体坛英语新闻：Flamengo drops game-day opener to Cruzeiro

RIO DE JANEIRO, May 10 (Xinhua) -- In their first game in the 2009 Brazilian Championship, Cruzeiro beat Flamengo on Sunday 2-0 in front of their home crowd.

    Both teams entered this year's event after having won their respective state tournaments. However, in a game marred by penalties, Cruzeiro came out on top.

    Flamengo had the first chance at getting on the scoreboard in the 16th minute. Cruzeiro's Juancarlos stopped the ball from entering the net by using his hands. He was expelled and Flamengo was awarded a penalty kick.

    However, Cruzeiro's goalkeeper Fabio deflected Juan's kick. Juan attempted to head the ball into the net off the rebound, but Fabio grabbed the ball and escaped from danger unharmed.

    Cruzeiro's first goal came in the 29th minute. After Welinton took down Wagner in the penalty box, Kleber stepped in to take the penalty kick. Sending the ball into the lower right corner, the forward celebrated his first goal in this year's tournament.

    The home team scored one last time just as the game was coming to an end. In the 89th minute, Ramires broke free on a fast break, having only to beat Flamengo's goalkeeper Bruno.

    The forward lofted the ball into the left corner, eluding the star goalkeeper and sealing Cruzeiro's victory in the first round of this year's 20-team first division tournament.