The team plays well only in the first 20 minutes after coach Joel Santana returns

Still seeking better harmony between the players who arrived to reinforce the squad, Flamengo lost 3-0 to Santos on Sunday afternoon, at Vila Belmiro, in the 17th round of the Brazilian Championship, with coach Joel Santana returning to the team.

This, however, was only the red-black team's 13th game in the competition. Pedrinho, Marcos Aurélio, and Kleber scored the goals for the São Paulo team. Flamengo returns to play this Wednesday in Curitiba against Atlético-PR.

Despite playing away from home, the Gávea club took the initiative and was the better side in the first 20 minutes. Without being frightened, they created good plays and posed danger with crosses into the box, delivered by Renato Augusto and Cristian on the right and Juan on the left.

With their first shot on goal, however, Santos opened the scoring: Pedrinho picked up the rebound from a rebounded ball and fired a cross: 1-0, in the 21st minute. Flamengo still created a good chance soon after, from a cross by Obina, but failed to score and was severely punished in the 32nd minute, when Marcos Aurélio received a pass from Alessandro and made it 2-0.

Another harsh punishment came just five minutes into the second half. Flamengo was once again trying to seize the initiative when Kleber scored a free kick to make it 5-3 for Santos. Coach Joel Santana then tried to change the game by bringing on forwards Maxi Biancucci and Paulo Sérgio for Roger and Jaílton. The team fought back with grit, but Santos managed to hold on to their advantage until the end.

SANTOS 3 X 0 FLAMENGO

Competition: Brazilian Championship\ Location: Vila Belmiro, Santos (SP)\ Referee: Evandro Rogério Roman (PR)\ Assistants: Roberto Braatz (Fifa/PR) and Rogério Carlos Rolim (PR)\ Revenue and Attendance: R$ 87.912,00 / 6.673 paying spectators.\ Yellow Card: Roger (FLA) and Dionísio (SAN).\ Goals: Pedrinho, at 21', and Marcos Aurélio, at 32' of the first half;\ Kleber, at 5' of the second half.\

Flamengo\ Bruno, Léo Moura, Irineu, Ronaldo Angelim and Juan; Jaílton (Paulo Sérgio),\ Cristian, Ibson and Roger (Maxi Biancucci); Renato Augusto and Obina\ Coach: Joel Santana\

Santos\ Fabio Costa, Domingos, Marcelo and Adaílton; Alessandro, Adoniram, Kleber,\ Pedrinho (Adriano) and Dionísio (Rodrigo Tabata); Marcos Aurélio (V. Junior) and\ Kleber Pereira\ Coach: Vanderlei Luxemburgo\