Dolores Silva, captain of the national women’s soccer team, is excited about the beginning of the preparation for the final phase of the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand and promises that the team will dignify the name of Portugal.
“We are very motivated, the day has finally come to be focused on what is a dream, a great moment in the history of women’s soccer and a privilege,” said the Sporting de Braga midfielder.
About the World Cup debut, the captain of the “equipa das quinas” underlines that besides the responsibility of representing the country, the team has to “enjoy” the moment.
“First of all we have to enjoy it, because it’s a great moment, where we reached by our own merit. Even so, we know that we are going to be among the best teams in the world, that we are going to face a difficult group, opponents who need no introduction and with the awareness that we are at a high level, playing against the best,” recalled the 31-year-old footballer.
With 169 international caps at different levels, 148 of them for the ‘AA’ national team, Dolores is one of the most experienced in the group and promises to “help as much as possible” the group to be “united and focused”.
As for the first game, which will be against the Netherlands on July 23, Dolores Silva recognizes the value of the opponent, but guarantees that the team wants to enter the competition with three points.
“It’s the first big challenge, we know what’s at stake, but we will always go in to win the three points, regardless of the opponent. The Netherlands have a great history, a lot of experience, but it is the first moment of competition, the dream of all of us, and what we most want is to make history and be happy”, said the Portuguese player, who asks the Portuguese to continue to support women’s soccer and that during the World Cup “set the alarm clock to wake up early”.
“We’re counting on them,” he admits.
The Portuguese women’s soccer team, composed of 23 players and led by Francisco Neto, is concentrated in the Football City, in Oeiras, to prepare the first participation in its history in a final phase of the World Cup, which will take place in New Zealand and Australia, between July 20th and August 20th.
Portugal’s debut is scheduled for July 23 against the Netherlands in Dunedin, New Zealand, followed by the confrontation with Vietnam on July 27 and the game with the United States on August 1.