The rival in the fight for the fourth
Botafogo defeats Vasco and will be the opponent in the State final if Flamengo wins the Rio Cup
By From the team at Flamengo's official website - in
Guanabara Cup champion Botafogo is the rival to beat in Flamengo's fight for its fourth state championship. The black and whites won the first round on Sunday night at Maracanã Stadium, with a 2-0 victory over Vasco. Fabio Ferreira and Sebastian "El Loco" Abreu scored the goals.
To reach the final, Flamengo must win the Rio Cup. Flamengo's debut in the competition will be on Saturday against Macaé. In the qualifying round, Flamengo will also face the following clubs: Madureira, Resende, Vasco, Botafogo, Tigres, América, and Friburguense.
If they are one of the top two teams in the qualifying round, in a group that includes Fluminense and clubs Flamengo faced in the first round, such as Olaria and Boavista, among others, Flamengo will still have to overcome two more stages: the semifinal and final of the Taça Rio, both in single matches. If they win the Taça Rio, they will face Botafogo in the 2010 State Championship.
Flamengo and Botafogo have played in the three previous State Championship finals, all of which were won by the Red-Blacks. These titles were worth the team's fifth three-peat.
To reach the final, Flamengo must win the Rio Cup. Flamengo's debut in the competition will be on Saturday against Macaé. In the qualifying round, Flamengo will also face the following clubs: Madureira, Resende, Vasco, Botafogo, Tigres, América, and Friburguense.
If they are one of the top two teams in the qualifying round, in a group that includes Fluminense and clubs Flamengo faced in the first round, such as Olaria and Boavista, among others, Flamengo will still have to overcome two more stages: the semifinal and final of the Taça Rio, both in single matches. If they win the Taça Rio, they will face Botafogo in the 2010 State Championship.
Flamengo and Botafogo have played in the three previous State Championship finals, all of which were won by the Red-Blacks. These titles were worth the team's fifth three-peat.