By Robbie Blakeley, Senior Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Botafogo thrashed bottom side Atlético-GO 4-0 at the Engenhão Stadium to keep their slim hopes of qualifying for next year’s Copa Libertadores alive. In the 33rd round of the 2012 Brasileirão, goals from Clarence Seedorf, Dória, Gabriel and a fifth in four games from youngster Bruno Mendes lifted the Alvinegro into seventh place.
With five rounds remaining in the competition the club are eight points behind fourth-placed São Paulo. Qualification looks unlikely but fans remain optimistic after a dominant showing paired with a comparatively easy run-in.
Meanwhile, things continue to go from bad to worse for Vasco da Gama. Formerly one of the favorites for the Brasileirão title, a 1-0 loss to Paulista outfit Corinthians left them in eighth position.
Despite dominating the first half, Vasco’s old problem – a lack of a threatening and clinical center-forward – came back to haunt them when Paulo Gurrero scored the game’s only just before the hour mark. For Vasco, it was a fifth successive defeat but victory could be just around the corner.
Next Sunday, November 4th, the Cruz-Maltino welcome lowly Sport Recife to São Januário in the competition’s 34th round. Botafogo travel to São Paulo to face Palmeiras, who, along with Sport, currently lie in the relegation zone.
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