This Thursday, Maria Miller was called up for the first time to the Portuguese women’s team, for the double commitment with Austria, in the League of Nations, in a list that also has three returns. Coach Francisco Neto promoted the debut of the young 20-year-old Sporting de Braga player, who joins her teammates Mariana Azevedo and Carolina Mendes and returns to the team’s choices at the corners, as well as Benfica player Jéssica Silva.

“We have been following Maria Miller for a long time, she is part of the structure in the youth teams. She has had a career with the under-23s, which is very important, and she is making minutes at the club. Versatility, she can play as a central or midfielder. It makes perfect sense at this moment to bring in Maria Miller,” the coach emphasized.

Central Mariana Azevedo “is performing well and it made perfect sense to bring her back”, because she is back “by merit and moment”, while experienced footballers Carolina Mendes and Jéssica Silva “are two important returns”, the coach emphasized.

“The national team is not a closed space. Many people have talked about a renewal process, but it is not that. They come, they go, they come back, it is professionalism, depending on the opponents and the injuries. There are two main returns , two players whose playing style and our internal dynamics they know well, who help the team achieve its goals,” he said.

On the other hand, with regard to the final selection, is the departure of Carole Costa from Benfica due to injury, as well as the Sporting players Bruna Costa and Joana Martins, and Nádia Gomes, who represents the North Americans of São Francisco. , stand out, Glens. “We are possibly talking about one of the players who has had the most minutes in recent years in the national team and at her club. We easily understand the importance of Carole in the national team and the club space. For us it is always a big loss, but our mission is to prepare players, as they will all have their moment. Whoever is there will be ready to replace Carole, within our dynamic. We really believe in these 25 players who will be here,” emphasizes Francisco Neto, about Carole Costa.

After a defeat against France (2-0) and a victory against Norway (3-2), Portugal now faces their Austrian counterpart in the third and fourth rounds of Group 2 of League A, who drew with the Norwegians and were defeated by France.

“Austria has few footballers who participate in the national championship, many play in major championships such as Germany, England, Italy or the United States. Therefore, it is a very competitive team, with a lot of stability and which has passed through the last stages or until the last moment to be there. It is very close to what we have done. We will have to be at the highest level,” the selector warned.

The first match is scheduled for October 27 at 6:00 PM local time (5:00 PM in Lisbon) at the Schnabelholz Stadium, in the Austrian city of Altach, with the second match four days later, on October 31, from 6:00 PM. Portuguese soil, in the Varzim Stadium.

With two rounds of play, Portugal occupies second place in the group, with three points, behind leader France with six, followed by Austria and Norway, both with one point. The first placed qualifies for the final four, the second remains in League A, the third plays the maintenance play-off and the last is relegated to League B.

List of 25 called up

Goalkeepers: Inês Pereira (Servette), Patrícia Morais (Sp.Braga), Sierra Cota-yarde (University of Arkansas, USA).

Defenders: Ana Borges (Sporting), Ana Seiça (Benfica), Catarina Amado (Benfica), Diana Gomes (Sevilla), Joana Marchão (Servette), Lúcia Alves (Benfica), Maria Miller (Sp. Braga) and Mariana Azevedo (Sp. .Braga).

Averages: Ana Rute (Sp. Braga), Andreia Norton (Benfica), Andreia Jacinto (Real Sociedad), Andreia Faria (Benfica), Carolina Mendes (Sp. Braga), Dolores Silva (Sp. Braga), Fátima Pinto (Sporting) , Francisca Nazareth (Benfica) and Tatiana Pinto (Brighton).

Forwards: Ana Dias (Zenit Saint Petersburg), Ana Capeta (Sporting), Diana Silva (Sporting), Jéssica Silva (Benfica) and Telma Encarnação (Marítimo).