Flamengo will compete in the Under-23 Cup starting Sunday
The competition will be a showcase for red-and-black players to show their work to Silas
By From the team at Flamengo's official website - in
Flamengo will compete, starting this Sunday (19.09), in the 2010 Under-23 Professional Football Cup. Along with nine other clubs from the first division of the Brazilian Championship (Fluminense, Vasco, Botafogo, Santos, Corinthians, Palmeiras, Internacional, Atlético-MG and Avaí), the Rubro-negro will compete for the title of the unprecedented competition with players who are under 23 years old and are not selected for the main team's games.
Flamengo's debut in the competition will be this Sunday against Fluminense, at a venue yet to be determined (preliminary match between the main teams, at Engenhão, or in Volta Redonda). Reminiscent of the old aspirant competitions, the tournament promises to be a great showcase for the red-and-black's future stars.
"I remembered it in the conversation I had with the players. It's a great opportunity for them to show their worth. It will be a unique experience for me and for them, as they will be in the football spotlight. I hope to pass on this experience to these young people. I received the invitation from Zico, who is a great friend, and it will be an honor to be able to help him. This championship is very reminiscent of the youth championships that used to start at 14 p.m., in the preliminary round of games at Maracanã," recalled coach Renato Trindade, who played for Flamengo in 1972, when he won two youth championships alongside Zico, Julio Cesar Uri Geller, and Nunes.
Excited about the opportunity to show their work to coach Silas and also get into the swing of things, the players promise to take to the field with a lot of determination to fight for the title.
"It will be a great opportunity to gain game rhythm not only for me, but for the athletes who are moving up in the category. I'm excited to show my football and be remembered by the coach of the professional team," said midfielder Lenon.
Flamengo is in Group 2 of the competition, alongside Santos, Atlético Mineiro, Botafogo, and Corinthians. Group 1 includes Avaí, Palmeiras, Internacional, Fluminense, and Vasco.
In the first phase of the tournament, teams from one group will face those from the other in a single round robin. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semifinals. It's worth noting that the teams with the highest points in the competition will have home advantage in this phase, as well as in the final.
Another interesting point is the possibility of a penalty shootout if the games end in a draw. This way, the points will be distributed as follows: 3 points for a win in normal time. In the event of a tie, each team receives one point, with the winner of the shootout receiving an additional bonus point.
Check out Flamengo's games in the competition below
19.09 - Flamengo x Fluminense
25.09 - Flamengo x Palmeiras
02.10 - Internacional x Flamengo
07.10 - Flamengo x Vasco
10.10 - Avaí x Flamengo
10/31 - Semifinal – First in Group A vs. Second in Group A
10/31 - Semifinal – First in Group B vs. Second in Group B
07.11 - Final
Flamengo's debut in the competition will be this Sunday against Fluminense, at a venue yet to be determined (preliminary match between the main teams, at Engenhão, or in Volta Redonda). Reminiscent of the old aspirant competitions, the tournament promises to be a great showcase for the red-and-black's future stars.
"I remembered it in the conversation I had with the players. It's a great opportunity for them to show their worth. It will be a unique experience for me and for them, as they will be in the football spotlight. I hope to pass on this experience to these young people. I received the invitation from Zico, who is a great friend, and it will be an honor to be able to help him. This championship is very reminiscent of the youth championships that used to start at 14 p.m., in the preliminary round of games at Maracanã," recalled coach Renato Trindade, who played for Flamengo in 1972, when he won two youth championships alongside Zico, Julio Cesar Uri Geller, and Nunes.
Excited about the opportunity to show their work to coach Silas and also get into the swing of things, the players promise to take to the field with a lot of determination to fight for the title.
"It will be a great opportunity to gain game rhythm not only for me, but for the athletes who are moving up in the category. I'm excited to show my football and be remembered by the coach of the professional team," said midfielder Lenon.
Flamengo is in Group 2 of the competition, alongside Santos, Atlético Mineiro, Botafogo, and Corinthians. Group 1 includes Avaí, Palmeiras, Internacional, Fluminense, and Vasco.
In the first phase of the tournament, teams from one group will face those from the other in a single round robin. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semifinals. It's worth noting that the teams with the highest points in the competition will have home advantage in this phase, as well as in the final.
Another interesting point is the possibility of a penalty shootout if the games end in a draw. This way, the points will be distributed as follows: 3 points for a win in normal time. In the event of a tie, each team receives one point, with the winner of the shootout receiving an additional bonus point.
Check out Flamengo's games in the competition below
19.09 - Flamengo x Fluminense
25.09 - Flamengo x Palmeiras
02.10 - Internacional x Flamengo
07.10 - Flamengo x Vasco
10.10 - Avaí x Flamengo
10/31 - Semifinal – First in Group A vs. Second in Group A
10/31 - Semifinal – First in Group B vs. Second in Group B
07.11 - Final
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