Volta Redonda secured a thrilling 2-1 victory over Maricá on Thursday night (February 6, 2025), regaining the leadership position in the Campeonato Carioca's Taça Guanabara at the Estádio Raulino de Oliveira. The match was pivotal as both teams aimed to bolster their standings, with the Voltaço seeking to extend their undefeated home record and Maricá desperate to reclaim its form and reenter the top tier of the league.
Maricá started the match strongly, with forward Jefferson Tavares scoring just one minute on the clock, giving the Tsunami the momentum they desperately needed. For much of the first half, it appeared as though Maricá, who were sitting fifth on the table, might be able to take all three points, holding the lead going to halftime.
Despite the setback, Volta Redonda, under the guidance of Coach Rogério Corrêa, demonstrated remarkable resilience and tactical prowess after the break. Following their halftime adjustments, they were determined to fight back and make their home advantage count. The turning point occurred when MV, with key involvement, leveled the score with expertly maneuvered play.
At the 30-minute mark of the second half, MV was brought down inside the box, leading to a penalty kick. Fabrício, calm and collected under pressure, converted successfully, putting Volta Redonda up 2-1. The team's ability to regain control and flip the match on its head showcased their fighting spirit and tactical depth.
The victory catapulted Volta Redonda to 16 points, positioning them at the top of the standings. With this win, they sit closely above rivals Flamengo and Vasco, who are both trailing with 13 points each. Maricá's defeat leaves them struggling outside the G4 and needing urgent victories to remain competitive.
"We showed our strength and character to come back and win," Fabrício exclaimed post-match, highlighting the team's performance and determination. Meanwhile, Maricá's coach Reinaldo Oliveira spoke candidly about his squad's challenges: "We need to regain our form and get back to winning ways." This statement reflects the pressure maricá now faces as they look to break their troubling streak.
Maricá, having fulfilled much promise at the season's start, had secured commendable results, remaining unbeaten through their first five matches. Now, they must grapple with the reality of returning to the drawing board after this defeat, especially with their next encounter against bottom-placed Bangu on February 9, where they will aim to recover quickly.
On the other hand, with the momentum from this win, Volta Redonda will be preparing for another key match against Nova Iguaçu on February 9, reinforcing their ambitions to secure the title of the Taça Guanabara.
The match drew 1,634 attendees, generating R$ 22,620 in revenue, indicating strong local support for both clubs. Looking back at their differing trajectories, Volta Redonda now enjoys the spoils of success, but with the competitive league still very much alive, neither team can afford to take the remaining matches lightly.
Their clash provided another exciting chapter to the Campeonato Carioca this season, and it prompts the question: Can Volta Redonda maintain their new-found supremacy, or will Maricá find their way back to form as the season progresses?
Fans eagerly await the next installments of this riveting league, with hopes high and stakes ever-increasing as both teams strive to assert their dominance and find their footing.