Striker Jessica Silva assured this Thursday that Portugal are ready for Sunday’s match against the Netherlands, which marks the Portuguese debut at the Women’s World Cup in Dunedin, New Zealand.
“It’s important to know who we’re playing with and we have a lot of respect for one of the best teams in the world, but we know our quality, our value, that’s why we’re here. We were preparing in the best way to face the Netherlands,” the 28-year-old Benfica player assured.
In the hotel where the Portuguese national team is located in Auckland, far from the city center where the shooting has taken place that has already claimed three lives, the Portuguese does not find fault with the Dutch, who have a “very full choice”.
“From defense to attack, there are experienced players, very high quality, playing in the best teams in the world. Therefore, I cannot single out one player. Naturally, there are mentions, the so-called stars, but I can’t say just one, because they have an amazing team, ”he explained.
Faced with a group of great dynamics that will be difficult to stop, Portugal must respond with cohesion and focus, which is already happening in three days.
“I would not say anxiety, I would say a lot of desire. Many days have passed, a month has passed [desde o início do estágio, em Portugal]. And since the competition is closer, the urge is even sharper. There are a few days left but we are very prepared for the first challenge and we really want to compete and play our first game,” he said.
The 2023 FIFA World Cup kicks off this Thursday and Portugal is very happy to be a part of it: “I am very happy to be here. (…) we are at the World Cup, we represent our country, and this is the most important thing.”
Jessica Silva is one of the “faces” of Portugal, she was European champion with Lyon and has made 102 appearances for AA since her debut on November 19, 2011, scoring 16 goals in total, including her first double. recent, against Ukraine (2-0).
“To be a guide for Portugal? It’s not a burden. I feel some expectations, but this is something that I come across very naturally. my colleagues to be able to defend themselves, to be available for the game. I want to be on top, to help Portugal be on top too,” he assured.
The Kinas formation will play in New Zealand, far from Portugal, but love reaches the other side of the world.
“We are very happy that not women’s football is played, but Portugal. It leaves us with some comfort, joy, pride, because we feel that there are people around this atmosphere, ”he said.
And he continued: “It is impossible to trivialize this support, this whole wave of messages, strength, the feeling that people really have a general feeling: “look, the women’s team at the World Cup, let’s get up early.” We have received messages from everyone and it makes us very happy, it gives us extra motivation and we appreciate all this support.”
On Sunday, at 19:30 local time (08:30 in Lisbon), in Dunedin, in Dunedin, at the opening day meeting of Group E, the Kinas formation will face the Dutch second-best in the world for the title. .
After clashing with the Netherlands, Portugal will also face newcomers Vietnam in Hamilton on July 27 at 19:30 local time (8:30 am in Lisbon), closing out Group E against the United States, winners of the last two World Cups, in Auckland on August 1 at 19 :00 local time (08:00).
The competition kicks off this Thursday at 19:00 local time (08:00 Lisbon) with a game between hosts New Zealand and Norway, who will face each other at Eden Park in Auckland, in the first round of Group A.
The ninth FIFA Women’s World Cup will be held from 20 July to 20 August in Australia and New Zealand.
Author: Portuguese
Source: CM Jornal
I’m Dave Martin, and I’m an experienced journalist working in the news industry. As a part of my work, I write for 24 News Reporters, covering mostly sports-related topics. With more than 5 years of experience as a journalist, I have written numerous articles on various topics to provide accurate information to readers.