Fans, in a poll conducted by Flamengo's official website this Sunday (July 18.07), had already warned that the team should do everything possible to return from Goiás with three more points in the Brasileirão standings. More than 90% of internet users voted that a draw away from home wouldn't be enough against Atlético-GO. And, judging by what was seen on the field at Serra Dourada, it wasn't enough for the players of the Gávea team either.

With a goal from Petkovic, from a penalty kick in the 35th minute of the first half, coach Rogério Lourenço's team defeated Dragão, reached 15 points and took fourth place in the standings. With a 100% record in their return to the Brazilian Championship after the World Cup, Flamengo will seek their third consecutive victory next Wednesday (21.07), against Avaí, at Maracanã.

Pet opens the scoring
As the Rio and Goiás red-and-blacks expected, the duel between Flamengo and Atlético Goianiense was anything but easy. Needing a win, both teams opted to study each other rather than attack in the opening minutes. As a result, the match was evenly matched and fiercely contested in midfield. But the best scoring chances fell to the team from Gávea.

In the 17th minute, Welinton capitalized on a corner kick to fire a dangerous shot at Márcio's goal. Two minutes later, it was Pet's turn to fire a dangerous shot. In the 22nd minute, Juan, with a header from a free kick in the six-yard box, also came close to scoring. And after so much persistence, Flamengo opened the scoring in the 35th minute. Diego Maurício made a beautiful run down the left wing and was brought down in the box: a penalty that Petkovic perfectly converted to make it 1-0.

Fla manages
In the second half, Atlético-GO entered the field looking for an equalizer. Flamengo, with the advantage, adopted a strategy of managing the result and counterattacking. Seeking to have a key player in the box, coach Rogério Lourenço replaced young Diego Maurício with Colombian Cristian Borja, making his debut for the Rio de Janeiro club.

In the 21st minute, Atlético-GO even had a good chance to equalize when Pedro Paulo made a good run down the right and shot, which Marcelo Lomba made a great save. In the end, Juninho and Elias also nearly equalized. However, the Goiás team's comeback ultimately failed to produce much of an impact. Flamengo continued to hold on to the victory, much to the delight of the fans who turned out in large numbers at Serra Dourada and left the stadium satisfied, with the team in the top four.

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CREDITS:
ATLÉTICO-GO 0 X 1 FLAMENGO

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Stadium: Golden Mountains, Goiás
Date/Time: 18/7/2010 - 16:XNUMX PM (Brasília time)
Referee: Paulo Cesar de Oliveira (FIFA/SP)
Auxiliaries: Emerson Augusto de Carvalho (FIFA/SP) and Carlos Augusto Junior (SP)

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Public: 4530 payers
Income: 72.930,00 BRL
Yellow cards: Pituca, Welton Felipe (ATG); Juan (FLA)

Goal: Petkovic, 35'/2nd half (0-1)

ATLÉTICO-GO: Marcio, Dida, Gilson, Welton Felipe and Chiquinho; Agenor, Pituca (Willian - Half-time), Robston and Elias; Pedro Paulo and Rodrigo Tiuí (Juninho - Half-time) (Anaílson - 33/2nd half). Technical: Robert Fernandes

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FLAMENGO: Marcelo Lomba, Léo Moura, Welinton, Ronaldo Angelim and Juan; Willians, Correa (Fabrício - 39/2nd half), Kleberson (Romulo - 33/2nd half) and Petkovic; Vinícius Pacheco and Diego Mauricio (Cristian Borja - 20/2nd half). Technical: Rogerio Lourenço

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