Ananias urges Santos focus for crucial Paulista U20 clash | OneFootball

The Santos is preparing to face EC São Bernardo in the return match of the quarter-finals of the Paulista U-20 Championship. The Peixe arrives with a great advantage, having won the first leg 4 to 1 at Vila Belmiro. Defender João Ananias projected the confrontation and urged the team to stay focused.

"We know the result was very good in the first game, but our concentration doesn't change. We know that São Bernardo is a good team, which has had a good campaign so far. So, we will work well during the week to be prepared for the return game, aim to play another great match, and secure a spot in the semifinals," he said.

Ananias, by the way, scored one of the four goals for the Alvinegro Praiano. The youngster, who has been listed for three professional matches this season, celebrated the achievement.

"It was an incredible feeling to have scored my first goal at Vila Belmiro. I was very happy with the victory and the way we achieved it. We managed to take advantage of our home field, and this result was certainly very important for the return game. Playing at Vila was also a very positive point because our team is very technical, so a pitch like Vila's facilitates our game, besides the atmosphere of playing there, which is always very good for us," he concluded.

Match Situation

Santos can lose by up to two goals in the return match to advance. Meanwhile, EC São Bernardo needs to win by four or more goals to qualify for the U-20 Paulista semifinals.

If the ABC team beats Peixe by three goals difference, the decision will go to penalties.

When is the return match?

The second leg of the U-20 Paulista quarter-finals is scheduled for Friday at 3 PM (Brasília time), at Estádio Bruno José Daniel, in Santo André (SP).

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This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.