Needing a simple victory, Fla goes after Hortolândia, scores four times and should face Fortaleza in the second phase

GLOBOESPORTE.COM Hortolandia, SP

var midiaEmbed = { theme: "darkgray", image: '/GMC/foto/0,,16365303-EX,00.jpg' , band: 'TIPO_TXT' , backgroundColor : "FFFFFF", fontColor : "000000", linkColor : "FF00FF", borderColor : "00FF00", autoStart: false, midiaId: 946461 }; var embed = new GMCEmbed(midiaEmbed); embed.print(); With ABC's 3-2 victory over União Barbarense in the preliminary match, Flamengo and Hortolândia entered the field at the Nelson Cancian Sports Center with the obligation to win all three points to guarantee qualification to the second phase of the São Paulo Junior Football Cup. And a simple victory by just one goal was enough to secure the spot. The team from Gávea, however, took no notice of their opponent, the team from the host city of Group E, and advanced to the knockout stage with an indisputable 4-1 victory (watch the match goals in the video below).

Flamengo now awaits the definition of Group F to find out its opponent, and the round is scheduled for this Sunday at the Vereador José Ferez stadium. Leader with six points, Fortaleza needs only a draw against second-place Rio Preto (3) at 14 pm. With the same three points, Taboão da Serra faces the already eliminated Vitória at 16 pm, clinging to a glimmer of hope to secure a spot. Rio Preto's situation is already difficult, as they need to defeat Fortaleza by at least three goals to qualify - they have a goal difference of zero, while Tricolor has four. For Taboão da Serra, the situation is taking on the appearance of a miracle. With a negative goal difference of two, they are rooting for a simple victory for Rio Preto while needing to thrash the Rubro-Negro from Bahia by a minimum of six goals.

The home team would reach the same number of points as the Rio Grande do Norte team, but would have the advantage in goal difference, having the same number of wins. Meanwhile, the Rubro-Negro, who took the lead in the group last Wednesday, knew even before the start of the round that they were relying solely on their own strength. A draw, however, would be detrimental to both teams: Hortolândia would be eliminated from the competition, and Flamengo would be left to rely on one of the spots reserved for the ten best-placed teams. And after drawing with União Barbarense in their opening match, the Rio de Janeiro team proved their ability to comeback in the Copinha, as they defeated ABC in a comeback in the following game. Qualification became closer in the first half. Despite being down, Bruno Paulo took advantage of Jorbinson's shot and slotted it into Diego's left corner, making it 1-0 for Flamengo. Cheered on by their fans, Hortolândia went on the attack, but the real excitement only began in the 42nd minute, when the players called for a penalty after the ball hit Henrique's arm. Referee Marcelo Kirockmalnik let play continue. In the second half, the Rio de Janeiro team ignored the opposing pressure and secured their place in the 16th minute. Tarcísio brought down Elivelto at the edge of the box, and Camacho fired in a skillful shot to extend the lead. Four minutes later, any glimmer of hope for the São Paulo team was gone. Lucas provided a good pass to Lenon, who fired a cross-shot into the net for Flamengo's third goal. Facing a dejected opponent, Flamengo still found time to build on their rout. In the 36th minute, Vinícius Paquetá burst into the box, dribbled past the goalkeeper, and tapped the ball into the back of the net. In the last minute of regulation, Hortolândia took advantage of a Flamengo mistake to score their consolation goal. Samuel got past the defense and slotted the ball past the goalkeeper. Nothing that could tarnish the Rio de Janeiro qualification. FLAMENGO: Diego, Jorbinson, Henrique, Lucas and Rafael Galhardo; Paulista, Lenon, Elivelto (Hugo) and Camacho (Victor); Bruno Paulo (Christiano) and Vinicius Paquetá. Coach: Armênio Moura \ HORTOLÂNDIA: Diego, Pedro Henrique (Victor), Roberto Junior, Diego and Tarcisio; Humberto, Flávio Luiz (Reginaldo), Samuel and Maxson; Edinho and Júlio César (Igor). Coach: Sérgio Santos\