The first four teams classified for the third phase of the São Paulo Junior Football Cup were announced this Sunday morning (12). Highlight for Bahia, which participates in the Copinha, an under-21 competition, with the under-17 team and remains alive in the title race. Rival Vitória was not as lucky and said goodbye to the tournament.
Bahia faced Desportivo Brasil at the opponent’s home, in Porto Feliz (SP), and won 2-1, coming from behind. The hosts took the lead in the 38th minute of the first half, with a great goal from midfielder Alysson, who took a chance from midfield, almost from midfield. The ball deflected off the mark and went into the corner.
The Bahians reacted in the final stage. At 11, after a corner kick, defender Diego Silva left everything the same, with a header. At 24, striker Guilherme hit hard and low, from the edge of the area, into the right corner, turning the score around at the Ernesto Rocco Stadium and guaranteeing classification.
In the third phase, the Pivetes de Aço (as Bahia’s base athletes are known) will face the winner of Capivariano and Coritiba, who will duel later, at 6pm (Brasília time), at Arena Capivari. The Bahians finished runner-up in the Copinha in 2011.
Bahia’s rival, Vitória faced Ferroviária at the Bela Vista Stadium, in Cravinhos (SP). The teams tied 2-2 in normal time, with striker Emanuel and midfielder Lohan scoring for Rubro-Negro and defender Ticianelli and striker Thiagão (winning a penalty) scoring Locomotiva’s goals.
The draw provided the first penalty shootout of this Cup. Better for Ferroviária, who won 7-6, after qualifying to face Santos or São José in the third phase.
At the Mário Lima Santos Stadium, in Brodowski (SP), Bandeirante, the home team, could not resist Guarani, who won 3-0. Strikers João Marcelo (twice) and Artur, in the second half, scored goals for Bugre, who will have as their opponent, in the third phase, the winner of the clash between Botafogo-SP and Atlético-MG, who play at the José Lancha Filho Stadium, in Franca (SP), at 9pm this Sunday.
The first classified of the day was in Tupã (SP). At the Alonso Carvalho Braga Stadium, Água Santa beat Linense 2-1, coming from behind. Midfielder Kayque opened the scoring for Elefante da Mogiana, but striker Ryan Santos, with two goals, secured a place for Netuno, who await Fluminense or CRB, who will face each other this Sunday, at 9:30 pm, at the Gilbertão Stadium, in Lins. (SP).
Group stage comes to an end
The group stage ended on Saturday (12), with the definition of the last classified in the knockout stages. In Group 21, Grêmio secured the lead in the group by drawing 1-1 with Atlético Guaratinguetá, the home team, at the Dario Rodrigues Leite Stadium. Tricolor Gaúcho, with seven points, ended up eliminating the hosts, who were two points behind. The second place went to Vitória da Conquista, who scored 2-1 at Porto Vitória.
In the second phase, Grêmio will face Marcílio Dias on Monday (13), at 11am, again in Guaratinguetá (SP). On the same day and time, Vitória da Conquista will face Goiás, at the Joaquinzão Stadium, in Taubaté (SP).
In Group 23, Flamengo defeated Esporte Clube São Bernardo 3-1 at the Nogueirão Stadium, in Mogi das Cruzes (SP), guaranteeing second place in the group, with six points. The lead went to Zumbi, who drew 1-1 with Cruzeiro-PB, at the same venue. The team from Alagoas concluded its participation in the phase with seven points.
The two teams will also play again on Monday. At 3pm, Zumbi visits União Suzano, in Suzanão. Later, at 9:45 pm, Flamengo faces Red Bull Bragantino, at Nogueirão.
In Group 25, based in Santana do Parnaíba (SP), Ituano secured the top spot, with seven points, by beating Fortaleza 1-0, at the Estádio Prefeito Gabriel Marques da Silva. Despite the stumble, Leão do Pici also qualified. Tricolor scored the same four points as São Bento, which beat Carajás 4-0, but was ahead of the team from Sorocaba (SP) on goal difference (two to one).
This Monday, Fortaleza takes on América-MG at 3pm, again in Santana do Parnaíba. At the same time, Ituano will duel with Sfera, at the Amadeu Mosca Stadium, in Salto (SP).
In two other brackets, the classifieds were defined, but it remained to be seen who would be at the top. In Group 20, based in Embu das Artes (SP), Sport and hosts Reference played out a goalless draw. The result at the Hermínio Esposito Stadium gave Leão first place, with the same seven points as their rival and ahead on goal difference (six to two).
Sport returns to play this Monday, at 11am, again in Embu das Artes, against Oeste. Reference will be the opponent of Palmeiras, champion of 2022 and 2023, at 7:30 pm, at Arena Barueri.
Finally, in Group 31, played at the Estádio da Rua Javari, in São Paulo, Juventus and Ceará drew 1-1. Both teams were seven points behind, but the home team, due to the better balance (six to four), passed the stage in leadership.
In the knockout stage, Moleque Travesso hosts Vasco this Monday, at 3pm, while Vozão takes on XV de Piracicaba at the Nicolau Alayon Stadium – which is also in the capital of São Paulo – at 11am on the same day.
