Carlos Alberto scores twice in Vasco victory

Carlos Alberto scores twice in Vasco victory

RIO DE JANEIRO, Jan. 31 (Xinhua) -- In the third round of the Rio de Janeiro state soccer championships on Saturday, the home team of Vasco da Gama defeated Duque de Caxias 3-1.

The team's new star Carlos Alberto scored twice in the first half, electrifying the home crowd. The game was also a preview of the future match-up between the two teams in the second division of the 2009 Brazilian soccer championship.

The game's first goal came in the 5th minute of play. Vasco's Pimpao did not give up on a lose ball and won the dual with the Duque de Caxias defense.

Pimpao passed the ball off to a wide open Alex Teixeira, who then crossed the ball off to Carlos Alberto. Alberto tried to make his way towards the goal, but got tripped up. Despite being help back, Alberto managed to squeeze the ball past the goalkeeper.

The player's second goal came just 10 minutes later. Pimpao was taken down in the penalty box by Duque de Caxias' goalie Borges and was awarded a penalty kick.

Carlos Alberto was called in to take the kick and he did not disappoint, scoring in the 15th minute.

The team's last goal came in the 22nd minute of the second half. Off a dead ball foul, Paulo Sergio crossed the ball towards the front of the net where he found Nilton. The player out-jumped the defense and scored the last goal of the game.

The visiting team's only goal of the game came in the 11th minute of the first half. Edivaldo received the ball from Dudu and cleverly glided it over Vasco's goalie's head, Tiago.

In the next round of action, Vasco da Gama will travel to play Resende. Duque de Caxias will host Fluminense at their Los Larios stadium in the city of Xerem.