体坛英语新闻：Rivaldo scores in debut win with Sao Paulo

RIO DE JANEIRO, Feb. 3 (Xinhua) -- Former World Player of the Year Rivaldo scored in his debut at Sao Paulo as the Brazilian outfit beat Linense 3-2 on Thursday in the sixth round of the Sao Paulo state championship.

Rivaldo, who joined Sao Paulo on a one-year loan, proved that he is still fit to play despite the age of 38.

After a scoreless first half, Linense opened the scoreboard in the 51st minute when Eric took advantage of a loose ball, stuffing it past a frustrated Rogerio Ceni.

Sao Paulo responded quickly as Rivaldo received the ball in front of the net, rounded past his defender and fired the ball cleanly into the back of the Linense net in the 56th minute.

Sao Paulo scored again in the 63rd minute when Marlos drove through the defense and slid the ball past the Linense keeper. Their third goal came in the 85th minute when ace keeper Rogerio Ceni commanded a direct kick over the defensive barrier of Linense players, landing the ball perfectly into the upper right corner.

Linense cut the deficit in injury time when a wide-open Alessandro pushed in a rebounded shot-on-goal.

In the seventh round of the state tournament, Sao Paulo will travel to face Botafogo-SP on February 6.