FLUMINENSE IS KNOCKED OUT OF LIBERTADORES

It was a tragic Wednesday night for one of RJ's most popular clubs . Fluminense had won the first match against Libertad in Rio by 3-1, and only needed a draw to advance in the Libertadores Cup. The match was played last night at the Defensores del Chaco Stadium in Asuncion , capital of Paraguay. The local team played with violence and there were many aggressive fouls on the Fluminense players. Fred was hit by an elbow in the head and had to be bandaged since he was bleeding very much. The Brazilian team ended the first half at 0-0 and it seemed it could get the result it needed. However, in the second half , after only ten minutes, goalkeeper Berna fumbled the ball and let in a long range shot. Libertad continued putting on the pressure and in the last 15 minutes managed to score twice and qualify for the quarterfinals.
In general it was a very bad night for Brazilian clubs : Gremio lost 1-0 against Chilean club Universidad Católica, Internacional was defeated 2-1 at its home ground in Porto Alegre by Penarol of Uruguay, and Cruzeiro lost in Colombia against Once Caldas (2-0). The only Brazilian team that continues in the competition is Santos, where Neymar and Paulo Ganso play.

RONALDINHO SCORES AGAIN FOR FLAMENGO !

Ronaldinho Gaucho scored his second goal since joining Flamengo a month ago. This goal helped Flamengo advance to the second round of the Copa do Brasil. Last night, the RJ team beat Murici F.C, of Alagoas, by 3 - 0, at the Rei Pele stadium in Maceio. Ronaldinho scored after 21 minutes of play, when he headed in the ball from close range. Renato scored Flamengo´s second goal in the 27th minute from a free kick and in the 45th minute, Negueba scored the third.
This Sunday at 4 p.m at the Engenhão Stadium in Rio , Flamengo will face Botafogo, in the semifinal of the Guanabara Cup.

RONALDINHO WILL DEBUT FOR FLAMENGO !

RONALDINHO GAUCHO, one of Brazil´s most famous footballers of all time, will make his debut on February 2. He will play his first match for his new club, Flamengo, at Rio´s Engenhao Stadium. The match will be against Nova Iguassu, as part of the fifth round of the Rio de Janeiro State Championship. Until now Flamengo is doing very well, since it has won the first 4 matches.

Meanwhile, Flamengo´s archrival, Vasco da Gama, is in a completely different situation. The team has lost all three matches, and after losing the game against Boavista by 3-1, captain Carlos Alberto nearly hit club president Roberto Dinamite when he came into the dressing room and complained to the players for their poor performance. The day after the match, Dinamite fired coach PC Gusmao, and banned Carlos Alberto from playing in the next matches. The situation became worse on Sunday, January 30, when Vasco da Gama lost to archrivals Flamengo by 2-1, in the fourth round of the Carioca (Rio State Championship).