By Robbie Blakeley, Senior Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Fluminense comfortably beat Goiás 2-0 last night in the 32nd round of the 2014 Campeonato Brasileiro to keep their G-4 dream alive. Goals from Fred and Conca secured the points for the Tricolor, who have now won four successive games to dispel the pressure hanging over coach Cristóvão Borges’ head.
Fluminense currently sit third in the table, with 54 points. However, they must hope Internacional and Atlético-MG drop points this afternoon if they are to remain in the top four and a qualifying spot for next season’s Copa Libertadores, Atlético tavel to face Atlético-PR, whilst Inter face a difficult test at Santos.
And there was further good news for Flu no. 9 Fred yesterday. His goal that gave Flu a first half lead was his 100th for in Brasileirão campaigns; he has been with the Rio club in March 2009.
Nense started the game on the front foot and tried to attack their hosts from the outset. Chiquinho and Conca looked particularly threatening down the left flank, working well in tandem to provide for Fred and Walter in attack.
But Goiás missed an excellent chance to go ahead when Bruno Mineiro found himself one-on-one with Flu stopper Diego Cavalieri. The keeper came out on top, making a fingertip save to keep the score goalless.
Goiás were punished on 26 minutes when Flu took the lead. Conca’s pinpoint pass found Jean whose cross was converted by Fred for his fourteenth goal of the national season.
The hosts fought back, Erik stopped twice by Cavalieri before Guilherme Mattis cleared David’s effort off the line. Flu went in at the break a goal to the good, but by the end were hanging on.
In the second half Goiás started at a quicker tempo, picking off where they left off in the final stages of the first. Borges withdrew Walter and Jean for Rafael Sóbis and Diguinho as Flu looked to sit back and hit on the counter.
The Cariocas looked well organized in defense and gave their opponents little space in which to work in midfield. As the game entered the final twenty minutes Flu began to apply more pressure as the fight went out of Goiás.
At the death they made sure of the points. Wágner supplied Chiquinho who crossed for Conca to sweep home the second of the night.