The Portuguese women’s soccer team is one step away from making history and qualifying for the World Cup for the first time, just by beating Cameroon this Wednesday in Hamilton, New Zealand.
After a long road, which started on September 16, 2021, and a total of 12 games, the team led by Francisco Neto will decide in the final of Group A of the Intercontinental Play-off if in the summer, between September 20 and 20. July. August, returns to Oceania.
Currently ranked 22nd in the world ranking, Portugal will play the most important match in its history, to date, against 58th in the hierarchy, but which, unlike the Portuguese team, has been in the last two World Cups (2015 and 2019), even reaching the ‘eighth’.
But, the set of ‘quinas’ is probably at the highest point in its history, continuing with seven consecutive victories, between official and private matches, managing, in this cycle, to guarantee its presence in New Zealand.
In the penultimate game of Group H, which Germany won without difficulty, Portugal was forced to beat Serbia to claim second place, and they did so, even after having practically started to lose, thanks to a goal by Andjela Frajtovic, very facilitated by goalkeeper Inês Pereira.
Still in the first half, the formation of the ‘quinas’ operated the turnaround, with goals from Joana Marchão and Kika Nazareth, and, in the second half, they knew how to hold the advantage.
At the decisive moment, Portugal jumped to second place in the group, which they sealed without difficulty on the last day (4-0 against Turkey, in Vizela), finishing with a point advantage over the Serbs, to secure a place in the Play European. -off.
The draw placed two very strong teams on the Portuguese ‘route’, but also ‘assigned’ the home factor, which the Portuguese team made the most of, beating Belgium (now 20th in the ranking) and Iceland (16th) 2-1 by 4-1 after extra time.
Even so, Portugal only managed to secure the Intercontinental Play-off and, having the best ranking among those present, immediately qualified for the Group A final, with two possible rivals (Cameroon and Thailand).
In the semifinals, on Saturday, the Cameroonians beat the Thais 2-0, with two goals from veteran striker Gabrielle Ouguéné, a CSKA Moscow player, who came off the bench in the 74th minute and scored at 79 and 82.
A day earlier, Portugal also got used to Hamilton and showed themselves prepared, beating hosts New Zealand 5-0, with goals from Jéssica Silva, Dolores Silva (from a penalty), Ana Capeta, in a double dose, and Tatiana Pinto.
Even with an alternative squad, which will surely change a lot, the Portuguese team showed all its quality and how much it has evolved in recent years, vulgarizing a formation that beat it in the only match (0-1 in Albufeira, in 2016 ). ).
For the clash with the Cameroonians, the Portuguese coach, Francisco Neto, has the team at its maximum power, while the African team will be deprived of goalkeeper Ange Bawou, who saw a direct red card against the Thais.
The match between Portugal and Cameroon, corresponding to the final of Group A of the Intercontinental Play-off, will take place on Wednesday, at 7:30 p.m. local time (06:30 in Lisbon), at the Waikato Stadium, in Hamilton, New Zealand. .
The winner qualifies for the finals and joins Group E Netherlands (match July 23), silver medalists at the last World Cup, Vietnam (July 27) and defending champions United States (August 1). .
The 2023 Women’s World Cup finals will take place in Australia and New Zealand from July 20 to August 20.
Source: TSF
