By Robbie Blakeley, Senior Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – A dominant display from Fluminense couldn’t stop them losing 2-1 to Vitória at the Maracanã Stadium last night in the third round of the 2014 Campeonato Brasileiro. The defeat cost new coach Cristovão Borges his hundred percent record at the club, but he will be left scratching his head at how his side managed to walk away from the game with nothing.
Vitória were lethal on the counter-attack and snatched victory from the most unlikely of situations. A second half brace from Marquinhos did the damage in the second half to stun Fluminense into silence.
Flu’s attacking trio of Conca, Wágner and Sóbis threatened throughout the first half, working tirelessly to provide for target man Fred. After the interval, as their efforts continued to go unrewarded, they grew weary and the visitors struck mercilessly.
Vitória coach Ney Franco changed formations at the break and it paid off handsomely. Eight minutes after the restart the visitors were in front.
Marquinhos unleashed a long-range drive that took a deflection off Fred’s head. The change in angle stumped Diego Cavalieri in goal and he was left powerless to stop the ball entering the net.
The setback spurred Fluminense forward but they still couldn’t find a way through a well drilled defensive unit. Cristovão sent on Walter for Sóbis but the next goal also fell to the away side to end the match as a contest.
Marquinhos did the damage again, combining with Juan to double Vitória’s lead and put Flu out of business for the night. Wágner pulled one back for the Rio side three minutes from time, but the wind had gone out of their sails.
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