Chapecoense move to top of Brazil s Serie A

Rio de Janeiro May 30 (IANS) Tragedy-hit Associação Chapecoense de Futebol have risen to the top of the standings in Brazil s Serie A football league with a 2-0 home victory over Avai FC.

Wellington Paulista and Reinaldo struck first-half goals on Monday for the team from southern Brazil who were forced to rebuild their squad from scratch after 19 of their players were killed in a plane crash last November reports Xinhua news agency.

The hosts were reduced to 10 men with seven minutes remaining at Conda Arena when Luiz Otavio was shown a second yellow card for a bad tackle.

Three minutes later Avai s Leandro Silva was also given his marching orders for a second caution after he scythed down Reindaldo.

Chapecoense now lead the 20-team standings with seven points from the first three matches ahead of Corinthians and Cruzeiro on goal difference.

--IANS
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