65,000 people crammed into the Maracanã on Sunday to watch the unlikely finalist Volta Redondo face 29 times winner Fluminense (Volta have never won). The match is played over two games – both in the Maracanã – with Volta Redondo going into the final with a one goal advantage (the first game finished 3-4).
The game started very fast with both sides having good chances. In the 9th minute Mário Cesar made a break down the left wing crossing to Fábio who hit a fine strike into the back of the net. Volta Redondo were now two goals ahead (on aggregate) and looking likely champions. But the goal improved Fluminense, who set siege upon the Volta goal, with strike after strike going close.
Eventually Tuta’s shot came off defender Ailson for an own goal (47th min); Fluminense were back in it. Unfortunately Tuta didn’t stay on the pitch much longer, after an incident involving the the referee’s assistant, Tuta was shown a red card. Minutes later Mário Cesar joined Tuta for an early bath after a violent exchange with a defender.
Fluminese piled on the pressure, it took 22nd minutes of the second half for Volta to crack. Juan moved down the right crossing to Marcão who had deviated from his marker to head to the side of Lugão, the ball catching the post before going in.
The scores were level and Fluminese started on the attack again. However it wasn’t until the depths of injury time that a break could be made. The ball crossed to the attacking Antonio Carlos who headed it into the goal. Fluminese were champions. The majority of the crowd went wild as they claimed their 30th Rio Championship.
FLUMINENSE
Kléber; Gabriel, Antonio Carlos, Fabiano Eller e Juan; Marcão, Arouca, Diego (Alex) e Juninho (Rodrigo Tiuí); Leandro e Tuta
Coach: Abel Braga
VOLTA REDONDA
Lugão; Schnneider, Ailson, Alemão e Maciel (Hamilton); Mário César, Jonílson, Adriano (Élson) e Gláuber; Fábio (Micão) e Túlio
Coach: Dário Lourenço
Final Score: Fluminese (3) 6 – 5 (1) Volta Redonda
Stadium: Maracanã, no Rio de Janeiro (RJ)
Attendance: 63.762 Referee: Edílson Soares da Silva
Assistants: Aristeu Leonardo Tavares & Márcio Dutra Veloso
Yellow Cards: Leandro (F), Túlio (V), Mário César (V), Diego (F), Ailson (V), Maciel (V), Alemão (V)
Red Cards: Tuta (F) e Mário César (V)
Goals: Fábio 9min, Ailson (own goal) 47min first half; Marcão 22min (second half), Antônio Carlos 47min (second half).
