RIO DE JANEIRO: Fluminense were 2-1 down and had Deco limping off after half an hour before romping to a 6-2 rout of modest Olaria in the Carioca (Rio de Janeiro) state championship on Sunday.
The Brazilian champions were glad of the boost at Rio’s Olympic Stadium having struggled to beat modest Bangu 1-0 in their opening match of the season on Thursday.
Captain Fred, who like Deco spent the better part of last year nursing injuries, had an encouraging performance scoring two goals and laying on another.
Midfielder Marquinhos scored twice standing in for Argentine Dario Conca, Brazil’s 2010 Player of the Year who had knee surgery last month, and substitute Rodriguinho also hit two.
But former Porto, Barcelona, Chelsea and Portugal midfielder Deco, yet to justify being the team’s highest paid player, did not appear to have overcome his woes as he came off with a left thigh injury.
There was scarce interest from fans in Flu’s match, as is generally the case when the big clubs face small teams in the state championships that open the Brazilian season in mid-summer.
No doubt, there will be a big crowd when Fluminense clash with Flamengo with the added spice of their rivals having just signed Ronaldinho, who is expected to be fit enough for his debut next month.
> SAO PAULO: Former Brazil World Cup-winning striker Rivaldo will join Sao Paulo on loan for the Brazilian championship which starts in May, the club said.
The 38-year-old, who returned home to Brazil last year, is expected to continue as captain of modest Mogi Mirim in the Paulista (Sao Paulo state) championship until the move. He is Mogi Mirim president.
“The negotiation also includes a series of joint marketing ventures between Sao Paulo and Rivaldo,” Sao Paulo said in a statement on their website (
www.saopaulofc.net).
www.saopaulofc.net).
The move, which has yet to be registered with the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), has been agreed until the end of 2011 with an option to extend it for another year.
No comments:
Post a Comment