Jessica Silva admits Portugal needs ‘different intensity’ to develop

Portuguese international footballer Jessica Silva admitted this Sunday that the Portugal women’s team needs “one more intensity” after the 2-1 loss to Japan and sees a clash with “great rival”, Wales, on Tuesday.

“We need to be better, do things differently. It is better to be able to take a step forward, and for this we must have a different intensity. We will grow with this game to be closer to the next level. at the World Cup, ”the player said during the selection in Braga.

Portugal suffered a 2-1 defeat in Friday’s clash with Japan, finishing 11th in the FIFA rankings, and rated by the Benfica forward as “one of the best teams in the world”, who still noted a “negative result” for the results achieved “positive things”.

“This is a very difficult moment in the season, a lot of games and minutes in matches. Maybe we didn’t have the same intensity as other games. We learn and develop together with these rivals. This is the competitor with the highest demand,” he added.

From this analysis of what went well and not so well, he moves on to his next opponent, Wales, on Tuesday in Guimarães, which could “be lower [no ranking] but there are athletes at the best world championships.”

“This is a very intense team that is growing and playing great football. It will be a great contender that will by no means be less than Japan,” he said.

Jessica Silva, 28, could play her 100th game for Team AA in what is a “special” matchup.

“This is an important milestone in my career,” he assured.

Portugal are in Group E of the World Cup and will make their debut on July 23 against the Netherlands (world runners-up), four days later on July 27 will face Vietnam before ending their group stage participation against world champions USA. August 1.