Soccer
17 Jan 2025 | 16:44 |
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Forward Guilherme Bala, ex-Flamengo, was the highlight of Shabab Al-Ahli 3-1 over Al-Rayyan, guaranteeing the Challenge Shield title, one of the trophies up for grabs in the Qatar-Emirates Super Cup Arabs. The clash, held this Thursday (16), marked the first runner-up in the Middle East for coach Artur Jorge, former Botafogo, who leads the Qatari team.
"Very happy with everything that has been happening in my life. Thank God, we won another title. It was a very difficult match, we faced a qualified opponent, but we showed the strength of our team and we managed to come away with the trophy. I'm happy with the contribution I was able to make to the team, with two assists and a goal. This is the result of everyone's work", Bala said.
The Challenge Shield brought together the runners-up of the leagues from both countries. Shabab Al-Ahli, led by also former flamenco player Paulo Sousa, came second in the United Arab Emirates Championship, while Al-Rayyan, runner up in the Qatari league, reached the final after the arrival of Artur Jorge.
Bala's decisive performance
Guilherme Bala was decisive in the match. He assisted Yuri César, also ex-Flamengo, to open the score, and then left Azmoun in front of the goal to score the second. In stoppage time, after a counterattack, the attacker completed the ball into the net, closing the score.
This was Bala's fourth title with the Shabab Al-Ahli shirt, adding to the Emirates Super Cup and Pro League. With his performance in the final, he reached 13 direct goal contributions in the season: five goals and eight assists in 22 matches.
"I'm having a good time, I've been working really hard to get to the matches well and, thank God, I've been able to help the team. I'm happy with the numbers I've been achieving in this season, I hope I can improve even more and help Shabab win more titles", concluded Bala.
With sold-out sectors and more than 57,000 tickets sold, the expectation is that more than 67,000 fans will be at Maracanã for the first leg of the quarterfinals.
15 Set 2025 | 10:48 |
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Flamengo fans once again showed their strength in the Copa Libertadores. 57,402 tickets have already been sold for the match against Estudiantes, valid for the first leg of the quarterfinals. The match will take place next Thursday (18), at 9:30 pm, at Maracanã.
The North, East, Lower West, and Maracanã Mais sectors are already sold out . Currently, only tickets remain for the South sector, priced at R$200 (full price) and R$100 (half price) . Management expects the 60,000 tickets available to sell out this Friday.
Adding up the free tickets, VIP boxes, and reserved seats, the projected attendance for the match is high. The estimate is that more than 67,000 fans will cheer Mengão on in their quest for a spot in the semifinals of the continental competition , creating a massive atmosphere of support in the stadium.
Before the decisive duel against Estudiantes, Flamengo faces Juventude for the Brazilian Championship this Sunday (14), at 4 pm, at Alfredo Jaconi Stadium. The team leads the table with 47 points, while the Gauchos occupy the 18th position with 21. The return game against the Argentines is scheduled for September 25, also at 9:30 pm, at Jorge Luis Hirschi Stadium (UNO), in La Plata.
Last Sunday (15) was special for Flamengo , which ended a taboo of almost 28 years without beating Juventude at Alfredo Jaconi. In Caxias do Sul, in the 23rd round of the Brasileirão, Rubro-Negro beat the Gauchos 2-0, with goals from Arrascaeta and Emerson Royal.
Coach praises Mengão players' efforts to break a 28-year-old taboo against Jaconero at Alfredo Jaconi
15 Set 2025 | 10:38 |
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Flamengo beat Juventude 2-0 this Sunday (14), in Caxias do Sul, and ended a 28-year taboo without triumphs at Alfredo Jaconi. More than the victory in the 23rd round of the Brasileirão, coach Filipe Luís highlighted the attitude of the squad , praising the willingness to train even after a long season.
Filipe Luís on Flamengo's victory over Juventude: "This is a group to make history"
At a press conference, Filipe revealed he was impressed with the group's dedication during training during the FIFA World Cup break: " They're in a nine-month season, no one complains about fatigue, everyone wants to train, everyone competed to their fullest . When I see that, I think: this is a group to make history," the coach stated.
The manager emphasized that daily dedication is directly reflected in the results on the field: " We came to a very difficult field, against a team very well trained by Carpini . This victory is the result of the very high level of work throughout the week," he added.
In the duel, Arrascaeta opened the scoring with a header from a Saúl Ñíguez cross in the first half. In the second half, Emerson Royal secured the victory in the 41st minute, also from above . The victory was special for the squad, as the last time Flamengo had won at the Alfredo Jaconi stadium was in 1997.
After breaking the taboo in the Brasileirão, Flamengo turns its attention to the Copa Libertadores da América . On Thursday (18), Rubro-Negro faces Estudiantes de La Plata (ARG) at Maracanã, at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), for the first leg of the quarterfinals.
The player played an important role in Mengão's victory over Juventude and returning to Amarelinha is one of his career goals.
15 Set 2025 | 10:03 |
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This Sunday (14), Flamengo beat Juventude 2-0 , at Alfredo Jaconi, with goals from Arrascaeta and Emerson Royal. After the match, coach Filipe Luís highlighted the performance of the right-back and stated that the Rubro-Negro's style of play resembles that of the Brazilian National Team under the command of Carlo Ancelotti.
Filipe Luís on his playing style enhancing Emerson Royal's potential in the national team: "The way Flamengo plays today is practically identical"
For the coach, this similarity could help Royal return to the squad: "I spoke with Emerson, and the way Flamengo plays today is practically identical to how the Brazilian national team played against Chile. This will greatly enhance his characteristics, boost his confidence, and put him back on the national team's radar ," explained Filipe.
During the period without games, Royal added more training minutes and absorbed tactical concepts developed by the coaching staff . The full-back was rewarded by scoring the goal that ended Flamengo's nearly 28-year winless streak against Juventude at the Alfredo Jaconi stadium.
Today, Royal competes with Wesley (Roma), Vanderson (Monaco) and Vitinho (Botafogo), as well as names like Yan Couto (Borussia Dortmund) and Dodô (Fiorentina) . None of them, however, have a guaranteed place in the 2026 World Cup. Currently, Royal is the active right-back with the most appearances for the Brazilian National Team (10), a factor that could weigh in his favor.
The defender should continue as a starter next Thursday (18), when Flamengo faces Estudiantes-ARG, at Maracanã, at 9:30 pm (Brasília time) , for the first leg of the quarterfinals of the Copa Libertadores. The stadium will be packed to push the players in search of a great result before the return leg in Argentina.
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