In the race! U-20 defeats Corinthians in São Paulo and opens up an advantage in the quarterfinals of the Copa do Brasil
With an impeccable performance from the entire defensive system, Garotos do Ninho won 2-1 and will play for a draw in Gávea
By Ian Sena - inA victory for the group, the spirit and the shirt. In the first leg of the quarterfinals of the Copa do Brasil U-20, played on Wednesday night (25), at the Nabi Abi Chedid Stadium, in Bragança Paulista, the Garotos do Ninho had a tough mission against Corinthians. With the team quite weakened in the defensive system, since Matheus Dantas and Bernardo were injured and playing much of the second half with one less after Theo was sent off, the four-time champions of the Copa São Paulo had another chance to show that a good team wins games, but a great squad wins championships.
Even improvised in defense, the Captain Hugo Moura had a superb performance, as did the entire defense, which was impeccable and very solid throughout the match. The important 2-1 away win (Wesley and Michael) gives Mais Querido the advantage of a draw in the return match, scheduled for next Tuesday (May 01st) at 05 p.m. in Gávea.
Corinthians were the first to arrive. In the fifth minute, Nathan crossed to Fabricio Oya, who fired over Gabriel Batista's goal. The "Mais Querido" (The Most Beloved) pushed forward and opened the scoring in the 12th minute. After the referee ruled the Corinthians goalkeeper had overstepped and had committed two fouls in the box, Luiz Henrique's shot was blocked by the defense. Wesley collected the rebound from the edge of the box and hit a beautiful shot into the top corner, unstoppable for Diego.
The game was fiercely contested. In the 32nd minute, the São Paulo team arrived with a cross-shot from Fabricio Oya. Gabriel Batista, well-positioned, made a confident save. In the 38th minute, Pepê pressured the opponent's ball out, stole the ball, and passed it to Vitor Gabriel. He saw Luiz Henrique well, who shot hard but off target.
The second half began with few scoring chances. Corinthians' first came in the 14th minute, with a shot from outside the box by Fabricio Oya. Alert, Gabriel Batista flew and palmed the ball out for a corner. The red-and-black powerhouse won another duel against Oya in the 17th minute, with a free kick, when Batista made another good save to clear the danger. Corinthians nearly scored their second in the 22nd minute, with a free kick from Theo perfectly placed for Gabriel Kazu. He got ahead of his marker, headed the ball just wide of goalkeeper Diego's left post, who simply watched and cheered.
In the 28th minute, the referee sent off Theo, who had committed a foul and wasn't even on a yellow card. João equalized for the São Paulo team from the penalty spot. Undeterred, the Boys from the Nest held on under pressure and, despite being ten men down and in a delicate situation, scored the second goal. Michael took a corner kick, the ball deflected off defender Samuel and into the back of the net, securing a major victory for Flamengo in the Copa do Brasil.
Flamengo: Gabriel Batista, Wesley, Aderlan, Hugo Moura, Michael; Gabriel Kazu, Theo, Pepê, Lucas Silva (Bill), Luiz Henrique (Wendel) and Vitor Gabriel (Pablo). Coach: Marcio Torres.