Corinthians Paulista 3 - 0 Corinthian Casuals
Arena Corinthians, Sao Paulo
Saturday 24th January 2015
Attendance: 26,000
Report by ESPN

Saturday afternoon saw a typically lively afternoon of action in the Ryman Isthmian League South. In perhaps the pick of the action, Ramsgate drew 3-3 at home with Three Bridges in front of 159 fans, while a bumper crowd of 459 turned out to see leaders Burgess Hill Town beat Sittingbourne.

For the team currently in 18th spot in the division, however, it was a rather unusual weekend. Instead of taking on Hastings United on a chilly January afternoon back home, amateur club Corinthian-Casuals were in Sao Paulo, playing Brazilian giants Corinthians in a friendly in front of 26,000 at the Itaquerao World Cup stadium.

Needless to say, the match, which was organised to honour the historical link between the teams and ended in a 3-0 win for the Sao Paulo side of the Corinthians family, was not one that anyone connected with either club will forget in a hurry. But then Corinthians-Casuals are no ordinary non-league club, and the relationship between the team and the Brazilian side -- whose foundation was inspired by their forefathers, legendary English amateur outfit Corinthian FC -- is no ordinary one.

In 1910, Corinthian FC were created to be "an elite standard bearer for the amateur game," as David Goldblatt puts it in his epic on football history "The Ball Is Round." At a time when the strength of the professional clubs in England was growing, they set off on a tour of Brazil after an invitation from Charles Miller, the man widely regarded as the founding father of Brazilian football.

The visitors finished the tour unbeaten, defeating, among others, a Brazilian select side and Miller's Sao Paulo Athletic Club. More important than mere results, however, was the passion for the game that the team's play inspired in five Sao Paulo railway workers. Not long afterwards, so the story goes, Anselmo Correa, Antonio Pereira, Carlos Silva, Joaquim Ambrosio and Raphael Perrone met under a gas lamp in the neighbourhood of Bom Retiro and decided to form S.C. Corinthians Paulista.

It is a considerable legacy: Corinthians have risen to become one of South America's biggest clubs, boasting 30 million fans across Brazil. Twice Club World Cup winners, the club's history is as long and storied as any in the world, with famous players including Rivellino and Socrates.

Much of that history was on display on Saturday afternoon. The players took the field wearing headbands emblazoned with words such as "fraternity," "equality" and "no to war" in a tribute to the Democracia Corinthiana player power movement led by Socrates, and a trophy named after the player was awarded to the Casuals by Rivellino after the game.

Earlier, there had been a welcome email for the visitors from Socrates' widow, Katia Bagnarelli Vieira de Oliveira. "I hope all the players and officials feel that we are giving you a big hug, and that through this hug you feel the presence of Socrates in your hearts, and the feet and minds of the players on the field," it read.

She needn't have worried. From the moment they were mobbed by dozens of Corinthians fans at the airport minutes after landing, to the demands for autographs and photos in restaurants or on the streets, one thing the Casuals were not lacking in Sao Paulo was a warm welcome.

And the feeling went both ways. "We expected the highlight to be the match, and in a way it was," Chris Watney, who doubles as player and press officer for the Casuals, told ESPN FC. "But we also had a chance to touch lives in a way we didn't expect. We visited a cancer hospital, and found out that one of our shirts, signed by players from the team and from Corinthians, had been auctioned off and had helped to save a child's life."

The unique affection that Corinthians fans hold for the English amateurs can also be seen on the Casuals' Twitter feed. "Come back more and more and more time," writes Jordana Gomes; while Charles Xavier says "I hope to meet you guys in England some day! Brothers in football." They are just two of dozens of messages of support for the visitors.

"One of the best feelings in life is to know where you came from, and to be able to honour and celebrate that is a privilege," Leo Carvalho, a Corinthians fan from Sao Paulo who now lives in Long Island, told ESPN FC in an attempt to explain the connection. "This passion that we feel towards our Corinthians simply wouldn't exist if Corinthian FC hadn't come to Brazil. We are forever grateful to the original Time do Povo ("the team of the people," as Corinthians are known), a team who never wanted to turn professional, that lives on purely for the love of the game. We are brothers in football."

Mauricio Savarese, a Brazilian journalist and Corinthians supporter, has another interpretation.

"The original Corinthians players were wealthy and played football for fun, refusing to become professional," he said. "That is something that intrigues Corinthians fans. For Corintianos, to be working class and come from the masses is 90 percent of our identity. To have such a different founding father sparks our admiration and curiosity."

What is certain is that Brazil is a country that cherishes the legends of its footballing past; Corinthians, in particular, is a club that enjoys revelling in its history. Fans love to reminisce about the skills and goals of Rivellino, or Socrates' intoxicating mix of politics and languid midfield grace, while stories are told and retold about the Invasao Corintiana ("the Corinthian Invasion"), when an estimated 70,000 fans travelled from Sao Paulo to the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro for a league title playoff against Fluminense, or the goal by Basilio that won the 1977 Campeonato Paulista and ended a trophy-less drought of almost 23 years.

The respect in which Corinthians fans hold their English "brothers" is no doubt part of that culture -- as is the fact that, amid the seething rivalries of Brazilian club football, having a forefather as steeped in history as the original Corinthian FC is something no other Brazilian team can claim. Every football fan believes their team to be special, and the connection with Corinthian FC allows Brazilian Corinthians fans to feel that their team is just a little bit more special than the rest.

Amid all the reminiscing, it is easy to forget the game itself. Surrounded by a festive atmosphere, the English amateurs mounted a stout rear-guard action for 78 minutes, before Danilo opened the scoring for the home team. Corinthians went on to add two more goals near the end, both scored by Luciano.

"We showed that an amateur team can hold their own against the professionals. We were playing at a far higher level than we're used to, so it was a great effort," Watney said after the game.

But perhaps the most emblematic moment in the match was not a goal or a save or a tackle. It came two minutes from the end when the referee stopped play to allow Danilo and Casuals' striker Jamie Byatt to swap shirts -- and teams -- in an echo of the 1988 meeting between the clubs, also in Sao Paulo, when the great Socrates played for the Casuals for 15 minutes.

"When Danilo and Jamie Byatt swapped shirts at the end and sealed the bond between the two teams, well, I can't explain it, but my eyes felt a bit moist," Leo Carvalho admitted. It is unlikely he was the only fan of either the English or the Brazilian Corinthians, whether sitting in the stands of the Itaquerao or watching at home on TV, who was feeling emotional.

 Corinthian-Casuals vs Redhill
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 17th January 2015
Final score: 1-5
Report by Darren Pasley

Casuals signed off for their historic Brazil trip in the worst possible style, as they were worryingly demolished at home to lowly Redhill.

 In spite of the visitors obvious new found attacking prowess due to recent signings Matt Howard will be alarmed at the ease the Lobsters cut open a fragile home rear guard.

Casuals started well, looking to take the game to a side horribly out of form on paper. Jamie Byatt beating the offside trap in the 3rd minute but a poor touch denied him a clear route to goal.

The visitors themselves looked bright going forward but it was the hosts who struck first in the 7th minute.
After Maz Bettache was dragged down on the far edge of the area Byatt’s whipped free kick was only half headed clear by Jon Difford. The ball looping up fell to Dave Hodges and after intelligently sending the ball back into the danger area over his shoulder Danny Dudley stole in at the back post to head home.

Casuals were on a roll and it was nearly 2 shortly afterwards when Bettache was free in the area but his attempted pass to Byatt was blocked out by Sean Loft.

As the game swept from end-to-end Tyrone Pink had a header saved by Danny Bracken. On the quarter hour mark Pink turned provider as his right wing cross was neatly tucked home by ex-Farnborough star Dan Bennett for his first goal in Redhill colors.

Casuals went on the attack determined to regain the lead and Difford cut out Spencer’s low cross with Byatt once again lurking. From the resulting corner the ball deceived keeper Michael Hunter but Joe Hicks could only head over from inside the 6-yard box.

On 27 minutes another Byatt corner caused panic and once again Hicks arrived and headed over in what was an even more presentable opportunity. It proved to be costly as two minutes later Reece Hall blasted the ball past Bracken after winning the ball from Jake Downs making his debut for Casuals.

The goal seemed to knock the stuffing out of Casuals and with the visitors happy to contain the game the match settled down as both sides looked to recover from the frantic opening.

Just before the break Redhill heaped on the pressure again and Bracken had to be down sharply to foil Connor French’s effort after the big striker bullied his way into space.

A 3rd goal came for the Lobsters right on half time. The gifted Bennett weaving his way past 3 defenders from the right hand side before deliciously playing in Hall who slotted past Bracken.

Backed by a sizeable and noisy contingent behind the goal Casuals set about getting themselves back in the game with Byatt’s corners continuing to be the most likely route. This time Juevan Spencer met the precise delivery but Hunter managed to divert the ball over via the crossbar. Tyrone Pink was also denied by his opposition’s custodian as his volley was superbly turned away by Bracken.

As in the first half the game developed into a stalemate but with the visitors looking the more likely. Casuals continued to huff and puff but to no avail. Reece Placid with a header well over and a Jake Gill long-range effort comfortably saved were the only notable efforts.

It came as little surprise when the game was wrapped up with a 4th for Redhill. Hall allowed to somehow beat 4 men on the left hand side before smashing past Bracken.  As good as the run and finish was the inability to shut the defender down was disastrous from a Casuals point of view.

A 5th goal seemed in the offering with French heading over from a corner after rising well. The final nail in the coffin did finally arrive in the last minute when Joe Goldsmith glanced home a brilliant header. It emphasized the visitor’s clinical power on the day and concluded a miserable afternoon by Casuals who must recharge in Brazil and return to their early season form if they are to avoid being dragged into a relegation scrap.

Guernsey vs Corinthian-Casuals
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 10th January 2015
Final score: 3-0
Report by Darren Pasley

Casuals got their 2015 league campaign off to rocky start as they went down by three goals at a wet and windy Footes Lane on Saturday.

Postponements had made this game Casuals first since the 4-0 drubbing of Horsham and following the 2-0 win over Bromley in mid-week Carl Wilson-Denis and Lee Hall returned.

The home side made their attacking intents known from the off and Danny Bracken has forced down into an early save following a long throw.

Matt Loaring who was to prove a real thorn in Casuals backline all afternoon made early inroads into the area after turning Danny Dudley saw his cross to the back post scrambled clear by Lee Hall.

Danny Dudley came to Casuals rescue in the 7th minute when a long punt forward saw Marc McGrath take advantage of the wet conditions. With the ball not reaching a stranded Bracken on the edge of the area the strikers goalbound effort was blocked on the line by the Casuals centre back. Dave Rihoy on the follow up was also thwarted by the flying Dudley who made another magnificent block.

Loaring had the next effort moments later but his shot from outside the area was smothered by Bracken

Even at this early stage the game had a lovely ebb and flow to it and Casuals made their first foray into opposition half. Dave Hodges and Jamie Byatt combining well with the former volleying across the box with Carl Wilson-Denis just unable to connect.

This was to spark a period for Casuals where they dictated the tempo and Tardiff had to be alert as he came sliding out to deny the approaching Byatt following Hall’s defence splitting pass.

On 18 minutes the games best chance arrived and in the grand scheme of things proved a pivotal moment. Jamie Byatt down the left beat Liam Mahon and his low cross was met by the sliding Wilson-Denis. Despite being central and 6 yards from goal Chris Tardiff made a magnificent block with his legs and after Hodges headed over the returning cross the home side had averted the danger

Loaring continued to be a livewire around the box and he chipped in McGrath who shot weakly at Bracken when well placed.

Casuals had a shout for a penalty on 34 minutes as Wilson-Denis appeared to be shoved whilst attempting to connect to Byatt’s corner. Referee David Spain emphatically waved the appeals away

The remaining 5 minutes of the half saw the home side apply serious pressure, which it appeared Casuals had withstood.

On 41 minutes McGrath was denied by the covering Hall after being played in by Jamie Dodd.

From the resulting corner Bracken fumbled the initial cross but reacted superbly to block De La Mare’s fierce shot which came through a crowd of players.

Casuals broke downfield and Hodges was played in but saw his volley blocked by the imposing Tardiff. From the follow up Mahon blocked superbly to deny Byatt in what was becoming a thrilling end to the half.

Just as Casuals thought they had earned a half time break on level terms the home side struck.

After not dealing with a corner Matt Loaring reacted first to Dodd’s knock down and guided the ball past Bracken for the games opening goal.

After fishing the half strongly the Green Lions attempted to resume their stance for the second half. On 54 minutes Loaring again crafted another opportunity this time for Dave Rihoy who found Bracken equal to his low effort from just inside the area.

Loaring and Rihoy continued to torment the visitors and the roles were reversed when Rihoy this time found his team mate but after Bracken blocked the initial effort Danny Dudley was on hand to clear off the line from the rebound.

Casual’s first effort of the half nearly produced the equaliser but after Hodges had been played in by Byatt his right-footed swinger was headed off the line by Dodd with Tardiff beaten.

Dominic Heaume came close to doubling the lead as a cross wasn’t headed clear but from 12 yards out he blazed well over. It mattered little however as a minute later Rihoy sprung the offside trap and rounded Bracken to tap in the home sides second with 63 minutes gone.

The visitors response was immediate and substitute Juevan Spencer’s right wing cross saw Dave Hodges have a powerful header deflected away by the legs of  his marker Tom Strawbridge.

With Casuals pushing forward more gaps appeared for the home side to exploit. Goal machine Ross Allen came close to a third when after skipping past Joe Hicks he was denied by the outstretched legs of Bracken. At the other end Casuals continued to work down the flanks but throughout the afternoon found the home side determined to hang onto the clean sheet.

Marc McGrath was twice denied as the game neared its conclusion. Firstly thwarted by Bracken before hitting the bar after being presented with the ball following Lee Hall’s slip.

A 3rd goal did eventually arrive in the 5th minute of stoppage time when Ross Allen delivered a cross from the right for fellow sub Ryan Zico-Black to head home.

Speaking after the match Matt Howard commented

“Although it was 3-0, I don’t think we played that bad. Our striker, Cisse (Bamoussa) has let us down massively today by not turning up for the flight. But do I think it was a 3-0 game… no, I don’t.

“Danny Bracken in goal was superb. We could’ve and should’ve gone 2-0 up. But we’ve lost because we haven’t defended well enough and attacking wise, we were very poor. We clearly weren’t good enough in the final third of the pitch and it cost us the game.

“I’m not concerned that players are perhaps thinking ahead to the tour to Brazil. Joe Hicks was complaining before the game and at half time about his hamstring, but he got through ninety minutes without cause for concern.

“In fact, if players pull out of tackles, that’s when they’re going to get hurt… and hurt big-time. So, I don’t think it’s even entered the player’s heads. I’ve seen no real signs that it has.

“The tour next week can be used to our advantage. We go away in what is a mid-season break and re-charge the batteries a little bit. I know we’ll be working like mad over there, but everyone is looking forward to it. And then we resume normal service; the league is the most important thing and very much our priority.”

Stuart Tree's photos can be seen here.

Bromley 0 – 2 Corinthian-Casuals
London Senior Cup
Monday 5th January 2014
Report: Stuart Tree

Corinthian-Casuals will host AFC Wimbledon in the next round of the London Senior Cup after their 2-0 win at Conference South side Bromley writes Stuart Tree.

With most of the attention on local side AFC Wimbledon taking on Liverpool in the FA Cup, a small but faithful crowd turned up to Hayes Lane to witness Casuals beat a Bromley side littered with Academy players.

With Casuals last two fixtures falling foul of the weather, Matt Howard named a strong line up to give his players a stern test ahead of their away fixture to Guernsey.

Both sides started with promise in what looked to be an open game. The Ravens went close with efforts from Kai Brewtser and Adam Birchall. At the other end, Jamie Byatt shot just wide for Casuals before a slick passing move between Ali Fuseini, Ayo Thompson and Brewster saw the Bromley winger denied by Danny Bracken. As the half continued, Casuals found their feet more and by half time, though the scores were level, the away side posed more of a threat.

The second half saw Casuals start on top and they were in front on 52 minutes when Callum McNaughton slipped in possession of the ball and Cisse Bamoussa ran through and slipped the ball under Keeper Paul Agu.

Briefly Bromley rallied, Fuseini shot just off target, Eden Dewar-Douglas had his effort saved and Brewster had a shot blocked by Joe Hicks after a strong run into the box. However, as the game progressed, Casuals found more and more space and proved to be a constant threat. Substitute Joel Thompson posed problems down the right wing and Jamie Byatt found himself through on goal but in unusual fashion, shot wide.

The killer blow was landed in injury time when McNaughton capped a forgettable night for the home side with a clumsy foul on Byatt for a penalty. Byatt smashed the spot kick down the middle for 2-0 to book a home game against AFC Wimbledon in the next round to the delight of the small but vocal band of supporters.

After the match, Manager Matt Howard spoke of the win “Although Bromley didn’t have a full strength side out there tonight, they still had enough to give us a stern test.

“I was pleased with how the lads performed… especially with the fact that we haven’t had a game for over a week. The goals were well taken and by the end of the game, we were bossing the play. It was really positive stuff.”

Casuals: Bracken, Gill, Welch-Turner, Wright (Placid 45), Hicks, Dudley, Spencer, Bettache, Byatt, Bamoussa (Thompson 72), Hodges.

Subs Not Used: Turley.