Women’s soccer team returns after fulfilling ‘year-old dream’

This Friday, the Portugal women’s football team was greeted by about a hundred people at the Lisbon airport after an unprecedented qualification for the World Cup, which is the work of “many years and generations”.

The Portuguese retinue left Humberto Delgado Airport at 12:30 in front of a small crowd waiting to congratulate them on their historic feat, but time was short and the rush was great, and they made their way to the Belém Palace, where they were received by the President at 1:00 p.m. Republic of Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.

“Very great emotions, these were the tears of many years and generations. It means a lot to Portuguese women’s football. We knew the responsibility of this game. To achieve this feat, to go down in history and represent Portugal is incredible. in the World Cup is indescribable,” said captain Dolores Silva.

Without coach Francisco Neto, who stayed a few more days in New Zealand, the Kinas team signed autographs and took pictures with people present in this part of the airport, while the Sporting de Braga player expressed the feeling experienced in the group.

“It’s an indescribable, fantastic feeling to be able to share this with the working group despite all the efforts we’ve put in. It was a long journey, we got here and reached our goal. This is the high point of our career.” Now all that’s left is to enjoy and prepare for what’s to come,” the midfielder stressed.

The 31-year-old suggested he was “very proud” to be captain of a “fantastic” working group and stressed that being the first to qualify for the World Cup, they are “opening doors for future generations”.

“I hope that more and more girls want to play and that Portugal has a bright future. Portugal has a lot of talent,” he stressed.

Also, Carole Costa, the author of the penalty that brought the triumph of Portugal, already in the compensation period of the match with Cameroon (2:1) spoke to reporters and recalled the work of “clubs, federations and players” so that this step was taken.

“This is a great joy, these were the days of great madness. We are very happy to be in the World Cup, this is the goal of everyone and we have been celebrating since it happened,” said the experienced centre-back, 32, who represents champions Benfica.

Penny is just “falling” now, but Carol Costa stressed that the penalty she pointed out was “a difficult moment, it’s a big responsibility”, which allowed the Portuguese to compete in the test with a “difficult” group: United. States, countries of the Netherlands and Vietnam.

For her part, Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) director Monica Jorge said the story made in New Zealand on Wednesday “represents a growing modality that the federation has been betting on for some time and with positive results for all levels.”

“It was another page written, very beautiful and consistent, as it is a process that took several years. There were many players who started with us at the age of 15 to one day get here, in such a final – because for us it was a final – and we can fulfill the dream, ”explained the leader of the federation, who was once the coach of the Portuguese.

Regarding the goals of the first ever World Cup, Monica Jorge noted that the selection must do its best by continuing to “do more and want more”.

The Portugal women’s football team qualified on Wednesday for the 2023 World Cup by beating Cameroon 2-1 in the Group A final of the Intercontinental Play-off in Hamilton, New Zealand thanks to a penalty awarded by Carol Costa.

A central defense goal in the 90+4th minute sealed an unprecedented qualification for the Portuguese after Cameroonian Adjara Nchut annulled a 22nd minute goal by Diana Gomes in the 89th minute.

Francisco Neto’s men join current trophy holders Netherlands (July 23), Vietnam (July 27) and the USA in Group E in Group E from July 20 to August 20 in Australia and New Zealand.