With less than 10 days of training, Flamengo holds off Ajax and wins on penalties in the season opener
Uribe scores twice in the first half and is named man of the match
By Flamengo Communication - in
Flamengo, with less than 10 days of training, took the field for the first game of the season against the traditional Ajax, second in the Dutch league and in the middle of the season. And what did they see? A Flamengo Flamengo. At Orlando City Stadium, the Rubro-Negro drew with Ajax 2-2 and beat the Dutch on penalties (4-3), securing a spot in the Florida Cup title match against Eintracht Frankfurt, next Saturday at 19 pm (Brasília time). The Germans beat São Paulo in the other match 2-1.
With grit, determination and resilience, Mengão fell behind on the scoreboard, drew, conceded a goal, drew again and at no point did the difference in season and rhythm show on the field. And Uribe also had a brilliant night. The Colombian scored twice in the first half: a stunning lob and a very opportunistic one, keeping the same number of goals in the first 45 minutes and leaving with the man of the match award. Deservedly so, but Diego Alves also shone in the second half with crucial saves and ended the night receiving praise and congratulations from the players.
The game
The first half was intense. With more pace and mid-season, Ajax dominated the action and had more possession. With their characteristic touch, the Dutch team surrounded Flamengo early in the half and scored in the 15th minute, a one-two between Huntelaar and Cerny, which ended in a shot that Diego Alves couldn't save. Flamengo didn't feel the blow and two minutes later, Everton Ribeiro gave a beautiful pass to Uribe who masterfully chipped the ball over goalkeeper Lamprou.
The game picked up pace, and Ajax tried to regain their touch, but Flamengo had tightened their defense. However, in the 33rd minute, the Dutch scored their second goal with another one-two finish from Labyad at the edge of the box. Flamengo attacked again and were rewarded. In the 42nd minute, Diego fired a long-range shot, the goalkeeper cleared it, and Uribe was there to equalize just before the break.
For the second half, Abel Braga changed practically the entire team and gave Rodrigo Caio his debut in defense. While the team that finished the Brazilian Championship in the first half, a lack of chemistry was more evident in this half, and Ajax ended up benefiting, keeping more possession and creating key opportunities. That's when Diego Alves shone with sensational saves that prevented the ball from entering the red-and-black goal.
The game lost intensity and the result remained the same as the first half, going to a penalty shootout.
In the final match, Flamengo scored with Piris, Rodinei, Trauco and Berrío and counted on errors from Veltman (post) and Magallán (sent it there in Amsterdam) to secure the victory.