By Robbie Blakeley, Senior Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Vasco will play Fluminense while Botafogo confront Flamengo as the semi-finals of the Taça Guanabara, the first half to the Campeonato Carioca, were decided yesterday afternoon.
Flamengo maintained their excellent start to 2013 with a comfortable 2-0 win over Olaria to top Group B. The Rubro-Negro remain undefeated this calendar year with seven wins from eight games. A brace from veteran Renato Abreu was enough to give them the points.
Their semi-final opponents, Botafogo, could only muster a 2-2 draw with Boavista to finish runner-up in Group A. It could have been even worse for the Glorioso, who found themselves two goals down inside the opening thirteen minutes.
Lucas and Lodeiro got the side back on level terms before the interval but Fogo failed to push on after the break and seal the win. They have a daunting semi-final ahead of them against the in-form side in the state.
Group A winners Vasco rounded off the group stage of the Taça Guanabara with a 2-1 victory against Duque de Caxias. The Cruz-Maltino also fell behind but two late goals from Bernardo, who is enjoying a new lease of life after returning to the Sao Januario outfit, turned the game around.
Vasco will take on Fluminense for a place in the final who drew 2-2 with Madureira yesterday. Another brace from youngster Samuel was not enough to take the three points as the Tricolor were twice pegged back by dogged opponents.
Vasco versus Fluminense will take place on Saturday, March 2nd, with Flamengo versus Botafogo the following day. Both games will be played at the Engenhao Stadium.
Read more (in Portuguese).
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