Playing with a significantly modified team, Flamengo fought back but was defeated by Botafogo 3-2 this Sunday night at the Maracanã Stadium. With the loss, the team from Gávea dropped to second place in Group A of the Taça Rio. Wellington Paulista, Zé Carlos, and Jorge Henrique scored for Botafogo, while Léo Moura and Thiago Salles scored for Flamengo.

The game started off fiercely competitive, with both teams pressing hard in midfield. The first dangerous move came from the red-and-blacks, with Toró taking a shot from outside the box. Soon after, Wellington Paulista took a shot from a narrow angle, and Bruno palmed it away for a corner. In the 15th minute, Alessandro headed the ball dangerously.

In the 22nd minute, after a scramble at the edge of the box, Jorge Henrique passed to Wellington Paulista, who only had to displace Bruno: 1-0. With the goal conceded, the red-black team went on the attack, and Renato Augusto, after a beautiful individual play, almost tied the game.

In the 39th minute, Renato Silva brought down Obina in the penalty area, and referee Marcelo de Souza awarded a penalty. Léo Moura scored skillfully to tie the game at Maracanã. Late in the first half, Lucio Flávio was awarded a penalty. Zé Carlos converted well, putting Botafogo back in front.

The second half started off tough for Flamengo. Just seven minutes in, Jorge Henrique beat Gávilan to the ball and headed it in to make it 3-1 for Botafogo. Shortly after, Bruno saved what would have been the team's fourth goal with a fine save after another Jorge Henrique header.

With the score trailing, Joel Santana brought on Maxi and Marcinho, replacing Renato Augusto and Jailton. The changes gave Flamengo's attack more pace, and in the 24th minute, Thiago Sales capitalized on a free kick taken by Egidio to head home the equalizer to make it 3-2.

Flamengo's chances of a draw all but ended when Jônatas, and soon after Obina, were sent off, leaving the red-and-blacks two men down. The team from Gávea fought until the end but couldn't turn the score around.

Flamengo returns to the field next Wednesday, at Maracanã, for the decisive game against Nacional, for the Copa Libertadores da América.

TECHNICAL SHEET\ FLAMENGO 2 X 3 BOTAFOGO\

Location: Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro (RJ)\ Date - Time: 16/3/2008 - 18:10 p.m. (Brasília time)\ Revenue - Attendance: R$ 296.733,00 - 21.010 paying spectators (23.418 present)\ Referee: Marcelo de Souza Pinto (RJ)\ Assistants: Beival do Nascimento Souza (RJ) and Vilmar Raul (RJ)\ Yellow Cards: Jaílton and Jônatas (FLA); Andre Luis, Jorge Henrique, Triguinho and Túlio (BOT)\ Red Cards: Jônatas, 42'2ºT (FLA); Obina, 45'2ºT (FLA)\

GOALS: Wellington Paulista, 22'/1st half (0-1); Léo Moura, 38'/1st half (1-1); Zé Carlos, 46'/1st half (1-2); Jorge Henrique, 7'/2nd half (1-3); Thiago Salles, 23'/2nd half (2-3)

FLAMENGO: Bruno, Leonardo Moura, Leonardo, Thiago Sales and Egidio; Gavilán (Léo Medeiros, 33'/2nd half), Jaílton (Marcinho, 11'/2nd half), Toró and Jônatas; Renato Augusto (Maxi, 11'/2nd half) and Obina. Coach: Joel Santana.

BOTAFOGO: Castillo, Renato Silva, Andre Luis and Triguinho (Adriano Felício, 26'/2nd half); Alessandro, Diguinho, Tulio (Eduardo, 12'/2nd half), Lucio Flavio and Ze Carlos (Wellington Junior, 35'/2nd half); Jorge Henrique and Wellington Paulista - Coach: Cuca.

photo: lancenet.com