Corinthians will kick off their quest to retain the title of the Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior, commonly known as Copinha, this Saturday, January 4, 2025. The renowned club is set to face Gazin Porto Velho at the Estádio Bruno José Daniel, located in Santo André, São Paulo. This opening match is poised to showcase the talents of young players for both teams as they contend for glory in the country’s most prestigious under-20 football tournament.
Scheduled for 21:30 (local time), the match will be broadcast live on SporTV, providing fans of Brazilian football the chance to catch every moment of the action. Corinthians is entering this tournament as the most successful team ever, boasting eleven Copinha titles, more than twice what their closest competitor, Fluminense, has managed with five.
Last year's champions, Corinthians, are led by Orlando Ribeiro and will be eager to add another trophy to their illustrious collection. The squad, made primarily of young talents, includes rising stars like Gui Negão, who has been highlighted as one of the promising players to watch this season. At just 17 years old and nearly 1,90m tall, the forward is already attracting attention, particularly after being mentioned by Spanish journal AS as one of five young prospects to follow. Though he has yet to make his professional debut, expectations are high for Gui to lead the charge for the Timão.
On the other side of the pitch, Porto Velho returns to Copinha after competing last in 2023. Sponsored by a renowned mattress brand, the club aims to improve its performance this year and build on the foundation established by its under-20 state championship-winning team. Managed by Donizete Barbosa, the team will also depend on significant contributions from players such as Leonardo Miguel and Kauê Fogaça.
Both teams are eager to set the tone for their campaigns. The match is part of Group 27, which also includes Rio Branco-AC and Santo André. With every team competing for advancement to the next stage, each match may prove to be significant.
The excitement surrounding Copinha is not just about the titles but also about scouting future stars. With the momentum generated by their last victory, Corinthians will look to maintain their footing as favorites against their rivals. The stakes remain high for Porto Velho, who hope to not only perform well but potentially upset the reigning champions on their home turf.
For fans and spectators alike, the upcoming match promises to be thrilling. Corinthians has been undefeated since 2014 when it first entered the tournament, winning 9 of its previous matches and drawing once, setting the bar for excellence. Will this trend continue, or will Porto Velho rise to the occasion and challenge the status quo?
With the youthful exuberance of this year's tournament and the hopes of both clubs on the line, the match is primed to deliver excitement and high-quality football. Tune in as these aspiring athletes put their skills to the test on the sought-after stage of the Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior.
Set your reminders for this historic showdown! The match will mark the beginning of what is sure to be another unforgettable Copinha season filled with promise, youth, and the spirited rivalry of Brazilian football.