Corinthians lose lead to Flamengo
Reuters - Monday 08 August 2011, 05:43
RIO DE JANEIRO - Corinthians continued
their recent run of poor form with a disappointing 1-1 draw at
lowly Atletico Paranaense on Sunday to slip behind Flemengo at
the top of the Brazilian championship.
Former Barcelona and FIFA Player of the Year Ronaldinho
helped lead Flamengo to a 1-0 victory at Coritiba a day earlier,
crossing for substitute Jeal's headed winner in the 89th minute
at the Engenhao.
Unbeaten Flamengo have 33 points from 15 matches after a
fourth consecutive win, one ahead of Corinthians, who have taken
only four points from their last four matches but still have a
game in hand over the new leaders.
"It's everything we dreamed of. We know there's still a long
way to go but to feel this taste [of the lead] is very good,"
Ronaldinho told reporters.
Corinthians, who had won nine of their opening 10 matches
before the loss of form, went behind at the Arena da Baixada in
Curitiba from a penalty by midfielder Cleber Santana in the 36th
minute after Madson was brought down by Weldinho.
The visitors equalised three minutes after half-time when
midfielder Paulinho was fouled in the box and Alex converted the
penalty, but 19th placed Paranaense held on for the draw.
Coach Dorival Junior was sacked by 13th-placed Atletico
Mineiro after a 2-1 defeat by Figueirense on Saturday in the
24th coaching change of the year among the 20 first division
teams.
Champions Fluminense lost 3-0 to bottom-placed America-MG at
the Alligators' Arena in Sete Lagoas in their second match
without Brazil striker Fred, who asked to be dropped during the
week for psychological reasons.
Fred, who missed Thursday's 2-0 win over Internacional, was
chased by angry fans after leaving a Rio bar in the early hours
of Wednesday and threatened to quit the club.
South American champions Santos ended a run of three defeats
with a 1-0 win over Ceara to climb out of the relegation zone.
Santos have three games in hand.