Flamengo continue to stalk leaders Corinthians
Reuters - Thursday 04 August 2011, 13:15
RIO DE JANEIRO - Corinthians have stopped
the rot of two consecutive defeats but not rediscovered their
form as Ronaldinho's Flamengo threaten to overtake them at the
top of the Brazilian championship.
Corinthians, who won nine of their opening 10 matches, were
unconvincing in Wednesday's 2-1 home victory over bottom team
America-MG.
Flamengo, with Ronaldinho inspirational once again, beat
Cruzeiro 1-0 away at the Alligator's Arena in Sete Lagoas for a
third consecutive win that kept them one point behind the
leaders.
Corinthians' Jorge Henrique scored the fastest goal of the
championship to put them 1-0 up after 28 seconds at the Pacaembu
in Sao Paulo when he got a touch to William's diagonal shot.
However, the team played poorly and allowed the visitors to
equalise with a header from striker Kempes in the 15th minute.
Midfielder Paulinho scored the winner in the 67th from a
free-kick by Alex and America had Gilson sent off for a second
booking but still Corinthians failed to dominate.
Unbeaten Flamengo scored in first-half stoppage-time when
striker Deivid netted with a right-foot shot from a fine pass by
Ronaldinho, the championship's top scorer with nine goals whose
form could earn him a recall to the Brazil team.
South American champions Santos lost 2-0 at third-placed
Vasco da Gama, their sixth defeat in 11 matches and third in a
row, and are in the relegation zone.