Botafogo Grab Deserved Late Equaliser
Botafogo player-manager Clarence Seedorf struck a late leveller versus arch rivals Flamengo in the two sides first round Rio State clash which gave each side a point in their first fixture of the competition.
Botafogo, last season's champions, were tipped as slight favourites going into the game but went down after Hernane stuck a fierce strike past Brazilian goalkeeper Jefferson. A crowd of over 40,000 was silenced as the Mengao players wheeled away in celebration.
Paulo Vitor was the only thing keeping Flamengo ahead, as he recorded a number of stops to keep out players such as Seedorf, Marques and Cidinho, who all had efforts turned away in the first half.
Botafogo's high tempo game was causing angst for the red side of Rio, who held on valiantly until, with Paulo Vitor stopping a point blank effort from captain Clarence Seedorf. But in all fairness to the Estrela Solitaria, they didn't give in.
Deep into the last minute of stoppage time, Uruguayan Nicolas Lodeiro found Clarence Seedorf who prodded home from just outside the six yard box. The roof was lifted off the stadium, and the noise could be heard blocks away.
Flamengo manager Dunga talked to goal.com and told the website that Botafogo were fully deserving of their equaliser. "They had the majority of chances and possession. Really, some of those chances should have gone in," the ex-international footballer said.
Dutch legend and Botafogo player manager Clarence Seedorf agreed. "We deserved much more than a draw. We weren't our best, but we played well. Flamengo are always a tough side but that is a result I will take.
"On balance, we were the better side. But that is football, sometimes the best side doesn't always come out victorious, and that is the beauty of the game."
