find out more about Copinha’s surprises

A São Paulo Junior Football Cup It is always full of surprises and revelations. Often individual, but the collective can also attract attention in the biggest grassroots competition in Brazil. Therefore, reaching the round of 16 of the cupthree clubs, which don’t even have professional teams, stole the spotlight among the 16 best teams: Aster Itaquá, AC Guaratinguetá and the Ibrachina FC.

This trio, in addition to not being among the most traditional clubs in the country and being very young, are very similar in their structures. They are all training clubs (the famous “entrepreneurs’ clubs”), which are 100% focused on the youth category and the training of young players. Find out more about each of the projects!

Aster Itaquá

Aster Itaquá is the youngest team of these highlights. Founded in March 2023, around ten months ago, the company club is another arm of Aster Groupwhich has the Aster Brasil, from Espírito Santo, as a professional team. Affiliated to São Paulo Football Federationthe club’s focus is on training players, working from the under-9 to under-20 categories.

With just one goal conceded and eight goals scored in five games, Aster Itaquá has already made history in the Copa São Paulo. The club not only reached the round of 16, but also had to overcome the two-time champion Palm treesfully Arena Barueri. Thus, the team from Itaquaquecetuba, East Zone of São Paulo, has been representing and surprising in the competition.

AC Guaratinguetá

AC Guaratinguetá is another club that beat big clubs in its campaign and is attracting attention at this stage. Founded in December 2021, the team focuses on training young players in the interior of São Paulo. In addition to the objective in men’s football, the team also has a female squad, which competes in the Paulistão under-17.

After a debut with defeat, for the BragantinoGuaratinguetá started a recovery campaign, winning the Joinville and tying with the Bahia, in the group stage. As a result, the club left behind the Cuiabá and the Taubaté to reach the round of 16 of the Copinha.

Ibrachina FC

Of all the clubs mentioned, Ibrachina FC is the most “traditional”, having been in existence for three years. Founded by Chinese brothers, Henry Law It is Thomas Law, the project aims to integrate the culture of China with Brazil. However, this is linked to a structure for training young players, with youth teams based in Mooca, in São Paulo.

Overcoming the Victory, in the penalty shootout, Ibrachina equaled its best campaign in the Copinha, which took place in 2023, by reaching the round of 16. Last Wednesday, the 17th, after achieving a draw with Coritiba, the São Paulo team said goodbye to the competition on penalties.

Of the three highlighted teams, Aster Itaquá was the only one that advanced to the quarter-finals, after eliminating AC Guaratinguetá, by the score of 2-1, in an exciting confrontation. Now, the team from the East Zone of São Paulo faces the Flamengothis Friday, 19th, at 7pm (Brasília time).