By Robbie Blakeley, Senior Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Fluminense took another step towards the 2012 Brasileirão title yesterday after a 1-1 draw against São Paulo at the Morumbí. Second placed Atlético-MG lost 1-0 to Coritiba, meaning Flu now have a nine point lead with just four rounds remaining.
Luís Fabiano gave the home side the lead after a defensive error by Gum, but Fred’s seventeenth league goal of the season rescued a point for the Cariocas. The Laranjeiras club now have one hand firmly on the title.
Two other Carioca clubs were also in action yesterday afternoon. Botafogo twice let the lead slip against Palmeiras to draw 2-2, failing to capitalize on fourth-placed São Paulo’s draw and make a push for a place in next year’s Libertadores.
Lodeiro and Elkeson both put the Alvinegro in front but were pegged back by two goals from Barcos, the second a stunning turn and half-volley in injury time. Botafogo remain eight points behind São Paulo with four games left, their dreams of qualifying for the Libertadores apparently over for another year at least.
Things continue to go downhill for Vasco who lost their sixth consecutive match yesterday, 3-0 at home to Sport. The club is in turmoil, having failed to pay players for five months and new coach Marcelo Oliveira reportedly ready to jump ship to Minas side Cruzeiro.
Read more (in Portuguese).
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