Fla faces São José with an eye on a sixth consecutive victory
Rubro-negro hopes to count on the support of the fans this Sunday, at 11 am, at Arena HSBC
By From the team at Flamengo's official website - in
Riding a streak of eight wins in nine matches, the last five consecutive, the five-time Rio de Janeiro champion faces São José/Unimed, the current São Paulo champion, this Sunday at 11 am at Arena HSBC, in a match valid for the fifth round of the return leg of the Novo Basquete Brasil.
With his sights set on a sixth straight win, coach Paulo Chupeta will finally have virtually his entire squad available. The only absences are winger Dedé, who re-injured his right hand in a collision with center Shilton in the match against Joinville last Friday, and point guard Yan, who is still recovering from right knee surgery.
"Coloneze and Alírio are not yet at the same pace as the others, but I believe that in two weeks they will be 100 percent. This group is very strong and with everyone in good shape our game will fall into place and we will once again be among the title contenders," said Paulo Chupeta.
Despite Flamengo's excellent run in the competition, the red-and-black coach expects a very difficult match. Not even the absence of winger Renato and center Rafael Mineiro, who are injured, will be enough to turn off the alarm bells at Gávea.
"We can't afford to lose any more home games, but we know it's going to be a dangerous match. Of course, without Mineiro and Renato, who are their key players, our task becomes a little easier, but São José is the current São Paulo champion and has other important players. Their attacking prowess is a real concern, especially with Fúlvio and Matheus' shots, and with Wanderson's individual play," warned Chupeta.
One of Flamengo's most consistent players, Duda agrees with the coach. For the Flamengo winger, the absence of Renato and Mineiro can be overcome by the experience of players who have played for the national team, such as point guard Fúlvio and center Paulão.
"We can't think the game will be easier because they won't have two key players. They're the current São Paulo champions, have a good base, and have players used to playing big games," said Duda.
A leader of the Flamengo fans on the court, the winger urges fans to show up this Sunday and be the sixth player in the race to secure first place in the qualifying round. Currently, Flamengo sits second in the standings with 30 points, trailing only Brasília, which has 31.
"Our team is very strong and despite suffering from several injury problems, we've managed to always stay among the top. We're growing in the competition at the right time and with the two negative results in Brasília, we're back to depending solely on ourselves to secure first place," recalled Duda.
FLAMENGO – (POTENTIAL TEAM) - Fred, Marcelinho, Duda, Wágner and Jefferson
With his sights set on a sixth straight win, coach Paulo Chupeta will finally have virtually his entire squad available. The only absences are winger Dedé, who re-injured his right hand in a collision with center Shilton in the match against Joinville last Friday, and point guard Yan, who is still recovering from right knee surgery.
"Coloneze and Alírio are not yet at the same pace as the others, but I believe that in two weeks they will be 100 percent. This group is very strong and with everyone in good shape our game will fall into place and we will once again be among the title contenders," said Paulo Chupeta.
Despite Flamengo's excellent run in the competition, the red-and-black coach expects a very difficult match. Not even the absence of winger Renato and center Rafael Mineiro, who are injured, will be enough to turn off the alarm bells at Gávea.
"We can't afford to lose any more home games, but we know it's going to be a dangerous match. Of course, without Mineiro and Renato, who are their key players, our task becomes a little easier, but São José is the current São Paulo champion and has other important players. Their attacking prowess is a real concern, especially with Fúlvio and Matheus' shots, and with Wanderson's individual play," warned Chupeta.
One of Flamengo's most consistent players, Duda agrees with the coach. For the Flamengo winger, the absence of Renato and Mineiro can be overcome by the experience of players who have played for the national team, such as point guard Fúlvio and center Paulão.
"We can't think the game will be easier because they won't have two key players. They're the current São Paulo champions, have a good base, and have players used to playing big games," said Duda.
A leader of the Flamengo fans on the court, the winger urges fans to show up this Sunday and be the sixth player in the race to secure first place in the qualifying round. Currently, Flamengo sits second in the standings with 30 points, trailing only Brasília, which has 31.
"Our team is very strong and despite suffering from several injury problems, we've managed to always stay among the top. We're growing in the competition at the right time and with the two negative results in Brasília, we're back to depending solely on ourselves to secure first place," recalled Duda.
FLAMENGO – (POTENTIAL TEAM) - Fred, Marcelinho, Duda, Wágner and Jefferson