By Robbie Blakeley, Senior Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Fluminense and Vasco drew 1-1 yesterday evening at the Maracanã Stadium in the penultimate round of the Campeonato Carioca. Edmilson gave Vasco a first half lead before Fred leveled after the interval to keep Flu in second place in the table.
The game started slowly as both sides played cautiously in the opening exchanges. Vasco goalkeeper Martin Silva, who put in a man-of-the-match performance, made his first smart save on nine minutes from Chiquinho’s long-range drive.
Rafael Sóbis then forced Silva into another stop from a free-kick. Meanwhile, Flu playmaker Conca was shadowed closely by Argentine compatriot Guiñazu and failed to make a telling mark on the game.
Vasco came into the battle gradually. Just after the half-hour Edmilson sent a header against the crossbar to give Flu their first real scare. Ten minutes later he put the Cruz-Maltino in front. Pedro Ken’s shot from distance took a deflection, falling at the feet of Edmilson, who drove the ball beyond Diego Cavalieri.
At the end of the first half Martin Silva made a third excellent save from Fred’s close-range header and Fluminense went in a goal down at half-time. Coach Renato Gaúcho sent on Walter for Rafael Sóbis for the second half, but seemingly no one could find a way past Silva in the Vasco goal as he denied Leandro Euzébio.
Finally, on 66 minutes, Fred beat the Uruguayan stopper. The number nine met Bruno’s right-wing cross and directed a shot beyond Silva. Walter almost won the game for Flu in the dying moments but couldn’t find the back of the net. The two teams were forced to settle for a point and are likely to meet in the semi-finals.
Earlier in the day, Flamengo drew 2-2 with Bangu. Bangu opened a two goal lead but a brace from Nixon earned a point for the Rubro-Negro. On Saturday Botafogo slid down the table with another disappointing loss.
Campeonato Carioca Round Fourteen Results in Full:
Boavista 2-1 Botafogo
Friburguense 1-0 Resende
Madureira 1-2 Bonsucesso
Volta Redonda 3-1 Nova Iguaçu
Audax 2-0 Cabofriense
Macaé 4-1 Duque de Caxias
Flamengo 2-2 Bangu
Fluminense 1-1 Vasco
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