In 2009, the Campeonato Brasileiro Série C, the third level of the Brazilian League, was contested by 20 clubs from May 24 to September 19, 2009. In an attempt to increase profits and interest on the competition, CBF decided to reduce the number of participating teams from 64 to 20 this season and establish regular membership, akin to Série A and Série B.
In the finals, América Mineiro, a traditional club from the city of Belo Horizonte, defeated ASA after winning away and at home. Top four clubes, the ones which qualified to the quarterfinals, ascended to the Campeonato Brasileiro Série B to be contested in 2010: América Mineiro, ASA, Icasa and Guaratinguetá. Meanwhile, the bottom four clubs, the ones that finished in last place of each group, were relegated to Série D next season: Sampaio Corrêa, Confiança, Mixto and Marcílio Dias.
Team information TeamCityStateStadiumCapacity2008 seasonÁguia de MarabáMarabá PAZinho de Oliveira2,000Série C 5th placeAmérica MineiroBelo Horizonte MGIndependência18,000Série C 20th placeASAArapiraca ALCoaracy da Mata Fonseca10,000Série C 10th placeBrasilPelotas RSBento Freitas18,000Série C 6th placeCaxiasCaxias do Sul RSCentenário30,822Série C 19th placeConfiançaAracaju SEBatistão22,000Série C 7th placeCRBMaceió ALRei Pelé30,000Série B 20th placeCriciúmaCriciúma SCHeriberto Hülse28,749Série B 18th placeGamaGama DFBezerrão20,000Série B 19th placeGuaratinguetáGuaratinguetá SPDario Rodrigues Leite14,415Série C 9th placeIcasaJuazeiro do Norte CERomeirão20,000Série C 18th placeItuiutabaItuiutaba MGFazendinha5,000Série C 12th placeMarcílio DiasItajaí SCHercílio Luz12,000Série C 13th placeLuverdenseLucas do Rio Verde MTPaço das Emas6,500Série C 16th placeMaríliaMarília SPBento de Abreu17,500Série B 17th placeMixtoCuiabá MTVerdão47,000Série C 14th placePaysanduBelém PAEstádio Olímpico do Pará45,000Série C 11th placeRio BrancoRio Branco ACArena da Floresta20,000Série C 8th placeSalgueiroSalgueiro PECornélio de Barros6,000Série C 15th placeSampaio CorrêaSão Luís MACastelão70,000Série C 17th place
Format First Stage: The 20 teams are divided in four groups of 5, playing within them in a double round-robin format. The two best ranked in each group advance towards next stage. The last placed team in each group is relegated to Série D 2010 Quarterfinals: Eight qualified teams play in two-leg format, home and away. Winners qualify to semifinals and are promoted to Série B 2010. Semifinals: Quarterfinals winners play in two-leg format, home and away. Winners qualify to the Finals. Finals: Semifinals winners play in two-leg format, home and away. Winners are declared champions.
Results
First stage
Group A (AC-MA-MT-PA)
Group B (AL-CE-PE-SE)
Group C (DF-MT-MG-SP)
Group D (RS-SC-SP)
Knockout stages
* plays second leg at home. (p) won on penalty shootout. (a) won by away goals rule.
Quarterfinals First leg played on August 9; Second leg played on August 16.
Team #1 played second match at home.
Semifinals First leg played on August 23; Second leg played on August 30.
Team #1 played second match at home.
Finals First leg played on September 13; Second leg played on September 19.
Team #1 played second match at home.
References