Flamengo defeated Cabofriense 2-0 without much difficulty this Saturday afternoon at Maracanã. Souza and Marcinho, both in the first half, scored the winning goals. The result left the red-and-black team provisionally leading Group A of the Rio Cup, with 12 points.

From the start, Flamengo dominated the game, with a strong sense of control in midfield. The first good chance came just three minutes in, with Cristian firing a dangerous shot from outside the box. Four minutes later, Renato Augusto delivered a beautiful pass to Juan, who burst into the box and passed it to Souza, who finished into the net: 1-0 Flamengo.

Even with the goal, the team from Gávea didn't slow down, and Juan was always a good option on the left wing. In the 21st minute, Cabofriense threatened for the first time, with Julinho firing a powerful shot from the edge of the box. Five minutes later, the visitors threatened again. Fabinho made a beautiful play, but his shot was weak, leaving Bruno unable to find the target.

In the 30th minute, Souza delivered a beautiful pass to Juan, who the full-back passed perfectly to Marcinho, who simply tapped it into the goal: 2-0 Flamengo. With the advantage on the scoreboard, Flamengo slowed down and waited for the referee's whistle.

In the second half, both teams came back slower, and the first good chance fell to Renato Augusto in the 10th minute, bursting into the box and shooting just wide of the post. In the 21st minute, Weslei scared Bruno with a dangerous header in the penalty area.

Two minutes later, Souza nearly scored another. The striker fired a shot from the edge of the box, deflecting off a defender and nearly fooling goalkeeper Flávio. Soon after, Thiago Salles threatened, heading in a cross. Coach Joel Santana decided to make changes, bringing on Maxi and Diego Tardelli in place of Souza and Renato Augusto.

In the 43rd minute, Maxi made a good play on the right and crossed for Juan to shoot, but goalkeeper Flávio saved Cabofriense. Flamengo faces Friburguense in the next round, Wednesday, 21:45 p.m., at Maracanã.

MATCH SHEET: FLAMENGO 2 X 0 CABOFRIENSE Stadium: Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro (RJ) Date/time: 22/3/2008 - 16:145.977,00 p.m. (Brasília time) Referee: Adriano Pereira Machado (RJ) Assistants: Alexandre Eller (RJ) and Carlos Eduardo Teixeira Soares de Meirelles (RJ) Revenue/attendance: R$ 12.398 / 7 paying spectators Yellow cards: Kleberson, Toró (FLA); Red cards: GOALS: Souza, 1'/30st half; Marcinho, 1'/39st half FLAMENGO: Bruno, Léo Moura, Leonardo, Thiago Sales and Juan; Cristian, Kleberson (Toró - 2'/32nd half), Ibson and Renato Augusto (Diego Tardelli - 2'/27nd half); Marcinho and Souza (Maxi - 2'/20nd half) - Coach: Joel Santana.\ CABOFRIENSE: Flávio, Ênio, Leandro Amaro and Douglas Assis (Wesley - 2'/34nd half); Julinho, Marcão, Marcos Marins, Têti (Charles - 2'/33nd half), Lucas and Vanderson (Gérson - 2'/XNUMXnd half); Fabinho - Coach: Aílton Ferraz.\

photo: lancenet.com

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