O Brazil arrives at the Women’s World Cup with a renewed selection that seeks to regain the glories of the past, having as its first challenge the modest Panama, which for the first time in history will compete in the tournament.
Group F of the Worlds in Australia and New Zealand, which will be held from July 20 to August 20, is completed by France and Jamaica.
Under the command of Swedish coach Pia Sundhage, Brazil bet on change after the failure at the 2019 World Cup, when it lost exactly to the host France in the round of 16 (2-1 in extra time) and after premature eliminations in the two previous Cups.
Sundhage, champion in charge of the United States in 2011, has called up promising players such as right-back Antonia (Levante, ESP), midfielders Ary Borges (Louisville City, USA) and Kerolin (North Carolina Courage, USA) and striker Gabi Nunes (former Madrid CFF, ESP).
In addition to presenting news, Brazil will say goodbye to the legendary Marta at the tournament, considered by many to be the greatest player in history and who leaves football at the age of 37.
Panama was the last to qualify for the World Cup, in the repechage against Paraguay and Papua New Guinea, and makes its debut in a world tournament.
Despite having a local semi-professional women’s league, its players stand out in international tournaments such as those in Spain, Mexico, Costa Rica and the United States.
Even pointed out as the weakest selection in Group F, the Mexican coach Nacho Quintana was confident: “We are a team that will bother any opponent”.
French pressured
A selection that has been pressured to improve its performance is France, the main candidate to advance to the second phase along with Brazil.
Les Bleues, fifth in the FIFA rankings, arrive led by coach Hervé Renard after the turbulent sacking in March of Corrine Diacre after several key players, including captain Wendie Renard, threatened to leave if she was retained as coach.
Renard, who led Saudi Arabia to a historic victory against Argentina at the 2022 Men’s World Cup (2-1) in Qatar, will have a difficult task with the French, who so far have not won any major international titles.
In the last two World Cups, the French were eliminated in the quarterfinals, while in last year’s Eurocup they said goodbye in the semifinals, when they were eliminated by Germany.
And the arrival of our #Women’s Selection the rooms couldn’t be different… A lot of joy! The way we love! Come check it out! 😍
📹 Fabio Souza / Jo Marcone / CBF TV pic.twitter.com/GmW0BihiC7
— Women’s National Football Team (@SelecaoFeminina) July 18, 2023
Their mission was complicated by the absence of their strikers Delphine Cascarino (knee injury) and Marie-Antoinette Katoto (partial anterior cruciate ligament injury).
Jamaica also arrives with the mission of improving its image in the World Cup, after losing the three matches it played in the 2019 edition, in France.
The ‘Reggae Girlz’ have striker Khadija Shaw, top scorer for Manchester City, alongside other players who stand out in European and American championships.
France and Jamaica face off at the Sydney Football Stadium at 7:00 am ET on Sunday, July 23. The match between Brazil and Panama will take place on Monday (24) at the Hindmarsh Stadium, in Adelaide, also in Australia.
Source: Gazetaesportiva
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