Agremiação Sportiva Arapiraquense

Football club infobox
clubname = ASA


fullname = Agremiação Sportiva Arapiraquense
founded = 1952
ground = Municipal Coaracy da Mata Fonseca
capacity = 10,000
league = Campeonato Brasileiro Série C
season = 2007
position = Eliminated in first stage
pattern_la1=|pattern_b1=_whitestripes|pattern_ra1=
leftarm1=FFFFFF|body1=000000|rightarm1=FFFFFF|shorts1=000000|socks1=000000

Agremiação Sportiva Arapiraquense, usually known by the acronym ASA (sometimes "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 auhorities, after the city's previous club, called Ferroviário de Arapiraca, folded. Antônio Pereira Rocha was the club's first president. [http://www.asa-arapiraca.com.br/historia.htm Club history at the official website] ]

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.

On September 4, 1977, the club was renamed to its current name, Agremiação Sportiva Arapiraquense. [http://www.arquivodeclubes.com/al/asa.htm Arquivo de Clubes] ]

In 1979, ASA competed in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, finishing in the 40th place. [ [http://paginas.terra.com.br/esporte/rsssfbrasil/tables/br1979.htm 1979 Campeonato Brasileiro at RSSSF] ] Due to the club's good campaign, it was nicknamed the "Ghost of Alagoas" ("Fantama das Alagoas", in Portuguese).

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

In the 2000s, the club was very successful in the state championship, winning the competition in 2000, 2001, 2003 and in 2005. [ [http://paginas.terra.com.br/esporte/rsssfbrasil/tables/alcamp.htm Campeonato Alagoano at RSSSF] ] 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. [ [http://paginas.terra.com.br/esporte/rsssfbrasil/tables/br2000.htm 2000 Copa João Havelange at RSSSF] ] In 2001, the club competed in the Copa do Brasil for the first time. ASA was eliminated by Vitória in the first round. [ [http://paginas.terra.com.br/esporte/rsssfbrasil/tables/cbr2001.htm 2001 Copa do Brasil at RSSSF] ] 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. [ [http://paginas.terra.com.br/esporte/rsssfbrasil/tables/cbr2002.htm 2002 Copa do Brasil at RSSSF] ]

Achievements

* Campeonato Alagoano:
** Winners (5): 1953, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2005

tadium

ASA's home matches are usually played at Municipal Coaracy da Mata Fonseca stadium, which has a maximum capacity of 10,000 people. [http://mavalem.sites.uol.com.br/al/Arapiraca.htm Templos do Futebol] ]

Current squad

First Team

Anthem

ASA's official anthem lyrics were composed by Pedro de França Reys, and the music by Jovelino José de Lima. [ [http://www.asa-arapiraca.com.br/simbolos.htm Club symbols at the official website] ]

Club colors

The club colors are black and white , which are the same colors of the defunct Ferroviário de Arapiraca. "Enciclopédia do Futebol Brasileiro", Volume 1 - Lance, Rio de Janeiro: Aretê Editorial S/A, 2001.]

Nickname

Due to its colors, ASA is nicknamed "Alvinegro", meaning "The White-and-Black". [http://www.asa-arapiraca.com.br/cronicas/vlucia.htm O que é ser Alvinegro? - ASA's official website] ]

Mascot

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

References

External links

*pt icon [http://www.asa-arapiraca.com.br/index.htm ASA's official website]