Jack Matador secures Flamengo's hard-fought qualification
With Jaxwel inspired, Fla holds Cabo Frio (5-5) and stamps Fla's passport to the semifinal of the State Futsal Championship
By From the team at Flamengo's official website - in
Jack the Ripper is one of the most notorious killers in history. In the United Kingdom, he became famous for never being arrested for his crimes. At Ginásio Hélio Maurício, however, on Thursday night, another Jack went uncaught. Jaxwel, whose name is chanted by the fans as "Jack Matador," gave the Cabo Frio defense no chance and was the star of the match that secured Flamengo's place in the semifinals of the State Futsal Championship. He scored a goal and provided two assists in the 5-5 draw with the team from the Lagos Region.
Jaxwel also had significant help from winger Silva, the night's top scorer, with three of the club's five goals. Flamengo's first half was only undiminished because of the only two serious defensive lapses, Cabo Frio managed to score. Otherwise, Flamengo had a start worthy of the reigning state champion. With coach Cid Escarlate rotating his players well, the group showed its strength, and the standout individual players were substitutes Jaxwel and Silva. The former opened the scoring after a great pass from Leco in the seventh minute and provided the assist for the second goal.
Silva, in turn, scored the second and third goals for the Gávea team. The first came after a great pass from Jaxwel, and the second from a free kick less than a minute from the end of the first half, which ended in a 3-2 victory for Flamengo. And the "Matador Jack," as the Flamengo fans call him, continued to inspire in the second half. Cabo Frio even tied the game early in the second half, but after another fine individual play by Jaxwel, Magrão received the ball inside the box and put Flamengo back in the lead: 4-3, in the ninth minute.
Cabo Frio, however, didn't let it slide and sought the equalizer again, which they did in the 11th minute. Shortly after, on a strong counterattack, Michel Marques had a chance one-on-one with the team from the Lagos Region's goalkeeper, but his shot was poor. Flamengo continued to press, and with another free kick, with 20 seconds remaining, Silva scored Flamengo's fifth. Cabo Frio still equalized before the clock ran out, but the 5-5 score didn't eliminate Flamengo from the semifinals.
Another vacancy - Cabo Frio and Petrópolis had already qualified for the final stage. The two teams were battling for first place. PEC, the undefeated leader, thrashed Vasco and consolidated its position in first place, leaving the team from the Lagos Region in second. However, the battle for the other two spots, third and fourth, was thrilling until the very end.
With an eye on the match between Flamengo and Cabo Frio, Vassouras (fifth place) and América (third place) faced off in Tijuca. Vassouras came out on top, winning 7-6. This resulted in a three-way tie between Flamengo, América, and Vassouras. In goal average (the average of goals scored and conceded), Vassouras finished third, Flamengo fourth, and América out of contention.
However, that could change on Monday, as the red team filed an appeal with the Rio de Janeiro State Futsal Federation against Vassouras, which could see them lose six points and be eliminated from the competition. In any case, Flamengo is already guaranteed a spot in the next round and, with fourth place confirmed, will face Petrópolis in the semifinals.
Jaxwel also had significant help from winger Silva, the night's top scorer, with three of the club's five goals. Flamengo's first half was only undiminished because of the only two serious defensive lapses, Cabo Frio managed to score. Otherwise, Flamengo had a start worthy of the reigning state champion. With coach Cid Escarlate rotating his players well, the group showed its strength, and the standout individual players were substitutes Jaxwel and Silva. The former opened the scoring after a great pass from Leco in the seventh minute and provided the assist for the second goal.
Silva, in turn, scored the second and third goals for the Gávea team. The first came after a great pass from Jaxwel, and the second from a free kick less than a minute from the end of the first half, which ended in a 3-2 victory for Flamengo. And the "Matador Jack," as the Flamengo fans call him, continued to inspire in the second half. Cabo Frio even tied the game early in the second half, but after another fine individual play by Jaxwel, Magrão received the ball inside the box and put Flamengo back in the lead: 4-3, in the ninth minute.
Cabo Frio, however, didn't let it slide and sought the equalizer again, which they did in the 11th minute. Shortly after, on a strong counterattack, Michel Marques had a chance one-on-one with the team from the Lagos Region's goalkeeper, but his shot was poor. Flamengo continued to press, and with another free kick, with 20 seconds remaining, Silva scored Flamengo's fifth. Cabo Frio still equalized before the clock ran out, but the 5-5 score didn't eliminate Flamengo from the semifinals.
Another vacancy - Cabo Frio and Petrópolis had already qualified for the final stage. The two teams were battling for first place. PEC, the undefeated leader, thrashed Vasco and consolidated its position in first place, leaving the team from the Lagos Region in second. However, the battle for the other two spots, third and fourth, was thrilling until the very end.
With an eye on the match between Flamengo and Cabo Frio, Vassouras (fifth place) and América (third place) faced off in Tijuca. Vassouras came out on top, winning 7-6. This resulted in a three-way tie between Flamengo, América, and Vassouras. In goal average (the average of goals scored and conceded), Vassouras finished third, Flamengo fourth, and América out of contention.
However, that could change on Monday, as the red team filed an appeal with the Rio de Janeiro State Futsal Federation against Vassouras, which could see them lose six points and be eliminated from the competition. In any case, Flamengo is already guaranteed a spot in the next round and, with fourth place confirmed, will face Petrópolis in the semifinals.