Flamengo misses chances to move into top spot

Nov 23, 2009 - 1:26 AM BRASILIA, Brazil(AP) -- Flamengo missed the chance to move into top place in the Brazilian championship with two games remaining in the season after a scoreless draw with Goias on Sunday.

With tournament leader Sao Paulo surprisingly beaten 3-2 by lowly Botafogo earlier in the day, Flamengo had high hopes of taking top place.

But the draw meant Flamengo remained in second place on 61 points, one behind Sao Paulo. Palmeiras has 59 points and is still in title contention.

Flamengo struggled to pierce the Goias defense, with key men Adriano and Dejan Petkovic proving a constant menace in the Maracana stadium, in Rio de Janeiro.

Even Flamengo goalkeeper Bruno tried to break the deadlock, scampering into the visitors area three times in the final minutes for a series of late corners.

Sao Paulo lost away after Jobson's 90th-minute goal. Jobson had opened the scoring in the 15th minute for Botafogo, before Washington equalized for Sao Paulo on the stroke of half time.

After the break, Jorge Wagner gave Sao Paulo the lead in the 57th minute, but two minutes later Renato leveled the scores to set the stage for Jobsons decisive late strike.

Palmeiras still has hopes of the title despite losing 2-0 away to Gremio, while Fluminense boosted its chances of avoiding relegation with a 3-0 away win against already-relegated Sport.

In other results, Corinthians lost 3-2 at home on Saturday against Nautico, while Atletico Paranaense drew 1-1 with Cruzeiro.

Santos thumped Coritiba 4-0, while Vitoria won 2-1 at home against Barueri and Internacional moved into fourth place with a 1-0 away victory over Atletico Mineiro.