Cabofriense 1-2 Volta Redonda
Bangu 1-2 Americano
Flamengo 1-1 Macaé
América 1-3 Botafogo
Boavista 3-0 Duque de Caxias
Fluminense 1-0 Nova Iguaçu
Olaria 2-2 Vasco da Gama
The final week of the regular season in the Taça Rio saw the final two semi-final spots decided and there will be a new name on the trophy this year after Olaria pipped holders Botafogo to second place in Group B. Needing only a draw against already qualified Vasco da Gama in their final game they made the perfect start when Waldir put them ahead with seventeen minutes gone. Four minutes into the second half Felipe doubled the Olaria lead and they then had to withstand a fight back from Vasco. Bernardo pulled a goal back from the penalty spot in the 64th minutes and they had to endure a tense final couple of moments when Romulo levelled in the final minute. The teams will meet again next Saturday in the semi final. That meant the Botafogo's 3-1 win a América was pretty meaningless in the long run. Lucas put Botafogo ahead with eleven minutes on the clock and Alessandro doubled the lead eight minutes after the break. A second from Lucas nine minutes from time wrapped things up before Bruno Reis got the América consolation in injury time.
After the draw of Olaria, Fluminense ended up in top spot in Group B after their 1-0 victory over Nova Iguaçu. A penalty from Fred with 27 minutes gone the difference for an under par Fluminense side who have bigger fish to fry in Buenos Aires on Thursday night as they attempt to rescue their Libertadores campaign. Flu will meet eternal rivals Flamengo in the Sunday semi-final after the Rubro-Negro limped into the playoffs with a 1-1 draw at "home" to Macaé in Volta Redonda. Jean put Flamengo ahead eleven minutes after the break but Macaé levelled twelve minutes from time when Hyantony levelled for Macaé. Flamengo had a chance to win the game in injury time but Ronaldinho Gáucho put his penalty into row Z.
Elsewhere it finished all square between Resende and Madureira to leave the visitors unbeaten in four at the end of the regular season and in good form for the Troféu Carlos Alberto Torres. Baiano put Madureira ahead a minute into the second half but they were pegged back when Tuta levelled for Resende five minutes from time. Americano finished third in Group A after a come from behind vicoty at Bangu. Gedeilson put Bangu ahead with thirteen minutes on the clock but Elson levelled twelve mintues later. The winner came in injury time at the end of the game when Diego got the goal to give Americano all three points. Cabofriense finished the season with four straight defeats after they went down at home to Volta Redonda. Bruno Barra put Volta Redonda ahead with just five minutes gone and it took Cabofriense until ten minutes from time before Everton Santos levelled. That lead lasted only three minutes before Jhonnattann got the winner for Volta Redonda to give them 5th in Group A. Boavista finished Group A in fourth after finishing with victory over Duque de Caxias. Leandro Chaves put Boavista ahead a minuts after the break and Tony doubled the lead two minutes later. Frontini wrapped things up for Boavista with the third and his 7th of the year six minutes from time.
Next weekend sees the start of the play-offs with single game semi-final at the Engenhão. Games go straight to penalties if level at 90 minutes.
Taça Rio Semi Finals
Vasco da Gama x Olaria (Saturday 2230 BST, Engenhão)
Fluminense x Flamengo (Sunday 2000 BST, Engenhão)
Troféu Carlos Alberto Torres
Americano x Madureira (Saturday 1930 BST, Estádio da Rua Bariri)
Botafogo x Boavista (Saturday 2000 BST, São Januário)
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