Ponte Preta beat Fluminense 2-1

Campinas City:

Ponte Preta stayed in the lead of the Brazilian Championship by beating Fluminense 2-1 on Sunday. Fluminense almost registered the game's first goal in the 21st minute when Beto's well-struck attempt from 20 metres out nearly slipped past Ponte Preta goalkeeper Lauro. Lauro's defensive capabilities were tested a second time when Leandro attempted to find the back of the net from the right side on 35 minutes.

Huge blow The visitors suffered a blow moments from half-time when they were reduced to 10-men--Preto Casagrande received a second yellow card after a foul on Luciano Santos. Ponte Preta scored the opener two minutes into the second half when Igor was adjudged to have brought down Danilo in the penalty area. Kahe made no mistake with the resulting penalty kick and easily passed keeper Kleber to register the game's first score. Fluminense scored the equaliser in the 62nd minute when striker Tuta beat two defenders and keeper Lauro to register his fifth goal of the 2005 Brazilian Championship. Red card A minute later, Fluminense were reduced to nine men after referee Giulliano Bozzano handed Angelo a red card for an over-zealous challenge on Leandro. Ponte Preta scored the winner eight minutes from time when substitute Izaias latched onto an eloquent Rafael Santos lob over the defence and put the ball past Kleber from close range. In the closing moments, Ponte Preta also went a man down when Silva was sent off but it made no difference to the outcome as time ran out. The 2-1 result means Ponte Preta stays atop the Brazilian Championship. (AP)