Fred ends Fluminense's losing run

Rio de Janeiro, August 1 (IANS)

Fred made up for a missed penalty by scoring a late winner as champions Fluminense handed new coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo a debut 1-0 victory over Cruzeiro.

The 29-year-old Brazil striker netted in the 77th minute at the Maracana Wednesday with a powerful header after Kenedy’s miscued bicycle kick, reports Xinhua

It provided redemption after his spot-kick on the stroke of half time was palmed away by Fabio.

“I celebrated with a sense of relief because of that missed penalty,” Fred said after the match. “The team stood up well and it was a deserved victory.”

The result ended Fluminense’s five-game losing run in the Campeonato Brasileiro, which led to the sacking of coach Abel Braga Monday.

Luxemburgo’s appointment followed the former Real Madrid and Brazil coach’s dismissal from Gremio in June.