By Lisa Flueckiger, Senior Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Another round of the 2015 Brasileirão was played this weekend with no club from Rio emerging victorious from their Série A matches. Flamengo and Fluminense lost their games with 0-1, while Vasco drew against Joinville in the fight at the bottom of the table.
Almost half of the games have been played in the 2015 Brasileirão football (soccer) league so far, with Atlético from Minas Gerais leading the table with 36 points after seventeen matches. While none of the clubs from Rio had a good start into the season, they are now spread out over the table.
Fluminense is currently fourth with nine victories, three draws and five defeats, while Flamengo stays in the middle of the table at 13th, however with the same amount of points as 16th placed Avaí. Vasco da Gama is second to last with only a thirteen points total and a seven points difference to a spot out of the Z-4.
This weekend Flamengo had played against Ponte Preta, which had not won for seven games in a row. However, with new coach Doriva the team from São Paulo managed to gain the upper hand over the Cariocas, with a late goal by Pablo in the second half.
Fluminense met the same fate in their game against Avaí on Saturday, August 8th. The tricolor lost against the recently to the Série A promoted team from Florianópolis with 0-1 after a goal from ex-Flu player André Lima just five minutes into the first half.
Vasco da Gama had to go into a direct confrontation for vital points at the bottom of the table against Joinville on Sunday, August 9th at Rio’s Maracanã. However, the match ended with a goalless draw after a game that Globoesporte described as “lacking inspiration”, giving no relief to either team. Both Vasco and Joinville now have thirteen points, only one more than lanterna (taillight) Coritiba.
Fellow Rio club in the Série B, Botafogo also lost their game of the weekend against Santa Cruz with 0-1. As the other teams in the top spots of the table won their matches, Botafogo lost the lead of the table for the first time this season.
The alvinegro are now fourth placed, however only one point behind leader Vitoria, Bahia and América-MG. So the next game against Z-4 team ABC this Tuesday, August 11th already bears the chance for a comeback to the top spot for Fogo.