Without playing, Pia appreciates the training, but believes that the next FIFA date is crucial

This Tuesday, the 13th, the important 100-day mark has been reached until the Tokyo Olympics (Japan). Unlike the main competitors in the dispute over medals, the Brazilian women’s soccer team has not been able to go to the stadium in the recent period issued by the International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA) for matches between national teams (FIFA history), due to restrictions imposed on entering European countries due to the epidemic New Coronavirus (Covid-19).

On the one hand, Pia Sundhage expressed regret to see the United States, Germany, France, Sweden, Canada and Australia in the stadium, and Brazil did not. On the one hand, the technician appreciated the opportunity to work with players from the country during the past eight days at Granja Comary, Teresópolis (RJ). Of the 26 athletes called up, 24 are active in Brazilian football. The exceptions are defender Raphael (Changchun, from China) and attacking midfielder Andressa Alves (Roma, from Italy).

“It’s so good to know that we’ve been together. It’s not easy [viabilizar]There are several protocols that must be followed. Of course, it’s a bit exhausting to see the other teams play, but nothing goes for us. We try to talk about our opponents and work from our game model. We list the priorities. We train a lot of set pieces and we’re good at it. Pia said at a videoconference.

“We will only have 18 players in the Olympics, so we need to get the best of them. Take Pia Zanerato [atacante do Palmeiras]. She is left-handed and we usually see her in the front all the time. To join the team, she must take on new roles. We test as a sock on the left and right sides. Another example is [Giovana] Crivellarie [do Corinthians], Who was not acting as a striker, but as a full-back. I liked what I saw, “added the coach.

Swedish technicians know the dearth of the Olympics. In 1996 (Atlanta, USA) she represented the national team as a player. In 2008 (Beijing, China) and 2012 (London, UK) he led the North American team to the Second Olympic Championship. In 2016, he won the silver medal as a technician from Sweden. However, the pandemic scenario forced the coach to adapt to an unprecedented pre-match experience.

In Sweden, we try to predict what might happen at least two years ago. In the United States, we have many days [com a seleção reunida]. Here, we had to change plans due to COVID-19 and we didn’t have many days either, just FIFA dates. Having said that, thank you for these January courses [na cidade gaúcha de Viamão], Outside of FIFA history. We have a little time, but the team has something special and can hold together if we emphasize priorities. “

In 2021, Team Pia played in the first FIFA history, in February, in a dispute over She Believes, a friendly tournament in Orlando (USA). There were three matches, with their victories over Argentina (4-1) and Canada (2-0), and the defeat against the United States (0-2). The next period for the inter-national matches in June will be the last before the Olympics.

“I think this next step is crucial. Not only for the players, but I also need to try the game. Listen to the hymn, listen to my assistant, give videos, think about how the game can change after the break. If we do well, I will be more relaxed. It is something.” Difficult, but there is always a way, “Pia concluded.

Positive cases

The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) reported that three players and two coaching staff have tested positive for the coronavirus. According to an official statement from the organization, the injured have “mild symptoms”, and they have been isolated and will remain in the Granja Kumari under the care of the selected medical department until they complete the ten days of quarantine stipulated in the protocol.

Although the names were not disclosed, Agência Brasil confirmed at the Naples press office that goalkeeper Nicole was one of the athletes who had tested positive for the virus. The player will be an embezzlement of Caçador (SC) at the debut of the A1 (First Division) series of the Brazilian women’s soccer championship, against Corinthians, on Saturday, 17:00 (Brasilia time), in Parque São Jorge in São Paulo.