Flamengo got off to a strong start in its quest for its sixth Brazilian Championship title, defeating Santos 3-1 this Sunday afternoon at the Maracanã. In the red-and-black team's debut, Marcinho, Ibson, and Juan secured the team's first three points. The team moved into first place in the standings.

Without fans present, Flamengo had the first good chance to score after just two minutes. Ronaldo Angelim crossed, and Souza's header hit the crossbar. Playing well, Caio Júnior's team dominated the match. In the 26th minute, Marcinho shot, and Douglas saved Santos.

Three minutes later, Juan received a good pass from Ronaldo Angelim and crossed for Marcinho to finish with a classy finish: 1-0 Flamengo. Soon after, Flamengo extended their lead. Kleberson passed to Marcinho, who backheeled the ball to Ibson, who fired into the top corner: 2-0 Flamengo.

Santos' first good chance at goal in the first half came in the 37th minute, when Lima fired a powerful shot from the edge of the box, just wide of Bruno's post.

Flamengo returned unchanged for the second half and continued to create good scoring chances. In the 10th minute, Souza beautifully dribbled past Domingos, but his shot went wide.

In the 23rd minute, Kleberson forced a great save from Douglas from the edge of the box. Soon after, Diego Tardelli, who had replaced Souza, took a shot from outside the box, but the ball bounced off the post.

In the 26th minute, Moraes had a chance to reduce the deficit for Santos, but Bruno saved the red-and-blacks. Shortly after, after a good one-two, Ibson wasted a good opportunity one-on-one with Douglas.

In the 29th minute, Léo Moura broke through on the right and passed to Juan to make it 3-0 for Flamengo. After the third goal, the team from Gávea slowed down and began passing the ball around. Santos even reduced the deficit with a penalty in the 45th minute, after a penalty from Moraes.

Flamengo returns to the field next Sunday, against Grêmio, at the Olympic Stadium.

CREDITS:

FLAMENGO:\ Bruno, Leonardo Moura, Leonardo, Ronaldo Angelim and Juan; Jaílton, Kléberson (Cristian), Ibson (Obina) and Toró; Marcinho and Souza (Diego Tardelli)\ Coach: Caio Júnior.\

SAINTS:\ Douglas; Filipe Souza (Evaldo), Domingos, Marcelo and Carlinhos; Adoniram, Adriano, Hudson (Vitor Junior) and Paulo Henrique (Moraes); Wesley and Lima\ Coach: Emerson Leão.\

Date: 11/05/2008 (Sunday)\ Location: Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro (RJ)\ Referee: Heber Roberto Lopes (Fifa-PR)\ Assistants: Roberto Braatz (Fifa-PR) Gilson Bento Coutinho (PR)\ Yellow cards: Toró (Flamengo); Domingos and Hudson (Santos)\ Goals: Marcinho, in the 29th minute, Ibson, in the 30th minute of the first half; Juan, in the 30th minute, Moraes, in the 46th minute of the second half.\

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