Botafogo guaranteed berth in Rio Cup semis

Rio de Janeiro, April 9 (IANS) Botafogo booked a place in the semifinals of the Rio Cup with a 3-1 victory against Friburguense.

Uruguayan international Loco Abreu returned from injury and opened the scoring for Botafogo in the 34th minute by bundling in a deflected cross.

Second-half substitute Herrera doubled the lead for Botafogo in the 81st minute before Douglas capitalized on a defensive error to make it 2-1, Xinhua reported.

But Argentinian striker Herrera calmed Botafogo nerves with a cool finish three minutes from time to score his second of the match.

Meanwhile, a late Willian header gave Corinthians a 1-0 victory over Paulista and kept alive their hopes of claiming top spot in the first phase of the Sao Paulo championship.