Dubai
CR Flamengo of Brazil capped off a memorable Dubai debut with a tie-breaker win against Spanish giants Real Madrid in the final of the eighth Hamdan Bin Mohammad U16 International Football Championships that concluded at the Dubai Police Officers Club ground on Thursday.
Trailing Real Madrid’s 42nd minute opening goal from the penalty spot by captain David Cuenca Barreno, Flamengo managed to draw level through substitute Jean Carlos Albino Bonora deep into full-time injury period forcing the penalty shoot-out. It was then that Flamengo goalkeeper Bruno Guimaraes De Souza rose to the occasion bringing off two fine saves — off Barreno and Paulo Lubamba — to hand the Brazilians the title in their very first appearance at the eight-team tournament.
Nasser Al Rahma, Assistant General Secretary, Dubai Sports Council (DSC) was joined by 2007 African Footballer of the Year and Sevilla FC star Frederic Oumar Kanoute, Tournament Director Ahmad Salem Al Muhairi and DSC official Ali Omar.
“Defeating a world-class team like Real Madrid is like a dream for us. When we left home everyone in Brazil was talking about us as the favourites. But now with this win I am convinced that the entire football world will be following us,” Flamengo coach Ramon Cardoso Lima told Gulf News.
“We tried our best to try and catch them on the offensive, but they played so compact by staying very close to each other. And that last minute goal gave us all the confidence we needed. Suddenly our tears turned into joy after we won in the penalty shoot-out,” he added.
Real Madrid coach Tristan Celador was lost for words after seeing a certain victory snatched from their hands through the injury time equaliser from their substitute player. Added to this, Real Madrid confidence was hit after defender Sergio Camacho Dominguez was rushed to Rashid Hospital following a clash in a goalmouth melee.
“That incident pulled us down a bit, but we fought till that last minute equaliser. I just can’t express what I am feeling at this moment. This is the worst way to lose,” Celador lamented.
This was Real Madrid’s third visit to the Dubai tournament, and their best came in 2015 when the Spaniards finished runners-up to AC Milan after losing 1-2 in the final. The following year, they had lost to eventual champions Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia 3-4 in the semi-final.
“At the moment I am lost for words. We were leading till the final minute and then it all slipped away far too quickly. I congratulate Flamengo on winning, but I am left speechless,” he added.
Earlier, Borussia Dortmund, Germany clinched third place after leading 4-1 at half-time to finish with a 6-2 swamping of PSV Eindhoven in the play-off.
AWARDS
Champions: CR Flamengo, Brazil
Runners-up: Real Madrid, Spain
Third place: Borussia Dortmund, Germany
Golden Ball (Highest Scorer): Reinier Jesus Carvalho (CR Flamengo)
Best Player: Daniel Cabral De Oliveira (CR Flamengo)
Best Goalkeeper: Lucas Canizares Conchello (Real Madrid)
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CHAMPIONS
2009: PSG France (bt Werder Bremen 3-1)
2012: Lega Pro Italy (bt Al Shabab 2-0)
2013: Valencia Spain (bt Al Nasr 4-1)
2014: Valencia Spain (bt Al Nasr Saudi Arabia 2-0)
2015: AC Milan Italy (bt Real Madrid 2-1)
2016: Al Hilal Saudi Arabia (bt Borussia Dortmund 2-0)
2017: Olympique Lyon France (bt Al Hilal Saudi Arabia 2-1)
2018: CR Flamengo Brazil (bt Real Madrid Spain 4-2; 1-1 at full-time)
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