Ground Capacity 16,744 Founded 1989 | Head coach Luiz Carlos Martins | |
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Full name Associação Desportiva São Caetano Nickname(s) Azulão (Blue Bird or Big Blue) President Nairo Ferreira de Souza 2014 Série C, 17th (relegated) Arena/Stadium Estádio Anacleto Campanella League Campeonato Brasileiro Série D Profiles | ||
Associação Desportiva São Caetano, commonly known as São Caetano, is a Brazilian football team based in the city of São Caetano, Brazil, part of the São Paulo greater metropolitan area. The club finished as runner-up in the Série A twice and once in the Copa Libertadores.
Contents
- History
- International
- National competitions
- Current squad
- Out on loan
- Famous matches
- Stadium
- Former coaches
- Colors and nickname
- Rivalry
- References
History
Founded in 1989, the club found success early, winning the Third and Second Divisions of São Paulo regional tournaments. São Caetano rose to national prominence in 2000.
In 2000, the Brazilian national championship was contested in a rather unusual way. According to previous credentials, teams would play in the First (best teams), Second or Third Division; São Caetano played in the Second. The difference was that, after all Divisions were finished, a mini tournament would gather representatives from all of them (one team from Third Division, three from Second and twelve from First), and the winner would be the Brazilian Champion of 2000.
São Caetano was runner-up of the Second Division and qualified to the finals. Beating Fluminense, Palmeiras and Grêmio, they entered the final against Vasco da Gama. The first match ended as a draw. During the second, fans invaded the pitch and the match was suspended. Despite several claims that São Caetano should be declared champion, Vasco petitioned the league for a third match, which Vasco went on to win.
Unlike many teams that rise prominently then quickly fall back to obscurity, São Caetano had another strong campaign in 2001. Playing a full season in the top division, they reached the final against Atlético Paranaense. Once again they finished as the runner-up, but consecutive seasons placing well secured their reputation on a national level.
In 2002, São Caetano was finalist of Copa Libertadores, the most important tournament in South America. Again, they were runner-up, losing the final to Olimpia of Paraguay on penalties.
São Caetano had earned respect, but no titles. In 2004, São Caetano won the São Paulo State Championship, beating the upstate squad Paulista, from Jundiaí.
On October 27, 2004, while playing in a match against São Paulo, São Caetano defender Serginho suffered a fatal heart attack. As São Caetano's staff let Serginho play even knowing that he had heart problems, the club was penalized heavily by the CBF, which has since marked a decline in their performance.
At the end of the 2006, they finished within the zone of relegation, and played in the 2007 in the Série B.They stayed there until 2013, when the team finished in 19th place and was relegated to Série C after 14 years in the two top divisions of Brazil.In the same year, the team was relegated in the São Paulo state championship. In 2014, after beginning the season with a bad performance in the Second level of the state championship, in which the team only escaped relegation in the last round, the team was relegated once again in the Série C, and it will dispute the Série D in 2015.
International
National competitions
Current squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Out on loan
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Famous matches
Stadium
São Caetano's stadium is Estádio Anacleto Campanella, built in 1955, with a maximum capacity of 22,738 people.
Former coaches
Colors and nickname
The team is dubbed Azulão (Big Blue), after the shirt color.
Rivalry
São Caetano's greatest rival is Santo André.