Last Saturday (09.11/20), Flamengo's under-6 team beat América in the Otávio Pinto Guimarães Tournament (OPG), at the Giulite Coutinho Stadium. With a 1-16 win over Rubro-Negro, Cleber dos Santos' team remained at the top of group E, with ten points won and can lose by up to eight goals to Serra Macaense, in the last round, and still qualify for the final. The decisive match will be at 13.11 pm, this Wednesday (XNUMX/XNUMX), at the Gávea social headquarters.

Even with a good lead in the game, coach Cleber dos Santos guarantees that the boys are down to earth and have goals to pursue beyond the title.

"We have some goals to achieve besides reaching the final. One of them is to finish the second phase undefeated, which will be consolidated if we win against Serra. The group is very committed to this victory tomorrow (Wednesday), especially because we have to maintain our consistency at home," he declared. 

The coach also identified a clear evolution of the players during the OPG Tournament.

"They've matured a lot in terms of emotional balance. We played more balanced matches, we didn't have any expulsions in the second phase of the competition, we played more consistent games, balancing the first and second halves, and we achieved a good balance between defense and attack," he explained.

Flamengo's U-20 team includes players who have already played for the senior team, some even appearing in decisive matches. On the other hand, other athletes have recently come up from the youth team and are also champions in their age group.

"The U-20 category is very unique in this sense. They include players who have already been in the professional ranks and players who have come from the youth team. We have a lot of exchange of experiences and both groups contribute in their own way," concluded Cleber.

If no major surprises occur in Wednesday's round (13.11/12), Flamengo has a good chance of facing Botafogo in the final. In Group F, Flamengo won the derby against Vasco and took sole control of the table with XNUMX points, three points behind their rivals and a draw away from the final. Flamengo is looking to win its third consecutive championship.