Portugal, in the same group as Vietnam, the US and the Netherlands, finalized 23 players for the 2023 Women's World Cup nearly two months early.
Benfica – the reigning champions of the Portuguese women’s football league – contributed the most players with nine, followed by Braga (4), Sporting Lisbon (3) and Maritimo (1).
Six players play abroad from Sevilla, Alaves, Real Sociedad and Levante – Spain, Parma – Italy and Servette – Switzerland. Huynh Nhu’s Lank club did not contribute any names to the national team.
The Portuguese women's team is participating in the World Cup for the first time like their Group E opponent Vietnam. Photo: FPF
The 2023 World Cup kicks off on July 20. Group E will be played in New Zealand, where Portugal will face runners-up the Netherlands on July 23, Vietnam (July 27) and defending champions the United States (August 1). Coach Francisco Neto aims to win four points to advance to the next round, including a draw with the Netherlands and a win against Vietnam.
Portugal’s foundation is an experienced defence with Carole Costa, Ana Borges and Silvia Rebelo – who have played a combined 427 times for their national teams. The attack includes Jessica Silva, 28, who has played 97 times and scored 14 goals for her country, and was the first Portuguese woman to win the UEFA Champions League in 2019-2020 with Lyon (France).
The midfield includes veteran midfielder Dolores Silva, 31, who has played 146 games. Young talent Kika Nazareth, 20, has the potential to become the next big star of Portuguese football. Nazareth is the first female player to be represented by "super agent" Jorge Mendes.
Portugal's women's football is on the rise and is currently ranked 21st in the world. The 2023 World Cup will be the first time the team has qualified for the tournament, after defeating Cameroon 2-1 in the intercontinental play-off. In a friendly in early April 2023, Portugal lost 1-2 to Japan and drew 1-1 with Wales.
List of 23 players of the Portuguese women's team
Goalkeepers (3): Ines Pereira (Servette), Patricia Morais (Braga), Rute Costa (Benfica)
Defenders (7): Ana Seica, Carole Costa, Catarina Amado, Lucia Alves, Silvia Rebelo (Benfica), Diana Gomes (Sevilla), Joana Marchao (Parma),
Midfielders (7): Ana Rute, Dolores Silva (Braga), Andreia Norton, Kika Nazareth (Benfica), Andreia Jacinto (Real Sociedad), Fatima Pinto (Alaves), Tatiana Pinto (Levante)
Forwards (6): Ana Borges, Ana Capeta, Diana Silva (Sporting Lisbon), Carolina Mendes (Braga), Jessica Silva (Benfica), Telma Encarnacao (Maritimo).
Hieu Luong
Source link
Comment (0)