RIO DE JANEIRO, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Flamengo missed the chance to secure a top-four finish in Brazil's Serie A championship on Saturday when they suffered a 2-1 home defeat to Avai.
Wellington gifted the hosts the lead with a 42nd-minute own goal before Avai equalized via Marcinho's cool finish on the stroke of halftime.
Felipe Silva put the visitors ahead courtesy of a close range header 11 minutes from time as Avai clinched their ninth win of the campaign. Despite the result, the Florianopolis-based side are guaranteed of relegation to Serie B next year with just 35 points from their 38 matches.
After spending most of the season in the top four and vying for the title, Flamengo fell to fifth in the 20-team standings, having lost three and drawn one of their last four games.
The clash at the Maracana stadium marked the last time that goalkeeper Diego Alves and midfielder Diego Ribas represented Flamengo in an official match. Both players started on the pitch but were substituted in the second half to enthusiastic applause from the near-capacity crowd.
Brazil's Serie A season is due to finish on Sunday with nine matches scheduled, all of which will kick off at 4 p.m. local time. ■
