Flamengo fought hard but couldn't avoid a 2-1 defeat to Goiás on Wednesday night at Serra Dourada. The result leaves the red-and-black team in seventh place in the Brazilian Championship, with 28 points. Iarley decided the match in favor of the Goiás team in the 46th minute of the second half. Léo Moura scored Flamengo's goal.

Early in the match, Vandinho, who was making his first start, suffered a thigh injury and had to be replaced by Maxi. Flamengo had more possession at the beginning, but couldn't convert that dominance into goal-scoring opportunities.

The first good chance came for Goiás in the 16th minute, with Iarley trying his luck from outside the box. Flamengo's best chance in the first half came from Jailton. The midfielder received the ball in the penalty area and hit Harlei's right post. Shortly after, Maxi shot and the ball went out of play.

In the second half, the game became more exciting, with both teams searching for the first goal. Just six minutes in, Ernando headed the ball on and Iarley, unmarked in the six-yard box, scored for Goiás: 1-0 at Serra Dourada.

Despite the setback, Flamengo went on the attack in search of an equalizer. Caio Júnior was forced to make another change, bringing on Airton in place of Dininho.

With Juan in inspired form, Flamengo began to create good scoring opportunities. In the 17th minute, Ibson shot, Harlei saved, and Henrique's shot hit the crossbar. Shortly after, Juan, the team's best player, was fouled by Vitor, resulting in a penalty. Léo Moura converted the penalty well, equalizing the match: 1-1.

With the goal and a large presence from the Flamengo fans, the team went on the attack in search of victory. Maxi had a chance to turn the game around, but his shot went just wide of the right post. At the end of the game, Romerito crossed the ball and Iarley finished it off: 2-1 Goiás.

In the next round, Flamengo faces Atlético-PR at the Maracanã. TECHNICAL DATA GOIÁS 2 X 1 FLAMENGO Location: Serra Dourada, Goiânia (GO) Date/time: 6/8/2008 - 21:50 PM (Brasília time) Referee: Rodrigo Martins Cintra (SP) Assistants: Nilson de Souza Monção (SP) and Marcelino Tomaz de Brito Neto (SP) Revenue/Attendance: R$ 653.500 / 39.200 paying spectators Yellow cards: Vítor, Ernando, João Paulo, Fernando (GOI); Obina, Toró, Airton and Fábio Luciano (FLA)

GOALS: Iarley, 6'/2nd half (1-0); Léo Moura, 20'/2nd half (1-1); Iarley, 46'/2nd half (2-1)

GOIÁS: Harlei, Henrique, João Paulo and Ernando; Vítor (Fábio Bahia, 23'/2nd half), Ramalho (Fahel, 47'/2nd half), Fernando, Paulo Baier (Adriano Gabiru, 27'/2nd half) and Thiago Feltri; Romerito and Iarley. Coach: Hélio dos Anjos.

FLAMENGO: Bruno, Léo Moura, Fábio Luciano, Dininho (Airton, 12'/2nd half) and Juan; Jaílton, Cristian, Toró and Ibson; Vandinho ((Maxi, 8'/1st half) (Paulo Sérgio, 43'/2nd half)) and Obina. Coach: Caio Júnior.

photo: lancenet.com.br