After a 1-1 draw with Náutico, yesterday (12/12) at night in Porto Alegre, Flamengo qualified for the quarter-finals of the Brazilian Under-20 Championship.

In the next stage, Flamengo faces Cruzeiro, the team that placed first in Group 3. Flamengo coach Adílio expects a tough match against the team from Minas Gerais, but is confident of a good result.

"Cruzeiro will be a very tough opponent. The two teams know each other very well, having faced each other so often recently. We have to go in with a lot of determination and show Flamengo's strength."

With four games played, two wins, one draw and one loss, the red-black commander made an assessment of Flamengo's campaign so far.

"The team started the competition well, with two wins, but then we lost some players to injury. Against Náutico, we started playing well, winning 1-0, but then we came under pressure. The most important thing is that we achieved our first goal, which was qualification. Now we're looking for another win against Cruzeiro."

Flamengo and Cruzeiro play on Friday (13/12), at 19 pm, at the Passo D'Areia Stadium, in Porto Alegre.