After three intense months of preparation, Flamengo/Marinha debuts in the Brazilian Women's Championship Series A-1 this Wednesday (25), at 15 pm, against Santos. The match, which will be at Vila Belmiro, is the first official challenge for the Meninas da Gávea in the current season. Rubro-Negro was champion of the competition in 2016 and seeks its second national title.

For the debut, coach Ricardo Abrantes and his staff are counting on new reinforcements, in addition to the athletes who won the Carioca championship at the end of last year. The Mais Querido announced nine players for 2018 and lost only a few players.

"As Flamengo, we want to be champions in everything. This year, beyond the title, we also want to put on a show at the games. This way, we can attract viewers, attract the media, and help women's soccer grow," said Abrantes.

In the first stage of the competition, the teams face each other in a home-and-away format. Then, the top four clubs from each of the two groups advance to the quarterfinals, semifinals, and final. All matches will be played in home-and-away format. The Brazilian champion also secures a spot in the 2019 Copa Libertadores.

Santos is one of the strongest women's soccer clubs in the country. The current Brasileirão champion, the black and white team enters the competition seeking its second consecutive championship. This season, the Sereias da Vila have already started competing in the Paulista Women's Championship. In four matches, they have two wins, one draw, and one loss, with 12 goals scored and five conceded.

Flamengo and Santos have faced each other only twice in the history of the Brazilian Women's Championship. Without facing each other in 2015 and 2016, the teams met for the first time in the tournament last year, both still in the first phase of the competition.

The São Paulo team came away with victories in both matches. In the first round, Flamengo hosted Alvinegro at Gávea in the fourth round of the Brasileirão, but ended up losing 2-1. Flamengo's goal was scored by Bárbara, who also scored for "Mais Querido" in the second leg at Vila Belmiro. In the opening match this Wednesday, Flamengo lost by the same score of 2-1.

Flamengo/Marinha is coming off a learning curve. In 2017, the team performed well at the start of the Brazilian Championship, but failed to advance to the quarterfinals after falling to Iranduba. On that occasion, a 2-2 draw in Rio de Janeiro and a 1-1 draw in Manaus determined the Hulk's qualification on away goals. In the Carioca, Flamengo dominated and managed to win their third state championship, taking the trophy undefeated with some impressive victories.

The match will be broadcast by Rádio SantosFC, which can be heard at www.santosfc.com.br/radio.

Tickets for the match will not be sold, and admission to Vila Belmiro is free. Come support the Meninas da Gávea in this important challenge!

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