Defeat to Fluminense matters little as Vascainos prepare for Sampaio.
Vasco da Gama will go up against Sampaio Correa in the final of the Campoeonato Brasileiro de Clubes on Sunday despite a defeat on penalties against Fluminense in their final group match.
Having seen Sampaio tie up top spot in their pool, both Vasco and Fluminense stood a chance of topping Group A although a win on penalties proved insufficient for the latter who fell to a 3-2 loss after being tied 4-4 following three periods.
Brazil and Vasco defender Catarino said afterwards: “It’s the final now for us and it was where we wanted to be.
“It will be a great game – Vasco and Sampaio know each other very well, they are high quality teams, with experienced players and it promises to be a very balanced showdown.
“Now it is time to rest, study our opponents – whom we respect very much – and enter the contest to give everything, with a good mentality to seek the victory and to take Vasco to another conquest.”
Elsewhere, fellow finalists Sampaio hit the goal trail once more as they hammered Gremio 7-2 to complete a 100 per cent Group B campaign.
Serginho hit a hat-trick while Roberto grabbed a brace alongside goals from Eudim and Paulinho as Sampaio warmed up for Sunday’s final in style.
Gremio will contest the seventh-place play-off against Avai, who were beaten 7-6 by a Botafogo side who will battle for third on Sunday.
Botafogo will face Rio Branco for a spot on the podium after their 6-4 success against Sport Recife.
Image via Marcello Zambrana
Saturday results
Sport Recife 4-6 Rio Branco
Sampaio Correa 7-2 Gremio
Botafogo 7-6 Avai
Vasco da Gama (2) 4-4 (3) Fluminense
Sunday fixtures
Gremio v Avai – 09:00 – seventh-place play-off
Sport Recife v Fluminense – 10:15 – fifth-place play-off
Rio Branco v Botafogo – 11:30 – third-place play-off
Vasco da Gama v Sampaio Correa – 13:00 – final
