Pia asks the Brazilian team to keep the joy

Pia Sundhage, coach of the Brazilian national team, saw the youngest players in the group show personality during the 4-0 defeat of Panama, this Monday (24), in their debut for the World Cup.

The three goals by Ary Borges and the talent of Kerolin, both 23 years old, as well as the defensive solidity of Lauren, 20, were some of the strengths of the team coached by the Swede, who enjoyed watching her charges play with joy.

“Of course, I’m very satisfied with what we’ve done so far. I didn’t know exactly how the younger players were playing today. Talking to them in the locker room, at the foot of the game, during meals, together, I realize that it’s a happy, happy team, and that’s already a good start. If we can keep that joy, which is contagious and involves a lot of energy, that’s important”, commented the coach in a press conference after the victory.

In addition to the joy, Pia hopes to continue seeing courage in the eyes of the players in the next matches. For her, the combative posture is essential for the Brazilians to continue displaying football at the same level that was presented during the encouraging clash with the Panamanians.

“I get irritated when a player doesn’t try. The worst mistake you can make as a player is not trying. The way we played, I saw that it would be a good game from the beginning. Everyone played a good game. The first goal came, then the second came… I could see that they were creating countless chances. he said.

Alongside Pia at the press conference, Ary Borges, author of the ‘hat-trick’ in the rout and one of the main names of the new generation, showed a lot of respect for the athletes who built the history of Brazilian women’s football. “If I am part of this renewal, it was because these women fought for women’s football. It is a very special moment, being able to live this moment, scoring three goals in my first game, is a beautiful story”, said the former Palmeiras striker, now an athlete for Racing Lousville, in the United States.

Ary was replaced by Marta in the second half and, at the end of the game, received the best of the match trophy from the Queen, something she herself requested. “It was already a special day to be able to score three goals. Being able to go out for her to enter was an honor. I asked her to give me the trophy for best of the match. She is very dear to the group, she is our biggest reference. Sometimes, she doesn’t understand. I say: ‘Marta, we have you as an example'”.

Leader of Group E, with three points, the Brazilian team returns to the field on Saturday, at 7 am (Brasília time), in Brisbane, where it faces France, who tied with Jamaica in the opening round.