Playing intelligently, Flamengo defeated Ipatinga 3-1 this afternoon at Ipatingão Stadium in Minas Gerais. The result left the team from Gávea leading the Brasileirão with 16 points (Grêmio has the same points and goal difference, but trails in goals scored). Juan, Ibson, and Kleberson scored the goals in the second half to give the red-and-black victory.

Flamengo started the match better. Just five minutes in, Souza made a great play down the right wing, leaving Marcinho free to score, but the Brazilian's top scorer shot over the bar for Flamengo's first chance.

With the pitch in such poor condition, coach Caio Júnior's team struggled to pass the ball around. Flamengo used counterattacks to threaten the Minas Gerais team's goal. In the 19th minute, Luciano Mandi dribbled past Jaílton and fired a cross-shot, scaring Bruno.

In the 23rd minute, Juan tried a shot from distance. Two minutes later, it was Souza's turn, but Fred saved easily. In the 30th minute, Leandro Salino's shot went wide, missing Ipatinga's best chance of the first half.

In the second half, coach Caio Júnior replaced Diego Tardelli with Renato Augusto. In the 12th minute, Léo Moura took a shot from outside the box, Fred saved it, and Juan scored: 1-0 Flamengo.

In the 20th minute, Flamengo extended their lead. Léo Moura made another fine play down the right and passed to Ibson, who fired a superb shot, leaving Fred with no chance: 2-0 Flamengo. With the advantage, the team from Gávea slowed down and allowed the Minas Gerais team to create a dangerous opportunity.

In the 28th minute, Gerson Magrão played a one-two with Neto Baiano and hit Bruno's right post. In the 36th minute, after a two-touch foul inside the box, Tiago Vieira pulled one back for Ipatinga: 2-1 Flamengo.

In the end, Kleberson hit a beautiful shot from the edge of the box and secured the victory for the Gávea team: 3-1 Flamengo.

In the next round, Flamengo faces Sport, on Sunday, at Ilha do Retiro.

MATCH SHEET:\ IPATINGA 1 x 3 FLAMENGO\ Location: Ipatingão, Ipatinga (MG)\ Date/time: 22/6/2008 - 16:10 p.m. (Brasília time)\ Referee: Wilton Pereira Sampaio (DF)\ Income/attendance: Not available\ Yellow cards: Tiago Vieira, Augusto Recife (IPA); Jaílton, Souza, Cristian, Obina (FLA)\ GOALS: Juan, 12'/2nd H (0-1); Ibson, 20'/2nd H (0-2); Tiago Vieira, 31'/2nd H (1-2), Kleberson, 46'/2nd H (1-3).\ IPATINGA: Fred, Marcio Gabriel (28'/2nd H), Tiago Vieira, Gian and Rodriguinho; Xaves (Leo Oliveira, 24'/2nd half), Leandro Salino, Augusto Recife and Gerson Magrao; Neto Baiano and Luciano Mandi (Adeílson, 15'/2nd half). Coach: Ricardo Drubscky.\ FLAMENGO: Bruno, Leo Moura, Fabio Luciano, Ronaldo Angelim and Juan; Jaílton, Cristian, Ibson and Marcinho (Kleberson, 31'/2nd half); Diego Tardelli (Renato Augusto, half-time) and Souza (Obina, 19'/2nd half). Coach: Caio Junior.\

photo: lancenet.com