Another Rout, Another Shutout

Grêmio pitched its second consecutive rout in the Gaúcho State Championship, thrashing São Luiz 3-0 at Municipal Stadium, in Cidreira. The result leaves Grêmio (9 pts) in command of Group 2 with a perfect 3-0 record and the league’s best defense; the Tricolor has yet to allow a goal in 2007.  Grêmio will now take to the road to face 3rd place Esportivo (6 pts) in Bento Gonçalves. São Luiz (3 pts), who fell to 6th place, will visit Group 2 cellar dweller São José-PA.

Grêmio dominated from kickoff. The game was so lopsided that São Luiz managed only one shot at goal, a blast to the left corner that was defended by Saja. Defensively, the visitors held their own until an own goal by Maurício in the 19th ended any momentum they may have had: Grêmio, 1-0. Two minutes later, Tcheco sent a perfect corner kick into Diego Souza who, for all intents and purposes, put the game out of reach: Grêmio, 2-0.

With the lead in hand and the tremendous heat on the pitch, Grêmio relaxed in the second half, looking to work down the clock. São Luiz tried to get on the board but could not penetrate the Tricolor defense. Just when it appeared that the game would end 2-0, Tcheco blasted a shot from just outside the area to net his third goal of the competition. Final score: Grêmio, 3-0.

Grêmio (3)	São Luiz (0)
Maurício (19' OG) Diego Souza (21') Tcheco (74')
	Nunes (69') Paulo Roberto (76') Rodrigo (83')
Venue:  Municipal Stadium, Cidreira (RS)
Grêmio: Saja; Patrício (Jucemar, 76'), Teco, William and Bruno Teles; Edmílson, Diego Souza, Tcheco, Ramón (Everton, 63') and Carlos Eduardo (Sandro Goiano, 82'); Tuta. Coach: Mano Menezes	São Luiz: Adilson; Maurício, Júnior, Rodrigo Bronzatti and Itaqui (Edimar, 75'); Paulo Roberto, Sandro Palharini, Chiquinho and Gustavo (Nunes, HT); Rafael Betini (Geovani, 56') and Evandro Brito. Coach: Paulo Roberto Wissmann