Goias coach Arthur Neto is calling on his side to forget their Campeonato Brasileiro woes and produce a good performance against compatriots Palmeiras in the first leg of their Copa Sudamericana semi-final.

With three matches to go in the league, Goias lie second from bottom in the standings, seven points from Vitoria and safety. But Neto wants his players completely focused on tomorrow's game against Palmeiras, with a place in next year's Copa Libertadores the ultimate prize.

"It is time to invest in the Copa Sudamericana because it generates income for the club," he said. "We'll try to get the Libertadores spot and that's the reason why I held some players back from last weekend's league game. Our situation in the league is quite serious."

We'll try to get the Libertadores spot and that's the reason why I held some players back from last weekend's league game.
Arthur Neto, Goias coach

Neto knows his side will be up against it, with Palmeiras safely ensconced in mid-table domestically.

"Palmeiras have a lot of quality but Goias will fight," he said. "We have what it takes to battle for a final place although it will be very difficult. We have to be physically at our best to play well tomorrow."

In the quarter-finals, Palmeiras eliminated Atletico Mineiro, another team fighting against relegation, but the Belo Horizonte side fielded an under-strength team in that tie.

Palmeiras coach Luiz Felipe Scolari knows the situation will be very different against Goias. "Goias' chances of avoiding relegation might be only three or five percent. If I were them, I would do my best for a chance to win the Sudamericana," he said. "Anyway, Goias will be as difficult to beat as Atletico Mineiro, who played very well, no matter who they put out on the field."

Scolari will send his players out to attack in an attempt to get as many away goals as possible. "A 0-0 draw is no use to us. If we score goals, our chances at home increase. Patience and intelligence are parts of the game," the boss added.

In the other semi-final, reigning champions Liga Deportiva Universitaria and Argentinian giants Independiente play their first leg on Thursday in Ecuador.