By Robbie Blakeley, Senior Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Vasco coach Gaúcho was relieved of his duties last night following the side’s 2-0 defeat to Nova Iguaçu in the Taça Rio. It was the São Januário outfit’s third successive reverse as their year goes from bad to worse.
The loss of key players has badly affected the starting line-up but it is the coach who has suffered the brunt of the fans’ anguish as results have begun to suffer. Last night was no different.
Nova Iguaçu striker Léo Salino was his team’s match-winner. The attacker bagged a brace to wrap up the points with two absolutely stunning strikes.
The first came three minutes before half-time as he swiveled inside the penalty area to fire a shot past the helpless Alessandro. Vasco tried to step up a gear in the second half but a lack of cohesion in attack foiled them at every turn.
Salino made sure of victory with a goal even more stunning than his opener. Looking up from the edge of the box he curled a delicious effort around the outstretched arms of Alessandro, putting Nova Iguaçu out of sight.
While Vasco made it to the Taça Guanabara finals, the loss to Botafogo, plus the poor start in the second leg of the Campeonato Carioca, has been enough to send Coach Gaúcho home.
Read more (in Portuguese).
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