By Robbie Blakeley, Senior Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – A dream debut for Emerson Sheik helped Botafogo fight back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Internacional yesterday afternoon at the Maracanã Stadium in the second round of the 2014 Campeonato Brasileiro. The veteran forward scored one and set up a second as the Glorioso rescued a point from the embers of a desperately poor first half performance.
After last week’s 3-0 drubbing at the hands of São Paulo, there were however signs Botafogo are getting back towards the right track under new coach Vagner Mancini. After falling to a 2-0 deficit, fighting back to draw the game almost felt like a win for the Carioca club.
Rafael Moura scored twice for the visitors to open a two goal advantage after just 35 minutes, yet after the interval, the impetus was strictly with the hosts.
Emerson Sheik pulled Botafogo back into the game with a header on 63 minutes. Ten minutes later, his right-wing cross supplied the equalizer for striker partner Zeballos to help the club avoid a fourth successive defeat.
There was worse news for Flamengo, who lost 2-0 to Corinthians in the final game at the Pacaembu. Corinthians opened the scoring after only ten minutes, and, following the dismissal of Fla right-back Léo Moura, looked comfortable.
Gil added a second on 79 minutes but Fla’s resistance had long been surrendered. The side have just one point from their opening two games in the Brasileirão. More worryingly, they looked devoid of inspiration and imagination in one of their biggest games of the year.
If their poor form continues it promises to be a challenging season indeed for everyone involved with the club. Next up for Flamengo is Palmeiras on Sunday.
Campeonato Brasileiro Round Two Results in Full:
Coritiba 0-0 Santos
Palmeiras 0-1 Fluminense
Botafogo 2-2 Internacional
Corinthians 2-0 Flamengo
Cruzeiro 1-1 São Paulo
Vitoria 2-2 Atlético-PR
Sport Recife 2-1 Chapecoense
Grêmio 2-1 Atlético-MG
Figueirense 0-2 Bahia
Goiás 1-0 Criciúma
Read more (in Portuguese).
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