Romario breaks goal-drought
in Fluminense win
Brian Homewood
Veteran striker Romario ended his goal drought by scoring twice to help struggling Fluminense beat Parana 3-2 on Tuesday.
The 36-year-old, who had not scored in his five previous games, broke his duck with a typically classy goal in the ninth minute of the Brazilian championship match.
Romario controlled a cross on his chest and left Parana goalkeeper Marcos on the ground with a clever dummy before rolling the ball into the corner of the net.
The former Brazil international was on target again 12 minutes later when he won the ball from Juliano and broke clear to score, taking his tally to seven in the competition.
Fluminense appeared to be cruising but they almost threw victory away as Parana hit back to equalise with goals by Marcio and Maurilio either side of half-time.
It needed an 81st minute breakaway goal by striker Magno Alves to give them the points, one minute after Fluminense goalkeeper Kleber had made an outstanding save to keep the ball out at the other end.
KAKA INJURED
Fluminense, who climbed to 16th with 20 points from 15 games, are still in the race for a quarter-final place. But they are also concerned about keeping out of the bottom four relegation places.
Parana, in 24th position in the 26-team league, are firmly rooted in the relegation zone with 14 points.
Sao Paulo striker Reinaldo scored twice for the second game running as his team beat Coritiba 3-1, making light of the absence of injured midfielder Kaka.
Jorginho Paulista completed the scoring for Sao Paulo, who are third but have played more games than most of their rivals. Coritiba are fifth.
Coritiba striker Lucio Flavio went close to a freak goal for the visitors when he tried to chip goalkeeper Rogerio Ceni from the halfway line and the ball flew agonisingly wide.
Sergio Alves scored twice, taking his tally to eight in the championship, as Guarani beat Gama 2-1 to climb up to seventh place. Gama striker Dimba equalised in between with his 12th goal of the competition.
