Flamengo takes the field this Monday night aiming to confirm its qualification for the semifinals of the State Futsal Championship. The reigning state champions face Comary in Teresópolis at 20 p.m. in their third-to-last qualifying match. A victory would secure coach Cid Escarlate's team's place in the championship's decisive stage.

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Third-placed Flamengo, from Gávea, benefited from the inconsistent fielding of a Vassouras player in the 4-4 draw last Wednesday and was declared the winner. This brought Flamengo to 19 points, opening up a five-point lead over Vassouras, who are in fifth place and the only team that could reach the group of four that qualify for the semifinal stage. América is fourth with 17. Petrópolis, with 32, and Cabo Frio, with 31, lead the way.

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"We're practically through, but we still need a win to secure our spot. Besides, it's not enough to just qualify; we still have to decide whether we'll finish third or fourth and see what happens in the semifinals. But the team came into its own at the right time, and we're very confident," said winger Diego Panazio.

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A win on Monday will guarantee Flamengo a spot in the next round, as the red-and-black team reaches 22 points, opening up a seven-point lead over Vassouras, with just two games remaining in the qualifying round (meaning Vassouras can only score six more points). Flamengo will be without two key players soon: winger/defensive midfielder Michel Marques and center Jaxwel, who are suspended, will not play.

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"Our team did well in the Taça Brasil, and that proved our strength to the group. We didn't qualify, but we had a good championship, and I think that was great for us. Now we need to keep up the momentum in the State Championship and keep fighting for this second championship," said goalkeeper Rafael Pazos.

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Rain is a concern
So far, the match is confirmed. However, the red-and-black delegation is on alert for a possible postponement of this Monday's game due to the heavy rain that fell in Rio de Janeiro this morning. A landslide on the Rio-Teresópolis highway, which connects the Marvelous City to the venue of the match later today, killed three people and shut down traffic in both directions. There is no estimated time for when it will reopen.

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"So far, everything is confirmed. Flamengo is ready to travel, but we are monitoring this situation and will wait until the last minute for confirmation," said supervisor Tito.