Agremiação Sportiva Arapiraquense

ASA
Full name Agremiação Sportiva Arapiraquense
Nickname(s) Alvinegro (Black and white)
Asa Gigante (can mean giant wing or giant ASA, club's acronym)
Founded September 25, 1952
Stadium Municipal Coaracy da Mata Fonseca
Capacity 17,000
President José dos Santos
Head coach Beto Almeida
League Campeonato Brasileiro Série C
2013 Série B, 20th (relegated)
Website Club home page

Agremiação Sportiva Arapiraquense, usually known by the acronym ASA (which means "Wing", in Portuguese), sometimes called "ASA de Arapiraca", is a Brazilian football club from Arapiraca, Alagoas state.

History

On September 25, 1952, the club was founded as Associação Sportiva Arapiraquense by entrepreneurs and city authorities, after the city's previous club, called Ferroviário de Arapiraca, folded. Antônio Pereira Rocha was the club's first president.[1]

In 1953, ASA participated in its first professional competition, the Campeonato Alagoano. ASA reached the competition's final, but its opponent, Ferroviário, refused to play against ASA, so, ASA was declared the champion by the Alagoas Football Federation. That was also the club's first title.[1]

On September 4, 1977, the club was renamed to its current name, Agremiação Sportiva Arapiraquense.[2]

In 1979, ASA competed in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, finishing in the 40th place.[3] Due to the club's good campaign, it was nicknamed the Ghost of Alagoas (Fantasma das Alagoas, in Portuguese).[1]

In 1982, the green color was adopted as one of the club's colors. However, that color was quickly discarded.[1]

In the 2000s, the club was very successful in the state championship, winning the competition in 2000, 2001, 2003 and in 2005.[4] In 2000, ASA competed in Copa João Havelange's Green Module (which is the competition's equivalent of a third division). The club was eliminated in the first stage.[5] In 2001, the club competed in the Copa do Brasil for the first time. ASA was eliminated by Vitória in the first round.[6] In 2002, ASA competed again the Copa do Brasil. In the first round, the club surprisingly beat Palmeiras, but was defeated by Confiança in the second round.[7] ASA finished in the second place in the Série C in 2009, losing to América Mineiro in the final.[8]

Current squad

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

No. Position Player
Brazil GK Marcão
Brazil GK Pedro Henrique
Brazil GK Vinicius
Brazil DF Amarildo
Brazil DF André Nunes
Brazil DF Augusto
Brazil DF Cristiano Gaúcho
Brazil DF Jorge
Brazil DF Leandrinho
Brazil DF Marco Tiago
Brazil DF Rodrigão
Brazil DF Rogério
Brazil DF Romano
Brazil DF Tiago Baiano
Brazil MF Alex Henrique
Brazil MF Cal
Brazil MF Didira
No. Position Player
Brazil MF Natan (on loan from Grêmio)
Brazil MF Glauber
Brazil MF Jaildo
Brazil MF Jean
Brazil MF Jorginho
Brazil MF Kiko Alagoano
Brazil MF Lucas
Brazil MF Rafael Gava
Brazil MF Rai
Brazil MF Thallyson
Brazil FW Anderson Lessa
Brazil FW Bruno Carvalho
Brazil FW Lima
Brazil FW Ramazotti
Brazil FW Tiago Cavalcanti
Brazil FW Wanderson

Achievements

1953, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2009, 2011
Runners-up (1): 2009

Stadium

ASA's home matches are usually played at Municipal Coaracy da Mata Fonseca stadium, which has a maximum capacity of 10,000 people.[9]

Anthem

ASA's official anthem lyrics were composed by Pedro de França Reys, and the music by Jovelino José de Lima.[10]

Club colors

The club colors are black and white,[2] which are the same colors of the defunct Ferroviário de Arapiraca.[11]

Nickname

Due to its colors, ASA is nicknamed Alvinegro, meaning The White-and-Black.[12]

Mascot

The club's mascot is Disney's character Phantom Blot. He is known as Mancha Negra (meaning Black Spot) in Brazil.[11]

References

External links