U-20 defeats Sport in Recife and remains in the lead of the Brazilian Championship
The Ninho Boys won 2-1 with authority at Arena Pernambuco, and reached 26 points out of a possible 30 in the competition.
By Ian Sena - inThe venue was a World Cup – Arena Pernambuco, in São Lourenço da Mata, in the Recife metropolitan area – and the performance of the Garotos do Ninho U-20 team, led by coach Mauricio Souza, was worthy of a championship leader. With great authority and composure, Flamengo won 2-1 (Rodrigo Muniz and Yuri), winning their eighth game in ten already played in the Brasileirão U-20, and reached 26 points from a possible 30, maintaining the lead and unbeaten run in the championship, with an excellent campaign after ten rounds. The next duel will be on Wednesday (21), against Grêmio, with the location and time yet to be defined by the CBF. The home team is Flamengo.
The game started evenly, but the Ninho Boys quickly gained control of possession and created the first scoring opportunities. In the 18th minute, Vinicius Souza delivered a beautiful pass behind the defense to Yuri, who crossed perfectly to Luiz Henrique, well-positioned at the far post. The shot, first-time, went wide. Shortly thereafter, Flamengo opened the scoring. Matheus França made a fine individual play down the right wing and delivered a sweet cross for top scorer Rodrigo Muniz to fire home, putting Everton beyond any chance, for his 21st goal of the season.
The Mais Querido (the most beloved team) largely dominated the game and continued to attack in search of a second goal. In the 21st minute, Vinicius Souza unleashed a rocket from outside the box, which hit Everton's crossbar. In the 28th minute, Vinicius Souza headed a corner kick to Lucas Freitas, who sent it over the bar. It was the last dangerous play of the first half.
Sport threatened for the first time in the match early in the second half. In the third minute, Mikael struck a powerful shot, and Hugo Souza made a fine save, maintaining the Flamengo's lead. Flamengo returned to the attack and almost extended their lead in the 12th minute, with a Matheus França shot that went over the bar. The second came in the 19th minute, with a well-executed penalty kick by Yuri.
The Boys of the Nest wanted more. In the 33rd minute, Yuri launched a fast counterattack and passed to Lucas Gabriel, who crossed the ball, but Everton made a good save. The Most Beloved still had good chances through Rodrigo Muniz, Yuri, and Denilson, but it was Sport who scored in stoppage time, through Pedro Maranhão. The referee then blew the final whistle, and Flamengo secured another away win and three more points at the top of the Brasileirão.
Flamengo: Hugo Souza, Matheus França, Natan, Lucas Freitas, Ramon; Vinicius Souza (Denilson), Luiz Henrique (Lucas Gabriel), Gomes (Matheus Alves); Wendel (Luis Gustavo), Yuri (Jefferson) and Rodrigo Muniz. Coach: Mauricio Souza.
With an alternative team, the U-17s lost to Botafogo in the Rio Cup.
In a match valid for the third round of the Taça Rio U-17 held at CEFAT, in Niteroi, Flamengo played with an alternative team and lost 2-1 (Igor Lemos) in a comeback to Botafogo, remaining with six points gained in the second round of the State Championship. In the next round, the Garotos do Ninho host Americano, in Gávea. The full focus is on the second leg of the final of the Brazilian Championship in the category, a duel against Corinthians scheduled for next Saturday (17), at 11 am, at Kleber Andrade Stadium, in Cariacica. In the first leg, the red-black victory came from behind, 4-3. Flamengo plays for a draw to be crowned Brazilian champion.