Santos FC's Under-17 team has secured a spot in the third phase of the Paulista Championship after a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Paulinense. Fernando Pradella scored the decisive goal at the Estádio Espanha, sending the 'Meninos da Vila' through to the next stage of the competition.
Santos U-17 Dominates Second Phase
The victory against Paulinense capped off a strong second phase for Santos, with four wins, one draw, and one loss. They scored 13 goals while only conceding 5. The team, coached by Elder Campos, showed impressive form throughout the competition.
Team Lineup and Key Players
The Santos lineup for the match included Danilo (Fernando Amaral) in goal, with Davizinho (Osvaldo), João Sá, Gabriel Neves, and Lorenzo de Paula (Breno Bissoli) forming the defense. Nicolas Augusto, Evandro, and Dudu Gimenes (João Borges) controlled the midfield, while Flecha (Mateus Mendes), Davi Santos (João Grando), and Pradella (Damásio) led the attack.
What's Next for Santos U-17?
Santos will now compete in the third phase of the Paulista U-17 Championship, joining Jabaquara, Sfera, and Marília in their group. The competition format sees the top two teams from each group, along with the eight best third-placed teams, advancing to the knockout stages.
The knockout stages will be played over two legs, with penalty shootouts deciding the winner if the aggregate score is tied. Santos will be looking to build on their impressive form and challenge for the title.
In related news, Red Bull Bragantino's Under-15 team also secured a place in the third phase of their respective Paulista Championship, defeating Santos 2-1. This highlights the strong youth development programs of both clubs.