Flamengo dominated most of the match, but conceded several goals and drew 0-0 with Avaí this Saturday at Maracanã Stadium. With the result, the red-and-black team earned its first point in the 2009 Brazilian Championship. The next challenge in the competition will be on Sunday against Santo André in São Paulo. Before that, the team from Gávea faces Inter on Wednesday at Beira-Rio Stadium in the second leg of the Copa do Brasil quarterfinals.

Flamengo started the match by controlling the ball and keeping the ball in their hands, but it was Avaí who had the first chances, thanks to plays by Muriqui and William. In the ninth minute, Toró took a chance from outside the box, but his shot went wide. Soon after, Ferdinando took a shot from the edge of the box, and Bruno made a good save.

In the 18th minute, Ibson and Juan made a good move down the right, and the number 6 passed to Everton, who dribbled past the defender and fired a dangerous shot. In the 24th minute, Josiel passed to Ibson, who fired a powerful shot, but the ball deflected off the defense and went wide. On the corner kick, Josiel got ahead of Eduardo Martini and headed the ball over the bar, nearly scoring Flamengo's first goal.

In the 24th minute, another good move from Flamengo. Josiel passed to Léo Moura, who burst into the box and fired a cross-shot. André Turatto cut it out for a corner, saving Avaí. In the 37th minute, Bruno initiated a counterattack by passing Juan on the left. The full-back passed to Everton, who cut deep and passed to Ibson, who received the ball and attempted a shot, but was blocked by the Avaí defense. In the 44th minute, Léo Moura took a perfect free kick, but the ball hit the crossbar. Soon after, Toró provided a good pass to Josiel, who dribbled past André Turatto and shot, which Eduardo Martini saved.

The second half began with Avaí having the first chance. In the fourth minute, Muriqui took a powerful shot, and Bruno made a good save. Flamengo responded immediately. Kleberson sent Josiel through, but his shot went wide.

In the 15th minute, after a corner kick, Josiel got ahead of the defender and headed the ball over the bar. Four minutes later, Erick Flores attempted a cross, but Uendel blocked it with his arm. Referee Francisco Carlos Nascimento didn't award a penalty. In the 21st minute, Juan made a good run down the left and crossed for Josiel, who fired a left-footed shot, but Eduardo Martini made another good save. Shortly after, the number 9 was replaced by Alex Cruz.

The game continued with Flamengo having more possession, but failing to find a way to score against Avaí. Bruno made two good saves from Lima's shots, securing a point for the team from Gávea.

CREDITS:

FLAMENGO 0 X 0 AVAÍ\ Stadium: Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro (RJ)\ Date/Time: 16/05/2009 - 18:30 p.m. (Brasília time)\ Referee: Francisco Carlos Nascimento (AL)\ Assistants: Ednílson Corona (Fifa/SP), Pedro Jorge Santos de Araújo (AL)\ Attendance/Income: 18.351 / R$ 272.708,00\ Yellow Cards: Caio, Muriqui, Marcus Vinícius, Ferdinando, Emerson (AVA); Aírton (FLA)\ Red Cards: None\ GOALS: None\

FLAMENGO: Bruno, Willians, Aírton and Ronaldo Angelim; Leonardo Moura, Toró (Everton Silva), Kleberson, Ibson (Erick Flores, 13'2nd half) and Juan; Everton (Maxi, 34'/2nd half) and Josiel (Alex Cruz, 28'2nd half). Coach: Cuca.

AVAÍ: Eduardo Martini, Ferdinando, André Turatto, Emerson and Uendel; Marcus Vinícius, Léo Gago (Bruno, 35'/2nd half), Caio and Muriqui (Lima, 22'/2nd half); William (Medina, half-time) and Evando. Coach: Silas.