Figueirense kicked off their 2012 campaign with a dramatic 2-1
victory over newly-promoted Nautico at the Orlando Scarpelli on
Saturday.
In wet conditions, a late goal from Caio condemned the 10 men of Nautico to an opening round defeat.
The first half was a goalless affair but three goals in the final 15 minutes livened things up.
Fernandes,
a 57th minute substitute, scored Figueirense’s opening goal after 76
minutes before Brazilian striker Araujo converted a spot kick four
minutes later to equalise.
Nautico were then reduced to 10 men on
84 minutes when 28-year-old defender Marcio Rozario received a red card
for a second bookable offense.
And as the visitors desperately
defended for a point, Caio broke their hearts, scoring a goal with
virtually the last kick of the game.
Elsewhere on Saturday, Sport
Recife was the happier of the two sides, holding star-studded Flamengo
to a 1-1 draw at home, while the match between Palmeiras and last
season’s Serie B champions Portuguesa finished 1-1 in Sao Paulo.
