Flamengo has brought back much of its 2008 state futsal champion squad to try to win its second title this season. To keep this dream alive, coach Cid Escarlate's team must first secure a spot in the semifinals of the 2009 edition. Therefore, the red-and-black team's focus at 20 p.m. this Friday cannot be anything other than beating Petrópolis at the Hélio Maurício Gymnasium in Gávea.

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Flamengo's final two matches in the qualifying phase are against their potential semifinal opponents. Petrópolis and Cabo Frio lead the competition with 32 and 31 points, respectively, and are battling for the top spot in the standings. Flamengo knows they won't have an easy time, but they need and will go after the win.

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Coach Cid Escarlate, in fact, doesn't see this match as a potential test for the semifinals. On the contrary, he's focused on securing a spot first, and then, yes, he'll start studying his opponent in the next round.

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"It's not a test. I have to win to qualify. It's a tough game, and we're not even thinking about the semifinals yet. Our work is game by game. In the situation we find ourselves in today, we can only think about victory," said the coach.

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Winger/defensive midfielder Michel Marques agrees. According to him, there's no room to overthink potential semifinal opponents. The number 5 believes that, since the team is chasing the title, it can't afford to choose opponents in a likely semifinal.

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"We'll face one of the two in a possible semifinal. But we can't think about that, we don't have to fear anyone. We want this title and we have to prove that we can win again on the court," said Michel.

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Flamengo will be without Silva and Diego Carvalho, who are suspended, and should play with Rafael, Magrão, Michel, Panazio, and Antony. Flamengo's qualification also depends on Vassouras, who is fifth. If the team from the Serrana region doesn't win its match against Drogarias do Povo next Tuesday, Flamengo will advance to the next round regardless of its results, as it holds a five-point lead over its opponent.