The Água Santa Gazette
Squad10 Aug 2026
Matheus Novaes keeps Água Santa in it on his own
Some afternoons a goalkeeper is the team. 6 saves, several of them the sort nobody expects to see stopped, and a scoreline that flatters everybody in front of him.
Squad10 Aug 2026
Tempers go at Água Santa
Wesley Dias was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.
The terraces10 Aug 2026
One of their own: Matheus Novaes
He is 22 and the ground already sings his name, which is a thing that happens to local boys and almost never to signings. Everything from here is measured against an affection he did nothing to earn except be from here.
Market10 Aug 2026
Lobo steps up from the Água Santa academy
There is no fee, no unveiling and no agent on the steps. Lobo has been at this club since he was a boy and is now, formally, one of the first-team squad — which for a local readership beats any signing of any size.
Market10 Aug 2026
João Braga steps up from the Água Santa academy
There is no fee, no unveiling and no agent on the steps. João Braga has been at this club since he was a boy and is now, formally, one of the first-team squad — which for a local readership beats any signing of any size.
Market10 Aug 2026
Paulo Ribeiro steps up from the Água Santa academy
There is no fee, no unveiling and no agent on the steps. Paulo Ribeiro has been at this club since he was a boy and is now, formally, one of the first-team squad — which for a local readership beats any signing of any size.
Market10 Aug 2026
Água Santa promote Bicho from within
The academy exists for exactly this morning. Bicho has come through every age group the club runs and has now been handed a senior number, and the people who coached him at twelve will be the proudest in the building.
The dugout10 Aug 2026
The manager’s verdict
“I am frustrated, honestly. We did enough to win and we did not win.” Júnior Machado was not hiding it after 0‑0, and nobody in the Água Santa dressing room was either.
The dugout10 Aug 2026
Douglas Nascimento is still being punished for one mistake
Nobody will confirm it and the team sheets confirm it every week. One error has bought him a spell as second choice that is already longer than the error deserved.
In brief
- Match Água Santa draw a blank against Goianésia
- Squad A season on the outside for Cristiano
- Player ratings Nothing got past Léo Pereira