Flamengo got off to a flying start in the Taça Rio, the second round of the Campeonato Carioca. Playing at the Maracanã stadium, the team from Gávea dominated the field and defeated Cabofriense 3-1. Douglas, Ibson, and Everton scored the goals in the red-and-black victory. In the next round, on Wednesday, Flamengo plays Duque de Caxias in Volta Redonda.

Flamengo started the match with Toró and Douglas in the starting lineup. With good ball control and movement, the red-and-blacks dominated the match, and the first goal didn't take long to arrive. In the 15th minute, Zé Roberto was fouled near the penalty area. Léo Moura took a good shot, and Douglas rose to score with a header: 1-0 Flamengo. It was the defender's first goal for the red-and-blacks.

Even with the goal, Flamengo maintained its strong momentum and continued to dictate the pace of the match. The flanks, with Léo Moura, Everton Silva, and Juan, were always the best attacking options for Cuca's team. In the 33rd minute, Juan crossed from the left, and Léo Moura missed a great chance in front of Flávio.

Flamengo came out pressing in the second half. In the fourth minute, Juan took a free kick, and Flávio saved it. In the eighth minute, Cabofriense equalized. Valdir crossed from the right, and Anselmo finished: 1-1 at Maracanã. Immediately after the goal, Cuca made changes to the team, bringing on Kleberson in Juan's place.

In the 15th minute, Léo Moura crossed from the right, Ibson controlled the ball, turned around his marker, and shot to break the tie: 2-1 Flamengo. The game remained open, with both teams having good scoring chances. In the 19th minute, Guido took a powerful free kick, and Bruno made a good save.

Cuca made two more changes for Flamengo, bringing on Obina and Everton in place of Josiel and Ibson. In the 41st minute, Bruno made a great save from Roberto's shot. Three minutes later, Flamengo secured their first points in the Rio Cup. Léo Moura crossed from the right and Everton headed home: 3-1 Flamengo.

TECHNICAL SHEET

FLAMENGO 3 X 1 CABOFRIENSE

Location: Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro (RJ)\ Date/Time: 7/3/2009 - 18:15 p.m. (Brasília time)\ Referee: Marcelo de Lima Henrique (RJ)\ Assistants: Hilton Moutinho Rodrigues (RJ) and Marcelo Correa de Lima (RJ)\

Income/attendance: R$ 133.895,00/ 11.476 (12.866)\ Yellow cards: Juan, Ibson, Everton, Willians (FLA); Gerson, Flávio, Fabinho, Felipe Dias (CAB)\ Red cards:\ Goals: Douglas, 15'/1H (1-0); Anselmo Ramon, 7'/2H (1-1); Ibson, 14'/2H (2-1); Everton, 43'/2H (3-1)\

FLAMENGO: Bruno, Everton Silva, Welinton, Douglas and Juan (kleberson, 12'/2H); Willians, Toró, Ibson (Everton, 27'/2H) and Léo Moura; Zé Roberto and Joiel (Obina, 27'/2H). Coach: Cuca.

CABOFRIENSE: Flávio, Nata, Demerson, João Paulo and Gerson (Guido, 9'/2H); Douglas Assis (Valdir, 22'/1H), Da Silva and Felipe Dias; Fabinho, Anselmo Ramon (Roberto, 27'/2H) and Maciel. Coach: Ademir Fonseca.