Thomas scores five, Fla runs over and is the leader in Copinha
The red-black striker led a 7-1 rout over Gurupi-TO, in São José dos Campos
By From the official website team - in
When he was left without Muralha, called up by Vanderlei Luxemburgo to join Flamengo's professional group in Londrina, the coach of the youth team, Paulo Henrique, had two options for this Friday's game (09.01), against Gurupi-TO, for the second round of the São Paulo Cup: field another midfielder or try a more daring option.
With the team needing a win, having opened with a draw against Mogi Mirim, Paulo Henrique opted for a bold move: starting Thomas, setting up the team in a 4-3-3 formation. It couldn't have worked out better. The number 16 shined, scoring five times and being the star of Flamengo's 7-1 victory in São José dos Campos. The result leaves Flamengo in first place in Group K of the Copinha, with four points and a goal difference of five, leaving them well on track for the final stage of the competition.
And he didn't even need much time. It only took three minutes. After a superb pass from Lucas, Thomas was one-on-one with the goal to open the scoring. The goal galvanized the team, which continued to press, but missed good chances from Adryan and Lucas. Leonan then equalized in the 13th minute with a free kick. But it was just a scare. Seven minutes later, Lucas's penalty gave Flamengo back the lead. A lead that increased in the 37th minute with a beautiful individual play from Thomas: 3-1.
In the second half, the red-and-black dominance continued. The team missed many chances, but when the floodgates opened, more goals came. Thomas, again, in the 26th minute, scored another beautiful goal. His third, Flamengo's fourth: 4-1. There was still more to come. Shortly after, in the 33rd minute, it was Rafinha's turn, who came on in the second half, to score. But the night had to end with a goal from him: Thomas. And two soon followed. In the 44th minute, he collected a rebound from Yguinho and scored the sixth, and in the 47th minute, with a penalty kick, he sealed the rout: Flamengo 7-1, with five goals from the number 16.
With the team needing a win, having opened with a draw against Mogi Mirim, Paulo Henrique opted for a bold move: starting Thomas, setting up the team in a 4-3-3 formation. It couldn't have worked out better. The number 16 shined, scoring five times and being the star of Flamengo's 7-1 victory in São José dos Campos. The result leaves Flamengo in first place in Group K of the Copinha, with four points and a goal difference of five, leaving them well on track for the final stage of the competition.
And he didn't even need much time. It only took three minutes. After a superb pass from Lucas, Thomas was one-on-one with the goal to open the scoring. The goal galvanized the team, which continued to press, but missed good chances from Adryan and Lucas. Leonan then equalized in the 13th minute with a free kick. But it was just a scare. Seven minutes later, Lucas's penalty gave Flamengo back the lead. A lead that increased in the 37th minute with a beautiful individual play from Thomas: 3-1.
In the second half, the red-and-black dominance continued. The team missed many chances, but when the floodgates opened, more goals came. Thomas, again, in the 26th minute, scored another beautiful goal. His third, Flamengo's fourth: 4-1. There was still more to come. Shortly after, in the 33rd minute, it was Rafinha's turn, who came on in the second half, to score. But the night had to end with a goal from him: Thomas. And two soon followed. In the 44th minute, he collected a rebound from Yguinho and scored the sixth, and in the 47th minute, with a penalty kick, he sealed the rout: Flamengo 7-1, with five goals from the number 16.