Forward Jéssica Silva assured Thursday that Portugal is prepared for Sunday’s clash with the Netherlands, which marks Portugal’s debut in the Women’s World Cup, in Dunedin, New Zealand.
“It’s important to know who we’re playing with, and we have a lot of respect for one of the best teams in the world, but we know our quality, our value, that’s why we’re here. We prepare ourselves in the best way to face the Netherlands”, assured the 28-year-old Benfica player.
At the hotel where the Portuguese team is based in Auckland, far from the city center, where a shooting took place that has already claimed three lives, the Portuguese international finds no fault with the Dutch, who “have a very complete team”. .
“From defense to attack, there are experienced players, with a lot of quality, playing for the best teams in the world. Therefore, I cannot single out a player. Naturally, there are references, so-called stars, but I can’t. Let’s just say one, because they have an incredible collective,” he explained.
Faced with a group with great dynamism, which will be difficult to stop, Portugal has to respond with cohesion and concentration, which is already happening, three days away.
“I would not say anxiety, I would say a lot of desire. Many days have passed, a month has passed. [desde o início do estágio, em Portugal]. And since the competition is closer, the momentum is even more acute. There are a few days left, but we are very prepared for the first challenge and what we really want is to compete and play our first match”, he said.
The 2023 World Cup kicks off this Thursday and Portugal is very happy to be part of it: “Being here is something that makes me very happy. (…) We are at a World Cup, representing our country, and that is the most important thing.” .
Jéssica Silva is one of the faces of Portugal, the one who was European champion with Lyon and has made 102 appearances with the ‘AA’ since her debut, on November 19, 2011, for a total of 16 goals, including the first ‘ double’, recent, against Ukraine (2-0).
“Being a reference for Portugal? It’s not a burden. I can feel some expectations, but it’s something I face very naturally. The most important thing is to be at my best level, to be able to help Portugal, to be able to help.” my teammates, being able to defend, being able to be available to play. I want to be as good as possible, help Portugal to be as good as possible too”, she guaranteed.
The formation of the corners will play in New Zealand, far from Portugal, but the love reaches the other side of the world.
“We feel very happy, that it is not women’s football that is playing, it is Portugal. It leaves us a bit of peace of mind, joy, pride because we feel that people are around this environment, ”she said.
And he continued: “This support cannot be trivialized, this whole wave of messages, of strength, of feeling that people really have a common feeling: ‘look, the women’s team is in the World Cup, let’s get up early’. We have received messages from everyone and that makes us very happy, it gives us extra motivation and we appreciate all that support”.
The formation of the Quinas faces the Dutch, runners-up in the world title, on Sunday, at 7:30 p.m. local time (08:30 in Lisbon), in Dunedin, in a match on the opening day of Group E.
After the clash with the Netherlands, Portugal faces the also rookie Vietnam, in Hamilton, on July 27, at 7:30 p.m. local time (8:30 a.m. in Lisbon), closing Group E against the United States, winner of the last two. World Cups, in Auckland, on August 1, at 7:00 p.m. local time (08:00 a.m.).
The competition kicks off this Thursday, at 7:00 p.m. local time (08:00 a.m. in Lisbon), with the match between the hosts New Zealand and Norway, who meet at Eden Park, in Auckland, on the opening day of Group A.
The ninth edition of the Women’s World Cup takes place from July 20 to August 20 in Australia and New Zealand.
Source: TSF
