Flamengo defeated Ipatinga 1-0 this Sunday night at Maracanã, keeping their dream of winning the Brazilian Championship alive. Marcelinho Paraíba scored the winning goal for Flamengo in the first half. With the result, the Clube da Gávea reached 43 points and jumped to fourth place.

Early in the match, Flamengo launched an attack in search of the first goal. Ipatinga adopted a very defensive posture, with practically the entire team behind the midfield line. The red-and-black team's first good chance of the match fell to Léo Moura in the 13th minute, shooting at goalkeeper Fernando.

Caio Júnior's team dominated the match but struggled to penetrate the Minas Gerais team's defense. Ipatinga created a threat in the 30th minute. Gian took a powerful free kick, but Bruno palmed it away for a corner.

In the 35th minute, Everton made a good play and passed to Marcelinho Paraíba, who shot with skill from the edge of the box: 1-0 Flamengo. This was the red-and-black team's 100th goal of the 2008 season.

In the second half, Caio Júnior made the first change to the team, taking off Everton and giving Fierro the opportunity to make his debut. In the first minute, Léo Moura played a pass from the right, Josiel let it go, and Ibson missed a great chance in front of Fernando. In the 13th minute, after a beautiful exchange of passes, Fierro left Kleberson free, but the five-time champion's shot went over.

Even with the lead, Caio Júnior made Flamengo more offensive, bringing on Sambueza for Jailton. The team from Gávea was misplacing many passes and struggling to create scoring chances.

In the end, Caio Júnior sent on Obina in place of Josiel. Ipatinga threatened with two set pieces, but the Flamengo victory was already assured. In the next round, Flamengo hosts Sport on Saturday at 18:20 PM at Maracanã.

TECHNICAL SHEET:\ FLAMENGO 1 X 0 IPATINGA\

Stadium: Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro (RJ)\ Date/time: 21/9/2008 - 18:10 p.m. (Brasília time)\ Referee: José Henrique de Carvalho (Asp. Fifa-SP)\ Assistants: Emerson Augusto de Carvalho (SP) and Carlos Augusto Nogueira Junior (SP)\ Revenue/attendance: R$ 365.756,00 / 25.037 paying spectators\ Yellow cards: Xaves, Augusto Recife, Ferreira, Márcio Gabriel (IPA); Ibson, Everton, Juan, Ronaldo Angelim, Marcelinho Paraíba (FLA)\ Red cards: none.\

GOALS: Marcelinho Paraíba, 35'/1st half (1-0)

FLAMENGO: Bruno, Leo Moura, Fabio Luciano, Ronaldo Angelim and Juan; Jaílton (Sambueza, 23'/2nd half), Ibson, Kleberson and Everton (Fierro, half-time); Josiel (Obina, 33'/2nd half) and Marcelinho Paraíba. Coach: Caio Junior.

Coach: Marcio Bittencourt.

Photo: Gilvan de Souza