By Robbie Blakeley, Senior Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The 23rd round of the 2013 Brasileirão was disastrous for Rio clubs as no side managed to pick up three points. Following Fluminense’s stalemate yesterday, Flamengo also managed a draw, while Botafogo and Vasco tasted defeat.
Flamengo recorded a goalless draw with bottom club Náutico at the Arena Pernambuco in Recife. Midfielder Elias missed an incredible chance for Fla to snatch victory but could not find the back of the net.
It was Flamengo’s first game since the resignation of former coach Mano Menezes but their poor form continued. It is now just one win in five games for the Rubro-Negro.
Botafogo threw away the lead to lose 2-1 to Bahia at the Maracanã. The loss meant Cruzeiro could stretch their lead at the top of the table to eight points.
After a poor opening haf-hour, Edílson gave Botafogo the lead with a thunderous free-kick. The home side played slightly better in the second half but never killed the game off and were made to pay in the last ten minutes. First, Fernandão’s precise header leveled proceedings on 81 minutes before Obina, in an offside position, headed the winner five minutes from time.
Vasco could not stop the rot either, slumping to their fifth consecutive defeat with a 2-1 loss against Atlético-MG. Ronaldinho Gaúcho had a hand in both Atlético goals as the Minas club raced into a two goal lead inside eighteen minutes. Dakson pulled one back for Vasco but it was not enough to salvage anything from the game. The club sit eighteenth, three points from safety.
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