The red-black base continues to grow stronger! In a match played on Wednesday afternoon (17) at the Municipal Stadium of Votorantim, Flamengo's U-15 team defeated Internacional 2-1 (João Pedro [2]), and qualified for the semifinals of the Votorantim Cup, the main competition of the category in the country, for the third time in the last four years. The Garotos do Ninho will face Figueirense next Friday (19), in a duel for a place in the final of the competition. Champion in 2015 and 2017, the Mais Querido remains alive in the fight for the third championship of the tournament.

The first good chance fell to Inter. Six minutes into the game, Denzel pounced on a loose ball and fired a powerful shot from mid-height, drawing a good save from Christian. Little by little, the Boys from the Nest began to organize themselves better on the field, and it didn't take long for them to open the scoring. In the 11th minute, João Vitor passed the ball to Ryan, who provided a beautiful pass to João Pedro. He controlled the ball with quality and calmly finished into the corner past goalkeeper Lorenzo, scoring the first goal for the Mais Querido. The second came in the 24th minute. Piauí intercepted a passing exchange between the team from Rio Grande do Sul in the attacking half and passed to João Vitor, who dribbled past a defender and passed a through ball to João Pedro. Inspired by the play, the number 11 broke free of the defense with great speed and shot low, leaving Lorenzo with no chance to save. 

The Gauchos tried to impose pressure at the start of the second half, with strong attacks. In the ninth minute, Luis Rodrigo took a free kick that went wide. The following minute, Matias headed the ball powerfully, but Christian made a great save, who palmed it out for a corner. With the match under control, Flamengo attacked again in the 25th minute, when Victor Hugo crossed into the six-yard box and the defense cleared it before Ryan tapped it into the back of the net. In the 27th minute, Victor Hugo again beat the defense in the air, and the ball fell to João Vitor, who sprinted and hit a cross, which Lorenzo made a good save. In the 32nd minute, in the final play of the game, Eduardo hit a powerful shot into Christian's corner to score the consolation goal for Colorado. The referee then blew the final whistle, and the Garotos do Ninho celebrated their place in the semifinals of the Votorantim Cup.

"I hope the whole team can repeat the great performances we've had throughout the competition so far in the semifinal against Figueirense. We'll face a great team, but we know our capabilities and we're going after another title. I dedicate my two goals today to my mother and the whole group, who support me every day and make me always want to do my best to help Flamengo," said João Pedro.

Flamengo: Christian, Samuel, Diego, Kaiky, Richard, Jorge, Kassio (Daniel), Piauí (Victor Hugo), Ryan, João Pedro and João Vitor (Felippe). Coach: Mario Jorge.