Henrique Dourado scores, secures victory and praises continuous work for results
The striker had a chance and decided against Cruzeiro, reaching 11 goals this year
By Lucas Dantas - in
He hadn't scored since June. Two months without finding the net, an interminable time for a striker. But this Sunday, Henrique Dourado scored. And he scored big, in a mixture of anger, relief, and joy. In the 21st minute of the first half, the number 19 received a perfect pass from Everton Ribeiro and chipped the ball past goalkeeper Rafael to score the winning goal against Cruzeiro, in a Maracanã stadium packed with 55 fans. The victory kept the team in second place in the standings with 37 points and also ended a three-game winless streak. Furthermore, with the goal, Dourado became Flamengo's top scorer this season with 11 goals, and reached his fourth in the Brazilian Championship.
For the center forward, it's definitely a relief. After the game, the striker spoke about the period and emphasized that there was never a lack of hard work and dedication. He also preferred to thank his teammates who helped him in the victory over Cruzeiro.
"E"I'm very happy. All the effort and sacrifice of the day-to-day work was rewarded here this afternoon. And it's not just mine, but all my teammates' as well. I hadn't been playing, but I'd been dedicating myself and working hard, and always with great joy. I always tried to give my best so that when the opportunity arose, I could deliver," declared the striker, who scored a classic goal. He himself explained the play and the quick thinking to finish.
"The goal was a play that reminded me of Everton Ribeiro and something that happened to me in the game against Ceará. He had given me a pass similar to today's, but there I tried to control the ball and lost it. Today, I didn't let it pass. I was already alert and when it arrived, in a very quick play, I kicked it and scored. That's what we're there for. When we have the opportunity, inside the area, which is our habitat, we have to take it. Today it was just one in the game, and when it came, I was fortunate enough to score," said Dourado, who also mentioned that it's necessary to know how to deal with good and bad moments on the field, but the work can never stop.
"We always have to strive to improve. There won't always be good days. I myself have gone through bad moments in my career, but I have a very good balance. Today I scored a goal, tomorrow it will be another, and we'll keep going with the strong squad we have. So, I'm very happy with the result."
Now it's the Copa do Brasil.
The scenario has already changed. Dourado recalls that on Wednesday Flamengo will play a decisive match against Grêmio in the quarterfinals of the Copa do Brasil. For the player, the victory over Cruzeiro was more than just about the three points. The team gains strength for the knockout stage against the Gaúchos. In the first game, in Porto Alegre, the match ended in a 1-1 draw. In this competition, away goals no longer count as a qualifying criterion, and another draw will lead to a penalty shootout. For the number 19, Sunday's victory was essential to start thinking about the decisive match.
"We wanted to give an answer, first for ourselves. We had that desire. And for the fans too, of course. For everyone who came to the Maracanã, for everyone, we needed this victory. Now we go to Wednesday, when we have a very difficult knockout game and we need to switch gears to secure this spot here," concluded Henrique Dourado.
Buy your ticket for Flamengo vs. Grêmio here!
In the Brazilian Championship, Flamengo will return to the field next Sunday against Atlético Paranaense at Arena da Baixada at 11 am.