Flamengo eliminated from Copa Libertadores

 　　RIO DE JANEIRO, April 12 (Xinhua) -- Flamengo was eliminated from the Copa Libertadores on Thursday after a dramatic victory by Emelec over Olimpia in Paraguay's capital Asuncion.

　　Defender¹ Jose Quinonez scored the injury-time winner as Ecuador's Emelec overcame the Paraguayans 3-2 to secure a spot in the tournament's knockout phase.

　　The result meant Flamengo's 3-0 victory over Argentinas Lanus at the Engenhao stadium in, also on Thursday night, was in vain.

　　It was a bitter-sweet night for Flamengo supporters, who after a stuttering Libertadores campaign, finally saw their team play in a fluent and attacking manner.

　　Welinton Souza Silva and Deivid scored first-half goals for the Brazilians before Luiz Antonio made it 3-0 five minutes into the second half.

　　Former Barcelona and AC Milan star Ronaldinho showed flashes of his old brilliance² by setting up two of the goals and posing a constant threat to the Lanus defense³.

　　The result means Flamengo finish the group phase on 8 points, one behind Emelec and two behind Lanus.

　　After the match Flamengo coach Joel Santana denied his team was suffering a crisis.

　　"I think we had more good moments in this tournament than bad ones," Santana said, adding the team would now turn its focus to the Rio Cup.

　　Santana reserved special praise for Ronaldinho, maligned⁴ by Flamengo fans in recent weeks for his inconsistent form.

　　"Ronaldinho is very experienced. He has been through a lot in his career and is used to criticism.

　　"He is an idol⁵ and has his ups and downs. The life of a star is always like that, that's why there are so few."

1 defender   

n.保卫者，拥护者，辩护人

参考例句：

• He shouldered off a defender and shot at goal.他用肩膀挡开防守队员，然后射门。
• The defender argued down the prosecutor at the court.辩护人在法庭上驳倒了起诉人。

2 brilliance   

n.光辉，辉煌，壮丽，（卓越的）才华，才智

参考例句：

• I was totally amazed by the brilliance of her paintings.她的绘画才能令我惊歎不已。
• The gorgeous costume added to the brilliance of the dance.华丽的服装使舞蹈更加光彩夺目。

3 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

4 maligned   

vt.污蔑，诽谤（malign的过去式与过去分词形式）

参考例句：

• She feels she has been much maligned by the press. 她觉得她遭到了新闻界的恣意诽谤。
• We maligned him dreadfully when you come to think of it. 回头想想，我们狠狠地中伤了他。 来自辞典例句

5 idol   

n.偶像，红人，宠儿

参考例句：

• As an only child he was the idol of his parents.作为独子，他是父母的宠儿。
• Blind worship of this idol must be ended.对这个偶像的盲目崇拜应该结束了。