RIO DE JANEIRO, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- Flamengo defeat Americano 2-0 on Wednesday in the 3rd round of the first half of the Rio de Janeiro state championship.

The victory also marked star midfielder Thiago Neves' first match with team.

Both of Flamengo's goals came from Wanderley. Halfway through the second half, the player tapped in a crossed ball from Marquinhos. Two minutes later and in the 71st minute, Renato Abreu unselfishly rolled the ball off to the striker alone in front of the goal, needing only to push the ball into the goal.

The result kept Flamengo undefeated after three rounds. The team leads Group A with 9 points. In the 4th round, Flamengo will battle crosstown rival Vasco da Gama on January 30.

Flamengo's recent star acquisition Ronaldinho Gaucho is expected to make his career debut with Flamengo on February 2 when the team hosts Nova Iguacu in the 5th round of the first half of the state tournament.