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South America the season in review: 2009 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A

Tim Sturtridge reports...

Team of the season: Fluminense

When Renato Gaúcho was sacked as head coach of Fluminense on 1st September the club from Rio were anchored to the bottom of Serie A. Incoming coach Cuca knew he had a fight on his hands to keep the side in the top flight but he had to wait nearly a month before recording his first win in the job. The 3-2 win over Avaí was Cuca's 5th game in charge and came after three draws and a 5-1 thumping at the hands of Grêmio.

Then there was just one win in the five games following Cuca's first victory in the job as Fluminense remained a long way clear of safety. What came next for the Fluminense faithful was a joyous run of six wins on bounce as they ended the season on an unbeaten run of ten games to maintain their top flight status for 2010. During this upturn in form Fluminense also made it to the final of the Copa Sudamericana but were eventually undone by LDU Quito.

Striker of the season: Adriano

There were many in the world of football ready to write off Adriano Leite Ribeiro after he was released by Inter Milan after struggling with off field problems. While in Italy Adriano's physical and mental fitness deteriorated as a result of the death of his father.

In May he resigned for Flamengo, the club where he had started his career as a youngster and he quickly set the league alight once again with he proficiency in front of goal. Adriano was quick to repay the faith Flamengo showed in him and finished the season as the league's joint top goalscorer with 19 goals. In certain games such as his hat-trick performance against Internacional he has looked a class apart from the other 21 players on the pitch.

Midfielder of the season: Dario Conca

It takes a special season for an Argentine to be voted the Craque da Galera (Player of the Season) in Brazil. Well that is exactly what happened this year as Dario Conca of Fluminense scooped the award.

Conca received 51% of the nine million votes cast in the poll to find the Craque da Galera after impressing in the Rio club's colours all year. He was instrumental in their run of form which eventually saw them avoiding the drop on the final day as well as during their journey to the final of the Copa Sudamericana.

26-year-old Conca has already had a nomadic career with stints at River Plate, Universidad Católica, Rosario Central and Vasco da Gama. His settled time at Fluminense seems to have brought the player on in leaps and bounds.

Defender of the season: Miranda

At 25-years-old João Miranda de Souza Filho of São Paulo is already a very accomplished and well decorated centre-back. Although he missed out on collecting his fourth consecutive Serie A winners' medal this year he was nevertheless at his assured best throughout the year.

The year has also seen him brought into the Brazilian squad on a regular basis. He was part of Brazil's Confederations Cup winning squad although he only played one game in South Africa. He also featured in four World Cup qualification games for the Selecao and a good first half of 2010 will surely see him heading back to South Africa soon.

Goalkeeper of the season: Victor

Grêmio's glovesman Victor Leandro Bagy saw his stock rise in his homeland after being named Brazil's Goalkeeper of Year for the second time on the trot in 2009. Victor played his part as Grêmio remained unbeaten at home throughout the Serie A season although their miserable form on the road saw them finish in 8th place.

Along with Miranda the Grêmio goalkeeper also travelled to South Africa to be part of Brazil's Confederations Cup win although he did not get to play in the tournament. The form of Julio Cesar of Inter Milan stands in the way of Victor breaking into the Selecao ahead of the 2010 World Cup but at 26-years-old he knows his chance will come if he maintains his superb level of performance throughout his career.

Coach of the season: Adílson

After taking over at Cruzeiro in 2007 Adílson has instilled a thirst for success at the Mineirão in Belo Horizonte. This year started with Cruzeiro winning the Copa Bimbo, a friendly tournament in Uruguay and also pick up their 36th Campeonato Mineiro.

There was heartbreak for Adílson and his Cruzeiro team as they were defeated in the final of the 2009 Copa Libertadores but what impressed me was their tenacity in qualifying for next year's edition of the tournament. It came down to the last day of the season and they needed to win as well as relying on other results going their way. Adílson prepared his team superbly and they went out and beat Santos 2-1 away, combined with Palmeiras' defeat at Botafogo the result meant Cruzeiro will once again be in the Copa Libertadores next year.

Comeback Kid of the season: Ronaldo

After receiving a mountain of abuse in the newspapers back home in Brazil due to his weight, fitness and nocturnal activities Ronaldo Luis Nazário de Lima has been serving up humble pie all year long.

It was his goals for Corinthians that secured victory in the Copa du Brasil ensuring their place in the 2010 Copa Libertadores. Having a spot in South America's top club competition in their centenary year was top priority for Corinthians this season and having a player of the quality of Ronaldo at their disposal made it all possible. The achievement has enabled them to bring in the likes of Roberto Carlos for a shot at glory in their 100th year and everybody in Brazil knows that the club have O Fenômeno to thank for making it all possible.

Flop of the season: Vágner Love

It looked like a match made in heaven as Vágner Silva de Souza returned home from Russia to rejoin the team with which he started his career, Palmeiras. After a great scoring record with the São Paulo club Vágner Love carried on his form for CSKA Moscow. Love hoovered up the silverware in his five years in Russia as was even named Russian Premier League Player of the Season in 2008.

After being released by CSKA Moscow for a return to Brazil due to "urgent family problems" it has been a difficult year for Love at Palmeiras. Three fans of the club showed their displeasure at his attitude on and off the pitch by attacking him as he left a bank and it seems unlikely he will be at Palmeiras next season.

Head in hands moment: Obina and Mauritius' fight

It was Kieron Dyer and Lee Bowyer all over again during Palmeiras' 2-0 away defeat to Grêmio this season. The player's involved were Obina and Mauritius and both were instantly dismissed from the club following their red cards for trading punches at the halftime whistle.

The incident came at a time when Palmeiras were chasing the title but was indicative of the problems at the club which eventually saw them finish 5th and outside the Copa Libertadores places. Striker Obina was on loan from Flamengo and was duly sent packing while defender Mauritius was left without a club.

Tim Sturtridge

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