By Robbie Blakeley, Senior Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Fluminense and Vasco da Gama picked up victories yesterday afternoon in the third round of the Campeonato Carioca. Flu comfortably overcame Nova Iguaçu 3-1, whilst Vasco thrashed Friburguense 6-0 at São Januário Stadium.
Darío Conca put in an excellent show as Fluminense recorded their first win of 2014. The Argentine playmaker scored one and made an assist in a positive display for the Tricolor.
Jean’s long-range effort on ten minutes gave Flu the lead, and Seleção striker Fred was guilty of wasting chances to extend their lead. Just after the hour mark Flu were pegged back, Zambi netting Nova Iguaçu’s equalizer.
The goal raised the tension as it looked Fluminense’s slow start to the season may continue. Yet any such concerns were dashed with an inspired performance from Conca.
He rifled a left-footed shot past goalkeeper Jefferson to put Flu back in front before teeing up Wágner to add a third, curling a beautiful effort into the top corner with his first touch after coming on as a substitute.
Colombian midfielder Montoya put in a man-of-the-match performance as Vasco hit Friburguense for six. It was the Cruz-Maltino’s first victory in the competition, helping them jump into third place. Montoya got the ball rolling on 24 minutes before Edmílson added a second just before half-time.
The striker scored Vasco’s third almost immediately after the restart. William Barbio, Marlon and Rafael Vaz all added goals to finally give Vasco fans something to smile about. The side will take confidence from such a dominant display into their next encounter with Audax.
Finally, a substandard Botafogo went down 2-1 to Cabofriense. The Glorioso fielded a reserve side with one eye on Wednesday’s crunch Libertadores tie with Deportivo Quito in Ecuador. Keninha put Cabofriense ahead before André Bahia levelled. But less than two minutes later Fabríco Carvalho won the game for the home side, who lead the Carioca tournament after three rounds.
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