Cuiabá settles for draw in Copa Verde debut with U-20 squad, extending winless streak to six games; Kenzo Hamazaki shines
It was a night of reunions and challenges at the Arena Pantanal. In their Copa Verde opener, Cuiabá Esporte Clube let a win slip through their fingers in the final minutes, settling for a 1–1 draw against Tocantinópolis. The bitter result adds to a streak that's already worrying Cuiabá fans: it’s now six games without a victory.
To be fair, the coach sent out a lineup that looked quite different from what we’re used to seeing. With one eye on a packed fixture list and the other on developing youth talent, the Dourado took the field with a mix of experienced players and kids from the Cuiabá Esporte Clube U-20 squad. And honestly, the youngsters didn't let the occasion get to them. On the contrary, they showed that fresh blood isn't afraid of the big stage.
The first half was scrappy, as you'd expect from a debut. Cuiabá tried to set the pace but kept running into the visitors’ tight defence. The goal that seemed elusive came from one of the young players who really caught my eye. When the ball fell at the edge of the box, attacking midfielder Kenzo Hamazaki, just 18 years old, didn't hesitate. He unleashed a rocket into the right corner, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance. The Arena Pantanal, even with a smaller crowd, erupted as if it were a championship decider. In that moment, with the young players celebrating around Kenzo, you could see the essence of what Cuiabá is trying to build.
But that lead turned into a bitter pill. The team dropped back a bit in the second half, and Tocantinópolis, with nothing to lose, pushed forward. With ten minutes left in the second half, after a scramble in the box that no one could clear properly, the ball fell kindly for them to equalize. 1–1 on the scoreboard, and the feeling that two points were left on the table.
Youth squad showed promise, but the savvy of an experienced side was missing
I'll be honest with you: watching the game, you can split the analysis into two parts. On one hand, the courage. Players like Kenzo Hamazaki showed real character. He didn't shy away, asked for the ball in tough moments, and made the passes the team needed to get a breather. He's the kind of gem Cuiabá fans love to see shine.
On the other hand, what was missing was that experience, that game-management know-how of a seasoned side to see out the result. Holding onto a lead for 45 minutes requires knowing when to slow the game down, when to take a tactical foul, when to hold the ball up in the corner. The kind of things a more experienced team has, but this young group is still learning on the job.
- Possession was even: Cuiabá had a slight 52% of possession, but lacked penetration in the final third.
- Individual standout: Kenzo Hamazaki was the engine of the team, involved in most of the offensive plays.
- Negative streak: This marks six consecutive games without a win for Cuiabá, a stat that raises a red flag for upcoming competitions.
Now, it’s about taking the lessons from this draw and flipping the script. The Copa Verde is still in its early stages, and qualification isn't a concern just yet. But the pressure for a win—to restore confidence in the squad and the fans—is only growing. The next match is one where they can't afford to slip up. Cuiabá needs to show that, whether with the experience of their veterans or the hunger of their U-20 kids, the weight of the jersey is an advantage, not a burden.
And here’s a message for the fans: these kids deserve your support. Kenzo and the other young talents showed they have star quality. Now it's about maturing quickly, because in Brazilian football, time is a luxury no one has.