Americano 2-0 Resende
Fluminense 2-1 Macaé
Duque de Caxias 3-4 Vasco Da Gama
Botafogo 2-2 Bangu
Tigres do Brasil 1-3 Boavista
Friburguense 0-3 Flamengo
América 2-0 Volta Redonda
The final round of the Taça Rio saw only on thing to be decided. Who would join Botafogo in qualifying from Group B for the semi finals. It was between America who hosted Volta Redonda and Vasco who travelled to Duque de Caxias. América gave themselves a chance after a 2-0 win over Volta Redonda, they had the game wrapped up by half time after Bruno Reis opened the scoring after 27 minutes and Adriano wrapped things up 5 minutes before half time. Depite having Osmar sent off eleven minutes into the second half América hung on to put themselves in the box seat. The pressure was on Vasco, they had to win to get into the finals but they fell behind when Maurinho put Duque de Caxias ahead after 16 minutes. The lead only lasted a minute before Fagner levelled and Elton edged Vasco ahead 6 minutes later. The then game was reduced to 10 aside after Tinoco and Nilton were dismissed 10 minutes from half time after clashing. When Dodô made it 3-1 to Vasco five minutes after the break you'd have thought the game was dead and buried. No one told Duque de Caxias this though, Junior Carioca pulled a goal back three minutes later and Vasco were left stunned 10 minutes later when Marcelo Macedo levelled. Stunned, it left Vasco out of the finals and they needed to find a winner, fortunately they did eight minutes from time when a second from Dodô gave them victory and a semi final against Flamengo.
Despite fielding a weakened side ahead of midweek Libertadores committments Flamengo had too much in the locker for Friburguense. Ronaldo Angelim put Flamengo ahead after 18 minutes and Denis Marques doubled the lead fifteen minutes later. Camacho finished things for Flamengo with a third with a quarter of an hour to go. Botafogo were ensured of top spot in Group B and another weakened side were held to a 2-2 draw by Bangu. Diguinho put Botafogo ahead with only two minutes on the clock but Somalia levelled on the half hour. Alessandro edged Botafogo ahead seven minutes before half time. But Bangu fought hard and were good value for their equaliser which arrived eight minutes from time from Gustavo Correia. Botafogo finished the game with 10 men, Renato Cajá sent off a minute from time.
Madureira gained their second win of the competition after a 2-1 victory at 8 man Olaria. Jonathan Fumaca put Olaria ahead after 33 minutes before Bruno doubled the lead just on the hour. Assumpcao pulled a goal back for Olaria before the red cards started, Caca was the first to go and he was followed by Vinicius and Amarildo. Another game with three red cards saw Americano overcome Resende. Both goals came in the first half, Evandro put Americano ahead after 6 minutes and Renato Xavier doubled the lead twelve minute later. The red cards came as the game went into second half injury time, a scuffle saw Paulo Henrique sent off for Americano and Olaria's Cleber and Tuta also went.
Boavista snapped a three game losing streak to finish the campaign with a victory over Tigres do Brasil. Julio Cesar opened the scoring for Boavista half way through the first half and Tony doubled the lead two minutes before the break. A third from Leo Guerreiro just after half time made the game safe for Boavista before Daniel got a consolation for Tigres half way through the second half. To compound things for Tigres, Cleytinho was sent off ten minutes from time. Fluminense warmed up for the semi finals with a 3-1 win over Macaé. Fist half goals from Alan and Everton put Fluminense two up at the break. A second from Alan with fifteen minutes left sealed the points for Fluminense but Andres Gomes got a consolation for Macaé four minutes from time.
That wraps up the regular season and again it's the Big Four who have qualified for the play offs. The single game semi finals and final both take place at the Maracanã. Dates have yet to be confirmed but keep an eye on our twitter feed for information.
The line up is
Flamengo v Vasco da Gama
Botafogo v Fluminense
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