Under-20s: Ceará beat Vila Real again, reach Cearense semis | OneFootball

Gabriel Silva / Ceará SC

Ceará have qualified for the semifinals of the Ceará State Under-20 Championship. This Sunday, the 2nd, Vozão defeated Vila Real 3-1, with goals from Kaiky, Janderson, and Gabriel Amaral, at Franzé Moraes Stadium (Cidade Vozão) in Itaitinga, Ceará. Deydson scored for the visitors. In the first leg, the Alvinegro de Porangabuçu had already won 2-0, securing a place among the competition’s final four.

In the semifinal, Ceará will face Tirol, who eliminated Anjos do Céu. The ties, to be played over two legs, are scheduled for August 8 and 22.

So far, Vozão have played nine matches in the Ceará State Under-20 Championship, recording seven wins and two draws. In total, the team have scored 25 goals and conceded only five.

THE MATCH

With dominant possession and control of the game, Ceará created the best chances in the first half and opened the scoring just 10 minutes in. After a free-kick from Bruninho, Kaiky rose above the defense and headed into the top corner, leaving the opposing goalkeeper with no chance. Before that, Figueiredo had already forced a good save from the keeper with a shot from outside the box.

Even with the lead, Vozão kept the pressure on Vila Real and continued to create chances. In the 12th minute, Gabriel Amaral received the ball on the left, cut inside, and shot wide to the goalkeeper’s right.

The visitors responded in the 15th minute, when André Lucas found space in the six-yard box and missed the chance to equalize by hitting Gustavo Martins’ crossbar.

That chance, however, was an isolated one. Ceará remained on top throughout the first half and threatened again through Ronald and Pedro Esli, but both were denied by Kauã.

Late in the first half, in the 40th minute, Kaiky had another chance to score. After another delivery from Bruninho, the center-back rose above the defense again, but was denied by a great save from the opposing goalkeeper.

Shortly before halftime, Janderson received the ball and tried his luck from outside the area. Goalkeeper Kauã mishandled it, and the shot ended up in the back of the net, extending the Alvinegro’s lead.

After the break, Vila Real tried to cut the deficit. In the 13th minute, Turi burst forward, entered the box and, one-on-one with Gustavo Martins, wasted the chance. Six minutes later, Kauan Nóbrega crossed for Deydson, who scored the Sobral side’s first goal.

To keep control of the match, coach Rogério Ferreira made changes to the team. Victor The, one of the players brought on in the second half, won a penalty in the 23rd minute. From the spot, Gabriel Amaral struck into the goalkeeper’s left corner and scored Ceará’s third goal.

Still not giving up, Vila Real threatened again in the 34th minute. Turi surged forward at pace and shot to the left of Gustavo Martins, causing danger for the Alvinegro goal.

Vozão responded in the 38th minute with a sequence of three chances. First, Victor The shot and Kauã made the save. From the rebound, Guilherme tried, but the goalkeeper denied him as well. On the loose ball, Victor The shot again, and Vila Real’s number 1 made another stop.

In the closing minutes, Ceará managed their advantage and controlled the match until the final whistle, sealing the win and qualification for the semifinals of the Ceará State Under-20 Championship.

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