Mon Oct 29 12:52:20 2007

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Sao Paulo on brink of back-to-back titles

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Rio De Janeiro, Brazil (Sports Network) - Defending champions Sao Paulo moved to within one point of clinching its second-straight league title on Sunday as the club earned a 2-1 win at Sport Recife.

Goalkeeper Rogerio Ceni had a busy afternoon as he scored a goal, missed a penalty kick, and made some quality saves down the stretch to help his side claim all three points.

The win allowed Sao Paulo to take a 15-point lead on both Santos and Palmeiras with just five games to play, all but assuring the club of another title.

Rogerio put his team in front after 28 minutes with a brilliant free kick for his sixth goal of the season, and he then made a great sprawling stop to deny the home side at the other end.

The keeper had a chance for his second goal of the game when Sao Paulo was awarded a penalty kick, but Rogerio's spot kick was stopped.

The visitors went ahead by two goals in the 62nd minute on Aloisio's tally, but Sport was given a penalty kick of its own minutes later and Da Silva converted from the spot to make it 2-1.

The hosts pressured the Sao Paulo defense down the stretch, but Rogerio made a couple of big stops to give his club all three points.

Santos downed Goias 3-0 on Sunday to move into second place, ahead of Palmeiras, who was held to a 2-2 draw by Vasco da Gama. Santos and Palmeiras are level on points with Santos holding the edge in goal differential.

Sao Paulo needs only a draw on Wednesday at home against America RN to seal the title.