TBT #18 Lion memories: Dão, Santa Catarina and Série C winner for Avaí | OneFootball

Every Thursday, Avaí Futebol Clube celebrates a former player who left a mark on the club’s century-long history. We remember stars who brought us so much joy wearing the blue and white colors.

We have already covered here the story of: #01 ROGÉRIO ÁVILA – HERE #02 CAVALLAZZI – The Golden Boy - HERE #03 FLÁVIO ROBERTO – 1988 champion - HERE #04 JUTI – The title-winning top scorer of 1975, HERE, #05 TONINHO QUINTINO – 1973 Santa Catarina Champion HERE,  #06 NIZETA, four-time Santa Catarina champion HERE, #07 ADILSON HELENO – 1988 Santa Catarina Champion, HERE,  #08 ADOLFINHO – The greatest goalkeeper from Santa Catarina of all time HERE, #09 BALDUÍNO – The Little King, Santa Catarina Champion in 1973 and 1975 HERE, #010 ZENON – Santa Catarina Champion in 1973 and 1975 HERE, #011 CLÉBER SANTANA – Avaí’s eternal number 88, Santa Catarina champion in 2012 HERE #012 VENEZA – The best defender in Avaí’s history, Santa Catarina champion in 1975 HERE     #013 BELMONTE – Two-time Santa Catarina Champion (1988 and 1997) and Copa Santa Catarina Champion (1995) HERE   #014 MIRINHO – one of the great idols in Avaí’s history HERE   #015 BIRA LOPES – one of the great midfielders in Avaí’s history HERE #016 FOSSATI – goalkeeper, 1988 Santa Catarina champion HERE #017 EMERSON – a goal-scoring defender who made history at Avaí HERE

In the 18th edition, we will remember DÃO, a forward who was Santa Catarina Champion in 1997 and Brazilian Serie C Champion in 1998.  João Carlos Rocha, better known as Dão, was born on July 20, 1966 (59 years old), in Sento Sé, Bahia.   At Avaí, he played as a forward for four seasons, from 1997 to 2000. He represented the Leão in 160 matches and scored 61 goals. In matches at Ressacada, he is the 4th top scorer in history, with 36 goals. He is the 54th player to have worn the Avaí shirt the most, according to data published in the book AVAÍ F.C. 100 years of stories 1923 – 2023, by Dois Por Quatro publishing, by authors Adalberto Jorge Klüser, Felipe Matos and Spyros Apóstolo Diamantaras.   Dão began his professional career in 1990, at the age of 25, with Jacuipense, from Bahia, where he went on trial and made the team. The following year, he moved to Vitória-BA, where he stayed until 1995. In 1996, he played for Rio Branco-SP, and the following year he arrived at Avaí.  He became an idol of the Avaí Nation. On the field, he was a standout player, with technical quality and tremendous grit. He was Santa Catarina Champion in 1997, Brazilian Serie C Champion in 1998, and runner-up in the Santa Catarina Championship in 1999, in a controversial final against Figueirense at Scarpelli. In that match, Dão scored Avaí’s goal in the rival’s 2-1 win. Genilson scored Figueirense’s two goals.  Also in 1999, Dão scored two goals in the derby between Avaí and Figueirense in the first round of the Copa do Brasil. It was a historic clash, marking the first meeting between Florianópolis’s two biggest rivals at national level, and it resulted in the rival being eliminated from the competition. In the first leg, at Scarpelli, Avaí won 2-1. Dão scored twice for Avaí, and Genilson pulled one back. In the return leg, it ended 0-0 at Ressacada.

After retiring, he returned to his hometown, where he coached Juazeiro Social Clube, where he had also played, saving the team from relegation. He currently works at the Sports Department of Sento Sé, in Bahia, where he carries out social work with hundreds of boys.

SANTA CATARINA CHAMPION 1997

Avaí Santa Catarina Champion 1997

Standing: Dr. José Carlos, Duca, Nilsão, Carlão, Jefferson, Douglas, Regis, Cedenir, Raul, Ita and Dr. Murilo Veiga. 

Crouching: Pereirinha, Jacaré, Dão, Hélton, Evandro and Claudiomir. 

Photo: Adalberto Küser Collection / Reproduction p. 70 book 100 years of stories 

Dão was a key piece in winning the 1997 Santa Catarina Championship title. Alongside Jacaré, Itá, Cedenir and other stars of that team, he made history and became an idol of the Avaí Nation.

On October 8, 2013, Avaí paid tribute to the players who won the 1997 Santa Catarina Championship. The ceremony took place at halftime of the match Avaí 1×0 Sport-PE, in the 28th round of Serie B. The players, directors, and coaching staff received a commemorative diploma honoring the achievement.

The Leão da Ilha squad in the 1997 Santa Catarina Championship was made up of the following players: Carlão, Rudimar, Denis, Cedenyr, Itá, Viola, Cláudio, Raul, Altair, Fabiano, Evandro Guimarães, Evandro, Régis, Dirlei, Belmonte, Ney, Roberto Cavalo, Helton, Marcelo Vidal, Fantick, Claudiomir, Dão, Jacaré, Eliandro, Sandro Silva, Luis Carlos Gaúcho, Neto, Diego, Arthur, Pirilo and Décio Antônio.

Coaching staff: Gonzaga Milioli, Décio Antônio, Stélio Serafim, Marcelo Nunes, Nilsão, Duca, Pereirinha, Dr. José Carlos Cardoso, Izazé and Báu. Board of directors: Flávio Félix, Lourival Amorim, Ronaldo Hipólito, João Carlos Dias and Vilmar Reinert.  AVAÍ BRAZILIAN SERIE C CHAMPION 1998 

Avaí, promoted to Serie B after winning Serie C in 1998

Photo: Júlio Cavalheiro / Agência RBS

SERIE C 1998 CAMPAIGN  In the first phase, Avaí was placed in the regional group with Tubarão, Chapecoense, Pelotas, XV de Campo Bom and Brasil de Pelotas. After 10 matches, the Leão finished the first phase in first place with 19 points.

In the second phase, Avaí faced Caxias in a knockout format. In the first leg, in Rio Grande do Sul, the Leão was beaten 3-2. In the return leg, a 2-0 win at Ressacada.

In the third phase, the opponent was Santo André. In the first leg, at Ressacada, the Leão overwhelmed the São Paulo side with a 4-0 win. In the return leg, in the ABC Paulista region, a 1-1 draw secured qualification.

In the fourth phase, the matchup was against Brasil de Pelotas. In the first leg, in the countryside of Rio Grande do Sul, it ended 2-2. At Ressacada, another 2-2 draw. On penalties, the Leão won 4-2 and advanced to the final four.

In the final phase, the four-team round-robin, Avaí started well with a 2-1 come-from-behind win over São Caetano at Ressacada. Then they traveled to Anápolis, in Goiás, and drew 3-3 with Anapolina. Next, they drew 1-1 with Itabaiana at home. In the return match, they beat the same opponent 2-1 in the countryside of Sergipe.

In the last two matches, the Leão drew 0-0 with Anapolina at Ressacada, earning promotion to Serie B. The title only came in the final round against São Caetano, in São Paulo, even with a 1-0 defeat.

On May 26, 2021, Canal Troféu Debate aired a report recalling the first match of the 1997 final.

Check it out:

The final score was 0-0. The match took place at Aníbal Costa Stadium, in Tubarão.   Match: Tubarão 0 x 0 Avaí  Date: 06/15/1997 – Time: 4:00 PM  Tubarão lineup – Miguel, Cássio, Eugenio, Renato and Luis Carlos; Cesar, Gilmar Serafim and Adílson Heleno; Eduardo, Robson and Cesar SouzaCoach – Rui Guimarães   Avaí lineup – Carlão, Cedenir, Raul, Altair and Ita; Evandro, Régis, Dirlei (Eliandro) and Helton; Dão and JacaréCoach – Luiz Gonzaga Milioli   Refereeing – Dalmo Bozzano/SC assisted by Cantucho João Setubal and Roque Bohnemberger   Yellow cards – Eugenio, Cassio (T); Altair, Dirlei, Itá, Cedenir (A)  Attendance – 10,075 / 11,289  – Gate receipts – R$ 98,560.00  Report: RBS Esportes  Match report: Memória Avaiana

On May 26, 2021, Canal Troféu Debate aired a report recalling the day the title was won!

Check it out:

After a goalless draw in southern Santa Catarina, Avaí and Tubarão met again, this time at Ressacada, in Florianópolis. The atmosphere around and inside the stadium was extraordinary, worthy of a final. On the field, under the watchful eye of Telê Santana, Leão da Ilha, led by top scorer Jacaré, defeated the opponent 2-0 and was crowned not only champion of that season, but the greatest champion of the 20th century in Santa Catarina.   Match: Avaí 2 x 0 Tubarão  Date: 06/22/1997 – Time: 4:00 PM  Venue – Ressacada/Florianópolis/SC  Avaí lineup – Carlão, Cedenir, Raul, Evandro Guimarães and Ita; Evandro, Régis and Helton (Roberto Cavalo); Claudiomir, Dão and Jacaré – Coach – Luiz Gonzaga Milioli   Tubarão lineup – Miguel, Cássio, Claudecir, Renato and Vanderlei; Cesar Souza, Gilmar Serafim and Adílson Heleno; Eduardo, Robson and Cesar Souza (Kraemer) – Coach – Rui Guimarães   Goals – Jacaré (A), at 17’ and 71’.   Refereeing – Dalmo Bozzano/SC assisted by Cantucho João Setubal and Roque Bohnemberger   Yellow cards – Evandro, Claudiomir (A); Renato, Vanderlei, Cesar Souza (T).   Report: Globo Esporte SC  Match report: Memória Avaiana  On February 4, 2022, Canal Troféu Debate published a compilation of Dão’s goals wearing the Avaí shirt. Well worth checking out below:

List of the matches whose goals were shown in the video, in order of appearance:  1. Avaí 3×1 Criciúma – Serie B 1999  2. Avaí 1×0 ABC-RN – Serie B 1999  3. Avaí 4×1 Goiás – Serie B 1999  4. Figueirense 2×1 Avaí – Santa Catarina Championship 1999  5. Figueirense 1×2 Avaí – Copa do Brasil 1999  6. Figueirense 1×2 Avaí – Copa do Brasil 1999  7. Criciúma 2×3 Avaí – Santa Catarina Championship 1999  8. Avaí 1×2 Bahia – Serie B 1999  9. Avaí 3×1 Criciúma – Serie B 1999  10. Bahia 3×1 Avaí – Serie B 1999  11. Joinville 0x1 Avaí – Santa Catarina Championship 2000  12. Figueirense 1×1 Avaí – Santa Catarina Championship 1998  13. Atlético-PR 4×2 Avaí – Copa Sul-Minas 2000  14. Atlético-PR 4×2 Avaí – Copa Sul-Minas 2000  15. Avaí 2×3 Flamengo – Friendly 2000  16. Tubarão 0x1 Avaí – Santa Catarina Championship 2000  17. Avaí 2×0 Figueirense – Santa Catarina Championship 1999  18. Avaí 2×2 Brasil-RS – Serie C 1998

YOUR BEAUTIFUL PAST On August 22, 2023, Dão was interviewed by journalist Rafael Xavier on the program YOUR BEAUTIFUL PAST, on TV Avaí, now Avaí Play.

“Avaí changed the very structure of my life. It touches my heart, my life, and my family’s heart. It’s a pleasure. I get emotional every time I meet the people who were part of this work here at Avaí years ago. People we never would have imagined we could meet. I was happy to find employees from that time, and I never imagined I would be received so well. So, Avaí is everything to me! Avaí lives in my heart and in my family’s heart! You can be sure of that!” said an emotional Dão!

Dão also spoke about his career, difficulties, and achievements. Watch the full interview below:

CHECK OUT MORE PHOTOS OF DÃO AT AVAÍ

Dão with Flávio Kretzer and Marquinhos Santos, at the CFA, next to Resssacada Stadium 

Photo: Rafael Xavier / Avaí F.C. (08/22/2023)

Avaí lineup in 1999  

Standing: Régis, Jean Elias, Zambiazi, Luis Fernando, Liguel, Marquinhos, Marcelo, Fabiano, Adelmo and Marcelo 

Crouching: Cedenir, Fantick, Flávio Costa, Alex Rossi, Dirlei, Serginho, Dão and Sandro Ventura. 

Photo: Osmar Ladeia / Reproduction p. 70 / Book 100 years of stories 

Avaí lineup in 1998 

Photo: Júlio Cavalheiro / Agência RBS 

RESEARCH SOURCES  –– KLÜSER, Adalberto; MATOS, Felipe. and DIAMANTARAS, Spyros. The Team of Grit – Almanac of 90 years of Avaí Futebol Clube, 1923-2013.     –– KLÜSER, Adalberto; MATOS, Felipe. and DIAMANTARAS, Spyros. AVAÍ F.C. 100 years of stories 1923 – 2023     – Photo collection of Alceu Atherino / Avaí F.C. – Avaí Play Channel, on YouTube; – Troféu Debate Channel, on YouTube; – Memória Avaiana website;  – Official Avaí F.C. website;  – Polidoro Júnior website; – ND Mais website;

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.