Flamengo lost its unbeaten away record with a 1-0 defeat to Coritiba this Thursday night at Couto Pereira Stadium. Despite the loss, the team from Gávea maintained its undisputed lead in the Brazilian Championship with 26 points.

From the start of the match, the red-and-black team's superiority was evident. Three minutes in, Juan sent a cross-shot that scared Edson Bastos. Despite dominating the match, Caio Júnior's team rarely found its way to Coritiba's goal.

In the home team's first chance, Rodrigo Mancha took a shot from distance, the ball deflected off Fábio Luciano and deceived Bruno: 1-0 Coritiba, in the 18th minute. The goal didn't faze Flamengo, and Souza nearly equalized in the 25th minute, following a fine play by Juan. Soon after, Cristian received the ball from Juan and shot dangerously from outside the box.

In the 28th minute, Hugo received the ball in the penalty area and shot toward the corner, but Bruno saved. Still on the left, the red-and-black team arrived again in the 34th minute. Juan received a good pass from Ibson and crossed for Souza to head just wide of the post. Late in the first half, Juan crossed and Jailton almost scored with a backheel.

Just like in the first half, Flamengo took the initiative in the opening minutes. Juan, in the fourth minute, tried a long-range shot, and Edson Bastos saved confidently. Two minutes later, Bruno took a free kick, but the ball went over.

In the 21st minute, Jônatas burst into the box from the left, fired a cross-shot, and Edson Bastos saved. Tightly defended, the Paraná team made things difficult for Flamengo's attack.

At the end of the game, Obina, who had come on for Diego Tardelli, had the last chance to equalize, but Edson Bastos was having a great night and secured the victory for the team from Paraná.

In the next round, Sunday, July 20, Flamengo faces Vitória, at Maracanã.

TECHNICAL SHEET:\ CORITIBA 1 X 0 FLAMENGO\

Stadium: Couto Pereira, Curitiba (PR)\ Date/time: 17/7/2008 - 20:30 p.m. (Brasília time)\ Referee: José Henrique de Carvalho (Fifa-SP)\ Revenue/attendance: R$ 627.375,00 / 33.321 paying spectators\ Yellow cards: Hugo, Rodrigo Mancha, Édson Bastos (COR); Juan, Jônatas, Dininho (FLA)\

GOALS: Rodrigo Mancha, 17'/1st half (1-0)

CORITIBA: Edson Bastos, Maurício, Rodrigo Mancha and Felipe; Rodrigo Heffner (Arílton, 23'/2nd half), Leandro Donizete (Veiga, 40'/1st half), Carlinhos Paraíba, Marlos and Rodriguinho; Hugo and Keirrison (Kadu, 18'/2nd half). Coach: Dorival Júnior.

FLAMENGO: Bruno, Léo Moura, Fábio Luciano, Ronaldo Angelim (Dininho, 21'/2nd half) and Juan; Jaílton, Cristian, Jônatas and Ibson; Diego Tardelli (Obina, 13'/2nd half) and Souza (Maxi, 25'/2nd half). Coach: Caio Júnior.

photo: lancenet.com.br