Flamengo and Botafogo played to a goalless draw on Sunday afternoon at Maracanã in a match valid for the 15th round of the Brazilian Championship. The draw kept Flamengo in second place in the Brasileirão with 28 points, one behind leader Grêmio.

The first half began with both teams launching attacks. The first good chance fell to Flamengo, with Diguinho trying his luck from outside the box. Flamengo responded in the 12th minute. After a good play by Juan and Fábio Luciano, Ibson missed a good chance.

Dominating the match, Caio Júnior's team nearly opened the scoring in the 24th minute, but Argentine Maxi was dispossessed before he could score. With strong marking, the team from Gávea kept Botafogo at bay.

In the 27th minute, Ibson fired a weak shot from the edge of the box. In the 33rd minute, Alessandro fired a powerful shot from outside the box, scaring Diego. A minute later, Maxi played a one-two with Jônatas, leaving Obina free to score, but the number 18's shot went wide.

At the end of the first half, Obina dribbled past Castillo and shot, but Renato Silva saved on the line.

Botafogo came back stronger in the second half. Six minutes in, Wellington Paulista dribbled past Fábio Luciano and fired a dangerous shot just wide of the post. Shortly after, Carlos Alberto threatened with a shot from outside the box.

In the 13th minute, Jorge Henrique entered the box, dribbled past Diego, and shot. Fábio Luciano, on the line, prevented the goal. A minute later, Diego made a great save from Jorge Henrique's header. Caio Júnior changed the red-and-black team, bringing on Kleberson for Jônatas.

The changes improved Flamengo's team, with Kleberson making good runs down the left wing. On one such run, the number 15 crossed for Obina, who missed another chance. In the 34th minute, Wellington Paulista hit Diego's left post.

Flamengo threatened with counterattacks. In the 38th minute, Éder burst into the box and dribbled past Castillo, but his shot went over the bar. In the 42nd minute, Juan missed the red-and-black team's last chance in the derby.

TECHNICAL SHEET\ FLAMENGO 0 X 0 BOTAFOGO\

Location: Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro (RJ)\ Date/time: 27/7/2008 - 18:10 p.m. (Brasília time)\ Referee: Salvio Spinola Fagundes Filho (Fifa-SP)\ Assistants: Edney Guerreiro Mascarenhas (RJ) and Ricardo Maurício Ferreira de Almeida (RJ)\ Income/Attendance: R$ 586.731,00 / 35.915\

Yellow cards: Obina, Cristian (FLA); Triguinho, Jorge Henrique (BOT)

FLAMENGO: Diego, Leo Moura, Fabio Luciano, Ronalgo Angelim and Juan; Jailton, Jonathan (Kleberson, 10'/2nd half), Cristian and Ibson; Maxi (Éder, 23'/2nd half) and Obina (Paulo Sérgio, 38'/2nd half). Coach: Caio Junior.

BOTAFOGO: Castillo, Alessandro (Leandro Guerreiro, 39'/2nd half), Renato Silva, Andre Luis, Triguinho; Tulio (Gil, 27'/2nd half), Diguinho, Ze Carlos (Lucio Flavio, half-time) and Carlos Alberto; Jorge Henrique and Wellington Paulista. Coach: Ney Franco.

photo: lancenet.com.br

FLATV: See the training camp for the game, highlights of the match, press conferences with coach Caio Júnior and midfielder Cristian, and exclusive interviews with Diego and Éder straight from the locker room. All this and much more for just R$12 per month. Subscribe now!