U-15 defeats Fluminense and leads the Guanabara Cup
The Ninho Boys win a comeback derby and maintain their 100% record in the competition. The U-17s draw and earn a bonus point with a penalty shootout victory.
By Ian Sena - inThis Saturday morning (21) was red and black in Gávea. In the two classics against Fluminense for the U-15 and U-17 categories, valid for the fifth round of the Guanabara Cup, the Garotos do Ninho emerged victorious: The U-15, led by coach Mario Jorge, confirmed the great start to the season and in the first game with a full team after the Nike Premier Cup title, won in normal time by 3x2 (Kaiky [2] and Ryan Luka), a result that puts the team in the isolated lead of the competition, with 100% success. The U-17, led by coach Phelipe Leal and who recently won the Adidas Generation Cup, in Dallas, United States, drew 1x1 (Rhyan) in normal time and won on penalties by 3x2, getting another bonus point and rising to 10 points won in the classification. Fluminense leads, with 13 points. The categories return to the field next Saturday (28), when they face Macaé away from home.
The red-and-blacks' first significant scoring chance of the match came in the tenth minute. João Pedro took a corner kick, the ball sailed past everyone, goalkeeper Cayo Felipe was beaten, and Lucas Ribeiro saved it from almost the line. In the 19th minute, Fluminense threatened with a beautiful shot from the edge of the box by Metinho. In excellent form, Christian flew, reached the ball that would have gone in for the top corner, and made a magnificent save. In the 28th minute, the red-and-black goalkeeper saved the team once again, saving a cross-shot from Lucas Ribeiro.
Fluminense opened the scoring in the 34th minute with a goal from Kayky. The equalizer came in the 41st. João Pedro took a corner kick to the head of the red-and-black Kaiky, who rose with style and headed it into the top corner, tying the scoreboard in the very last play of the first half.
Early in the second half, the Garotos do Ninho turned the game around. In the third minute, Ryan Luka received the ball at the edge of the box, cut through the defense, and fired a superb shot to put the Mais Querido (Team of the Nest) ahead. The derby was lively, and Fluminense equalized again in the tenth minute, thanks to a beautiful individual play by Matheus Martins. Flamengo fought until the end and scored the winning goal in the 42nd minute. After a free kick in the box, Diego played it into the middle of the box, and top-scoring defender Kaiky slotted it into the back of the net, securing the three important points for the Garotos do Ninho and the sole lead in the Guanabara Cup.
Flamengo: Christian, Cauan Thimoteo (Richard), Diego, Kaiky, Leonardo; Jorge (Kassio), Daniel Campos (Leoni), Ryan Luka (Felippe); Vitor Hugo (Werton), João Pedro and Dudu (Arthur Lessa). Coach: Mario Jorge.
U-17 takes the bonus point and moves up the rankings
In the ninth minute, Yuri de Oliveira's free kick flew just wide of goalkeeper Marcelo's right post. Flamengo was the better team and threatened again in the 13th minute. Ítalo crossed and João Gabriel struck first time, nearly opening the scoring. In the 23rd minute, Rodrigo Muniz nearly created a masterpiece at Gávea. After a challenge, the ball rose high. He beat the defender, controlled it with his chest, and attempted a beautiful bicycle kick. Marcelo was alert and made the save. Flamengo finally opened the scoring in the 27th minute. Rodrigo Muniz was brought down in the semi-circle, and Rhyan skillfully took the free kick into the right corner, which Marcelo could do nothing about.
In the 32nd minute, Fluminense took their first shot. Yago struck hard with his left foot, and the ball hit goalkeeper João Fernando's crossbar. The following minute, Yago again took a dangerous free kick, and the ball went wide. The private duel between the red-and-black goalkeeper and the Tricolor striker was intriguing, and it happened again in the 37th minute. This time, Yago struck first time, João Fernando stretched out and managed to deflect the ball, which again hit the post. Fluminense returned to the attack. In the 47th minute, Yuri de Oliveira delivered a good pass to Braian. The full-back reached the byline and crossed for Rodrigo Muniz, who headed powerfully. Marcelo flew and made a beautiful save, palming the ball away for a corner.
Fluminense equalized eight minutes into the second half, with a beautiful goal from Ewerthon from outside the box. In the 15th minute, Rhyan passed to Rodrigo Muniz, who struck hard, forcing another good save from Marcelo, Fluminense's key player in the game. Flamengo pressed forward in search of the three points. In the 40th minute, Braian crossed and Rodrigo Muniz fired a first-time shot. The defender was blocked, and the ball went very close to the Tricolor goal.
In the penalty shootout scheduled in the event of a draw, Flamengo won 3-2 and secured another bonus point, reaching 10 points and joining the top four in the league table.
Flamengo: João Fernando, Braian, Natan, Lucas Chagas, Italo; Lucas Gabriel, Gomes, Yuri de Oliveira (Denilson); Rodrigo Muniz, João Gabriel (Bruno Gabriel) and Rhyan. Coach: Phelipe Leal.