The Mais Querido U-20 team landed in Porto Alegre this Saturday morning (2) to compete in the RS International Cup. With their debut scheduled for this Sunday afternoon (03) at 14:30 pm at the Vale Stadium, in Novo Hamburgo, against Huracan (ARG), the Garotos do Ninho finalized their preparation for the competition in training held at the Sady Schmidt Stadium in the city of Campo Bom, in Vale dos Sinos. In addition to Flamengo and the Argentines, Group C of the international tournament also includes Ponte Preta, Juventude and Cruzeiro. SporTV 2 will broadcast the red-black debut live this Sunday, starting at 14:20 pm.

"I see our team as very well prepared for its debut in the Copa RS. We've received the important reinforcement of five high-quality athletes who were recently two-time U-17 state champions and who, without a shadow of a doubt, will be a great addition to our team. Besides possessing great technical quality, these players are already familiar with our way of working and will bring even more strength to the group," said coach Maurício Souza.

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The five players mentioned by Mauricinho are goalkeeper Victor Hugo, left-back Ramon, midfielder Yuri, and forwards Wendel and Vitor Gabriel. See below the full list of players selected by Mais Querido for the competition:

"We had a very good season in the U-17 category, and thank God that coach Mauricinho and the entire coaching staff and board are giving us this great opportunity to compete in an international competition of such a high technical level as the Copa RS. I'm very focused on having a good competition here and starting off on the right foot in the U-20 category. I hope everything goes well and that we can have a great campaign," said Vitor Gabriel, who, alongside Yuri, was the top scorer in the U-17 state championship with 15 goals.

Considered by some as a preparatory tournament for the São Paulo Cup, held in January, the RS Internacional Cup is seen in a very different light by Mauricio Souza, who arrives in the south of the country thirsty for victory.

"Actually, I see it as preparatory simply because it takes place right before the São Paulo Cup. And that's why. If we analyze it in depth, technically it's as strong as, or even stronger than, the Copinha. There are twenty teams from the top tier of South American football. I see it as an important, high-level competition, which Flamengo hasn't won yet and which we came here this year with the goal of winning," concluded the coach.