Short-handed Vasco scramble draw, Parana lead

RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) -- Vasco da Gama held on for a 2-2 draw away to Nautico in the Brazilian championship on Sunday despite having a player sent off after only two minutes.

Vasco defender Julio Santos was booked twice for bad tackles in the first 90 seconds of the match and dismissed. Despite the setback, Vasco went ahead when midfielder Morais won and converted a 25th minute penalty.

Nautico replied with two goals early in the second half, Marcel converting a penalty and Cris scoring direct from a free kick, but Vasco levelled with a Morais free kick in the 84th minute.

The visitors played the final four minutes with nine men after defender Fabio Braz was sent off.

Vasco, who dropped their first points in their third game, were without 41-year-old striker Romario, who scored what he said was the 1,000th goal of his career last week. The former Brazil forward has an agreement allowing him to play only in home matches.

Modest Parana are the only team with maximum points after a hat-trick from striker Josiel, including two goals in the last 10 minutes, helped them beat Cruzeiro 4-3 away.

Libertadores Cup semi-finalists Santos, who have rested their regulars in the domestic tournament, picked up their first points by winning 1-0 at Atletico Paranaense with an early goal from striker Rodrigo Tabata.

Defending champions Sao Paulo were held to a goaless draw by local rivals Palmeiras in a dismal derby at the Morumbi while world club champions Internacional lost 3-0 at Fluminense to remain pointless.

Seventeen-year-old Paulo Sergio scored the equalizer to give Flamengo a 2-2 draw with Botafogo. The Rio de Janeiro derby was watched by a crowd of only 12,000 at the 90,000 capacity Maracana.

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