Juninho leads Vasco to 3-1 win over Fluminense

Rio de Janeiro, July 22 (IANS): Juninho scored one goal and set up another as Vasco da Gama defeated nine-man Fluminense 3-1 in the Campeonato Brasileiro.

Playing in his first match since rejoining the club from New York Red Bulls earlier this month, the 38-year-old opened the scoring at the Maracana stadium Sunday with a low shot after Pedro Ken’s precise pass, reports Xinhua.

Fluminense were reduced to 10 men just five minutes later when Brazil striker Fred was shown a straight red card for elbowing Jomar.

Juninho then set up Andre to make it 2-0 before Carlinhos reduced the deficit by heading in a Rafael Sobis cross.

But Fluminense’s hopes of a revival were all but dashed when Digao was dismissed for his second yellow card after a foul on Andre.

Ecuadorian striker Carlos Tenorio put the result beyond doubt seven minutes from time by nodding in Fillipe Soutto’s pass.

The result lifts Vasco to 17th in the standings while Fluminense have dropped to 10th.

In other matches Sunday, Vitoria drew 0-0 with Bahia, Internacional beat Flamengo 1-0, Atletico Paranaense drew 1-1 with Corinthians, Santos drew 2-2 with Coritiba while Goias overcame Portuguesa 2-1.