Without much effort, Flamengo's reserve team had no trouble maintaining the Rubro-Negro's unbeaten run in the Rio Cup. With goals from Ronaldo Angelim, Dênis Marques (from the penalty spot), and Wallace (own goal), coach Andrade's team defeated Friburguense 3-0 in Moça Bonita. The result ensures the team from Gávea advances to the semifinals in first place in Group A of the competition.

The next stage takes place this weekend, and Flamengo's opponent is Vasco, who secured a dramatic qualification by beating Duque de Caxias 4-3 away from home. The duel takes place on Sunday at 16 pm at Maracanã. The other semifinal will be between Fluminense and Botafogo on Saturday. Resende, Caxias, and Friburguense themselves will face off in a triangular battle to avoid relegation to the state's Série B. Tigres has already been relegated, and América has secured a spot in the Brazilian Série D.

Michael commands victory
Coach Andrade's selection process for players who haven't been getting many opportunities yielded one who passed with flying colors: left-winger Michael. The number 80 was the best way forward from midfield to attack, and it was his free kick that led to Flamengo's first goal. In the 18th minute, he placed the ball in the box, Dênis Marques shot, the defense cleared it, and it fell to Angelim, who fired a powerful shot: 1-0.

While Marcelo Lomba provided the team with solid defensive work, making solid saves in the 13th and 25th minutes, up front, Michael continued to create the best opportunities. Like in the 33rd minute, when he burst into the box from the left, dribbled past a defender, and was brought down: a penalty that Dênis Marques, who had already missed good opportunities, converted with a stoppage to extend the red-and-black lead.

Fatal blow
In the second half, Flamengo continued to play better, and Andrade took the opportunity to test more players. Midfielder Rômulo replaced Ramón, while Guilherme Camacho came on for Maldonado. And it was precisely from the feet of the number 34 that the team from Gávea scored their third goal. Camacho crossed from the right, and defender Wallace, who had already attempted an own goal in the ninth minute, made no mistake this time: 3-0 in the 33rd minute.

The Gávea team still had a few other chances to score, but the score was already good enough, qualification and first place were already secured, and the red-and-blacks just waited for the final whistle, which came earlier than expected. Due to the power outage in Moça Bonita, the game was called off at 43:40 of the second half.

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FRIBURGUENSE 0 X 3 FLAMENGO

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Order date: 04/04/2010
Location: Moça Bonita Stadium, in Rio de Janeiro
Referee: Agnaldo Xavier Farias (RJ)
Auxiliaries: Vinicius da Vitória Nascimento and Wendel de Paiva Gouvêa (RJ)

Yellow cards: Flavio Santos, Wallace, Lucas (FRI); Fierro, Camacho (FLA)
Goals: Ronaldo Angelim, at 18 minutes, Dênis Marques, at 33 minutes of the first half; Wallace (own goal), at 32 minutes of the second half

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Friburguense: Marcos, Flavio Santos (Leo Andrade), Roberto Junior, Wallace and Flavinho; Bidu, Cassiano (Marcelo), Lucas and Gleisson (Gilson); Hercules and Cassio. Technical: Cleimar Rocha

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Flamengo: Marcelo Lomba; Fierro, Wellinton, Ronaldo Angelim and Everton Silva; Maldonado (Camacho), Lenon, Michael and Ramon (Romulo); Dênis Marques and Gil (Galhardo). Technical: Andrade