Sao Paulo's Supercup kicks

Any fears that Juninho might find it difficult to come to terms with the rough and tumble of Premiership life at Middlesbrough were put into perspective yesterday by a South American Supercup match, involving his old team-mates, Sao Paulo, who were playing at their Brazilian rivals, Cruzeiro.

Sao Paulo took the lead in the ninth minute, but it was the Cruzeiro defender Rogerio who really got things going by kicking an opponent in the face, for which he was duly sent off. His team-mates rushed to protest to the referee, and central defender Vanderci, as well as midfielders Fabinho and Marcelo were also shown the red card.

At the start of the second half, Cruzeiro's Luis Fernando Gomes limped off injured and the referee was obliged to abandon the match as Cruzeiro, with all three substitutes on, were down to six players - below the minimum number required. The result stood.