Francisco Neto was not indifferent to the presence of the Women’s World Cup trophy in Lisbon, before heading to Australia and New Zealand, where the competition will take place from July 20 to August 20: “Now it’s time to go , do our job and get closer to him [troféu] more times.”
Ahead of the women’s national team since 2014 and with a contract extended until 2027, the coach was not shy and promised to make the Portuguese proud during the first Portuguese presence at a World Cup: “What I can promise is that it will be a team that the Portuguese will be proud to see, to hear the first national anthem. [de Portugal] in a World Cup match. Make them feel proud. We want to be competitive and, if possible, fight to the last game. That’s what we’re going to fight for.”
Quinas’ team will start measuring forces with the Netherlands (July 23), followed by Vietnam (July 27) and the United States (August 1). “It is a very difficult mountain to climb. In 2017, no one believed that we would be at the European Championship, not even at this World Cup, given our ranking. We only want to rely on ourselves in the last game with the United States.” That’s what we’re going through. [às jogadoras]because they always want more,” emphasized de selector, which publishes the list of called up players on the 30th.
The trophy was presented yesterday at the National Stadium in Jamor by the President of the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF), Fernando Gomes, in the presence of FIFA’s General Secretary, Fatma Samoura, and Women’s Football Director, Sarai Bareman, and many distinguished guests , such as Australia’s Ambassador to Lisbon, Indra McCormick, the Secretary of State for Sport, João Paulo Correia and Carla Couto, considered the best ever Portuguese player and now leader of the Union of Players. And many of the coaches from the 32 countries that will play in the World Cup, gathered in Cidade do Futebol this week, such as US coach Vlatko Andonovski and Brazilian coach Pia Sundhage.
Fatma Samoura congratulated the national team and confessed that she hoped “Portugal will be a good surprise”. The leader of the world organization was not surprised by the presence of Portugal in the tournament, given “the talent of the players” it has.
Women’s football director Sarai Bareman wished “the best” for Portugal, recognizing that the mission will be “tough and difficult”. “I can only congratulate you on qualifying, I wish the best for Portugal. They will play in my country, with supporters who love football. It is a difficult and difficult group, with the United States and the Netherlands, but I think that they will.” do well”, the former player wished.
Source: DN
