Vasco overcomes Fluminense to climb standings

Alsharq Tribune-M.Essam 

Rayan and Nuno Moreira scored either side of halftime as Vasco da Gama continued its late-season resurgence with a 2-1 home win over Fluminense in Brazil's Serie A on Monday.

Rayan opened the scoring in the 38th minute by combining with Paulo Henrique before unleashing a 25-yard shot that left goalkeeper Fabio stranded after taking a deflection.

The host doubled the lead just after halftime when Nuno Moreira pounced on a loose ball to fire home from the edge of the six-yard box.

Vasco has now won five of its past six league matches, rising from the relegation zone in August to eighth in the 20-team standings and with hopes of qualifying for next year's Copa Libertadores. Fluminense is seventh, two points ahead.

"We were rewarded tonight for our courage," Vasco manager Fernando Diniz told reporters after the match.

"We stayed true to our identity. Matches are the best training sessions. You have to take risks to improve and you can only do that by playing. Tonight we dominated the entire second half and we were very efficient in getting the job done."

In other Brazilian Serie A fixtures on Monday, Juventude secured a 1-0 win over Bragantino and Vitoria clinched a 1-0 victory at Santos.