Flamengo's U-16s reacted with one less player away from home against Botafogo, but were beaten 2-1, on Sunday morning (22), at CEFAT in Niterói. With the defeat, the red-black team remains with eight points, in fourth place in group B.

The game

Following the club's philosophy of seeking goals through passing, Flamengo controlled possession in the opening minutes. However, this didn't prevent the home team from coming forward in quick transitions. In the 10th minute, Dudu saved the Flamengo goal by coming out of his goal in a one-on-one situation and sending a point-blank shot out for a corner. Flamengo's first chance came soon after, when Gabriel Amancio dribbled from the left into the middle and laid it off to Matheus Tiago, who fired a weak shot that easily made the opposing goalkeeper save.

Botafogo insisted on a quick transition, and a long ball created the most tense moment of the match for Flamengo. The striker went one-on-one with the goalkeeper, and Dudu saved it outside the box. A foul was called, and the goalkeeper was sent off. Down ten men, the "Garotos do Ninho" retreated and tried to exploit the space on the counterattack. In the 31st minute, another good chance arose when Enzo came through the middle, found Fabio on the left wing, who crossed perfectly for Samuel. The striker headed high, wasting the opportunity to open the scoring.

Ryan Roberto began receiving the ball more often in depth to capitalize on his speed and look for the first goal. In the 37th minute, the striker broke down the left, passed the ball in front of the full-back, brought it inside, and hit the far post, finding Enzo alone. The midfielder ended up missing the ball and  The ball went out of bounds. The home team then opened the scoring in the 39th minute, following a cross from the right.

In the second half, coach Vinicius Durante made two changes that further compacted the red-and-black team, aiming to exploit counterattacks. Lucas Falcone and Rogério came on, and Enzo was pulled to the right to help with build-up play and breakaways. It worked, and the game became balanced again, with the defense less vulnerable. As a result, Botafogo began shooting from outside the box, but Paulo saved both shots.

Reaching the opposition's attack more frequently, even when outnumbered, Flamengo earned corners and aerial opportunities. In the 20th minute, they equalized! Rogério combined with Fabio, and the full-back crossed to the near post, finding Enzo, who was free, to level the score.

The equalizer prompted Botafogo to scramble, and taking advantage of the extra man, they fielded more attackers. Thus, the final minutes were under pressure. In the 40th minute, after a corner kick was cleared by the defense, the home team capitalized and scored the second, counting on a deflection midway through, which took goalkeeper Paulo out of the play. 

Next appointment

Mengão's U-16 team returns to the field on Friday (27), at 11 am, in Gramado-RS, for its debut in the Copa Laghetto Gramado in the category. Flamengo is looking for its third championship in the competition after winning in 2021 and 2022.

Botafogo

Coach: Bruno Vinicius 

Flamengo

Dudu (Paulo); Heitor, Bernardo Mendonça, Levy, Fabio Henrique; Matheus Tiago, Enzo, Gabriel Amancio; Rafinha (Lucas Falcone), Ryan Roberto (Davi Waisman) and Samuel Alves [Victor Hugo (Rogerio)]. Coach: Vinicius Durante

Technical sheet

Botafogo 2 x 1 Flamengo – 4th round of the Guilherme Embry Under-16 Tournament

Location: CEFAT, Niterói

Date and time: 21/09/2024 at 10:XNUMX PM

Arbitration: Michael Leal de Moura, Pedro Gomes Rodrigues Dutra Barbosa, Karolaynne da Conceição Martins, Jean Carlos Victorino Miguel

Yellow cards: 1st half 13' Rogério (BOT), 25'  João Pedro (BOT) and 32' Fabio Henrique (FLA); 2ndt Ryan Roberto.

Red cards: 1st half 25' Dudu (FLA).

Goals: 1st half 39' Pedro Henrique (BOT); 2nd half 20' Enzo (FLA) and 40' Mbanza (BOT).