RIO DE JANEIRO, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- Playing on the road against Santo Andre, Sao Paulo had the opportunity on Sunday to take over the leadership after 25 rounds of play in this year's Brazilian soccer championship.
Sao Paulo's fans showed up in masses to support the team. Sao Paulo scored first in the 7th minute when Junior Cesar crossed the ball towards the front of the Santo Andre net and found Jean who one-timed the ball, sending it into the back of the net for the team's only goal of the match.
Santo Andre tied the match in the 71st minute. Off a cross, the ball ended up loose in front of the Sao Paulo net. Santo Andre's striker Pablo Escobar carefully picked up the ball and sent it under a diving Sao Paulo goalkeeper, Rogerio Ceni.
"We tried our best, but Santo Andre played great defense. They were able to celebrate their only goal in front of their home crowd. The ball ended up in front of Escobar. I tried to close the angle, but he got it past me. After that, there were only 10 or 15minutes left and we were unable to react," described the team captain and star goalie, Rogerio Ceni.
Sao Paulo's tie gives them 44 points, the same as first place Palmeiras. However, Palmeiras will close the 25th round on September 23 at Cruzeiro and will have the chance to extend their lead. For Santo Andre, the draw puts them at 25 points and 17th place.
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