The Mais Querido U-15 team took to the field this Friday morning (01) at the Zico Football Center (CFZ), to play the Fla x Flu classic valid for the semifinal of the 20th Friendship Cup. Keeping up the tradition of always doing well in the competition, the Rubro-Negro beat their rival 3-1 (Daniel Cabral, Dedé and Reinier), and qualified undefeated for the eighth time for the grand final of the tournament. If they beat Grêmio in the final that will be played this Saturday (02.09), at 9:30 am, again at CFZ, the Garotos do Ninho will become the biggest winners in the history of the Friendship Cup, with five titles. The previous ones were won in 1999, 2005, 2011 and 2014.

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The derby started with a bang, and just two minutes into the match, Miguel headed Fluminense ahead. Technically superior, Flamengo didn't feel the impact of the early goal and held its own. In the 2th minute, Reinier nearly equalized with a beautiful lob from the edge of the box. In the 9th minute, Lázaro took a shot from outside the box, but the goalkeeper saved it. In the 11th minute, the pressure became unbearable, and the equalizer came after Daniel Cabral's shot from outside the box, which was unstoppable for goalkeeper Marcelo. Flamengo continued to crush their opponents in their own half, and in the 15th minute they turned the game around. Marcos Felipe delivered a perfect cross that Dedé headed in, scoring Flamengo's second.

The Ninho Boys dictated the pace of the game and nearly extended their lead in the 25th minute, when Reinier crossed and Lázaro nearly scored a stunning bicycle kick. In the 30th minute, there was no way out. Reinier fired a cross from the edge of the box and scored the third, giving the Rubro-Negro even more confidence in the match.

Holding the pace after an intense week, with games every day since Monday, Flamengo controlled and managed the good advantage throughout the second half, didn't have any scares and guaranteed qualification undefeated for the grand final of the competition, with an almost perfect campaign of four wins and one draw.

"The group is very confident of winning the title. We know that the game against Grêmio will be the most difficult of the competition so far, but we are prepared to emerge victorious. I believe that both teams are physically a little tired, since we play every day of the week without rest, but in finals, fatigue doesn't get in the way, and we will go in very focused to achieve our main objective, which is to be champions," said number 10 Reinier.

Flamengo entered the field with Luiz, Marcos Felipe, Gabriel Noga, Hugo, Caio, Rykelmo, Daniel Cabral, Samuel (Negueba), Dedé (Carlos), Reinier and Lázaro (Mayquinho). Coach: Ramon Lima.