TBT #18 Lion's memory: Dão, Santa Catarina and Série C champion with Avaí | OneFootball

Every Thursday, Avaí Futebol Clube celebrates a former player who left his 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 the stories 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 State Champion HERE,  #06 NIZETA, four-time Santa Catarina champion HERE, #07 ADILSON HELENO – 1988 Santa Catarina State Champion, HERE,  #08 ADOLFINHO – The greatest goalkeeper from Santa Catarina of all time HERE, #09 BALDUÍNO – The Little King, Santa Catarina State Champion in 1973 and 1975 HERE, #010 ZENON – Santa Catarina State Champion in 1973 and 1975 HERE, #011 CLÉBER SANTANA – Avaí’s eternal number 88, 2012 Santa Catarina state champion HERE #012 VENEZA – The best defender in Avaí’s history, 1975 Santa Catarina state champion HERE     #013 BELMONTE – Two-time Santa Catarina State 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 greatest midfielders in Avaí’s history HERE #016 FOSSATI – goalkeeper and 1988 Santa Catarina State champion HERE #017 EMERSON – a goal-scoring defender who made history at Avaí HERE

In the 18th edition, we will look back at DÃO, a forward and Santa Catarina State Champion in 1997 and Brazilian Série 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 Lion 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 house, by authors Adalberto Jorge Klüser, Felipe Matos and Spyros Apóstolo Diamantaras.   Dão began his professional career in 1990, at age 25, with Jacuipense of Bahia, where he went on trial and made the team. The following year, he transferred 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 State Champion in 1997, Brazilian Série C Champion in 1998, and Santa Catarina State runner-up 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 both goals for Figueirense.  Also in 1999, Dão scored twice in the derby between Avaí and Figueirense in the first stage of the Copa do Brasil. It was a historic clash, marking the first meeting between Florianópolis’s two biggest rivals on the national stage, and it resulted in the rival’s elimination from the competition. In the first leg, at Scarpelli, Avaí won 2-1. Dão scored both goals for Avaí, while 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, a club he also played for, helping save the team from relegation. He currently works at the Sports Department of Sento Sé, Bahia, where he carries out social work with hundreds of boys.

SANTA CATARINA STATE CHAMPION 1997

Avaí Santa Catarina State 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, 100 Years of Stories book 

Dão was a key piece in winning the 1997 Santa Catarina State 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 honored the players who won the 1997 Santa Catarina State Championship. The ceremony took place at halftime of the match Avaí 1×0 Sport-PE, in the 28th round of Série B. The players, directors and coaching staff received a diploma commemorating the achievement.

The Leão da Ilha squad in the 1997 state 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: Flávio Félix, Lourival Amorim, Ronaldo Hipólito, João Carlos Dias and Vilmar Reinert.  AVAÍ BRAZILIAN SÉRIE C CHAMPION 1998 

Avaí, which earned promotion to Série B by winning Série C in 1998

Photo: Júlio Cavalheiro / RBS Agency

1998 SÉRIE C CAMPAIGN  In the first stage, Avaí was placed in the regionalized group with Tubarão, Chapecoense, Pelotas, XV de Campo Bom and Brasil de Pelotas. After 10 matches, the Lion finished the first stage in first place with 19 points.

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

In the third stage, the opponent was Santo André. In the first leg, at Ressacada, the Lion brushed aside the São Paulo team with a 4-0 win. In the return leg, in the ABC Paulista region, a 1-1 draw secured qualification.

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

In the final stage, the quadrangular, Avaí started well with a 2-1 comeback win over São Caetano at Ressacada. Then they went 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 interior of Sergipe.

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

On May 26, 2021, Canal Troféu Debate aired a report remembering the first leg 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 p.m.  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   Officiating – 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 – R$ 98,560.00  Report: RBS Esportes  Match record: Memória Avaiana

On May 26, 2021, Canal Troféu Debate aired a report remembering the day the championship 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, beat the opponent 2-0 and became not only champions of that season, but also the greatest champion of the 20th century in Santa Catarina.   Match: Avaí 2 x 0 Tubarão  Date: 06/22/1997 – Time: 4:00 p.m.  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’.   Officiating – 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 record: Memória Avaiana  On February 4, 2022, Canal Troféu Debate published a compilation of Dão’s goals in an Avaí shirt. It’s 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 – Série B 1999  2. Avaí 1×0 ABC-RN – Série B 1999  3. Avaí 4×1 Goiás – Série B 1999  4. Figueirense 2×1 Avaí – Catarinense 1999  5. Figueirense 1×2 Avaí – Copa do Brasil 1999  6. Figueirense 1×2 Avaí – Copa do Brasil 1999  7. Criciúma 2×3 Avaí – Catarinense 1999  8. Avaí 1×2 Bahia – Série B 1999  9. Avaí 3×1 Criciúma – Série B 1999  10. Bahia 3×1 Avaí – Série B 1999  11. Joinville 0x1 Avaí – Catarinense 2000  12. Figueirense 1×1 Avaí – Catarinense 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 – Catarinense 2000  17. Avaí 2×0 Figueirense – Catarinense 1999  18. Avaí 2×2 Brasil-RS – Série 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 moves my heart, my life, and my family’s heart. It’s a pleasure. I get emotional every time I meet people who were part of this work here at Avaí years ago. People we never imagined we would meet again. I had the happiness of meeting employees from that time, and I never imagined I would be received so warmly. 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. Check out the full interview below:

SEE MORE PHOTOS OF DÃO AT AVAÍ

Dão with Flávio Kretzer and Marquinhos Santos, at the CFA, annexed to Ressacada 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 / 100 Years of Stories Book 

Avaí lineup in 1998 

Photo: Júlio Cavalheiro / RBS Agency 

RESEARCH SOURCES  –– KLÜSER, Adalberto; MATOS, Felipe. and DIAMANTARAS, Spyros. The Team of Grit – 90-Year Almanac of Avaí Futebol Clube, 1923-2013.     –– KLÜSER, Adalberto; MATOS, Felipe. and DIAMANTARAS, Spyros. AVAÍ F.C. 100 years of stories 1923 – 2023     – Photo archive of Alceu Atherino / Avaí F.C. – Avaí Play Channel, on YouTube; – Canal Troféu Debate, 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.