Fluminense fires coach Lopes

Rio de Janeiro:

Fluminense fired coach Antonio Lopes on Friday, a day after the club was held to a 1-1 draw at home by Argentina's Gimnasia y Esgrima in the second round of the Copa Sudamericana. The Brazilian club hired former Sao Caetano coach Paulo Cesar Gusmao to replace Lopes. Gusmao was fired from Sao Caetano on Aug. 31 after only four matches at the helm of the club. "I'm very satisfied to return to Fluminense, where I was champion in 1995 as a goalkeeper trainer,'' Gusmao said. "Our priority will be to take Fluminense out of this uncomfortable situation in the standings.'' Fluminense, winless in its last three matches, is 11th in the 20-team Brazilian league standings with 34 points from 26 games. It plays Rio de Janeiro rival Flamengo next on Wednesday. The first-leg draw against Gimnasia was the latest in a slump that has seen Fluminense win only one of 10 matches under Lopes, who replaced Josue Teixeira after he was fired on Aug. 24. Under Lopes, Fluminense lost four matches and drew five. The team's only win came against Figueirense on Sept. 17. Lopes was national champion last year with Corinthians, and in 1997 with Fluminense rival Vasco, which also won the Copa Libertadores in 1998. Fluminense's only Brazilian title was in 1984. Lopes was the fifth coach fired by Fluminense this season. Gusmao, who also coached Cruzeiro earlier this year, led Sao Caetano to one draw and three losses. He coached Botafogo, Flamengo and Vasco earlier in his career. (AP)