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Published: Monday May 4, 2009 MYT 11:27:00 AM
Updated: Monday May 4, 2009 MYT 11:43:32 AM

Ronaldo's Corinthians, Flamengo win state titles in Brazil

SAO PAULO: Goalkeeper Bruno saved a penalty in regulation and two more in a shootout against Botafogo to give Flamengo its third straight Rio de Janeiro state title on Sunday.

In Sao Paulo, Ronaldo's Corinthians clinched that state's title unbeaten after a 1-1 draw against Santos.

After a 2-2 draw in regulation at the packed Maracana stadium, Bruno stopped shots by defenders Juninho and Leandro Guerreiro, giving Brazil's most popular club a 4-2 win for its 31st state title. Bruno had stopped a penalty shot by Victor Simoes in the second half.

All three Flamengo titles came in finals against Botafogo, which was trying to win its 19th trophy.

It is the fifth time in its history that Flamengo has won three consecutive titles.

The club has surpassed Fluminense as the most successful team in the state, with one more title than its rival.

Veteran midfielder Kleberson put Flamengo ahead in front of nearly 80,000 fans at Maracana with a header in the 19th, and added to the lead with a booming free kick in the 38th.

But Botafogo rallied with a well-struck free kick by defender Juninho in the 61st, and two minutes later midfielder Tulio Souza equalized from close range to send the game to penalties.

Kleberson, a starter in Brazil's World Cup winning team in 2002, scored again for Flamengo in the shootout, as did Juan, Airton and Leonardo Moura.

Only Leo Silva and Gabriel scored for Botafogo.

Botafogo had already missed a penalty kick two minutes into the second half, when Bruno stopped striker Victor Simoes' shot from the spot.

Flamengo defender Fabio Luciano was red carded in second-half injury time after a hand ball.

It was the third straight match between the clubs, who met last week in the first leg and two weeks ago in the final of the Rio Cup, the second stage of the Rio championship. Botafogo won the tournament's first stage, the Guanabara Cup.

Botafogo entered the second leg without two key players because of injuries, striker Reinaldo and midfielder Maicosuel.

Led by three-time FIFA player of the year Ronaldo, Corinthians held Santos to a 1-1 draw to become the first unbeaten Sao Paulo state champion in 37 years.

Corinthians had won the first leg 3-1 last week at Vila Belmiro in Santos and could have clinched the title even if it had lost Sunday's match by a difference of two goals.

Ronaldo did not score on Sunday, but he got on the board twice in the first leg last week to help the four-time national champion clinch its record 26th state title.

Ronaldo, thriving in Brazilian football after recovering from the third serious knee injury of his career, threw his arms toward the sky after the final whistle and celebrated with the fans.

"This title is a reward for all the hard work," Ronaldo said.

"It's time to celebrate."

No team had won the state title unbeaten since Corinthians rival Palmeiras in 1972.

Striker Kleber Pereira put Santos ahead at Pacaembu stadium on Sunday with a penalty kick in the 28th after he was brought down inside the area by Corinthians goalkeeper Felipe, but defender Andre Santos equalized for Corinthians in the 33rd with first-time shot inside the area.

Santos played the final minutes with 10 men after defender Domingos was ejected for receiving his second yellow card.

The result kept alive Corinthians' 25-match unbeaten streak at Pacaembu, which is where the team plays most of its matches because its own stadium is too small.

Corinthians has the best record of any club in the state, with four titles more than Palmeiras and five more than Sao Paulo. Santos, the 2006 and 2007 champion, was seeking its 18th title.

Corinthians coach Mano Menezes was without suspended captain Chicao, who scored a goal in the first leg.

"This team has always found ways to win," Menezes said.

Corinthians, which played last year in the Brazilian league's second division, entered the final with the tiebreaker advantage because it had a better campaign in the traditional tournament.

Corinthians is Brazil's second most popular club behind Flamengo.

In Belo Horizonte, Cruzeiro won the Minas Gerais state title with a 1-1 draw against rival Atletico Mineiro. Cruzeiro, unbeaten against Atletico in 12 matches, had won the first leg 5-0.

In Curitiba, Atletico Paranaense secured the Parana state title with a 2-0 win over Cianorte. - AP


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