Heading to the semifinals! In the quarterfinals of the São Paulo Junior Football Cup, Flamengo drew 1-1 with Aster-SP on Friday night (19) in Osasco and secured qualification on penalties, winning 4-3. In normal time, Welinton scored for Rubro-Negro. In the penalty shootout, goalkeeper Lucas Furtado shone by saving two shots.

The game
Playing again in Osasco, São Paulo, the Garotos do Ninho began the quarterfinals of the Copa SP de Futebol Júnior (SP Junior Football Cup) looking to exchange passes in the attacking half. Aster, in turn, relied on speedy counterattacks to surprise the red-and-black team.

In the 20th minute, Aster opened the scoring with Gabriel, whose shot from outside the box found the left corner of the goalkeeper's net: 1-0. After conceding, Flamengo grew into the game and began to threaten the opposing goal more. In the 31st minute, Wallace Yan made a good play at the edge of the box, dribbling past his marker, and shooting toward the corner. The ball went just wide of the post. The first half ended with the opponents ahead.

Right at the start of the second half, Mengão equalized! Jean Carlos took a corner kick from the left and Weliton rose to the second floor to head it in, making it 1-1. With the draw, the Boys of the Nest went all out in search of victory.

In the 30th minute, Felipe Teresa turned the game around, and Felipe Lima headed the ball over the bar for Wallace Yan. In the final minutes, Rubro-Negro went all out on the attack, while Aster stayed back, waiting for counterattacks. The match ended in a draw, and the decision went to penalties.

In the penalty shootout, Mengão prevailed, winning 4-3 and qualifying for the Copinha semifinals! Goalkeeper Lucas Furtado was a standout performer, saving two penalties.

Now, Flamengo awaits its opponent in the next phase, which will come from the clash between Cruzeiro and Coritiba. The semifinal will be played next Monday (22), with no location or time yet defined.

Escalation
Lucas Furtado; Felipe Brian, Iago, João Victor and Jean Carlos; Caio Garcia (Menegatti), Daniel Rogério and Wallace Yan; Rodriguinho (Felipe Teresa), Victor Silva (Felipe Lima) and Weliton.
Coach: Raphael Bahia.

Technical sheet
Flamengo 1 (4) x 1 (3) Aster-SP – Quarterfinals of the São Paulo Junior Football Cup
Location: Mayor José Liberatti Municipal Stadium, Osasco-SP
Date and time: 19/01/2024 at 19:XNUMX PM
Refereeing: Murilo Tarrega Victor, Bruno Silva de Jesus and Denis Matheus Ferreira
Yellow cards: Gabriel (AST), Emmanuel (AST), Jean (AST), Felipe Brian (FLA), Wallace Yan (FLA)
Red card: Daniel Rogério (FLA)
Goals: Gabriel (20'1st half) and Weliton (3'2nd half).