Neymar hit the woodwork twice on Sunday as Santos was held to a 0-0 draw by Corinthians in the first leg of the Sao Paulo state final.

The return match will be next weekend, when defending champion Santos will have the advantage of playing at home at the Vila Belmiro stadium. Another draw will prompt a penalty shootout.

Neymar, currently the most talked-about player in Brazilian football, created the best scoring chances but came up just short of finding the net at the Pacaembu stadium.

The Brazil striker struck the right post in the 23rd minute after dribbling past a defender and firing an angled shot from close range. The shot beat Corinthians goalkeeper Julio Cesar but just clipped the post and went wide.

Neymar, who last year rejected a multimillion euro offer from Chelsea, was a constant threat on breakaways, and his shot from inside the area in the 75th struck the crossbar and went over the goal.

Santos was already without playmaker Paulo Henrique Ganso, who had to be substituted at halftime because of a muscle injury. Former Brazil midfielder Elano also was replaced near the end of the match, because of fatigue.

Santos is in the middle of a series of decisive matches and coach Muricy Ramalho said his players’ physical condition may be key as it tries to win the Sao Paulo title and stay alive in the Copa Libertadores, Latin America’s most important club competition.

Santos just returned from a trip to Mexico, where it eliminated America, and now will travel to Colombia for its quarterfinal encounter against Once Caldas tomorrow.

Corinthians, focused solely on the Sao Paulo tournament, had its best opportunity when former Sporting striker Liedson’s 85th-minute left-footer also hit the post.

Corinthians reached the final by beating Luiz Felipe Scolari’s Palmeiras in the semifinals, while Santos got past rival Sao Paulo.

Corinthians is the most successful team in the Sao Paulo state tournament with 26 titles. Santos is seeking its 19th state championship.

Corinthians honoured Mother’s Day by allowing each player to put his mother’s name on the jersey instead of their own.

Brazil does not follow the European football calendar and the Brazilian league won’t start until the third week of May. In the first few months of the year teams play regional tournaments in each of the country’s 26 states, in addition to the Brazilian Cup.

The Sao Paulo championship is one of the most traditional in Brazil, along with the one in Rio.

Flamengo won the Rio de Janeiro state title last week after beating Vasco on penalties in the final of the Rio Cup, the tournament’s second stage. It automatically clinched the overall title because it had also won the Guanabara Cup, the competition’s first stage.

Also on Sunday, Gremio defeated Internacional 3-2 in the first leg of the Rio Grande do Sul state final, while Atletico Mineiro got ahead of Cruzeiro with a 2-1 victory in the Minas Gerais state final. Former Inter midfielder Mancini scored one of the goals for Atletico Mineiro.