | 1     | 3     | 14    | 5     | 37    | -32   | 6     | 
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 

Monday morning, I'm called into an impromptu board meeting. Everyone is full of smiles. The Chairman is falling over himself to shake my hand and thank me for restoring his club to the top of the state tree, giving him and his family bragging rights in city and state for the next year. The finance director is beaming, which can mean only one thing. I later learn the club received nearly £150,000 for the title, and I'm surprised he didn't wet himself! Also, importantly, I'm told the team qualify for the Copa do Brasil next season, which gives me a neat opportunity to make my excuses and return to training for Wednesday's big game.

Chapter 30 - Cup Fever

The black and white part of the city is completely gripped by cup fever. As a microcosm of that, the offices at the club are frenetic. Tickets are practically sold out, although fans seem happy to be just part of the occasion, rather than expecting an upset. Válter has given numerous interviews to local and state press, countrywide specialist publications and internet journalists; in each one trying to play down expectations. On the playing front, I've almost a full squad to choose from. Carlos Salazar has resumed training, but the game probably comes a week early for him, and Soutto is probably a doubt as he hasn't recovered as well as I would have liked from Sundays game. My own expectations - and I'm keeping them to myself - are that we should ensure the tie goes to a second leg. That said, I'm not going to compromise our expressive style of play.

My current strongest side - Rafael Dida, David, Tiago Messias, Diego, Cléber Manttuy, Lusmar, Mithyuê, Kiko, Ricardo Goulart, Lucas Roggia and Luís - would take to the field, with strong backups available on the bench.

The day dawned bright, but cool (for here) and with the forecast of heavy rain. That rain started falling about lunchtime and peaked mid afternoon, before easing off into a tropical drizzle by the time kick-off rolled around. Unfortunately, that meant our pitch was already a muddy mess, and would cut up even more as the game progressed. We won the toss for kickoff, and from the referee's whistle showed our intent, with an attacking move down the left to force a corner. The crowd roared us on as we took up our set-piece positions. If you looked very har you could see a few empty seats, but not very many at all.

David swung in the corner deep, and Tiago Messias rose beyond the far post to head back across goal, straight into the hands of Andrey in the Portuguesa goal. The visitors started a direct attack down their left, which resulted in Kiko bringing down Luís Ricardo in the right back area. Kiko made amends for giving away the freekick, clearing comfortably with his head. We won our own freekick a couple of minutes later, and it was Kiko again who fires a shot just round the wall and just over the bar.

The opening exchanges over, the game settled down, with both sides trying to get used to the tricky underfoot conditions. The referee wasn't giving any leniancy because of this, though, and when Lucas Roggia stepped in front of his man to try and win the ball, he received a yellow card for his troubles. The disputable caution seemed to know the nineteen year old's confidence somewhat, and he never really recovered his performance.

A couple of minutes passed, before Portuguesa mounted a promising attack down their right. Marcos Paulo and Gauber exchanged passes, with the wing back playing a first time ball forward to Héverton, who was advancing from midfield into the gap between the two centre backs. Diego had been expertly dragged across-field by the forward he was marking, and as he and Lusmar closed down the midfielder he struck a shot which just beat Rafael Dida at the near post, bouncing over the line off the upright. Arse.

From the restart we win an attacking throw-in down the left, followed by a corner. David swings it in again, and Tiago Messias rises to head over the bar. Play switches back to the other end, and Portuguesa could have been two up, had Rafael Dida not got down expertly to tip away Emerson Cris' curling 25 yard effort. Lusmar clears the corner and relieves the pressure. The twenty minute mark passes, and we win an attacking throw-in on the right. Cléber Manttuy throws it to Mithyuê, and after considering his options, the playmaker slips it to his left to Lusmar. He takes a couple of touches, before unleashing a shot that just misses the joint of crossbar an post. Unlucky.

Five minutes later, Mithyuê is back in his own area, and is forced to concede a corner in dispossessing Emerson Cris. Paulo Sérgio swings the corner in, and Tiago Messias heads away to the far side. Luís Ricardo crosses back in, and Diego heads clear, scrambling the ball out for a throw-in. Soon, we're passing our way out of our own half, and putting together a decent move across the midfield, until Kiko fires a ball much too har at Mithyuê, and the ball bounces off him to Arizala. Portuguesa paly a quick triangle, before Arizala sets off down the left wing. He plays the 1-2 with Luís Ricardo, before winning a corner off David. Paulo Sérgio fires the ball in, and Diego heads away to the nearside, where Thiago Gomes wins a throw off the defender. As the clock ticks past the half hour mark, Arizala throws the ball to Emerson Cris in the centre of the park, but Ricardo Goulart moves across to intercept, clearing the ball sharply upfield to Lucas Roggia. A sharp pass to his left brings Luís into play, giving the striker the opportunity to run at the defence. He's well closed down, and is forced to turn infield. The ball moves seamlessly across our midfield line, ending up with David on the right, who wins a corner off the Portuguesa left back.

The set-piece is poor, and is cleared away, but Cléber Manttuy gets it back to David. The second cross is punched clear by the keeper, but Kiko out-jumps his man and heads to David again. This time the right-back slips it back to Kiko, but the midfielder's shot is deflected off Lucas Roggia who had wandered into an offside position, disappointingly. We're in the ascendency, though, and really need to make this period of pressure count. Ricardo Goulart fires a freekick into the box from wide left, which is headed behind for another corner. It's cleared, but Kiko puts it back into space for Lucas Roggia to run on to. The striker runs as though in treacle, and by the time he gets to the ball, Domingos is with him and tackling. That makes my mind up about one half-time substitution.

Five minutes to go, and Lucas Roggia forces a corner. David plays it short to Ricardo Goulart, who is closed down quickly, but still manages to put the ball into the six yard box. It's cleared, but Mithyuê heads it back towards Ricardo Goulart. Again, it's cleared, and again Mithyuê heads it back in. This time Ricardo Goulart wins the header, flicking it on into the path of Luís. For a fraction of a second, it looked like the striker would get to the ball first, but Andrey rushes out and collects well. Portuguesa finish the half with two shots over the bar. The players troop off to the dressing room, and I gather my notes to join them. We've had a decent half, with probably enough opportunities to be on the scoresheet ourselves.

Patrick replaces Lucas Roggia, and I urge my players to step up their performance even further, for the sake of the thousands of fans. If anything the pitch has deteriorated even further during the break. Portuguesa go straight on the attack from the kickoff, through Thiago Humberto down the right. He lays a pass to Arizala, and heads for the box. After a triangle of passes Héverton lays the ball into his path, and Thiago Humberto collects. He fires a firm shot, but it's straight at Rafael Dida, who deflects clear. Diego challenges for the ball from the next attack, and sets us on the counter with a header to Patrick. Advancing through the centre circle, the striker is flattened by Domingos, who is carded as a result.

We win a throw-in high up the pitch on the right. Cléber Manttuy throws short to Mithyuê, who gives it him back. Cléber Manttuy curls it in towards the penalty spot, where Ricardo Goulart jumps, but fails to make contact with the ball. Thiago Gomes clears for a corner, but Ricardo Goulart is livid. He's claiming a penalty, but the referee is having none of it. David sends yet another corner in, but it's cleared easily at the near post.

Ten minutes into the half, Tiago Messias is harshly carded for a trip high up the pitch. Two minutes later, after a bit of a goalmouth scramble which had my heart in my mouth, Paulo Sergio is also carded for Portuguesa. This referee certainly likes his cards! Just after the hour mark Cléber Manttuy takes a throw in on the left, towards Patrick in the area. Patrick jumps for the ball, but again misses under challenge from Thiago Gomes. Once again Ricardo Goulart argues for the penalty, and this time he gets on the referee's nerves just a little too much, and receives his own booking. David's corner is, as ever, comfortably defended.

68 minutes, and after making a substitution, Portuguesa are again on the attack, down the right through Paulo Sergio. His attempted cross pings off Cléber Manttuy, and one of the Portuguesa midfielders, leaving Diego with no choice but to hack the ball away from a corner. Emerson Cris plays the corner short to Domingos, who stands it up to the edge of the six yard box. Out comes Rafael Dida to claim the ball excellently above a crowd of players. After that, the play gets scrappy for a while. Time is ticking away, and we've still got nothing to show for our chances. Plus, we're only one mistake away from the tie being ended. It's time to play another substitution card, so Geninho warms up to replace Ricardo Goulart, who has let his ire at the officials, and his subsequent booking, disrupt his play.

With 79 minutes on the clock, we win a free kick halfway up the Portuguesa half. Lusmar takes it our wide to Cléber Manttuy on the left. He probes forward, but is unable to spot a pass, so swings it right across the field to David. The rightback looks forward, before playing it back infield to Lusmar. he takes a touch before moving the ball forward to Mithyuê, who plays it round the corner to the overlapping David. This is good, flowing passing, and Portuguesa seem happy for us to come on to them. David opts to swing in a cross, looking for Patrick, but it's cleared back to Lusmar. He exchanges passes with Geninho to his left, and then plays in David again. This time the rightback dawdles too long on the ball. He's closed down and challenged by Arizala, and immediately Portuguesa counter. A long ball over the halfway line is aimed at the head of substitute striker Gustavo Biscayzacú, but his header on only finds Rafael Dida on the edge of his area.

Eight minutes to go, and we win a freekick out on the right, level with the penalty area. David swings it in, and it's cleared for yet another corner. David plays it short to Geninho, but he's tackled and the ball heads back to the corner taker. His second ball is aimed across-field for Tiago Messias, but it's behind the retreating defender, and by the time he turns he's being closed down. Guigov doesn't take into account the conditions, however, and takes my captain down in a bundle of arms and legs. Freekick, about eight yards outside the area. Ideal shooting position. Luís looks to take a quick freekick, and the Portuguesa keeper can only clear with his feet. It's another corner, and it's another short one. Geninho is pulled up for a foul on his marker, though, which ends that attack.

The game heads into stoppage time. Biscayzacú flattens Kiko just inside our half, earning himself a yellow card and us a chance to mount another attack - perhaps our last chance. Diego plays it right and we build down that flank, but Geninho needlessly misplaces a pass and Portuguesa win possession. Biscayzacú is similarly wasteful, and we come away with the ball down the right. Patrick switches the ball left, and Cléber Manttuy beats his man before curling in a cross....straight into the keepers arms. Fatigue is clearly beginning to show for both sides. The keeper plays it right, but the long ball from Paulo Sergio only finds Diego. His first time pass puts Geninho on the attack. This time we string half a dozen passes together to get the ball right to David. He can only look back infield, and the ball moves back to Geninho. The substitute midfielder fires a shot, but again it's straight into the keepers arms. Or so it appeared. The keeper dropped it, overbalancing in the mud, and with Patrick closing him down, Thiago Gomes is forces to hack the ball away. There's one more chance, as Geninho passes infield to Kiko. his through ball finds Luís in space, but the striker is ruled marginally offside. It was probably the correct decision. Andru=ey's restart is met by the referee's final whistle, and that's the end of my first match in the last 16 of the Copa do Brasil.

There's a strange reaction around the ground after the final whistle. Many of the fans have been caught up by the atmosphere all game, and the end obviously has come as a bit of an anticlimax. Unbelievably, despite our strong showing against higher level opposition, there even appear to be some murmurs of dissent. Fickle fans, eh?

14th April 2010, Estádio Presidente Vargas, Copa do Brasil, Third Round, First Leg

Treze 0 Portuguesa 1 (Héverton 16)

Attendance: 9943

Man of the Match: Thiago Gomes (DC), Portuguesa

We're still in the tie, which was the object of the exercise. But those discontented noises get to me, the more I think about them.

Chapter 31 - São Paulo bound

It almost as if life at Treze, and around the parts of Campina Grande where our supporters live, is on hold. Normal business at the club - reserve and youth games go ahead, the daily routine of training continues - but everyone has ringed the 28th on their calendar, and is counting down the days. The average Treze fan can't afford the flights, of course, nor the time off work required to make the trip by road. But you can bet that every bar, every restaurant, every communal gathering will have a television tuned to Rede Globo on that Wednesday evening.

Bored of the incessant press conferences, and reviewing and re-reviewing my selection options, I turn to the huge build-up of scout reports. Phoning agents keeps me occupied for a while, which gives my brain the time it needs to solve the tactical problems.

By the time we board the flight to São Paulo, I not only know the starting eleven, but what formation we'll play, how we'll transition from one formation to another, and what "plan B" options we have on the bench. The light training session on Wednesday morning at one of Paulista's excellent facilities, concentrates almost entirely on tactics. At the end of the session I gather the players to inform them of the starting eleven. Carlos Salazar will feature in place of Ricardo Goulart, who will occupy the bench. Patrick will come into the side, as we field our 4-3-3 formation.

It's a pleasantly warm evening as we walk out on to the pitch at Candidé, although the first thing I notice is the crowd. It's woeful, and there were easily more present at our place. Portuguesa are ominous from the start. Only seven minutes have gone when Paulo Sérgio gives Marcos Paulo the ball just outside the area, and despite some rapid closing down he gets off a shot which rattles the post and bounces clear. We counter soon after with some quality route one football. Lucas Roggia flicks on Rafael Dida's goalkick, into the path of Luís. The striker's first touch is a little firm, and takes him wide of the goal, but he still forces Andrey into a save at his near post.

Domingos earns himself a yellow card for bringing Luís down at the second attempt on the quarter hour mark, and a couple of minutes later Lucas Roggia runs through the defence and fires wide. Difficult to score, but he should at least have hit the target. The game goes pretty quiet, settling more into a routine after the initial buzz of activity, with only a couple of high and wide attempts by the home side to report, until after the half hour mark, when everything goes slightly mad.

Paulo Sérgio picks the ball up on the right side of midfield, and slowly moves with it across the front of our penalty area, holding off Lusmar's attempted challenge. The ball goes out left to Luís Ricardo, who comes right back across the field again in much the same manner. He turns and lays it off to Marcos Paulo who, thirty yards out, leathers it just inside the right hand post. Now we've really got a job on. The midfield eye each other up accusingly, having been thoroughly dragged out of position by Portuguesa's movement, and not being sure who should have been closing down who.

As play resumes, I'm on my feet, encouraging my team to respond. I don't have to wait long. Carlos Salazar robs Guigov in midfield and plays it forwards to Lucas Roggia. The striker lays it back to Mithyuê, who hits a beautiful high ball. Luís runs on to it, and beats the keeper low to his right at the first attempt. Game well and truly back on again.

I'm still on my feet when, two minutes later, Mithyuê and Carlos Salazar somehow rob Marcos Paulo from a corner, and we're off on the counter attack again. The Colombian's ball finds Lucas Roggia, and we're two-on-two. The striker takes is wide, and then slips it inside to the motoring Mithyuê, who plays it through first time for Luís. For the second time in five minutes, the forward is bearing down one on one with the keeper. For the second time in five minutes, he scores, and we're not only back in this game, we're actually ahead on away goals.

Portuguesa are stunned, and we have a fair amount of possession as the clock ticks down towards half time. Having finally sat down, I'm now wondering whether to try and shut up shop and hold on to what we've got, or to keep playing to the team's strengths. I almost miss the furore on the edge of our penalty area. David appears to send Luís Ricardo to the ground. The referee waves play on, indicating that the defender played the ball, but even I could see the ball was a good couple of yards away at the time. Portuguesa protest, and Marcos Paulo earns himself a place in the referee's book. With that, we're safely back in the dressing room for the interval.

The dressing room was rocking. Luís was receiving hugs from all his team mates, and the rest were slapping each other on the back as though the job was done. I made my best efforts to let them know that the job was only half done, and that we needed to go out and give a professional performance in the second half.

Lusmar starts the second half by picking up a yellow card for clattering Luís Ricardo. It sets the tone for the opening exchanges of the second half, and soon Mithyuê is in the book as well for a foul on the same player. He's perhaps lucky, though, as he goes straight in on Marcos Paulo less than a minute later, and gets away with it. Diego makes it three, bringing down Thiago Humberto right on the edge of the D, leaving us defending a dangerous looking freekick. Paulo Sérgio hits the ball wide, and the threat passes.

As the clock ticks past the hour mark, we win a freekick about 35 yards out. Tiago Messias lines up to take it, and everyone is looking for the cross. The captain senses this, and tries to catch the Portuguesa keeper out with a shot on the near post. Andrey gets across and just manages to push it away towards the right touchline.

I'm considering what substitutions I should be looking to make, when Paulo Sérgio takes possession in his own half, and we give him space to advance. He switches the ball inside to Emerson Cris, who lays it forwards to Marcos Paulo. The midfielder spots Thiago Humberto running forwards, and aims the ball into his path. The defence track him back, and invite him to try the long range shot, which he does. It flies into the top left corner, and the game is level. Shell-shocked, I throw Ricardo Goulart into the game for Carlos Salazar.

Thiago Humberto could have finished it with fifteen to go, but he fired over from more or less the same position his goal came from. We pushed forwards down the other end, with Luís running the ball down the left. He cut it back to Ricardo Goulart, whose shot at goal was uncharateristically weak, ending up comfortably in Andrey's arms. Two minutes later, it was all over, as Marcos Paulo found Emerson Cris advancing into the area with absolutely miles of space. With our defence apparently asleep, he shot low and hard. Rafael Dida palmed it away, but poaching on the six yard line was Héverton, who put away the rebound.

Had Lucas Roggia got onto Ricardo Goulart's through ball first, there might have been a very interesting finish, but Thiago Gomes got across to tackle. There was one more yellow card to come, as Ricardo Goulart found his way into the book, taking one for the team to stop Thiago Humberto crossing a loose ball, after Cléber Manttuy had almost knocked Luís out with an attempted long clearance. Into stoppage time, Lucas Roggia got through into space again, and from a tight angle he hit the keeper's legs. Low on confidence, he probably wouldn't have scored if he'd played all day. The referee eventually put us out of our misery, ending our cup campaign.

A tired, downbeat bunch of players trooped from the field. Taking this sort of defeat was going to be hard, and my first thought was to hope it wouldn't affect our league campaign.

28th April 2010, Canindé, Copa do Brasil, Third Round, Second Leg

Portuguesa 3 Treze 2 (Marcos Paulo 32, Luís 35 [10th], 38 [11th], Thiago Humberto 70, Héverton 82) Portuguesa win 4-2 on aggregate

Attendance: 6106

Man of the Match: Luís, Treze

With hindsight (and there's plenty of time for that on the journey north) I should probably have removed Lucas Roggia from the game to save his confidence, but I'd not included a straight replacement on the bench. Probably I should have looked to switch formation at half time and bring an extra midfielder on. All ifs and buts, and there's nothing to be done about it now.

Chapter 32 - The main course

There's most of a week available to us to shake off the disappointment of our cup defeat. Joining the troops on loan is another striker, 20 year old Walter (Walter Henrique da Silva) arrives from Internacional, bringing with him youth international experience. He's currently injured, and will miss most of May, but will give us better depth for the league campaign.

To wrap up State events, Rafael Dida wins Best Goalkeeper award, but whilst Ricardo Goulart and Luís came second and third in the Best Player category, both were well behind Campinense's Robert.

With the players on a couple of rest days, I've got time to look more closely at the opposition in our league. The twenty teams of the Campeonato Brasileiro Série B represent eleven states. Five hail from São Paulo (Barueri, Santo André, Guarani, São Caetano and Ponte Preta). Santa Catarina has three representatives (Avaí, Figueirense and Criciúma). Three states each have two teams involved, Goiás (Vila Nova and Itumbiara), Rio Grande du Sol (Juventude and Pelotas) and, of course, Paraíba (Campinense, and my own Treze). The remaining six states each have one representative, Ceará from the state of the same name, Brasiliense from the capital's Federal District, Ipatinga of Minas Gerais, Sport Recife of Pernambuco, the wonderfully named Duque du Caxias from Rio de Janeiro state and América de Natal from Rio Grande do Norte.

Editor note: Itumbiara have done particularly well to get into Série B, as in real life they declined to compete in Série D in 2009, despite qualifying through gaining third place in the Campeonato Goiano

In terms of travelling, that gives us four "local" derbies in the North East of the country, three games in and around the capital, seven in the South East and five in the deep South. We'll be racking up the air miles, that's for sure.

There's major TV coverage of this division, and the first five months will see us appear thirteen times in front of the cameras. Of course, both Clássico dos Maiorais (Derby of the Best Ones) will be televised, as will both ties against Ceará. Home ties against Itumbiara in July and Juventude in August will be shown, presumably in the hope of them being relegation six pointers. The balance of the televised games are away ties at Avaí, Ipatinga, Sport Recife, Barueri, Ponte Preta and Brasiliense.

The few days of training manage to cause us problems, as David strains a wrist and will be missing for at least our first Série B game. So João Paulo will start for our first home game, against Brasiliense. Other changes will see Beto starting in place of Patrick, in our favoured 4-1-3-2 formation.

A dull, dull game, on a muddy pitch, with very few chances for either side and not an awful lot of quality on show. Not quite what I was expecting, and I dare say not what the nearly 9000 crowd who paid hard earned entrance money expected either. We win a lot of corners in the first half, but the first shot on target comes for the visitors, and not until the 38th minute. Iranildo pulls a corner back to Rodriguinho, who shoots for the top corner, but Rafael Dida tips it over. In stoppage time, Edinho brings down Beto, wide on the right and about twenty yards into the Brasiliense half. He earns the first yellow card of the game, The freekick is cleared, but comes back to Beto again, and again Edinho floors him. This time it's a bit closer, and Beto takes the shooting opportunity, firing past the two man wall, only to see his curling shot clip the outside of the post.

And that's half time; we've successfully navigated the first 45 minutes. We've matched the established Série B side, and had the better of the play. That's the basis of my team talk, anyway.

Lusmar gets our first yellow card of the campaign pretty much straight from the restart, thanks to an episode of shirt tugging with Rodriguinho. Mithyuê has our first opportunity of the half, advancing on goal, but shooting tamely into the keeper's arms. Kiko is up the next, but he does the same. On 66 minutes, Kiko plays a ball towards the edge of the area, looking for Beto. Gian intercepts, but can't control it. Beto picks it up and shoots, but it goes over the bar. The forward is not really justifying my faith in selecting him, so my next move is to replace him with Lucas Roggia. Soutto replaces Kiko at the same time, to give us a different approach in the centre of the park.

Lucas Roggia's first involvement is to spin round his marker and make himself space for the shot. His sharp shot is straight at Marcelo Moretto, who at least has to put some effort in to make the save this time. Mithyuê picks up the lose ball, but his shot is blocked well.

Carlos Salazar is replaced by Ricardo Goulart, in my last throw of the dice with quarter of an hour to go. Luís picks up a knock with a few minutes to go, but it doesn't hamper him too much, and he can still head our last chance over the bar from the edge of the area.

5th May 2010, Estádio Presidente Vargas, Série B, Round 1

Treze 0 Brasiliense 0

Attendance: 8880

Man of the Match: Rafael Dias (DC), Brasiliense

League Position: 18th

Luís hobbles off the field, his knee already swelling up. The physio shakes his head, and helps him down to the treatment room. Later, I find out he'll be out for a month.

Chapter 33 - Clássico dos Maiorais, part trois

Because of Brasiliense's cup commitments, we played our first league game earlier than the majority of the league. This means we have a ten day break between games, and it also means we can relax and watch the rest of the league programme on Sunday. Not that it really told us anythin, as remarkably all but two fixtures ended in draws. Two other games finished 0-0. There were three 1-1 ties and a 2-2 home draw against América de Natal for our next opponents, Campinense.

The build-up to the Clássico is intense, to say the least. Probably more so than our home derby in the state championship. Again, we're expected to sell out Presidente Vargas, but this time the bookies are rating us as slight favourites. This is the occasion at which I choose to make my first official pre-match press conference, knowing that only local press are going to be interested. Válter has been doing a sterling job since I took over, but it's time I put my own mark on things. Of course, the first thing I'm asked is who will win the league! I've absolutely no idea, of course, but to say that would be suicide. I pick a name at random, remembering that Avaí were tipped strongly. Most of the rest of the questions are, understandably, around the nature of the clash, although there's a left field question linking us with Ricardo Virtuoso.

I'm also asked whether I think relegation rivals Pelotas will avoid the drop. Again, I've no idea, and I'm not bothered about other teams in particular, so I choose not to comment. That turns out to be a good strategy, as they beat Santo André in one of the Friday night televised games, winning 4-3 thanks to a 87th minute penalty.

Patrick replaces Luís, and this time I put Da Silva on the bench as attacking cover. In front of a bouncing full house, we kick off. We're straight down to the attacking end of the pitch, with Patrick winning a corner. It's cleared, but we retain possession, and camp out in the Campinense half for the first four minutes of the game. It doesn't produce a clear shot at target, though. The first one of those comes in the 22nd minute, when Kiko ballons a shot from 25 yards out. Exciting stuff.

The second meaningful attack also results in a shot from Kiko, when Lucas Roggia turns smartly with the ball at the edge of the area, and instead of shooting he fed in the midfielder. Kiko's shot, however, only found the side netting. To continue a theme, we finally worked the Campinense keeper in the 36th minute, from a throw on the right which João Paulo flicked over the top to Mithyuê, and the midfield dived full length to get his head on it. It was fairly harmless, but as Rodrigues had to catch it, it registered as a shot on target.

Coming full circle, a minute later João Paulo passed inside to Mithyuê, who passed further infield to Kiko. He clearly had only one thing on his mind, and the Treze fans in the stand behind the goal started to take cover. This time, though, he connected cleanly, and sent a wickedly in-curling shot towards the top corner. The keeper dived full length, and was actually beaten by the curl, as it hit the back of the net roughly central. The stadium went wild, and we shut up shop to see things through to half time.

"You've seen how important that goal was to the fans." I said, starting my team talk. "Now make sure you get out there and complete the win." Campinense hadn't caused us any defensive problems in the first half, but they were forced to come out and attack us in the second.

We completely killed off the first fifteen minutes of the half, happy to allow our rivals possession in their own half, but stomping down on any attempt to enter our defending third. Our first meaningful attack came just after the hour mark, when João Paulo crossed a low, singing ball into the box looking for Patrick. Rodrigues was awake to the danger, and rushed out to smother the cross before Patrick could get his toe to it. Campinense finally got into our danger are about five minute later, painstakingly passing down the right, with Reginaldo curling a shot towards the far post. There was nowhere near enough curl on the ball, though, and it sailed wide. Buoyed by this progress, Campinense attacked down the left, resulting in Rafinha missing the near post with a shot from just outside the area.

In an attempt to further frustrate the visitors' attacking ideas, I made the first of my subsitutions with twenty minutes to go, Ricardo Goulart replacing Carlos Salazar. The substitue was involved pretty much straight away, as our next attack built down the middle. He received the ball a good thirty yards out and immediately let fly with a low, rising shot. Still rising, it pinged off the bar with the keeper nowhere, and the defence scrambled it back into Rodrigues' arms.

When Campinense's Jaílton went to ground injured with just over ten minutes to go, I started to plan my end game. Soutto warmed up to replace Kiko at the next available opportunity, with the scorer getting a standing ovation as he left the field. Cleidson also warmed up, and took to the field of a direct replacement as the minutes ticked down. As the game entered stoppage time, Campinense built a last attack. Pedro got to the byline and crossed, João Paulo headed away, and Bruno Formigoni frustratedly pushed Patrick to the ground as they challenged for the ball. Yellow card, and another opportunity to slow the game down. After three minutes of stoppage time, the referee finally brought the game to a close. It hadn't been a great specatacle, but the Treze fans weren't going to let that bother them. Once again, they had Campina Grande bragging rights.

15th May 2010, Estádio Presidente Vargas, Série B, Round 2

Treze (0-1-0) 1 Campinense (0-1-0) 0 (Kiko 38 [8th])

Attendance: 10000 (sellout)

Man of the Match: Kiko, Treze

League Position: 7th

I suspect that the post-match press conference was one of the easiest I will have to attend. Yes, that was a great result. Yes, Kiko had a stormer. Thank-you. Goodnight.

Chapter 34 - The Road goes Ever Onwards

It's nice to (again) have a week between matches. Time to prepare in leisure, and spend some time on the telephone arranging trials for some of the latest talent my scouts and coaching staff have recommended. It's also nice that our first away trip will be to somewhere we've been before. Caxias do Sul, home of Juventude, is not quite the furthest south you can go in the country. Indeed it's not even the furthest south we'll go this season by a couple of hundred miles, but it is south. A long way from home. Last time we narrowly defeated the Youth, and inflicted further pain in the resulting penalty shoot out. This time, there's no such decision required on the day.

We trave via scheduled flights, departing late afternoon and (after three changes) arriving just after midnight. Nowhere near ideal, and I make a mental note to discuss travel with the chairman at the next opportunity. Friday we do some light training, and discuss tactics. The same eleven will start again.

For the first time under my leadership, we line up in our all black away kit. It's quite striking. I spend the first ten minutes admiring it, because sod all else happens. Kiko tries a long range lob to drag me out of my reverie, but it was never going to beat the keeper, even if it had got on the target. Juventude's first chance comes on the fifteen minute mark, with Mazola forcing a save from Rafael Dida from the edge of the area. Cléber Manttuy brings the ball away down the left, and after a sweeping passing move Kiko finds himself with a shooting opportunity. He curls it just wide of the far post, and I don't think the keeper had it covered.

Both sides have reasonable period of pressure, with ours coming towards the end of the half. Patrick was well challenged as he bore down on goal, Carlos Salazar blasted over the bar from a corner, and Diego headed over the bar from a stoppage time freekick. More rather drab fayre for the paying fans.

Again, it's a quiet start to the second half. Goiano flattens Diego in our area from a corner, and receives a yellow as a result. As we enter the last fifteen minutes without a shot on target for either side, I switch it round with Ricardo Goulart and Da Silva replacing Carlos Salazar and Lucas Roggia. At last, with ten minutes to go, there's a shot to give the fans something to cheer about. Sadly for us, it comes from the opposition. Carlos Alberto crosses from deep on the right. Tiago Messias heads away, but Lauro picks up the lose ball 25 yards out. His curling shot is headed for the bottom corner, but Rafael Dida gets down well to turn it around the post.

22nd May 2010, Alfredo Jaconi, Série B, Round 3

Juventude (0-0-2) 0 Treze (1-1-0) 0

Attendance: 3988

Man of the Match: João Paulo, Treze

League Position: 4th (pending three results)

We come through the match with a clean bill of health, which is a good job as we are not returning to base before our next match. We've decided to stay in the far south, as our next game is in the neighbouring state of Santa Catarina. We've agreed to base ourselves in Florianópolis, training at the excellent facilities available to Figueirense, and will only head out to the neighbourhood of Carianos, where Avaí's are based, on match day. In typical ironic fashion, Avaí's ground is about a mile away from Florianópolis airport, but there are no direct flights from Caxias du Sol, so we make the six hour transfer by road.

On Tuesday evening we have a squad get-together in our hotel room. There are three Série B televised games, and this causes some debate as to which should be shown. The home-grown lads want to watch Campinense v Ponte Preta, whilst Guarani v Itumbiara is favoured as a potential one sided goalfest. The power of the remote falls to me, and I compromise by flicking randomly, much to everyone's annoyance. Campinense score a good 1-0 home win, whilst Guarani only score two, but it's sufficient for them to leapfrog us.

Other than light training, the team have a lot of time to themselves. They're free to come and go as they please, as long as they don't leave the island. Similarly, my duties are much reduced from normal. It does feel like we're separated from the rest of the country. We're never more than 5 miles from the nearest beach, so there's some time to relax at least.

Probably the highlight of the week is the reserves' 4-0 thrashing of Porto from Pernambuco. There are six trialists in the squad, including 33 year old striker Evando, who came on for the second half and scored a hattrick. Young left back Hugo also had a very good game, in what was a strong side made up of the players who didn't travel with us.

Cleidson and Ricardo Goulart will get starting spots in the starting eleven, and I expect the latter to really work hard, given that he'll get the next game off. Avaí give us a footballing lesson in the first 45 minutes. We kick off, and manage two passes before Kiko loses the ball, and that's pretty much the last we see of it. Vandinho hits an early shot which is deflected for the first corner of the match, Uendel's set piece is headed away, as is his second cross. And his third. Eventually we get the fourth centre away for a throw-in, and breathe a sigh of relief. It's a brief respite. Two minutes later, Caio slips a ball through our defence which Vandinho moves on to. Rafael Dida stays at home, but makes himself a big enough target to block the shot.

Just after the quarter hour mark, Caio's long range shot is blocked for another corner, and I fear the worst again. Patric takes the kick this time, and it's cleared, but only as far as Roberto César on the edge of the box. His first time shot deflects off an advancing defender, and then rebounds clear off his own man. Avaí rebuild from midfield, get the ball out to Patric on the right, and his cross is headed narrowly over by Vandinho. We do manage to win a couple of corners, the first around the 25 minute mark, and the second five minutes from half time, but they are both delivered poorly and cleared away by the first man. The last chance of the half falls, fittingly, to Avaí. Roberto César starts the move on the right. Caio and Patric exchange passes, before bringing in Frédson in the centre of midfield. He passes left to Batista, whose through ball finds Robert César clear of the defence. With the chance to finish the excellent move he started, he blasts straight at Rafael Dida, who again does well to block off the striker's options.

At half time I look ruefully at my two strikers. Neither of them has had a look in. To be fair, that's not entirely their fault, as the midfield has done little more than firefight. Still, I expect everyone to be involved and join together the play, if nothing else. Lucas Roggia pays the price, making way for Da Silva.

Avaí are straight into our faces in the second half, winning another corner straight away. The set piece is cleared a long way by Ricardo Goulart, but comes back, and Roberto César's resulting shot takes about four rebounds before Avaí recover possession and build again. They keep the ball for another four minutes, without getting a shot on target (which is an improvement, at least), and eventually show their frustration through Frédson bringing down Kiko.

On the hour, we concede another corner. Patric floats it in deep, and Frédson finds himself free at the far post. He heads down, but it's into the ground and the bounce is kind to Rafael Dida. We lose possession from the clearance, and concede another corner on the left. Tiago Messias clears well, and Ricardo Goulart finds Patrick, but we lose possession and Avaí regroup. They build down the left, with Wellington crossing into the danger zone. It's headed away, and as Da Silva tries to collect, Frédson clatters in to him. The referee has seeen enough, and cards the midfielder this time.

We win our own freekick a couple of minutes later. Mithyuê's delivery is cleared, and although we get to the second ball, we are gradually forced further back in trying to get the ball under control. Eventually, Avaí rob us and press down their left, winning another corner. The ball in is flicked on by Vandinho. Ricardo Goulart misses his header, and the ball falls to Emerson on the right. He runs to the byline, but his cross just goes out of play. Up at the other end, we seem to be gaining some traction. Mithyuê advances through midfield, combines with Kiko and Ricardo Goulart, but our star man's shot is way, way off target.

Keen to build on the green shoots of a turn-around, I call over Soutto from his warm up, and explain a couple of tactical changes to him. He'll replace Patrick, with Ricardo Goulart moving into the hole and Soutto filling the left berth. It doesn't work immediately, as Róberto wins yet another corner down the right. Patric crosses short to Frédson, who's shot hits one of the bodies on the line and rebounds to Emerson, practically on the by-line. He plays it across goal, but there's no Avaí striker to tap it in. Cleidson, on the left hand post, swings a foot at it to clear, but hits it straight into the back of his team-mate. Remarkably, the ball bounces up and rebounds off the bar, before being lumped away to safety by Tiago Messias. I still don't know how the ball didn't end up in the back of the net! Da Silva gets on to the end of the long clearance, and holds the ball up well, starting a two minute phase of our own possession, which sadly results in a wild shot from Soutto.

Avaí come again with ten minutes to go, winning a corner just for a change. Soutto and João Paulo combine to get the ball away, and we limit Avaí's possession to more comfortably closer to the half way line this time. Cleidson eventually gets the foot in, and we advance our own play. It amounts to nothing, as Róbson intervenes and clears. Two minutes later, Cleidson restarts from a deep freekick. Da Silva challenges with Rafael for the ball, and the defender is forced to head backwards. The ball falls between the defence, and Mithyuê runs on to it. His first touch looks strong, but Zé Carlos is slow off his line, and the midfielder tucks it inside the near post. Smash. And. Grab.

Avaí have a lot of the ball in the last five minutes, but they seem bereft of new ideas to create anything meaningful. We win a corner on the counter in the last minute, which is an ideal opportunity to waste a bit of time. Da Silva plays short to Soutto, but Avaí get a foot in to clear, and Lusmar takes one for the team to prevent the rapid counter. The four minutes of stoppage time passes painfully slowly, but eventually the whistle blows, and is met by boos from the home fans.

29th May 2010, Estádio da Ressacada, Série B, Round 4

Avaí (0-3-0) 0 Treze (1-2-0) 1 (Mithyuê 84 [4th])

Attendance: 6050

Man of the Match: Patric (WBR), Avaí

League Position: 2nd (pending four results)

It's a happy band of players returning home, and a happy manager travelling with them. Four games played, and no goals conceded. Ok, only two scored, but beggars can't be choosers. For the players, I'm sure they're also happy to be getting back to their friends and families. Some people have all the luck.

Chapter 35 - Saint Andrew's day?

The best news I get when I stroll into the office is that we've got a completely healthy squad. The players who travelled, if tired, have got through without any knocks. Meanwhile, Luís and new loanee Walter are both available for selection. It's scheduled to be a quiet week on the field, with not even a reserves game this side of the visit of Santo André next Saturday. Off the field, it's slightly busier, as a number of my players take up opportunities offered for them in Europe now that the transfer window is open. Goalkeeper Wanderson joins Clube Desportivo Trofense on a free; Clube Futebol União Madeira sign defender Ranieri on a free; Sport Clube Freamunde get the services of striker Valnei and Nonato heads slightly further afield to Prato of Italy. Over-thirties Marcinho and Tony leave the club as their contracts expire.

This activity happily coincides with the monthly board meeting. I am definitely getting happy vibes, particularly about the financial position (currently a good £400k in the black) and the fact that we beat Campinense (again), but why the moans about letting Marcinho go? He was never going to get in my team in a month of Sundays? I take the opportunity to get the board to agree to charter flights from now on. Whilst I don't quite make it an ultimatum, it's pretty damned close.

Tuesday night brings the choice of another three televised games. The pick of the fixtures is 6th placed Brasiliense versus 3rd placed Ponte Preta, but I feel it rather more necessary to watch our next opponents, Santo André, as they scrap it out with Criciúma. It's a tense game, settled by a single, late goal for the home side, in front of less than 3000 fans. Ponte Preta win 3-1 to go top, whilst in the third game Ipatinga put four past Pelotas to go fourth.

Thursday training is an unmitigated disaster. It's the last full training session before the Santo André game, and Patrick pulls up with an obviously pulled hamstring mid-session. David, on the other hand, is completely absent, after coming down with a case of food poisoning. He'll not feature for the third game in a row.

Friday night brings the usual choice of TV games, and I choose to watch Ipitinga at struggling Duque de Caxias. Could be another goalfest, if the away side carry on from Tuesday's performance. As it is, all three games end 1-0, and I feel a little sorry for Juventude who concede a penalty in the first minute of stoppage time to lose at home to América de Natal.

There are two enforced changes, thanks to injuries and ineligibility, Walter will make his debut in place of Patrick, with Carlos Salazar filling in for Ricardo Goulart, who can't face his owning club. Bugger.

The early exchanges are pretty tight. We win a couple of corners, for which Carlos Salazar is on duty today, but create nothing from them. Mithyuê looks promising, running at defenders for fun. The visitors have the first real shot at goal though, a long range freekick which hits the side netting. Rafael Dida had it covered, if you ask me. Santo André do look to have the ability to cause us trouble through their rapdi attacks, though, and they win their first corner on the quarter hour in this fashion. Rafael Dida tidies this up as well.

Toninho picks up the first yellow card of the game, taking down Walter from behind as we looked to counter. He appealed that he had played the ball, but the referee wasn't impressed. On the half hour mark, Mithyuê gets the ball on the right, and starts off on another run. He beats two players on the way to the byline, before playing a smart ball inside to Walter. The debutant striker hesitates a little too long, and is challenged well by Hélder, giving us only another corner from a promising position. Mithyuê crosses it in, and sees the first defender head needlessly over his bar. Carlos Salazar has a go, and the ball is cleared into midfield. We pick the ball up, and pass it around, looking for the killer ball. Lusmar eventually finds it, and plays in Walter, but yet again he's closed down effectively by the defence. Corner number three, Salazar again swings it in, and again it's cleared. Once more, we look for the opportunity, but Kiko gets frustrated and blasts over the bar before one occurs. There's time for one more corner before half time. Guess what? Cleared.

We're probably just edging this one, which means the half time team talk could make or break the game. We can win it, I'm sure, but we've got to watch for those speedy attacks down the flanks. I don't make any changes at this stage, but I let the lads know that there will be changes at some point in the second half.

Santo André start the brighter in the second period, winning three corners in quick succession. We continue to defend well, though, and see out that particular period of pressure unscathed. We have our own period of pressure, starting just before the hour mark. We win a corner, but Salazar's delivery is shocking. Cleidson sets us on the attack again from a throw-in, and Mithyuê wins us another corner down the right. In the middle of all this, I'm giving a couple of substitutes their final instructions, and the corner is the ideal opportunity for the change. Da Silva and Soutto replace Lucas Roggia and Carlos Salazar. Walter goes across to take the corner. It's a poor one, pulled back behind Soutto on the edge of the box. The midfielder back-tracks to collect and plays it back to Joâo Paulo. Joâo Paulo gives it him back, and Soutto plays it right to Lusmar. All this time, Walter has been lingering on the touchline, ten yards back from the corner flag. Now he starts to move into the penalty area. Lusmar spots him, plays the ball into his path, and the strike slams it into the far corner with the outside of his boot. Great goal, no-one was stopping that one.

We're straight back on the attack, the bit really between our teeth now. We win another three corners in quick succession, but can't meet any of them with a telling header. Two minutes later, Santo André have their own corner. Gil delivers short to Cardona, who chips to the back post where Toninho meets the ball, beating Rafael Dida from point blank range with a towering header. Our lead lasted all of six minutes, and I feel utterly deflated. From the restart, Walter just fails to get on the end of a through ball from Kiko, and strike me down if it's not Toninho back making the well-timed challenge.

Twelve minutes to go, and Cicinho gets to the byline, winning another corner, but injuring himself in the process. A man light, Gil plays it short to Ricardo Conceiçao, and I'm waiting for the set-piece to pay off for the visitors again. Instead, he turns away from goal and lays it back to Cardona. The midfielder swings his foot at it, and I watch in horror as the ball flies goalwards. It hits the bar and I exhale, realising I was involuntarily holding my breath for the whole corner routine.

Walter takes a knock inside the last ten minutes, and whilst he gets some treatment, Santo André attack with a throw down the right. Mithyuê clears long, and Da Silva picks up the ball. He takes it down the line, looking for the recovered Walter in the middle. He's well closed down, though, and is forced to turn it back to Cleidson. The left back feints to go down the line, before turning and playing a forty yard cross-field pass to João Paulo. Turning his man well, the right back plays a cute ball into the path of Mithyuê in the area. He never gets it. Villain-cum-hero-cum-villain again Toninho cuts his run off with an outstretched leg which the midfielder takes maximum advantage of, and the referee points at the spot.

Up from the back jogs Tiago Messias. Not the person I would have chosen to take the kick, but as captain he has that privilige. He looks confident as he steps up, and slams the ball to the keeper's right, leaving him standing bewildered in his goalmouth. We're back in front! As expected, Santo André throw the kitchen sink at us, winning a corner with four minutes left. Mithyuê rises high to clear, and Walter, despite still carrying a knock, flicks the ball on cleverly to gain us a bit more time and breathing space. He's clever, that lad. I just hope we're not going to miss him for too long.

As the game enters stoppage time, we apply the best for of defensive pressure - attack, winning our own corner on the left, which Soutto swings into the box. It's firmly headed away, but we have enough midfielders hanging back to pick up the loose ball. Kiko gets there first, and blasts it back into the box. the ball hits a defender and deflects wickedly out for another corner. Two minutes gone. Da Silva takes it, eventually. He's not in a hurry! It's cleared as far as Kiko, who this time heads it back in. It's cleared again, and Diego is forced to turn it back to Lusmar in our own half. Three minutes gone. Lusmar hits it long towards the edge of the area, where Walter does well to control the ball, but can't beat Mika in the second challenge. Mika plays it sideways to Marcel, who hits it forwards to Cardona. Santo André are on the break, and I'm holding my breath again. Cardosa plays it across the halfway line to Anderson Lessa, who looks to play the killer ball towards Gil. but that man Mithyuê is there, covering back, and performing almost impossible aerobatics to deflect the ball clear over his left shoulder. Edson Souza picks it up, and who is closing him down but Mithyuê again! Our extraordinary midfielder comes away with the ball, passes forwards to Walter, and continues his overlapping run. Walter, wise beyond his years, elects to slow things down with a pass back to João Paulo, who brings the ball forwards across the halfway line again. A few more seconds wasted, and the left back passes it inside to Mithyuê. This time the midfielder runs into trouble, being closed down and tackled by Mika. The ball rolls towards Kiko who, aware of Gil closing him down from behind at pace, tries to shield the ball. Gil goes tumbling over his leg, and the referee gives a freekick. Four minutes gone. One last chance for Santo André to pump it forwards maybe? Walter walks slowly back away from the ball. Arthur elects to play the freekick short to Edson Souza in the left back position. He plays a sweeping crossfield ball aimed at Cicinho. I'm on my feet, urging my defence to get out and close the man down. Cleidson eventually obliges, and comes away with the ball. He plays it forwards to Da Silva, but the referee has his whistle to his lips now, and as the forward plays it forwards once more, he finally blowsd for full time.

I'm left catching my breath, pulse racing, and thinking that second half took a good year off my life expectancy.

5th June 2010, Estádio Presidente Vargas, Série B, Round 5

Treze (2-2-0) 1 Santo André (1-2-1) 0 (Walter 62 [1st], Toninho 69, Tiago Messias 84pen [4th])

Attendance: 9680

Man of the Match: Mithyuê, Treze

League Position: 2nd

Campeonato Brasileiro Série B - 5th June 2010

| Pos   | Inf   | Team            |       | Pld   | Won   | Drn   | Lst   | For   | Ag    | G.D.  | Pts   | 
| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 1st   |       | Figueirense     |       | 5     | 3     | 2     | 0     | 7     | 3     | +4    | 11    | 
| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 2nd   |       | [b]Treze[/b]           |       | 5     | 3     | 2     | 0     | 4     | 1     | +3    | 11    | 
| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 3rd   |       | Ponte Preta     |       | 5     | 3     | 1     | 1     | 7     | 3     | +4    | 10    | 
| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 4th   |       | Ipatinga        |       | 5     | 2     | 3     | 0     | 6     | 1     | +5    | 9     | 
| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 5th   |       | Guarani         |       | 5     | 2     | 3     | 0     | 7     | 4     | +3    | 9     | 
| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 6th   |       | São Caetano     |       | 5     | 2     | 2     | 1     | 6     | 5     | +1    | 8     | 
| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 7th   |       | Ceará           |       | 5     | 2     | 1     | 2     | 4     | 3     | +1    | 7     | 
| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 8th   |       | América (RN)    |       | 5     | 2     | 1     | 2     | 4     | 5     | -1    | 7     | 
| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 9th   |       | Barueri         |       | 5     | 1     | 3     | 1     | 4     | 4     | 0     | 6     | 
| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 10th  |       | Brasiliense     |       | 4     | 1     | 2     | 1     | 4     | 4     | 0     | 5     | 
| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 11th  |       | Campinense      |       | 4     | 1     | 2     | 1     | 4     | 4     | 0     | 5     | 
| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 

This is an absolutely cracking read, Gricehead. I wasn't quite so brave and started out in the Second Division, i'm hoping to start my story after the world cup having played 3 seasons so far. Good luck.

Very much enjoying this one Gricehead. I've only dabbled briefly with the complexities of the Brazilian lower leagues and it seemed very complicated so good luck in working it all out.

Thanks Elrithral and BobBev. I've actually become quite engrossed (some say obsessed) with the Brazilain league structure through researching for this phase of the challenge. Did you know that, since 2003, 264 different teams have been involved in the National leagues (Serié A, B, C and, from 2009, D)?

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Chapter 36 - Sleepless in Ceará

The reserves make the short trip to Guarabira, and triallist Evando scores again. Our scouting team took a video of the game, and that's my "inflight" viewing for the short flight north to Fortaleza. It pretty much makes my mind up to sit down and discuss terms with him. He might be 33, but he clearly knows where the onion bag is. I'll leave it one more week before making a final decision on him and the other five triallists. Getting off the plane, one thing strikes me. It's hot. Bloody hot. Even for Brazil. At least five degrees hotter than Campina Grande.

I don't want to make wholesale changes for the match against 7th placed Ceará, but Ricardo Goulart is available, and Luís is fully fit and raring to go. They replace Carlos Salazar and Lucas Roggia. I'm nervous about including Luís, as the energy will quickly be sapped from his legs by the heat, and any remnant of the injury could recur.

Ceará win their first corner in the second minute of the game, thanks to a smart shimmy from Preto, who is being scouted from the stands, I'm informed. They win a freekick five yards outside the area soon after, which Misael hits exquisitely, and Rafael Dida just manages to turn around the post for another corner. Vavá puts the corner in, and Diego clears at the near post. Misael puts it back into the box, but Rafael Dida comes out and claims well. The keeper throws out to Cleidson, who pauses to take stock of the situation, before looking to find Kiko. Uncharateristically, his passing is wayward, and Preto takes possession. Ceará build down the right patiently, before quickly switching the ball to the left across the midfield. Thiago Fernandes looks to take the ball outside our right back, but at the last minute passes inside to Vavá who is lurking right on the edge of the area. Mithyuê gets back and makes the challenge, and we're all astonished to hear the referee's whistle blow. My first reaction is to berate him for giving the freekick for such a soft challenge, but then I see he's pointing at the penalty spot. Unbelievable! Thankfully, I still naturally swear in English, so the fourth official doesn't have much ground for disciplining me.

Vavá places the ball on the spot himself, and takes a deep breath. He steps up, and blasts the ball to the right of Rafael Dida. Our keeper guesses correctly, and pushes the ball away for a corner. His team mates run to congratulate him, and he pushes them away to prepare for the set piece.

Careca delivers the corner, which is headed away by Ricardo Goulart. Thyago Fernandes heads back, and Ricardo Goulart again jumps with Fabrício just outside the box. The referee's whistle goes again for a foul, and I'm not sure how Ricardo Goulart keeps his cool. This referee seems to have it in for us, for some reason. Fabrício lines up the freekick, but his shot deflects off the side of the wall for another corner. At last we clear and lift the pressure. For a while, at least.

With the clock approaching twenty minutes, we at last get our own chance to attack. Cleidson, who is having a shocker up to this point, beats his man and crosses, and Walter jumps with Fabrício. The Ceará player wins the ball, but leaves our striker on the floor. Lusmar leads the calls to the referee, but he's not interested. No surprise there then. Meanwhile, Careca clears long for Ceará.

There's real fire in this fixture now, and a couple of minutes later we're attacking again. João Paulo crosses from the right after a good passing move through the midfield, and Luís puts the header just a couple of inches over the bar. We pick up possession again from the goalkick, and Kiko plays a ball into the path of Walter on the right hand corner of the area. Walter runs past his man, but his first touch is too heavy, and by the time he gets to the ball Renato has recovered to get the tackle in. Tiago Messias heads the corner over the bar.

There's little of note in the remainder of the half. Careca picks up a yellow card for dragging down Lusmar, whilst Fabrício should have been carded for flattening Luís but we don't even get a freekick. I'm fuming as I head to the dressing room, as are some of my players, but I have to control my anger and calm the lads down, or at least find a way to channel their energy into creativity, otherwise we're beaten before we step out for the second half.

One player who won't be stepping out for the second half, regardless, is Cleidson. He makes way for Cléber Manttuy. Ceará win the first corner of the second half, but Diego handballs the cross. Their Diego, not ours, thankfully. They win the second, amd the third as well immediately after, but our defensive is solid. They're well and truly on top, in fact, right through the first twenty minutes of the half. The first time we get the ball into anything like an attacking position, Michel hacks Ricardo Goulart to the floor. He gets a yellow card for his trouble. It seems to kick us into action, as we're on top for the next few minutes, winning a corner but not really threatening their goal.

With fifteen left, Ceará moount attack through the middle, building slowly and patiently, even going 50 yards back to the goalkeeper as part of the move. It picks up impetus down the left through Thyago Fernandes, who wins a corner off Lusmar. Careca delivers, and Diego rises clear of Mithyuê at the near post. He connects cleanly, and the ball splits Rafael Dida and the man on the post, giving neither of them a chance. We're undone. The home crowd come alive, and the noise was tremendous.

Up on my feet, I urge my players to chase the game, to get forward and attack the Ceará back line whilst they're basking in the glory of their support. Their slow, patient passing game is ideal for keeping the ball away from us for long periods, though, and they keep possession for a good three or four minutes. Eventually, Mithyuê nabs it away and makes a quick break down the right. He feeds Walter, who is forced to play a defensive one-two with João Paulo, before playing in Lusmar in the middle. Lusmar plays an intelligent diagonal ball looking for Ricardo Goulart, but the reliable forward completely misses his trap, and Legnani is able to clear.

The pattern continues until the last five minutes, when Walter wins a corner down the right. Cléber Manttuy delivers towards the penalty spot, and Preto leaps to clear. João Paul plays the ball back to Cléber Manttuy, who curls a second cross into the box. Renato is the nearest defender, but he slices his clearance and the ball goes straight up in the air. Thyago Fernandes tries to head to safety, but the spin defeats him, and Mithyuê is able to run through. Six yards out, and about the same wide of the goal, he lines up a first time shot at goal. It flies goalwards, clearly beating the keeper, until it catches the inside of the post, deflects across the goal and back out into play of the sprawling goalie. Diego clears for a corner. It's looking like it's just not going to be our day.

Cléber Manttuy takes the corner again, and Preto clears, again, to the other side for yet another corner. The left back jogs across and delivers from the other side, and this time Renato heads away for a throw in. Cléber Manttuy throws to João Paulo, who tries to get a cross in. The ball deflects away, and falls to Mithyuê just outside the area. He squares to Kiko who shoots... over the bar. Only 90 seconds remain, was that our last chance?

Maybe not, as Preto obstructs our Diego from the goalkick, and we can build from the back again. Ceará start closing us down and throwing themselves into challenges, their nerves getting the better of them as they try to pretect their slender lead. Ricardo Goulart is a particular target, being upended and knocked off the ball two or three times within 30 seconds. Eventually the referee blows, and cards João Marcos. More importantly, it gives us a freekick halfway into the Ceará area. Tiago Messias plays is short to Lusmar, who then passes to Mithyuê. This time it's his turn to be unceremoniously flattened. No card this time for Diego, but ten yards progress in terms of freekick location. João Paulo plays it to Tiago Messias, and I hold my breath as our captain shoots...over the bar.

12th June 2010, Castelão, Série B, Round 6

Ceará (2-1-2) 1 Treze (3-2-0) 0 (Diego 77, Vavá missed pen 15)

Attendance: 16941

Man of the Match: Thyago Fernandes (WBL), Ceará

League Position: 5th

It's disappointing to lose, doubly so in front of a TV audience, which no doubt will leave our fans pulling apart every kick and decision for the next week. Hopefully, they'll realise that we can't be expected to win every game in this division! It's how we react now that counts...

Great story Gricehead, I've always wanted to do a story in South America, but never really got going in any of the Leagues

Did you know that, since 2003, 264 different teams have been involved in the National leagues (Serié A, B, C and, from 2009, D)?

More, more, more. I'm a complete stats junky and l really enjoyed BrianW's world updates, a few stats here and there would be loverly.

I liked the description of the penalty save, felt like I was watching it.