A samba sweep

Ramar Miller (left) of the Barbados Under-17 team and Remato of America Mineiro battling for possession. (Pictures by Kenmore Bynoe.)

Apolinario leaping on Kyle Harewood in the Under-15 final.

Shaquille Boyce (left) who scored twice for the Barbados Under-17 team leaping with Kevim of America Mineiro of Brazil.

Eurico of Cruzeiro (right) heading the ball from the challenging Dexter Brazilian Academy’s captain Raymond Hope.

By Renaldo Gilkes | Sun, April 15, 2012 - 12:03 AM

They came, they saw and they conquered.

Brazilian clubs dominated the first Os Barbados Youth International Football Tournament, running off with the Under-15, Under-17 and Under-20 trophies.

The tournament concluded yesterday at the National Stadium, with all three Brazilian teams recording victories.

In the Under-15 clash, Atletico Paranaense defeated the Barbados National Select team 3-0. The Under-17 encounter was much closer as the locals went down 2-3 to America Mineiro, while in the Under-20 age group, Cruzeiro Sporte Clube came from behind to defeat Dexter’s Brazilian Football Academy 2-1.

The Under-15 match was much closer than the score line suggests, for the Bajan youngsters gave a really good showing, matching the Brazilians in nearly every department. However, that extra piece of experience got Atletico the result they desired.

A penalty converted by Joao Heinen in the 17th minute got Atletico off to a fine start. Further goals from Cristhian Lovizotto, in the 24th, and Pedro Formis, in the 47th, completed the scoring for the visitors.

The national Under-17 side produced a quality performance and it was no surprise when they scored first.

Barbados’ main weapon, Shaquille Belle, made one of his trademark runs into the box and his cross was adjudged to be handled by an America player by referee Edwin Adams, who awarded a penalty.

Shaquille Boyce stepped up to easily convert the spot kick, pushing the ball to the right of goalkeeper Glauco Chavez.

Barbados doubled their lead through the Belle and Boyce combination. A neat exchange of passes between them allowed Boyce through to be one-on-one with Chavez and with a striker’s instinct, Boyce picked his corner and easily tucked the ball past the charging goalie.

Barbados relaxed their efforts in the second half and were punished by America, who responded with three goals in the period.

Pabricio Da Silva responded first to a loose ball in the box, stabbibg the ball into the bottom left hand corner of the goal in the 42nd minute.

In the 57th minute, Diego Conceicao levelled the score in spectacular fashion. A cross from the right found Conceicao unmarked at the back post. He controlled the ball on his chest, then whipped the ball into the right “V” over the stretching Keon Harding in goal.

Barbados lost skipper Renaldo Bailey in the 57th minute to a second caution for a reckless challenge. America took full advantage of the extra man, gaining victory in the 63rd minute thanks to a fine finish by Felipe Santos.

A pass from midfield found Santos with room on the right-hand side of the penalty area to blast a low right-foot shot past Harding.

Host team Dexter’s Brazilian Football Academy became the first team to score on Cruzeiro despite going down 1-2.

Tremaine St Hill put the Academy in front in the 45th minute after the skillful Renico Williams put him through behind the Cruzeiro defence to shoot powerfully with his left foot into the roof of the net.

Within ten minutes, Cruzeiro responded when Murilo Oliveira headed in from close range a well delivered free-kick by Alisson.

Cruzeiro capped off their impressive visit to Barbados with the winning goal in the 71st minute. Pedro Paulo exhibited poise and technique to blast a left-foot shot past the diving Mario Albert in goal.