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Brazil: Fluminense's Petkovic still No. 1 penalty-taker [Wed Sep 21st, 2005]
Fluminense saw their chances of maintaining the Brasileirão leadership disappear in a puff of smoke with the paltry draw against Coritiba last Sunday. To make matters worse, Petkovic missed a crucial penalty that would have kept the Tricolor Carioca on top.
It was the first spot-kick the Serb had taken since he landed back in Rio, swapping ex-team Vasco for Flu. As a specialist in dead-ball situations the miss was seen as a howling mistake by fans eager to see their team stay at the number one spot.
Even so, Pet guarantees that he’s still the first-choice penalty taker in the squad. “I was well aware that the penalty [against Coritiba] was my responsibility, and I’m still going to continue taking them whenever the opportunity arises and I’m on the pitchâ€.
The next chance could be in the Carioca classic derby against Flamengo, nicknamed Flu-Fla, tomorrow at the Volta Redonda stadium – due to continued sluggishly performed reforms at the Maracanã shrine.
Abel Braga will have to do without four first-team regulars – Juan, Gabriel Santos, Arouca e Beto – but marksman Tuta is confident of a win against the resurging Mengão. “I’ve already been out of the team, just like [number 10] Felipe. We’re lucky to have an ample squad, so it’s no problem.â€
Aaron Marcus
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