The journey of the #GarotosDoNinho to the final of the Under-17 Brazil Cup
Mais Querido played against Londrina, América-MG, São Paulo, and Santos before reaching the final against Fluminense. Both games will be held at the Maracanã Stadium.
By John Peter Granette - in
Flamengo's youth academy is close to another important achievement in the club's history. The #GarotosDoNinho under-17 team are in the final of the Copa do Brasil in their category and will face Fluminense. The first clash between the two teams will take place next Friday (7), at 16 pm, at Maracanã.
Tickets are now on sale for U-17 fans, and members pay less at the door. Tickets cost R$30 (full price), R$15 (half price), and R$10 (ST) and will be available in advance at the Gávea ticket office. Opening hours are 10 am to 17 pm (Wednesday and Thursday) and 10 am to 14 pm (Friday, match day). In addition to Gávea, the Nation can buy tickets at Maracanã ticket office 4 this Friday (7). Sales at the stadium will be from 10 am until the end of the first half. The #GarotosDoNinho count on everyone's support!
The red-black campaign
Londrina (First Phase)
Flamengo's run in the current edition of the U-17 Brazil Cup hasn't been easy, and it began with a breathtaking clash against Londrina. After losing the first leg 1-0, the #GarotosDoNinho did their homework and thrashed their opponent 4-1. Lázaro, Sidney, Lucas Freitas, and Rhyan scored the goals for the Mais Querido.
Striker Lázaro left his mark in the return leg and recalled the match that put Flamengo in the round of 16 of the competition.
"Our debut was difficult and didn't go as expected. We lost 1-0 after a very tiring trip. In the return match, our team performed well. Even conceding the first goal, we managed to keep our heads. I was happy to score the first goal, which gave us a bit of a break, and then the other goals came naturally."
América-MG (Round of 16)
América-MG was Flamengo's opponent in the next round, and Flamengo once again played its first game away from home. The match in Belo Horizonte ended in a 1-1 draw, but at Gávea, Flamengo won 3-0 with goals from Yuri, Rhyan, and Reinier.
Young Rhyan had an inspired afternoon and was one of the standout players in the triumph. The striker spoke about the match and praised the team's maturity in advancing to the next stage.
"The first game was tight, and their team managed to get ahead. Our set pieces are very strong, and we managed to equalize. After that, we were calm and worked well throughout the week. In this game, we won 3-0 in a mature, confident, risk-free game, and I managed to score one of the goals."
Sao Paulo (Quarterfinals)
Like the other two clashes, Flamengo started the match on the road, but this time with a victory. The #GarotosDoNinho went to Morumbi Stadium to face São Paulo and won 2-0. Yuri and Ítalo scored for the red-and-black team. The clubs faced each other again the following week, and the 2-2 draw in Volta Redonda allowed the Mais Querido to continue in the competition.
Yuri de Oliveira, who scored one of the goals in the victory in São Paulo, praised the opportunity to play at Morumbi and highlighted goalkeeper Pedro's excellent performance in the return match.
"It was a very happy day for all of us. We were able to play at Morumbi, which is a historic venue in Brazilian football. It was a difficult game given São Paulo's quality, but we knew how to find space, and I was happy with the goal. At the end, João Gabriel was lucky to provide the assist for Ítalo to seal the score."
"On the way back, we were very mature and had a good night from our goalkeeper Pedro. He saved us with several important saves and we managed to maintain the result to qualify," he added.
Santos (Semifinal)
The final stage before the final was the most exciting. After two 1-1 draws, and in the second, playing with a man down for much of the final stage, qualification for the U-17 Brazil Cup final came on penalties, thanks to Pedro Victor. The number 1 saved two Santos penalties and recalled the special afternoon he experienced on the 22nd.
"The home game was very good. The fans turned out and made it a real melting pot for us. Both teams had chances, they took the lead, and we managed to equalize with a corner kick. We were down to ten men and managed to defend well. The final was the result of our hard work, and our penalty takers delivered perfectly. Tiago Eller and Pareto worked hard to study them so that the penalty kick would be easier."
Teacher's analysis!
The impressive campaign in the U-17 Brazil Cup is being led by coach Phelipe Leal and his coaching staff. During the preparations for the first game of the final, the coach made a point of praising the group of athletes and stated that Flamengo is well prepared to win its first title in the competition.
"The team grew game by game and overcame difficulties. We managed to overcome obstacles with the support of our fans and the strength of playing at home. Reaching this final is a huge achievement for everyone, especially the players, who understood the difficult moment and recognized that we needed to do more. We arrive at this final very strong and well prepared."