By Robbie Blakeley, Senior Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Rio’s ‘big four’ – Vasco, Fluminense, Flamengo and Botafogo – all recorded comfortable wins this past weekend as the 2012 Campeonato Carioca began, the state championship tournament. On Saturday, Fluminense took it to Friburguense 3-0 with goals from Araujo, Rafael Moura and new signing Carleto.
Later the same day at the Engenhão, Flamengo’s reserve side thrashed Bonsucesso 4-0, with striker Jael bagging a brace. The Rubro-Negro’s first XI are currently in Bolivia preparing for Wednesday night’s preliminary round Libertadores match against Real Potosí.
Vasco picked up where they left off at the back end of 2011 as they eased past Americano 2-0. Full-back Fagner put in a man-of-the-match performance, crossing for Alecsandro to score the first before scoring the second after linking up with Dedé.
And in Oswaldo de Oliveira’s first match in charge, Botafogo saw off Resende 3-1. Loco Abreu opened the scoring for the Alvinegro before Emerson equalized for the underdogs just before half-time.
But all resistance was killed off in the second half as Maicosuel and Abreu again scored two in two minutes to give de Oliveira the perfect start.
Next week, Flamengo play Macaé whilst Fluminense take on Volta Redonda on Saturday. The following day, Botafogo play Nova Iguaçu and Vasco face Duque de Caxias.
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