Paysandu Sport Club, commonly referred to as Paysandu, is a Brazilian professional club based in Belém, Pará founded on 2 February 1914. It competes in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série B, the second tier of Brazilian football, as well as in the Campeonato Paraense, the top flight of the Pará state football league.

Paysandu
Full namePaysandu Sport Club
Nickname(s)Papão da Curuzu (Bogeyman of Curuzu)
Bicolor (Bicoloured)
Lobo (Wolf)
Alviceleste (White and sky blue)
Founded2 February 1914; 110 years ago (1914-02-02)
GroundEstádio da Curuzu
Mangueirão
Capacity16,882
53,635
PresidentMaurício Ettinger
Head coachHélio dos Anjos
LeagueCampeonato Brasileiro Série B
Campeonato Paraense
2023
2023
Série C, 4th of 20 (promoted)
Paraense, 3rd of 12
WebsiteClub website

History edit

On February 2, 1914, members of Norte Club protested against a decision of the football federation of Pará benefiting Remo by terminating the team and refounding another team. Unanimously, the assembly chose Hugo Leão to chair the meeting. As the leader of the movement, he proposed the name of Paysandu Football Club for the new club. The name was chosen as a tribute to the unfortunate event in Paysandú, an Uruguayan city, which would take the start of the war against Paraguay.

That year, the Norte Club held a good campaign and needed to beat Guarany to force an extra match against Grupo do Remo. After the match finished in a draw, the members of the Norte Club asked the Pará state League to cancel the match due to various irregularities. However, the league board dismissed the appeal. The decision did not please members of the Norte Club, who then started a movement, under the leadership of Hugo Leão, for the foundation of a stronger, new association. This movement bothered the members of Grupo do Remo, who tried to persuade Hugo Leão to abandon the idea.

In February 1914, the newspaper O Estado do Pará made the call for the meeting of a new club. The call by the newspaper had a large effect, causing 42 athletes to attend the meeting, many of whom had been part of the Norte Club, in addition to other different associations. With the name now decided, the assembly elected the first president, Deodoro de Mendonça. The committee to draft the Statutes of the club was also chosen, with the ones elected being: Deodoro de Mendonça, Eurico Amanajás and Arnaldo Morais. The second meeting was held on February 10, 1914 at the same location of the first. More than 15 new members joined Paysandu, with the number of members being increased to 100 and all of them considered founding partners. At the third meeting, on February 19, 1914, Paysandu's status was revised from "Foot-Ball" to "Sport Club" after a vote in the assembly, with the aim of requesting Paysandu's affiliation within the Pará State League. So Paysandu Sport Club was officially founded on February 2, 1914.

In 1991 and 2001, Paysandu was the champion of Série B. In 2002 the club was champion of Copa Norte, and later, champion of Copa dos Campeões, beating powerhouse Palmeiras in the semi-finals, and then edging Cruzeiro on penalties after a 5-5 draw on aggregate, which qualified them to the 2003 Copa Libertadores as cup winners. Paysandu also won the Campeonato Paranaense that year, for a record third year in a row.

Despite winning three trophies that year, in the 2002 Serie A Paysandu struggled, finishing 20th and only two points from relegation. The following season was very similar, with the club struggling in the league, and only avoiding relegation through goal difference.

However, the 2003 Copa Libertadores was a lot different. This was Paysandu's first participation in the competition, and they began by finishing the group stage undefeated (four wins, two draws), including a famous 6-2 victory over Cerro Porteño in Paraguay.[1][2] In the round of 16, the club was faced with powerhouse Boca Juniors, who eventually won the competition and then the Intercontinental cup. In the first leg at La Bombonera, Paysandu won 1-0 with a goal from Iarley. Boca came back and won the second leg 4-2 in Belém, eliminating the Brazilians. Their 2004 Série A campaign was a lot better, with the club finishing comfortably in mid table, even though they started the season winless in the first nine matches. However in the 2005 Série A the team was relegated, finishing second to last and losing 25 out of 42 games, the most of any team that season. In 2006 the club was relegated from Serie A, until reaching promotion back to the second division in 2012. Since then, the club has been yoyoing between Serie B and C.

The club also has three titles of the Copa Verde, as well as being the largest state winners with a record 49 titles.

Symbols edit

Crest edit

The crest is blue and white, with the initials PSC, in reference to the name Paysandu Sport Club. At the bottom, there is a winged foot. Crest creator Mário Bayma explained its meaning: "The team's goal of speed would never be equaled or surpassed by its opponents, because it would reach the limit of the flight." Above the shield are three stars, two silver stars symbolizing the Série B titles of 1991 and 2001, and one gold star (central) symbolizing the title of Copa dos Campeões in 2002.

Anthem edit

The official anthem of Paysandu was composed in 1916 by the poet José Simões, while the music was made by Professor Manuel Luís de Paiva. There is also the "popular" hymn, composed by Francisco Pires Cavalcanti, excited about the victory of Paysandu against Peñarol in 1965, which is better known than the official team anthem.

Traditional home kit edit

The uniform was proposed by Hugo Leão, first president of Paysandu, at the meeting held on February 10, 1914. The proposal was only approved by the general assembly, by unanimous vote of the members, on February 19, 1914, seventeen days after the foundation of the club. The uniform follows the same model to the present day.

Rivalries edit

Paysandu's biggest rival is Remo, with whom it plays the Clássico Rei da Amazônia (Amazon King derby) or Re-Pa. The first game took place on 14 June 1914, with Remo winning 2–1. On 26 July 1945, the biggest score in the derby took place. Paysandu won 7–0 in a match valid for the Campeonato Paraense of that year. In 2016, the derby was declared intangible cultural heritage of the Pará state, being qualified as a cultural expression of the people of Pará.[3]

A further minor rivalry exists between Paysandu and Tuna Luso. The first match happened on 11 December 1932, a friendly that ended tied at 3–3.

Stadium edit

Paysandu's stadium is Curuzu, which has a maximum capacity of 16,200 people. Mangueirão also held several Paysandu matches, such as Copa Libertadores matches and Campeonato Brasileiro matches against high-profile clubs.

Players edit

Current squad edit

As of 30 April 2024

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK   BRA Gabriel Bernard
2 DF   BRA Edílson
3 DF   URU Yeferson Quintana
4 DF   BRA Wanderson (vice-captain)
5 MF   BRA Netinho
8 MF   BRA João Vieira
9 FW   BRA Gabriel Santos (on loan from São Bernardo)
10 FW   BRA Vinícius Leite
11 FW   BRA Nicolas
12 GK   BRA Diogo Silva
13 GK   BRA Matheus Nogueira (on loan from Portimonense)
14 MF   BRA Juninho
15 FW   VEN Esli García
16 DF   BRA Michel Macedo
17 MF   BRA Biel (on loan from Coritiba)
18 FW   BRA Edinho (on loan from Fortaleza)
19 MF   BRA Brendon (on loan from Nação)
20 MF   BRA Robinho (captain)
21 DF   BRA Bryan
22 FW   BRA Jean Dias
No. Pos. Nation Player
23 DF   BRA Carlão
25 MF   BRA Carlos Maia (on loan from Monsoon)
26 FW   BRA Ruan Ribeiro (on loan from Palmeiras)
27 DF   BRA Lucas Maia
28 MF   BRA Leandro Vilela
29 DF   BRA Pedro Romano
30 MF   BRA Val Soares
32 MF   BRA Crystopher
35 DF   BRA Luan Freitas (on loan from Fluminense)
36 DF   BRA Kevyn
39 MF   BRA Wesley Fraga
40 GK   BRA Cláudio Vitor
GK   BRA Iago Hass
DF   BRA Paulão
DF   BRA Léo Pereira (on loan from São José-SP)
MF   BRA Henry
FW   BRA Leandro

Out on loan edit

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
MF   BRA Éric (to Bragantino-PA until 30 April 2024)
MF   BRA Roger (to CSA until 20 October 2024)

National league record edit

(C): Champion; (P): Promoted; (R): Relegated.

Season Tie Division Place Copa do Brasil
1971 2 Segunda Divisão 15°
1973 1 Campeonato Nacional 38°
1974 1 Campeonato Nacional 22°
1975 1 Copa Brasil 37°
1976 1 Copa Brasil 34°
1977 1 Copa Brasil 52°
1978 1 Copa Brasil 52°
1979 1 Copa Brasil 80°
1980 2 Taça de Prata
1981 1 Taça de Ouro 28°
1982 1 Taça de Ouro 29°
1983 1 Taça de Ouro 34° (R)¹
2 Taça de Prata 14°
1985 1 Taça de Ouro 29°
1986 1 Copa Brasil 46°
1987 2 Módulo Branco
1989 2 Divisão Especial 35° First round
1990 3 Terceira Divisão
1991 2 Série B (C) Second round
1992 1 Série A 20° (R)²

¹ Relegated in the same year.

² Relegation canceled.

Season Tie Division Place Copa do Brasil
1993 1 Série A 21° Second round
1994 1 Série A 16º First round
1995 1 Série A 23° (R)
1996 2 Série B 21°
1997 2 Série B 11° Preliminary round
1998 2 Série B
1999 2 Série B 19° (R)² First round
2000 2 Módulo Amarelo First round
2001 2 Série B (C) First round
2002 1 Série A 20° Second round
2003 1 Série A 22°
2004 1 Série A 14°
2005 1 Série A 21° (R) Second round
2006 2 Série B 17° (R) Second round
2007 3 Série C 62° Second round
2008 3 Série C 12°
2009 3 Série C
2010 3 Série C Second round
2011 3 Série C Second round
2012 3 Série C (P) Round of 16
Season Tie Division Place Copa do Brasil
2013 2 Série B 18° (R) Third round
2014 3 Série C (P) Third round
2015 2 Série B Round of 16
2016 2 Série B 14° Third round
2017 2 Série B 11° Round of 16
2018 2 Série B 17° (R) First round
2019 3 Série C Round of 16
2020 3 Série C Second round
2021 3 Série C Second round
2022 3 Série C Second round
2023 3 Série C (P) Third round
2024 2 Série B Second round

International record edit

Season Competition Round Opponent Home Away Aggregate
2003 Copa Libertadores Group 2   Cerro Porteño 0-0 6-2 1st Place
  Sporting Cristal 2-1 2-0
  Universidad Católica 3-1 1-1
Round of 16   Boca Juniors 2-4 1-0 3-4

Honours edit

National edit

Winners (1): 2002
Winners (2): 1991, 2001

Regional edit

Winners (3): 2016, 2018, 2022
Winners (1): 2002

State edit

Winners (50): 1920, 1921, 1922, 1923, 1927, 1928, 1929, 1931, 1932, 1934, 1939, 1942, 1943, 1944, 1945, 1947, 1956, 1957, 1959, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1969, 1971, 1972, 1976, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1992, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2020, 2021, 2024

References edit

  1. ^ "Copa Libertadores: Paysandú goleó por 6 a 2 a Cerro Porteño". LA NACION (in Spanish). March 28, 2003. Retrieved October 11, 2023.
  2. ^ "Cerro pasa vergüenza frente al Paysandú". Abc.com.py (in Spanish). March 28, 2003. Retrieved October 11, 2023.
  3. ^ "Clássico Re-Pa é declarado patrimônio cultural imaterial do Estado do Pará" (in Portuguese). Globo Esporte. Retrieved November 4, 2021.

External links edit