Emperor shines and Fla defeats Corinthians at Maracanã
Adriano gets the better of Ronaldo, Rubro-Negro wins 1-0 and only needs a draw in SP to qualify
By From the team at Flamengo's official website - in
In the highly anticipated duel between Ronaldo and Adriano, the Gávea number 10 proved that, at Maracanã, the law is king. With a penalty kick in the 19th minute, the Emperor decided the match between Flamengo and Corinthians on Wednesday night. Even with a man down since the 36th minute of the first half, when Michael was sent off, the Rubro-Negro secured a heroic 1-0 victory, much to the delight of the Rubro-Negro fans, who turned out in large numbers at the Greatest in the World.
The result gives the red-and-blacks the advantage of playing for a draw in the return leg in São Paulo next Wednesday (05.05). Corinthians, in turn, needs to win by two goals to advance. A 1-0 victory for the black-and-whites takes the game to penalties, and any other victory by one goal for the São Paulo team will give Flamengo qualification based on away goals.
Rain gets in the way
In the first half, neither Saint Jude Thaddeus nor Saint George intervened for their respective clubs. Saint Peter stole the show. Heavy rain lashed the Maracanã and its surroundings, preventing the most anticipated game of the year from unfolding as expected: a lively affair with plenty of scoring chances. With the field full of puddles, the ball barely rolled, but even so, both teams managed to create a few opportunities.
The visitors took the first chance. In the sixth minute, Roberto Carlos took a free kick, Chicão deflected it dangerously, and Willians blocked it. Five minutes later, it was Flamengo's turn to threaten. Leo Moura took advantage of a rebound in the opposing defense to burst into the box and strike powerfully, hitting Julio Cesar's post. The red-and-blacks created another great opportunity in the 34th minute, when Love was released by Michael, burst into the box, and was dispossessed by Chicão.
But that was Michael's last play. In the 36th minute, he unnecessarily tackled Dentinho, received his second yellow card, and was eventually sent off, leaving the Gávea team ten men short. However, the São Paulo team failed to capitalize on their numerical advantage until the end of the second half.
Emperor decides
With less rain and a much drier pitch, the game finally took on a bit more of the feel that both the red-and-blacks and the black-and-whites had hoped for. And, with an extra player, Corinthians began to seize the initiative. Just four minutes in, Moacir made a great play down the right flank and chipped the ball past Bruno, who made a great save. Meanwhile, Flamengo threatened with counterattacks.
In the 15th minute, Juan took a dangerous free kick into the box; no one cleared it, and the ball hit the crossbar. Adriano, on the rebound, nearly scored. It was simply a sign that the Emperor was back. Four minutes later, Leo Moura passed to Juan, who was brought down by Moacir inside the box: a penalty. Ten days after missing a penalty in the Taça Rio final against Botafogo, the number 10 was undeterred, collected the ball, and, with character, stepped up to take the shot.
Ball on one side, goalkeeper on the other: Flamengo 1-0 and celebrations in the stands to the tune of "Oh, the Emperor is back." Inspired, he nearly scored another in the 33rd minute. Willians delivered a great pass into the box, and Adriano headed powerfully, but Júlio César made a great save. In the 39th minute, it was Vinícius Pacheco's turn, replacing Vagner Love, to nearly score. But the victory was already assured, much to the delight of the nearly 73 Flamengo fans at the Maracanã.
TECHNICAL SHEET
FLAMENGO 1 X 0 CORINTHIANS
Stadium: Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro (RJ)
Date/Time: 28/4/2010 - 21:50 PM
Referee: Carlos Arecio Amarilla (PAR)
Assistants: Emigdio Ruiz (PAR) and Nicolás Adolfo Yegros (PAR)
Income/audience: R$ 2.240.800,00 / 62.247 paying customers
Yellow cards: Michael, Fierro (FLA); Roberto Carlos, Moacir (COR)
Red card: Michael, 36'/1st half (FLA)
GOAL: Adriano, 21'/2nd half (1-0)
FLAMENGO: Bruno, Leonardo Moura, David, Angelim and Juan; Romulo, Maldonado (Toró, 33'/2nd half), Willians (Fierro, 30'/2nd half) and Michael, Vagner Love (Vinícius Pacheco, 36'/2nd half) and Adriano. Coach: Rogério Lourenço.
CORINTHIANS: Julio Cesar, Moacir, Chicão, William and Roberto Carlos; Ralf, Jucilei, Elias and Danilo (Jorge Henrique, 22'/2nd half); Dentinho (Iarley, 22'/2nd half) and Ronaldo (Souza, 38'/2nd half). Coach: Mano Menezes.
The result gives the red-and-blacks the advantage of playing for a draw in the return leg in São Paulo next Wednesday (05.05). Corinthians, in turn, needs to win by two goals to advance. A 1-0 victory for the black-and-whites takes the game to penalties, and any other victory by one goal for the São Paulo team will give Flamengo qualification based on away goals.
Rain gets in the way
In the first half, neither Saint Jude Thaddeus nor Saint George intervened for their respective clubs. Saint Peter stole the show. Heavy rain lashed the Maracanã and its surroundings, preventing the most anticipated game of the year from unfolding as expected: a lively affair with plenty of scoring chances. With the field full of puddles, the ball barely rolled, but even so, both teams managed to create a few opportunities.
The visitors took the first chance. In the sixth minute, Roberto Carlos took a free kick, Chicão deflected it dangerously, and Willians blocked it. Five minutes later, it was Flamengo's turn to threaten. Leo Moura took advantage of a rebound in the opposing defense to burst into the box and strike powerfully, hitting Julio Cesar's post. The red-and-blacks created another great opportunity in the 34th minute, when Love was released by Michael, burst into the box, and was dispossessed by Chicão.
But that was Michael's last play. In the 36th minute, he unnecessarily tackled Dentinho, received his second yellow card, and was eventually sent off, leaving the Gávea team ten men short. However, the São Paulo team failed to capitalize on their numerical advantage until the end of the second half.
Emperor decides
With less rain and a much drier pitch, the game finally took on a bit more of the feel that both the red-and-blacks and the black-and-whites had hoped for. And, with an extra player, Corinthians began to seize the initiative. Just four minutes in, Moacir made a great play down the right flank and chipped the ball past Bruno, who made a great save. Meanwhile, Flamengo threatened with counterattacks.
In the 15th minute, Juan took a dangerous free kick into the box; no one cleared it, and the ball hit the crossbar. Adriano, on the rebound, nearly scored. It was simply a sign that the Emperor was back. Four minutes later, Leo Moura passed to Juan, who was brought down by Moacir inside the box: a penalty. Ten days after missing a penalty in the Taça Rio final against Botafogo, the number 10 was undeterred, collected the ball, and, with character, stepped up to take the shot.
Ball on one side, goalkeeper on the other: Flamengo 1-0 and celebrations in the stands to the tune of "Oh, the Emperor is back." Inspired, he nearly scored another in the 33rd minute. Willians delivered a great pass into the box, and Adriano headed powerfully, but Júlio César made a great save. In the 39th minute, it was Vinícius Pacheco's turn, replacing Vagner Love, to nearly score. But the victory was already assured, much to the delight of the nearly 73 Flamengo fans at the Maracanã.
TECHNICAL SHEET
FLAMENGO 1 X 0 CORINTHIANS
Stadium: Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro (RJ)
Date/Time: 28/4/2010 - 21:50 PM
Referee: Carlos Arecio Amarilla (PAR)
Assistants: Emigdio Ruiz (PAR) and Nicolás Adolfo Yegros (PAR)
Income/audience: R$ 2.240.800,00 / 62.247 paying customers
Yellow cards: Michael, Fierro (FLA); Roberto Carlos, Moacir (COR)
Red card: Michael, 36'/1st half (FLA)
GOAL: Adriano, 21'/2nd half (1-0)
FLAMENGO: Bruno, Leonardo Moura, David, Angelim and Juan; Romulo, Maldonado (Toró, 33'/2nd half), Willians (Fierro, 30'/2nd half) and Michael, Vagner Love (Vinícius Pacheco, 36'/2nd half) and Adriano. Coach: Rogério Lourenço.
CORINTHIANS: Julio Cesar, Moacir, Chicão, William and Roberto Carlos; Ralf, Jucilei, Elias and Danilo (Jorge Henrique, 22'/2nd half); Dentinho (Iarley, 22'/2nd half) and Ronaldo (Souza, 38'/2nd half). Coach: Mano Menezes.