Flamengo's under-17 team is very gritty and has been proving it. After a great end to the first half of the season in the Campeonato Carioca, rising from 4th place to the top, it was time to put this team characteristic into practice on Tuesday afternoon (17) against Chapecoense in the Taça BH. Playing at Arena do Jacaré, in Sete Lagoas (MG), Mengão beat Chape 2-1, coming from behind, and can finish the round at the top of group D.

The next challenge for the Garotos do Ninho will be on Thursday (19) against Portuguesa (SP), at 15 pm, at the Ibirité Municipal Stadium, in Ibirité (MG).

The teams were coming off good times in their state championships and everything was set to be a well-studied start to the match, but after just 53 seconds after a ball was passed back, goalkeeper Pedro Vitor challenged Buzatto, who stole the ball and finished into the empty net, opening the scoring for Chapecoense.

The Ninho Boys were undaunted despite the initial setback. In the 4th minute, Yuri received the ball on the right, cleared the play, and shot toward goal. The Chapecoense goalkeeper made the save in the middle of the goal. With the lead, the Santa Catarina team gave Fla the field, waiting to counterattack. 

In the 12th minute, Mancha received a good ball on the left, dribbled past Braian, and shot toward goal. The ball went wide, scaring the red-and-black defense. Then, in the 16th minute, Mengão made a great move with Yuri. The number 10 played a one-two with full-back Ramon and unleashed a superb shot from the edge of the box. 

Flamengo nearly tied the match in the 19th minute. Yuri raced down the left, beat a defender, and found Rodrigo Muniz inside the box. As the goalkeeper came out, the Flamengo number 7 tried a flick shot, but Pedro closed the angle well and made the save.

Despite the negative scoreline, Mengão was much the better team in the match and easily advanced down the left with Ramon. The full-back made a run down the flank, received the ball from Yuri, and hit a cross. The ball went just wide of the post, posing a serious threat to goalkeeper Pedro.

After the break, the Mais Querido continued to dominate the attacking play, and a draw was only a matter of time, given the team's performance. In the first minute of play, Rhyan won the ball back near the edge of the opponent's box and fired a superb shot. The Chapecoense goalkeeper stretched to send the ball out for a corner.

In the 17th minute, the cry of a red-and-black goal finally rang out! Ramon crossed from midfield, the ball deflected off the edge of the box, and fell to Rodrigo Muniz, who leveled the score with a sliding tackle. And the number 7, the Carioca's top scorer, wanted more. In the next play, he received the ball inside the box and fired a low shot past the goalkeeper, creating a play very similar to the one from the first half.

In the 22nd minute, the game was almost over! A corner kick from the right led to Rhyan's dangerous header. The next play saw the number 9 find the net. Ramon sent in a low cross, the ball went past Rodrigo Muniz, and Rhyan unleashed a powerful left-footed shot to turn the game around. 

By the end of the game, confidence was high, and in the 38th minute, Daniel Cabral, who came on in the second half, took a powerful shot from the edge of the box. But goalkeeper Pedro, well positioned, made the save. From then until the final whistle, Flamengo took no risks and secured their first victory in the 2018 BH Cup. 

Flamengo:

Pedro Victor, Braian (Luis Gustavo), Natan, Lucas Freitas and Ramon; Lucas Gabriel (Daniel Cabral), Gomes Yuri and Bruno (Lázaro); Rhyan and Rodrigo Muniz.