Flamengo fought hard but couldn't avoid a 1-0 defeat to Palmeiras on Wednesday night at Palestra Itália. The red-and-black team dropped to fourth place in the Brazilian Championship with 28 points. In the next round, Flamengo hosts Cruzeiro on Sunday at the Maracanã.

The match started very competitively, with both teams creating good scoring opportunities. Five minutes in, Leandro crossed the ball and Alex Mineiro headed it dangerously close to the goal. Flamengo exploited quick counter-attacks, with Juan, Léo Moura, Ibson, and Tardelli.

At 17 minutes, Diego Souza shot from the edge of the area and Bruno made a beautiful save. At 26 minutes, Juan tried from outside the area and Marcos made a safe save. With Jailton and Toró doing a good job in tackles, Flamengo managed to contain the offensive impetus of Vanderlei Luxemburgo's team.

In the 32nd minute, Jailton exchanged passes with Obina and shot across goal, just wide of Marcos' left post. The first half ended in a goalless draw.

Returning for the second half, the São Paulo team launched an attack in search of the first goal. Three minutes in, Valdivia made a good individual play and shot hard. Bruno made the save. Three minutes later, Valdivia passed to Sandro Silva who opened the scoring: 1-0 Palmeiras.

Caio Júnior made a change to the team, bringing on Airton in place of Toró. At 19 minutes, Kleber exchanged passes with Alex Mineiro and shot dangerously from outside the area. At 23 minutes, Léo Moura shot and Marcos made a startled save.

Caio Júnior tried to equalize by bringing on Maxi in place of Obina, but Flamengo couldn't reverse the result.

TECHNICAL SHEET\ PALMEIRAS 1 X 0 FLAMENGO\

Location: Parque Antarctica, São Paulo (SP)\ Date/time: 7/30/2008 - 21:45 PM (Brasilia time)\ Referee: Leonardo Gaciba Da Silva (FIFA-RS)\ Assistants: Marcelo Bertanha Barison (RS) and Paulo Ricardo Silva Conceição (RS)\ Revenue/Attendance: R$ 780.035 / 26.854 paying spectators\ Yellow cards: Gladstone, Valdivia (PAL); Dininho (FLA)\ Red card: Léo Lima (47'/2nd half)

GOALS: Sandro Silva, 6'/2nd half (1-0)

PALMEIRAS: Marcos; Élder Granja, Jeci, Gladstone and Leandro; Sandro Silva, Jumar, Diego Souza (Léo Lima, 16'/2nd half) and Valdivia (Maicosuel, 29'/2nd half); Kléber and Alex Mineiro (Denilson, 32'/2nd half). Coach: Vanderlei Luxemburgo.

FLAMENGO: Bruno, Léo Moura, Fábio Luciano, Ronaldo Angelim (Dininho, 16'/1st half) and Juan; Jaílton, Toró (Airton, 12'/2nd half), Cristian and Ibson; Diego Tardelli and Obina (Maxi, 28'/2nd half). Coach: Caio Júnior.

Photo: lancenet.com.br