By Robbie Blakeley, Senior Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Fluminense will meet Volta Redonda whilst Botafogo face Resende as the Taça Rio semi-finals were decided yesterday afternoon. Fluminense comfortably saw off Bangu 2-0 at São Januário, and Bruno Mendes put his goal drought behind him as Botafogo laboured to a 1-0 victory over Volta Redonda.
Goals from Rhayner and Rafael Sóbis were enough for Fluminense on a comfortable afternoon for the Tricolor outfit against Bangu. Flu opened the scoring in just the fifth minute when the young Rhayner coolly finished off a crisp passing move.
Sóbis then scored with a powerful left-footed drive as the game drew to a close to wrap up the points. With Resende losing 3-2 to Boavista Flu took first place in Group B.
They will be the favorites to progress to the final against Group A runners-up Volta Redonda. The pair clash on Saturday at the Estádio Raulino Oliveira.
A solitary strike from Bruno Mendes, with his first goal since January 30th, gave Botafogo the narrowest of wins over Volta Redonda. The result kept Botafogo’s superb Taça Rio record in tact, with seven wins from seven outings.
The Glorioso stormed to pole position in Group A and are the form team in the tournament. As the holders of the Taça Guanabara, victory in the Taça Rio would hand the club the 2013 Campeonato Carioca crown. Botafogo’s semi-final encounter takes place this Sunday. The Taça Rio final is the following week.
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