Flamengo defeated Santo André 2-1 this Sunday in São Paulo, earning its first three points in the Brazilian Championship. Josiel was the star of the red-and-black team, scoring both of Flamengo's goals. Next Sunday at 16 p.m., Flamengo faces Atlético-PR in Rio de Janeiro, featuring striker Adriano.

The game started off fiercely competitive, and Santo André had the first good chance. In the 22nd minute, Antônio Flávio fired a long-range shot, which Bruno palmed out for a corner. Pushed on by the red-and-black crowd that packed the Bruno José Daniel Stadium in São Paulo's ABC region, Flamengo responded in the 12th minute with a dangerous shot from Kleberson. Soon after, the number 15 delivered a beautiful pass to Everton Silva, who shot straight at Neneca.

In the 29th minute, after Everton's cross from the left, Josiel nearly scored the first goal for the Gávea team. Two minutes later, Josiel rose above the São Paulo defense on a corner kick and headed the ball into the back of the net, scoring the first goal: 1-0 Flamengo.

Flamengo dominated the match, but Santo André equalized in the first half. In the 43rd minute, Nunes controlled the ball in the box, spun, and rolled it back. Ricardo Conceição hit it hard and fired a powerful shot, giving Bruno no chance.

The second half started with a lot of action. In the third minute, Josiel exchanged passes with Everton Silva and shot, but the ball was stopped by Santo André's defense. Five minutes later, Pablo Escobar's shot from the penalty area was saved by Kleberson. In the fifteenth minute, coach Cuca decided to take off Obina and bring on Erick Flores.

In the 19th minute, Ricardo Goulart's shot hit Bruno's post. In the 20th minute, Ibson passed to Josiel, who beautifully chipped the ball past goalkeeper Neneca, a stunning goal for Flamengo: 2-1. In the 27th minute, Everton Silva received the ball from Ibson and shot, but the São Paulo goalkeeper saved.

Josiel, inspired, almost scored the third on two other occasions, but the score ended up being a good size.

CREDITS:

SANTO ANDRÉ 1 X 2 FLAMENGO\ Location: Bruno José Daniel, Santo André (SP)\ Date/Time: 24/5/2009 at 18:30 p.m.\ Referee: Arilson Bispo da Anunciação (BA)\ Assistants: Adson Marcio Lopes Leal (BA) and Raimundo Carneiro de Oliveira (BA)\ Revenue/attendance: R$ 197.685,00 / 8.819 paying spectators\ Yellow cards: Dionísio, Ricardo (STA); Willians, Toró, Erick Flores (FLA)\

GOALS: Josiel, 31'/1st half (0-1); Ricardo Conceição, 43'/1st half (1-1); Josiel, 20'/2nd half (1-2).

SANTO ANDRÉ: Neneca; Dionísio (Júnior Dutra, 36'/2nd half), Cesinha, Marcel and Gustavo Nery; Fernando, Ricardo Conceição, Marcelinho Carioca and Pablo Escobar (Rodriguinho, 29'/2nd half); Antonio Flávio (Ricardo, 18'/2nd half) and Nunes. Coach: Sérgio Guedes.

FLAMENGO: Bruno, Everton Silva, Aírton, Ronaldo Angelim and Everton (Fierro, 34'/2nd half); Toró (Welinton, 25'/2nd half), Willians, Kleberson and Ibson; Josiel (Erick Flores) and Obina (Erick Flores, 14'/2nd half). Coach: Cuca