On the morning of a double round in Gávea, the Garotos do Ninho of the Under-13 and Under-14 categories made their debuts in the respective Metropolitan Championships (the State Championships of the categories) with two victories, both over Esporte Clube Resende, a team that represents the same city but different from the one playing in the professional State Championship. 

Opening the proceedings on a hot Saturday morning in Rio de Janeiro, the U-13 team led by coach Leonam Kasali did well and started the Metropolitano commanding respect and showing that they are a strong candidate in the fight for the title in 2019. The Garotos do Ninho took no notice of their opponent and won 12-0 (Bill [3], Baiano [3], Vitinho [2], Douglas [2], Edmilson and Cauã), in a duel without any major difficulties.

Flamengo: Kauã, Kauanzinho, Caio Felipe, Marcus, Hugo; Gulinelli, Edmilson, Pedro; Felipe, Bill and Baiano. Coach: Leonam Kasali.

Next, the U-14 team, led by Leonardo Cherede, took the field, and the match against ECResende was much more difficult and competitive than the preliminary round. Flamengo had more possession and control of the game, creating many chances but failing to convert them into goals, making the match increasingly difficult. 

The goals in the 2-1 victory for Resende came only in the second half. In the fifth minute, Lucas Matheus received the ball at the edge of the box, shook off two defenders, and slotted it past the goalkeeper to open the scoring for Resende. In the eighth minute, Resende equalized. Relief came in the 16th minute, when Matheus Gonçalves made a great individual play and was brought down by the defender inside the box. He took the penalty himself and slotted it into the net to score the winning goal and secure the Garotos do Ninho's first three points in the competition.

Flamengo: Victor, Kayan, Paquetá, Erick, Henrisson; Daniel SC, Eduardo, Matheus Gonçalves; Adriel, Guga and Lucas Matheus. Coach: Leonardo Cherede.

The FFERJ has not yet released the schedule for the next round of the Metropolitanos. Both categories return to training on Monday while awaiting the definition of their next opponents.