RIO DE JANEIRO, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- The Fluminense soccer team started the 2010 season with a victory on Sunday by beating Rio Branco 2-0.

    Even though the match was a friendly, the team's head coach Cuca was expelled from the game.

    The game's goals were scored by Alan in the 80th minute and later by Mauricio in stoppage time of the second half. Despite the positive result, Fluminense did not play very well, causing Cuca to be infuriated with turnovers and bad calls from the referee, eventually leading to his early exit from the field.

    The friendly was in preparation for the team's debut in the Riode Janeiro state championship. Fluminense will begin the first half of the competition in Group A and will face Americano on January 17 in the city of Campos.