Sunday afternoon started well for Flamengo's soccer team. In the preliminary round of Flamengo's debut in the professional Carioca Championship, at the Maracanã against Duque de Caxias, the two clubs' under-20 teams faced off in the first round of the Junior State Championship. Having gone two years without winning a title in the category, the Flamengo youth squad took to the field with high motivation and proved they're no joke in 2010: they crushed their opponents 7-1.

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The goal difference already shows that Flamengo had no trouble imposing its rhythm and earning its first three points in the competition. Inspired, the team won the first half 3-0, but didn't let up, extending its lead to 7-1. Top scorer Diego Maurício has already shown his calling card to the Red-Black Nation. A goalscorer since his youth years, the forward took responsibility and led the team from Gávea to victory. He scored four times and was the star of the match. Juninho, Michel Pereira, and Dieguinho completed the rout.

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"It was great, the team played really well, and they found the style of play we were looking for. But the trend is only going to get better. The team performed really well. We never expect a result like that, but the team gelled well. We started the game at a really good pace and didn't let up," analyzed coach Armênio Moura.

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Next Thursday, the Ninho do Urubu kids return to the field, at 16:15 pm, to face Volta Redonda, away from home, at the Raulino de Oliveira Stadium, in the Steel City.