Botafogo miss chance to go top

The game got off to a lively start with Botafogo striker Alex testing Marcelo Lomba’s reflexes from an overhead kick. The Flamengo owned goalkeeper was up to the task, but Botafogo were well on top in these early stages. But, inevitably they were caught by a suckerpunch when defensive disorganisation left Souza unmarked at the […]
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sambafoot_admin
2011-10-09 02:57:00

The game got off to a lively start with Botafogo striker Alex testing Marcelo Lomba’s reflexes from an overhead kick. The Flamengo owned goalkeeper was up to the task, but Botafogo were well on top in these early stages.

But, inevitably they were caught by a suckerpunch when defensive disorganisation left Souza unmarked at the back-post from a free-kick, with the forward finishing well to punish the heckling Bota fans.

Caio almost responded immediately, beating four players on a mazy run before the closing Marcelo Lomba denied him a goal at the last, but Bahia were about to find their luck running out.

Hélder caught a Botafogo player late one time too many and a second yellow followed, with Bahia reduced to 10-men before the half hour. Botafogo went in at the break to ringing boos, but better was to come from the Carioca side.

Just minutes into the second period, Botafogo were level after some tricky work from substitute William in the area, who then squared to find Alex for an easy finish.

Moments later and it was 2-1. Elkeson, who had been at the centre of all things Botafogo had done well early on, came in from the left and struck the upright with his powerful effort. The rebound however fell to Caio, who powered the ball in at the near-post despite the tight angle.

It was surely enough for a Botafogo victory, but it was not to be. Marcelo Mattos made a clumsy attempt at a tackle in the box, giving away a penalty to Bahia. Souza stepped up and once more found the back of the net, cooly stroking the ball down the centre.

It was 2-2 and for all Botafogo’s efforts they could not find a winner. Their frustration was showing and when Renato struck a post in the sixth minute of added time, the draw felt like a loss for the home side.

A chance to move within touching distance of the top was lost and next for the Rio side is the tough challenge of Corinthians at the Pacaembu.

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