体坛英语资讯：Corinthians remains leader, Vasco da Gama close behind

RIO DE JANEIRO, Oct. 16 -- In the second and final day of the 30th round of play in the 2011 Brazilian Championship, Corinthians was able to beat Cruzeiro 1-0 on Sunday, holding onto first place. Vasco da Gama beat Atletico-PR 2-0 and continues to pressure Corinthians.

On the road against a struggling Cruzeiro, Corinthians was able to muster the game' s only goal in the 65th minute of play. Receiving the ball inside the goalie box, Willian left the ball to Paulinho who quickly fired a shot past keeper Fabio and into the upper right side of the Cruzeiro goal.

The result consolidates Corinthians in first place with 54 points. Cruzeiro continues it poor performance in the second half of the competition, extending its winless streak to eleven games. The team runs the risk of relegation into the second division of the 2017 Brazilian Championship, remaining in sixteenth place with 31 points.

In the 31st round of play, Corinthians will travel to face Internacional while Cruzeiro will receive Atletico-GO. Both games will be held on October 23.

Host to a struggling Atletico-MG, Vasco da Gama won 2-0. Elton scored his team' s opening goal in only the 2nd minute of play, blowing a long-range shot over the head of keeper Renan Ribeiro. Elton participated in his team' s second goal, allowing a loose ball to roll to Fagner who easily slipped the ball under Ribeiro.

The win keeps Vasco da Gama on the heels of leader Corinthians with the same number of points (54). Corinthians has a better over-all record, giving the team the tie-break. Atletico-MG remains in seventeenth place with 30 points. In the next round of play Atletico-MG will travel to face Fluminense on October 22 while Vasco da Gama travels to face Bahia on the following day.

Fluminense successfully traveled to face Palmeiras on Sunday, winning 2-1. Fred continued his hot streak and scored both of Fluminense' s goals. His first came in the 10th minute of play. From the far left side of the field Carlinhos crossed a perfect ball to Fred who freely headed the ball into the Palmeiras goal.

Palmeiras tied the match in the 72nd minute off a penalty kick. Fluminense' s Martinuccio tripped-up Luan inside of the goalie box, amounting to a penalty kick. Valdivia took command of the kick and fired it into the lower left side of the visiting team' s goal, tying the match.

Fred returned to the second half to salvage his team and provide another impressive victory. Catching up to a deep pass, Martinuccio was able to center the ball before sliding out of bounds, finding a charging Fred to redirect the ball with the bottom of the cleat and into the open Palmeiras net.

Fred' s two goals mark his fifth in two games, tallying his thirteenth goal of the tournament.

The win improves Fluminense to fifth place with 50 while Palmeiras drops three places to 12th place with 41 points. In the next round of play Palmeiras will play host to Figueirense while Fluminense will receive Atletico-MG. Both games will be held on October 22.

Under the pouring rain in Rio de Janeiro, Botafogo was led by Uruguayan native Sebastian "Loco" Abreu, scoring both of his team' s goals in the 2-0 win over Atletico-PR. Abreu headed in his first goal in the 17th minute off an Antonio Carlos cross, blowing the ball past keeper Renan Rocha.

Abreu scored again in the 80th minute. After Manoel held on to the jersey of Antonio Carlos, Botafogo received a penalty kick. Abreu stepped in to take the kick, carefully knocking the ball into the lower right side of the goal.

Botafogo' s win improves the team to third place with 52 points. Atletico-PR remains in a troubling eighteenth place with 28 points. In the next round of play Botafogo will travel to face Avai on October 22 while Atletico-PR plays host to Ceara.

In an amazing come-from-behind victory, host Internacional battled from behind to beat Avai 4-2. Avai' s Robinho scored the game' s first goal in the 8th minute, knocking in a crossed ball from Cleverson.

Returning to the second half, Internacional quickly scored the equalizer in the 53rd minute when D' Alessandro commanded a free kick that blew through the defensive barrier of Avai players and came to rest in the back of the goal.