Owners of the best campaign in the State Under-15 Championship with 19 wins, one draw and only two losses, and an impressive and effective attack that scored 70 goals and a balanced defense that conceded only 15 throughout the competition, the Garotos do Ninho had many difficulties in the tense final of the Carioca Championship against Fluminense played on Saturday morning (10), in Gávea. Even so, the team led by coach Mario Jorge overcame a poor first half and a partial disadvantage of 2x0 on the scoreboard to recover during the classic and, with a lot of fighting and team spirit, characteristics of this group of athletes, conquer the ninth red-black title in the history of the competition, after losing 2x1 (Ryan Luka) in regulation time and winning 4x3 on penalties.

The Flamengo youth team threatened in the 15th minute when João Pedro's shot was well saved by Cayo Felipe. Fluminense opened the scoring in the 24th minute with a shot from Eduardo inside the box. In the 28th minute, Daniel Campos' shot was saved by Cayo Felipe. In the 36th minute, Fluminense extended their lead with a goal from Miguel Martins. 

In the final play of the first half, the winds began to turn in Flamengo's favor. At the 40-minute mark, Eduardo, who already had a yellow card, kicked the ball away after a foul was awarded to Flamengo and was correctly sent off. From the resulting free kick, Ryan Luka rose higher than the opposing defense and headed the ball beautifully into the net, scoring Flamengo's first goal at Gávea, further solidifying his position as the top scorer in the category for the 2018 season, now with 29 goals. 

The Flamengo youth team returned for the second half determined to be champions, and they went on the attack against their opponent. Eight minutes in, Daniel Campos took a powerful shot from the edge of the box, which Cayo Felipe parried. On the rebound, the defense cleared the danger. In the following minute, Richard tried his luck from outside the area, and the ball grazed the Fluminense goalpost. Flamengo was pressing for an equalizer. At 18 minutes, it was Werton's turn, who had come on for João Pedro, to shoot across goal, forcing another save from Cayo Felipe. 

Flamengo maintained the pressure and tried for the equalizing goal, which would have given them the title without the need for penalties, until the final whistle. But Fluminense managed to close ranks, withstood the pressure, and maintained their one-goal advantage. Then came the penalties. And once again, as had happened in the Nike Premier Cup final in the first half of the year, goalkeeper Christian rose to the occasion, saving Matheus Martins' shot and watching Joilson shoot wide. Pedrinho, son of former midfielder Beto, calmly converted the final Flamengo penalty, and then it was time to celebrate. It was Flamengo's ninth state championship title in the Under-15 category, bringing their impressive numbers to the end of the 2018 season.

In addition to the State Championship and Nike Premier Cup titles, the team scored an impressive 135 goals this season and conceded only 35, resulting in a positive goal difference of an incredible 100. The top scorer for Flamengo was center forward Ryan Luka, who scored his 29th goal in the final against Fluminense. He was followed closely by forward João Pedro, with 23 goals.

“First and foremost, the feeling is one of relief. We had a very good year, but we lost three competitions precisely in penalty shootouts. We couldn't lose this State Championship again in that way, after the great campaign we had throughout the tournament. Then, gratitude. To the entire work group, to the athletes, who were phenomenal throughout the season, to the coaching staff, all fundamental to this title within their roles, and to the board, which gave us all the support and structure to work for the best for Flamengo. I am very happy and grateful to everyone,” said the championship-winning coach Mario Jorge.

Flamengo: Christian, Samuel, Diego, Kaiky, Richard; Jorge, Daniel Campos (Leonardo), Victor Hugo (Ryan Matheus); Oliveira (Pedrinho), João Pedro (Werton) and Ryan Luka. Coach: Mario Jorge.