RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL (BDCi) — Botafogo was crowned 2013 Campeonato Carioco Champions on Sunday after winning the Taca Rio.
A 1-0 win over Fluminense gave them the trophy and with the Taca Guanabara success in March, was sufficient to give them the state crown, the 20th in their history.
Sunday’s final , played at the Estadio Raulino Oliveira in Volta Redonda, was a fiesty affair from the start. Tackles flew in from the opening whistle and four players were booked in the opening exchanges; Thiago Neves and Wellington Nem for Fluminense, Marcelo Mattos and Gabriel for Botafogo.
The game’s only goal came right before halftime. Lucas’ long range shot fell nicely for Rafael Marques, who found the bottom right-hand corner. Marques had a previous opportunity for a goal disallowed due to offsides.
The second half was quieter than the first but Botafogo had another opportunity as Diora was rewarded a penalty by the referee.
As time began to run out, Fluminense became more desperate and Diago pulled Bolivar to the ground inside the area and the referee pointed to the spot. Seedorf sent the spot-kick against the cross-bar.
Yet in the end, it mattered little as Flumiense has little cohesion to mount a comeback.
The result meant Botafogo finished the Taca Rio undefeated with nine wins from nine games. Their excellent form puts the club in good stead to challenge for this year’s Copa do Brasil and Campeonato Brasileirao titles.
Source: riotimesonline.com