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RIO DE JANEIRO, April 30-- Despite its home field advantage, the Sao Paulo soccer team could not hold back the Santos offense on Saturday. With a 2-0 score, Santos eliminated Sao Paulo and advances to the finals of the 2011 Sao Paulo state championship. After a scoreless first half, Santos returned to the second period and took control. Off a quick fast-break in the 61st minute, Santos star midfielder Paulo Henrique Ganso lofted the ball to a perfectly positioned Elano who proceeded to slam a header past keeper Rogerio Ceni and into the Sao Paulo goal. The team increased its lead in the 72nd minute with a great give and go between Neymar and Ganso. Holding onto the ball long enough for Ganso to break through the Sao Paulo defense, Neymar rolled a perfect ball off to Ganso who then fired a great ball past a helpless Rogerio Ceni. With the lead, Santos was able to control the rhythm of the second half as Sao Paulo was unable to react. The result marks the fourth time that Santos eliminates Sao Paulo in a single-round elimination match in the last ten years. The win also gives Santos a head of steam before entering the second leg match against Mexico's America on May 3 in the 2011 Libertadores Cup. Entering the match with a 1-0 advantage, Santos needs only to draw in order to advance to the quarterfinals of the continental competition. In the finals of the Sao Paulo state championship, Santos will face the winner of the single-round elimination match between Corinthians and Palmeiras on May 1. | 
