Flamengo's U-16 team, led by coach Ramon Lima, faced Nova Iguaçu away from home on Tuesday morning (27), in a single duel valid for the semifinal of the first round of the Guilherme Embry Tournament, the state championship of the category. After a 0-0 draw in regulation time in a very balanced match, the Garotos do Ninho were defeated in the penalty shootout by 5-3, and were left out of the final. The Mais Querido is now focusing on preparing for the return leg. If they are champions, the Rubro-Negro will be in the final of the competition, and will fight for the third consecutive championship.

The game started evenly, with intense competition for the ball in the center of the field. The red-and-blacks' first good chance came in the 15th minute, when Diego headed wide after a corner kick in the box. Nova Iguaçu responded in the 20th minute, with a dangerous header from Matheus. The ball went wide to the right of Hugo Moraes' goal. In the 28th minute, João Pedro took a free kick from the edge of the box, and goalkeeper Kayky made the save without rebounding.

The Ninho Boys fought hard and tried to open the scoring in the first half. In the 35th minute, after a rebound in the box, João Pedro unleashed a beautiful volley, and the ball posed a threat to the Baixada Fluminense team, sailing just wide of the left post. 

The second half remained evenly matched. The match was fiercely contested, and scoring chances were rare. In the 17th minute, João Pedro attempted a cross into the box, but the ball unexpectedly curled and bounced off goalkeeper Kayky's crossbar. In the 20th minute, Ryan Luka beat his marker and passed to Will. He surprised the opposing defense with a clever backheel to João Pedro, who fired a first-time shot. The ball skimmed the crossbar. Flamengo began to attack more and inched closer to their first goal. 

The home team had the last two chances of the game. In the 40th minute, Kayke David fired a low shot from the edge of the box, and Hugo Moraes made a good, confident save. In the 43rd minute, Allan fired over the red-and-black goal. A spot in the final of the first half was decided by penalty kicks. 

Unlike other times this season, the Ninho Boys were unlucky in the competition, losing 5-3. Now, the team is focusing on preparing for the return leg of the competition and will be in the final of the Guilherme Embry Tournament if they win the second round. 

Flamengo: Hugo Moraes, Leonardo, Diego, Kaiky, Richard; Daniel Alves (Dudu), Felipe (Werton), Arthur Lessa (Pedro Henrique); Will, João Pedro and Ryan Luka. Coach: Ramon Lima.