The Portuguese women’s football team has two friendly matches against Japan and Wales in preparation for the World Cup, which will take place in Australia and New Zealand from the 20th of July to the 20th of August.
Portugal qualified for the Women’s World Cup for the first time and is part of Group E with the United States, Vietnam and the Netherlands.
This Friday 7th of April against the Japanese and on Tuesday 11th of April against the Welsh, the Portuguese have two preparation tests for the world competition organized by FIFA.
This Friday, at D. Afonso Henriques Stadium in Guimarães, the Portuguese National Team, 21st in the world ranking, measures forces with Japan11th nation in the world ranking, who already became world champion in 2011 and was runner-up in 2015.
A friendly game, but one that could set the tone for what could be the test for the Portuguese athletes.
In an interview with RFI, after a congress of trainers in Viana do Castelo in Portuguese territory, Francisco Neto, coach of Portugal, addressed the goals of the Selection for the World Cupbut before that he explained what he expects from these two friendly matches, also admitting that there is a need for more female coaches in football.
Francisco Neto, Portugal coach 04-07-2023
It should be noted that on Tuesday, the Portuguese face the Welsh, Wales, which did not qualify for the World Cup and is in 31st place in the ranking.
RFI also had the opportunity to be present at a game in the Portuguese first division of women’s football, in which Famalicão beat Lank Vilaverdense by 4-1 in a game counting for the 17th round of the Liga BPI.
At the end of the match, Vânia Duarte, a 22-year-old defender from Famalicãocapped by the Portuguese under-23 team, addressed that triumph that puts the team in 5th place in the championship, but above all he admitted that the dream is to represent the senior team and being able to be at a World Cup… and why not already this summer.
Vânia Duarte, defender of Famalicão 07-04-2023
Vânia Duarte, a Portuguese-Swiss athlete from Famalicão, has already represented the Swiss side from Zurich before arriving in Portugal during the 2021/2022 season.
The Famalicense team ranks fifth in the league table with 31 pointsone from Damaiense. In front is Benfica, leader with 48 points, nine more than Sporting de Braga and Sporting Clube de Portugalthis when there are five matches to go before the end of the Portuguese league.
We continue with women’s football,
But this time we are going to Russia where the championship has already started and three teams have four wins in four games played: CSKA Moscow, Zenit Saint Petersburg and Lokomotiv Moscow.
In the Lokomotiv club plays a 20-year-old Brazilian striker, Layssa Santoswho lives his first experience outside Brazil.
In an exclusive interview with RFI, Layssa Santoswho has already scored two goals in four games, addressed his experience in Russia, but also stressed that his goal is to represent Brazil and win a World Cup.
Layssa Santos, atacante do Lokomotiv 07-04-2023
Layssa Santos, a 20-year-old Brazilian athlete from Lokomotiv, has already represented in Brazil the CeilandInternacional, and Red Bull Bragantino.
The Russian championship continues on April 15 with the fifth round in which Lokomotiv will face Zenit, holders of the title of champion.
Remember that Brazil is in the Women’s World Cup, integrating group F together with Jamaica, Panama and France.
to notice that Portugal and Brazil are the only two Portuguese-speaking teams present at the Women’s Football World Cup which will take place in Australia and New Zealand.
This brings us to the end of this Sport magazine.
