CHAMPIONSHIP SURPRISE, NOVA IGUAÇU GOES TO THE CARIOCA SEMIFINAL WITH CRIA FROM FLAMENGO AS HIGHLIGHTS

The Nova Iguaçu achieved a great result in the first phase of the Copa do Brasil last Wednesday (28). Laranjão beat Itabuna 8-0 and will face Internacional in the second phase of the national competition.

Forward Bill, one of Nova's highlights this season, scored twice in the match. So far, the number 10 has already scored three goals and provided six assists this season. Bill praised the result and shared his expectations for the next phase of the tournament.

- Very happy to have scored and for the classification of the team that played a great match. We managed to put into practice everything we trained and everything we did during the season. We are going through a very good phase, with a lot of confidence and joy to play and this was certainly fundamental for this classification - said Bill.

- It will certainly be another great challenge for us this season. Internacional has a great team, with experienced players who are used to this type of confrontation. But we are going through a very good moment in our season and career and we will fight hard for this classification. We have the advantage of playing here in Rio de Janeiro and we will try to use that to our advantage - he added.

BILL IS A CREATE OF FLAMENGO AND IS ALREADY BEING SOUNDED BY SERIE A TEAMS

Nova Iguaçu has been one of the sensations of the Carioca Championship. Last weekend, the Baixada Fluminense team beat Portuguesa 2-1 and advanced to the semi-finals of the state championship.

O Cria do Flamengo has been monitored by several teams in Brazil, due to its great performances. Bill was once considered one of Gávea's jewels, but he didn't have much space between 2019 and 2020, so he was released by the club.