Adriano scored a hat trick to lead Flamengo over rival Fluminense
in a wild 5-3 win Sunday in the Rio de Janeiro state championship
tournament match.
Fluminense dominated the defending Brazilian national
champions in the first half, weaving between defenders and creating
scoring opportunities at will.
In the 13th minute, defensive midfielder Diguinho made a
will-timed pass to striker Alan, who found himself alone right in
front of goal and easily knocked in the first goal.
Alan was fouled hard in the area in the 39th minute and Dario
Conca converted the penalty to make it 2-0.
But Adriano converted a penalty three minutes later to bring
Flamengo within striking distance at 2-1.
Fluminense defender Cassio scored in the 45th from a corner
before Flamengo came out hard in the second half.
Former CSKA Moscow striker Vagner Love ignited the crowd in
Maracana stadium in the 52nd minute, putting in a lightning-quick
right footer from 10 meters (yards) after it bounced off a
defender.
Brazil World Cup veteran Kleberson found the equalizer a
minute later when he knocked in a left foot shot after gathering a
cross from Vinicius Pacheco.
In the 81st, Love dribbled the ball quickly up the right side
and passed it to Pacheco, who tipped it over to an unmarked
Adriano, who easily tapped in the shot to give Flamengo the lead.
Adriano scored again in the 89th to seal the victory,
commanding a quick attack and drawing Fluminense's goalkeeper out
before putting the ball past him.
In other Rio state championship matches, Bangu beat Duque de
Caxias 3-0; Boavista downed Olario 3-0; Madureira beat Macae 2-1;
and Vasco easily beat Friburguense 3-0.
On Saturday, Volta Redonda beat Americano 3-1; Resende
toppled the Tigres 4-2; and Botafogo won 2-1 over America.
In the Sao Paulo state championship, Corinthians put
themselves atop the standings with a 1-0 win over Palmeiras - it's
first victory over its local rival in three years.
Corinthians was a man down for most of the match - World Cup
veteran defender Roberto Carlos was sent off in the 8th for a hard,
sliding tackle. The 36-year-old left Fenerbahce just weeks ago to
sign a two-year deal with Corinthians.
Corinthians scored in the 6th minute from a header by Jorge
Henrique, who knocked in a free kick from Tcheco.
"We lost a player very early. Therefore, it was very
important that everybody fought," Corinthians midfielder Danilo
said. "We battled to the end and got the result. Now we can
celebrate."
With the win, Corinthians has 11 points to lead the
tournament. The defeat was the first for Palmeiras in the
competition.
On Saturday, Santos cruised by Oeste 2-0. The team sits in
the No. 2 spot in tournament standings, and fans are expecting much
more as Robinho, on a six-month loan from Manchester City, prepares
to take the pitch for the side.
Against Oeste, 17-year-old striker Neymar helped set up the
team's first goal in the 51st, as he made a clever pass through to
defenders to Marquinhos, who then sent the ball in front of goal to
Andre, who tapped it in.
Neymar scored in injury time to seal the win when he took a
deft pass from Madson just as he entered the area and put in a
booming right-footed strike.
In other Sao Paulo state matches Sunday, Mogi Mirim drew with
Bragantino 1-1; Botafogo-SP beat Portuguesa 2-1; Ponte Preta got by
Rio Branco 2-1; Sao Paulo drew with Sertaozinho 2-2; Santo Andre
beat Ituano 2-1; and Mirassol defeated Paulista 2-0.
On Saturday, Barueri beat Rio Claro 3-2 and Monte Azul drew
Sao Caetano, 2-2.
