Team Focus: Goiás Continue to Confound Expectations in Brazil's Emerald City

Like most big conglomerations in Brazil, Goiânia, a city of 1.4 million souls nestled in the country's midwestern belt, goes by a couple of nicknames. It is both the Capital of the Cerrado (a tropical savannah that runs through the state of Goiás and neighbouring Minas Gerais), as well as the rather more poetic City of Eternal Springtime.

A glance at recent trends in local football suggests another moniker that would be equally apt. With Goiás Esporte Club – known by fans as the Esmeraldino – continuing to confound expectations in the Campeonato Brasileiro, Goiânia has turned into something of an Emerald City, sparkling cheerfully in Brazil's football landscape.

Historically, this is not one of the country's big sporting institutions. Founded in the 1940s, Goiás spent a good 20 years toiling away in regional championships, their achievements paling in comparison to those of local rivals Goiânia, Atlético Goianiense and Vila Nova. Opposition fans labelled them the "Club of 33", an arch reference to their modest fanbase.

In 1966, however, Goiás hauled themselves to a state championship title. Seven years later, they participated in the Campeonato Brasileiro for the first time. That proved the catalyst for ever-increasing local dominance, peppered with the impressive showing at national level (quarter-finalists in 1983; semi-finalists in 1996; third place in 2005).

But that kind of solidity came under threat in 2010, when a Neymar hat-trick for Santos condemned the Emeralds to Série B for only the fourth time ever. Hopes of an immediate return were dashed by an 11th-placed finish in 2011. While Atlético-GO enjoyed a rare moment in the top flight, Goiás stared into the abyss.

Salvation came in the form of Enderson Moreira, a thoughtful young coach who had been chewed up and spat out by a Fluminense side in flux. He put the club back on an even keel and convinced Porto striker Walter – with whom he had worked at Internacional – to come to the Serra Dourada on loan. It proved a masterstroke.

With that pair in place, Goiás romped to the Série B title and maintained the momentum last term. Despite being visibly overweight Walter scored 13 goals and set up 6 more as the new boys finished in sixth. Only a late collapse – 3 losses from their last 3 games of the season – prevented them securing a Libertadores place.

This year, despite the departures of Enderson (now at Grêmio) and Walter (warming the bench at Fluminense), Goiás appear to be carrying on their form from last season. After five games (one more than everyone else, admittedly) they are sitting pretty in second, behind only Internacional.

Their defence is without doubt their biggest strength, as four clean sheets in five games attest. Goalkeeper Renan is the highest-rated goalkeeper to have made three or more appearances so far (7.41), while centre-backs Pedro Henrique and Jackson are both in the top ten in terms of clearances made. The latter has also averaged 3 interceptions per game, while defensive midfielder Amaral has won 3.2 aeriel duels per match thus far – more than anyone else playing in that position. As those stats suggest, theirs is an organised, no-nonsense backline.

The importance of that wiliness comes into focus when you look at their underwhelming attacking figures: Goiás are among the bottom five sides in the division for possession (44.3%), pass accuracy (75.7%), shots per game (9.6) and dribbles per game (5). Without Walter to play off, the likes of Aráujo and Ramon are struggling for spark. 

Coach Ricardo Drubscky will be aware of this, of course, and will be hoping that Tiago Real will be able to recapture some of the promise he showed at Palmeiras. The tufty-haired midfielder leads the squad in key passes per game (1.8) and has played 14 accurate long balls. If he can gel with new signings Esquerdinha and Danilo (who scored his first goal for the club in the 2-0 win against Botafogo this week), things could take a turn for the better.

But even if the attack continues to misfire, Goiás' defensive organisation should be enough on its own to ensure that they steer well clear of the relegation picture once more. Long may their eternal springtime continue.

How do you rate Goiás' performances this season? Let us know in the comments below