Scolari's Palmeiras beaten by Avai
Reuters - Monday 19 July 2010, 13:48
RIO DE JANEIRO - Luiz Felipe Scolari took
full responsibility after Palmeiras conceded two stoppage-time
goals to 10-man Avai and went down 4-2 in the Brazilian
championship.
Avai, who led 2-1 after 40 minutes, had defender Para sent
off for a second booking before halftime and Palmeiras equalised
in the 55th minute.
However, a penalty by midfielder Caio, his second goal of
the match, and a strike from Roberto in stoppage time handed
Avai a surprise win on Sunday.
"The responsibility for the substitutions is mine, I was the
one who lost," Scolari said.
"We tried and wanted to win and for that reason we made
changes which ended up being more effective for our adversaries.
Our midfield was open and gave Avai room," he told reporters.
"We still have to build a playing system so we can be calm,
winning, losing or drawing the occasional game. We need
patience."
Scolari, who steered Palmeiras to the South American
Libertadores Cup in 1999, had made a winning return on Thursday
with a 2-1 home win over Santos. The 61-year-old returned to the
club after spells with Brazil, including a World Cup victory in
2002, Portugal, Chelsea and Bunyodkor of Uzbekistan.
Corinthians are two points clear at the top after beating
Atletico Mineiro 1-0 while promoted Ceara, who had shared the
lead, lost their unbeaten record in a 2-1 away loss to
Internacional and dropped to third. Surprise team Ceara had
conceded only one goal in their previous eight matches.
Fluminense climbed to second, two points behind Corinthians,
with a 1-0 away win over Santos.
Unbeaten Corinthians have 21 points after nine matches,
"Flu" 19 and Ceara 18. Avai are sixth with 14, Santos ninth with
12 and Palmeiras 11th also with 12.
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