Flamengo's U-20s draw 1-1 with Flu and qualify for the Rio Cup semifinals
In a great game at Gávea, Fernando scores with a header and keeps Rubro-Negro top of Group B of the competition
By Communication - Official website - in
Flamengo's U-20 team took the field this Saturday afternoon in Gávea and secured their place in the semifinals of the Taça Rio, their category, with a 1-1 draw against Fluminense. With a beautiful header from defender and captain Fernando, the Rubro-Negro remains undefeated in the competition and leads Group B with 16 points.
Flamengo started the game pressing hard, demonstrating that in front of their home crowd it will be difficult to beat them this season. Santos coach Cleber lined up his team offensively, capitalizing on the speed and quality of Pablo and Thomás. Despite Flamengo's dominance for much of the match, their opponent, this year's Taça Guanabara champion, proved to be a very strong team and gave the strong defensive duo of Fernando and Samir a hard time.
"It was a very even game, although Flamengo created more chances. A very studied match, with good chances. I think the result ended up being the fairest for what both teams created and also keeps us in first place in Group B", analyzed coach Cleber dos Santos, who lined up the Mais Querido with Luan, Digão, Fernando, Samir (Dumas) and Felipe Dias; Recife, Lorran and Quiroga; Pablo (Marquinhos), Igor Sartori (Eduardo) and Thomás.
For defender Fernando, in addition to his goal, the draw was important to keep Rubro-Negro at the top of the competition.
"My goal was very important, I was happy, but I would have traded it for a win. The result kept us top of Group B and now we'll focus on Macaé, our next opponent," celebrated defender Fernando, before adding:
"We're facing the Guanabara Cup champion, a very strong and fast team. We'll keep working to win the Rio Cup and meet them again in the Carioca final," he said.
In the next round, Rubro-Negro travels to Rio Dourado to face Macaé. The match will be on the 21st at 13:45 pm. Despite already qualifying, Rubro-Negro will play with a full squad as they seek to top the Group, which will guarantee them an advantage in the second phase of the competition.
"We're going full steam ahead to secure first place. We want to take advantage of the regulations and go for the Rio Cup title," concluded Cleber dos Santos.
Flamengo started the game pressing hard, demonstrating that in front of their home crowd it will be difficult to beat them this season. Santos coach Cleber lined up his team offensively, capitalizing on the speed and quality of Pablo and Thomás. Despite Flamengo's dominance for much of the match, their opponent, this year's Taça Guanabara champion, proved to be a very strong team and gave the strong defensive duo of Fernando and Samir a hard time.
"It was a very even game, although Flamengo created more chances. A very studied match, with good chances. I think the result ended up being the fairest for what both teams created and also keeps us in first place in Group B", analyzed coach Cleber dos Santos, who lined up the Mais Querido with Luan, Digão, Fernando, Samir (Dumas) and Felipe Dias; Recife, Lorran and Quiroga; Pablo (Marquinhos), Igor Sartori (Eduardo) and Thomás.
For defender Fernando, in addition to his goal, the draw was important to keep Rubro-Negro at the top of the competition.
"My goal was very important, I was happy, but I would have traded it for a win. The result kept us top of Group B and now we'll focus on Macaé, our next opponent," celebrated defender Fernando, before adding:
"We're facing the Guanabara Cup champion, a very strong and fast team. We'll keep working to win the Rio Cup and meet them again in the Carioca final," he said.
In the next round, Rubro-Negro travels to Rio Dourado to face Macaé. The match will be on the 21st at 13:45 pm. Despite already qualifying, Rubro-Negro will play with a full squad as they seek to top the Group, which will guarantee them an advantage in the second phase of the competition.
"We're going full steam ahead to secure first place. We want to take advantage of the regulations and go for the Rio Cup title," concluded Cleber dos Santos.