Celebrate, Nation! In a match played on Wednesday morning (08) at CEFAT, in Niteroi, Flamengo's U-16 team defeated Botafogo 3-1 (Michel Yan [2] and João Gabriel) and, even with a round to spare, secured their second title in the history of the Guilherme Embry Tournament, a kind of State Championship in the category, played since 2011. 

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After seeing rivals Botafogo and Fluminense win both rounds of the qualifying phase and securing their spot in the final triangle based on the combined points from both rounds, the "Mais Querido" entered the final stage with zero points, while their opponents each received a bonus point. Despite this, with a consistent campaign of two wins and a draw (followed by a penalty shootout victory against Fluminense, which earned them an extra point), in just three rounds, the "Rubro-Negro" turned the tables and was crowned champion with one round to spare.

The victory that brought the title to Gávea began to take shape in the 32nd minute. Sidney crossed from the left, and Michel Yan showed opportunism inside the box to open the scoring. Still in the first half, in the 36th minute, the second came. João Fernando took a goal kick, Rhyan headed it, and it found João Gabriel. He beat the defense with speed and struck powerfully to extend the lead and give the Garotos do Ninho even more confidence in the match. 

Botafogo tried to pull one back in the second half, but it was "Mais Querido" who killed the game. In the 27th minute, Braian crossed into the box, and once again Michel Yan was well-positioned to head in the third, kicking off the title celebrations on the pitch. The home team pulled one back in the 40th minute with a goal from Emerson, but it wasn't enough to spoil the red-and-black celebrations for the U-16 team, who deservedly won the Guilherme Embry Tournament for the second time!

"The feeling of being a champion with Flamengo is sensational. I came from Bahia to conquer my place, I've been living in Rio de Janeiro for four years, far from home, and this feeling is something I can't explain. I'm very grateful to Flamengo, to this entire group, and especially to my family. My mother Ivanilda, my father, my uncle Ivan, and my grandmother, Dona Raimundeca. Look what your grandson is achieving! And I also want to give a special thanks to the Flamengo board, who transformed my life, and especially to the coaches Mauricinho, who was very patient when I arrived at the club, and to Ramon, who consecrated me," said Michel Yan, hero of the decision.

"This is a special group, who put on a show when it comes to dedication and effort as a team, to achieve their goals. Furthermore, the unity among them is immense. Collectiveness always trumps individualism, and that's the key to achieving any achievement. These kids deserve congratulations, and I want them to know how grateful I am to all of them. Last year, I was the U-15 state champion coaching this same team, and their success is no coincidence. I want to thank everyone, as this is an excellent effort involving many brilliant minds within Flamengo, such as Mauricinho, an excellent coach who led the team at the beginning of the competition and is now with the U-20 team, and Mario Jorge, the U-14 coach who helped me a lot with training and preparing the team," said champion coach Ramon Lima. 

Even with the title already secured, Flamengo still takes to the field this weekend to play against Fluminense, in the last game of the Guilherme Embry Tournament in 2017. The Federation has not yet confirmed the date and time of the match, which will take place in Gávea. 

Coach: Ramon Lima.