Ney Franco praises Flamengo duo
CBF's youth coordinator and coach of the Brazilian under-20 team trusts Diego Maurício and Galhardo
By From the official website team - in
Flamengo will have two representatives on the Brazilian U-20 team, which will compete in the South American Championship in Peru next year. Right-back Rafael Galhardo and forward Diego Maurício were called up by the team's coach and coordinator of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) youth teams, Ney Franco, in late November. The call-up was the result of an observation that gave him confidence in the red-and-black duo.
Both Diego and Rafael have represented other youth national teams in their careers. In early 2010, they both went to Punta del Este, where they competed in an international tournament at the under-19 level. Jorbison, the left back for the youth team, was also called up. Now, with Neymar at the helm and aiming for the 2012 Olympics, they face another major challenge.
"It won't be an easy championship. We have a talented team, but talent isn't everything. You need responsibility, commitment, and a lot of dedication to wear the national team's jersey. Football is a collective game, where everyone needs to help each other and fight hard for the good of the group. We know that Colombia is coming with a strong team, Argentina, and the Paraguayan and Uruguayan teams can never be underestimated. It will be a great championship," analyzed the coach, in an interview given to the team from Flamengo's official website during the VII Footecon.
Former Flamengo coach Ney Franco is well acquainted with the talent factory that is the club's youth academy and became famous in 2006 by bringing young Renato Augusto into the senior squad for the Copa do Brasil final against Vasco. Now, he hopes Diego and Galhardo will demonstrate on the national team what they've been doing for the Red-Blacks.
"Diego is a strong center forward who can score goals, but he also moves around a lot and did very well at the end of the season. I've had great feedback on Galhardo from other call-ups, and he's also seen favorably at the club and has been getting some chances in the senior team. Both have been called up before and have our trust," he added.
The competition takes place from January 16th to February 12th in Peru and qualifies two teams for the 2012 London Olympics and four for the 2011 World Cup in Colombia. Brazil is in Group B, along with Paraguay, Colombia, Bolivia, and Ecuador. The first match will be on the 17th, against Paraguay, in Tacna. The second opponent is Colombia, on January 20th. On the 23rd, it's Bolivia's turn, in Moquegua, also the venue for the match against Ecuador. The other group includes Argentina, Chile, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela. Three teams from each group advance to the finals, which begin on January 31st in Arequipa.
Both Diego and Rafael have represented other youth national teams in their careers. In early 2010, they both went to Punta del Este, where they competed in an international tournament at the under-19 level. Jorbison, the left back for the youth team, was also called up. Now, with Neymar at the helm and aiming for the 2012 Olympics, they face another major challenge.
"It won't be an easy championship. We have a talented team, but talent isn't everything. You need responsibility, commitment, and a lot of dedication to wear the national team's jersey. Football is a collective game, where everyone needs to help each other and fight hard for the good of the group. We know that Colombia is coming with a strong team, Argentina, and the Paraguayan and Uruguayan teams can never be underestimated. It will be a great championship," analyzed the coach, in an interview given to the team from Flamengo's official website during the VII Footecon.
Former Flamengo coach Ney Franco is well acquainted with the talent factory that is the club's youth academy and became famous in 2006 by bringing young Renato Augusto into the senior squad for the Copa do Brasil final against Vasco. Now, he hopes Diego and Galhardo will demonstrate on the national team what they've been doing for the Red-Blacks.
"Diego is a strong center forward who can score goals, but he also moves around a lot and did very well at the end of the season. I've had great feedback on Galhardo from other call-ups, and he's also seen favorably at the club and has been getting some chances in the senior team. Both have been called up before and have our trust," he added.
The competition takes place from January 16th to February 12th in Peru and qualifies two teams for the 2012 London Olympics and four for the 2011 World Cup in Colombia. Brazil is in Group B, along with Paraguay, Colombia, Bolivia, and Ecuador. The first match will be on the 17th, against Paraguay, in Tacna. The second opponent is Colombia, on January 20th. On the 23rd, it's Bolivia's turn, in Moquegua, also the venue for the match against Ecuador. The other group includes Argentina, Chile, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela. Three teams from each group advance to the finals, which begin on January 31st in Arequipa.
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