In a highly anticipated debut, Sampaio Corrêa's under-20 team will kick off their campaign in the Brazilian Sub-20 Championship against CRB-AL on March 26, 2025, at the Rei Pelé Stadium in Maceió, Alagoas. The match is set to start at 15:00, with a live broadcast commencing at 14:30 on GazetaNews.
The announcement of Arlindo Maracanã as the coach for the Sampaio Corrêa sub-20 team marks a new chapter for the club. The decision comes as the club aims to strengthen its youth setup through a partnership with the Municipal Prefecture of Rosário, located 75 kilometers from São Luís. This collaboration is seen as a strategic move to enhance their competitive edge in the national youth tournament.
Sampaio Corrêa secured its place in the inaugural edition of the tournament via the National Club Ranking (RNC) established by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF). The competition features 16 clubs from the Série B Sub-20, divided into two groups of eight teams each. In the group stage, teams will face each other in a single round, totaling seven matches, with the top four teams from each group advancing to the quarter-finals.
As per the tournament structure, the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and finals will be single-elimination matches. The two finalists and the third-placed team will earn promotion to the first division of the Brasileirão Sub-20 in 2026, making this tournament crucial for young players aiming to make their mark on a larger stage.
In Group A, alongside Sampaio Corrêa, are other notable teams including Goiás, Ceará, Vitória, Sport, CRB, Vila Nova, and Botafogo-SP. Meanwhile, Group B comprises Coritiba, Criciúma, Avaí, Chapecoense, Operário Ferroviário, Ponte Preta, Ituano, and Brusque.
On the other side of the pitch, CRB's president, Mário Marroquim, expressed gratitude to fans for their support following the club's recent tetracampeonato alagoano. In an interview, he reflected on the importance of the upcoming Sub-20 competition, stating, "It is extremely important at a national level and will provide significant competitive exposure for the players, showcasing them on a national platform."
CRB's debut in the Sub-20 tournament is particularly noteworthy as they have secured an exclusive broadcasting partnership with Gazeta News. This partnership allows fans to watch the matches live on various platforms, including the YouTube channel of Gazeta FM and Canal 525 of Net Claro. Marroquim noted, "I am very pleased to have finalized this partnership with Gazeta. We consulted with the CBF and received approval for the broadcast, giving fans the opportunity to watch from home if they cannot attend the matches in person."
For this competition, CRB's head coach, Otávio Augusto, will rely on a squad largely comprised of players from the team that participated in the Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior, where they were eliminated in the knockout stage by Fluminense. In a recent interview, Augusto discussed the team’s formation, saying, "The core of our squad consists of players who remained from the Copinha, but we made some strategic additions to strengthen key positions. We brought in more experienced athletes to add maturity and technical quality to the team."
As the tournament unfolds, both teams will be looking to secure their place among the top contenders. The stakes are high, with promotion to the first division of the Brasileirão Sub-20 on the line, and both Sampaio Corrêa and CRB are determined to make their mark.
As the match day approaches, excitement is building among fans and players alike. The combination of a new coaching staff, strategic partnerships, and the drive to succeed in a competitive environment sets the stage for what promises to be an exhilarating tournament.
In the lead-up to this match, Marroquim emphasized the importance of the youth tournament in developing future talent. He stated, "This Sub-20 league is not just a competition; it is a vital opportunity for our young players to gain experience and exposure that can propel them into professional football."
Both clubs will enter the tournament with high hopes and aspirations, looking to not only advance through the group stage but also to establish themselves as formidable forces in Brazilian youth football.
As the clock ticks down to kick-off, all eyes will be on the Rei Pelé Stadium, where the future stars of Brazilian football will showcase their talents in a quest for glory.
