Flamengo secured an important point in the Brazilian Championship with a 1-1 draw with Atlético-MG this Wednesday night at Mineirão Stadium. Marcinho scored the red-and-black goal, securing the team's unbeaten away record. The team from Gávea leads the Brasileirão with 23 points.

Buoyed by the strong crowd, the Minas Gerais team launched into an attack in the opening minutes, but the first good chance fell to Flamengo. In the 14th minute, Juan took a free kick from the edge of the box, and Édson made a great save. Two minutes later, Marcinho received a great pass from Obina, cut inside Amaral, and shot past Édson: 1-0 Flamengo. It was the seventh goal for the top scorer in the Brazilian Championship.

With the goal conceded, Atlético-MG launched an attack in search of an equalizer. In the 20th minute, Danilinho sent a cross-shot, and Jaílton cleared it for a corner. Always relying on counterattacks, Caio Júnior's team nearly scored another in the 21st minute, with Juan wasting a good chance in the penalty area.

In the 25th minute, Petkovic took a long-range free kick that scared Bruno. Seven minutes later, Renan burst into the box from the left and sent a cross-shot. Late in the first half, Fábio Luciano took advantage of a mistake by the Minas Gerais defense and nearly caught Édson off guard with a beautiful header.

The second half began with Atlético-MG pressing forward. In the 10th minute, Vinícius took a free kick, and Bruno saved the red-and-black. Soon after, Danilinho burst into the box and shot dangerously, just wide of the post.

Coach Caio Júnior decided to start the red-and-black youth team, bringing on Airton and Erick Flores in place of Toró and Jônatas. Soon after coming on, Erick Flores dribbled past two opponents, entered the box, and crossed toward Obina, who couldn't connect with the ball.

In the 32nd minute, Danilinho took a corner, Petkovic crossed, and Marcos equalized: 1-1 at Mineirão Stadium. Three minutes later, Marcinho burst into the box from the right, shot across goal, and Édson saved. Obina fired a shot over the rebound. In the 42nd minute, Serginho hit the post for the final chance of the game.

In the next round of the Brazilian Championship, Flamengo faces Vasco, on Sunday, at Maracanã.\ \

MATCH SHEET:\ ALÉTICO-MG 1 X 1 FLAMENGO\ Stadium: Mineirão, Belo Horizonte (MG)\ Date/time: 09/07/2005 - 21:50 (Brasília time)\ Referee: Paulo César de Oliveira (FIFA-SP)\ Income/attendance: Not disclosed\ Yellow cards: Vinicius (AMG); Jaílton (FLA)\ GOALS: Marcinho, 17'/1st half (0-1); Marcos, 31'/2nd half (1-1)\ ATLÉTICO-MG: Edson, Mariano (Elton, 14'/2nd half), Marcos, Vinicius and Amaral (Castillo, 31'/1st half); Serginho, Márcio Araújo, Renan and Petkovic; Danilinho and Eduardo (Raphael Aguiar, 37'/2nd half). Coach: Gallo.\ FLAMENGO: Bruno, Luizinho, Fabio Luciano, Ronaldo Angelim and Juan; Jailton, Toró (Airton, 3'/2nd half), Jonathan (Erick Flores, 15'/2nd half) and Kléberson (Dininho, 31'/2nd half); Marcinho and Obina. Coach: Caio Junior.\

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