This Wednesday (1), the Brazilian team won the International Women’s Football Tournament, held in Manaus, by defeating Chile 2-0 at Arena da Amazônia. It was the first title of the Pia Sundhage era, started in August 2019.
CELEBRATE, BRAZIL! ?
Another victory and another trophy for our gallery. Congratulations, #GuerreirasDoBrasil for this achievement.
Thank you to those who supported and cheered us on this journey. Let’s go for more! ?? pic.twitter.com/mg2V2xyR38
— Women’s Soccer Team (@SelecaoFeminina) December 2, 2021
The triumph took Brazil to nine points in the competition on soil in Manaus, against six of the Chileans. Before, the selection defeated India (6 to 1) and Venezuela (4 to 1). The third place went to the Venezuelans, who, earlier this Wednesday, beat the Indians by 2-1, also at Arena da Amazônia, ending the tournament with three points. Midfielder Kerolin, with four goals, was the top scorer in the friendly event.
The competition was the sixth with Canadian participation since Pia’s arrival. In the first year, Brazil was runner-up in this same tournament, at the time in São Paulo, surpassed by Chile in the final, on penalties. Then, the selection went to the decision of the International Tournament of China, losing the title to the hosts, also in penalties. In 2020, the Brazilians competed in another friendly event, this time in France, ranking third among four teams (the French took the title).
In February of this year, Brazil competed in the She Believes Tournament, in the United States, taking the vice-championship, behind the hosts. In July, the national team played in the only official championship of the Pia era, the Olympiad in Tokyo (Japan), falling in the quarterfinals, on penalties, to the future champion Canada.
The Brazilians started the game trying to impose a more offensive posture, but found difficulties in the well posted Chilean defense. In the first chance, at 12 minutes, midfielder Ary Borges was thrown on the right edge of the area by Kerolin and tried to cover the goalkeeper Christine Endler, but sent over the top. The second attack was only possible at 34, after defender Antônia (acting as right-back) broke the line when she found Debinha close to the small area. The shirt 9 ended up crossing, with danger, to the right of the goal.
The pressure paid off at the start of the second half. On minute three, Ary Borges was launched from the left by Tamires and crossed low for Kerolin to finish on Endler’s counterfoot, opening the scoring. The substitutions reduced the pace of the match, but Brazil continued on. On minute 38, forward Giovana took advantage of the error in the ball by defender Fernanda Ramírez and kicked off the goalkeeper, setting the marker in Manaus.
She again! Today’s goal was Kerolin’s fourth in the International Women’s Football Tournament!
? Paulo Binda/MyPhoto Press/Gazeta Press pic.twitter.com/VyogL3QmCy
— Women’s Soccer Team (@SelecaoFeminina) December 2, 2021
The victory over the Chileans was Brazil’s tenth in 16 games this season, which also had four draws (during the 90 minutes) and two defeats. There were 40 goals scored and 14 conceded.
The next challenge for the Brazilians will be the International Tournament of France again, in the period destined to games for women’s teams (Fifa date) from February 14th to 23rd of next year. In addition to the hostesses, Pia’s team will have Holland and Finland ahead of them. In July, the team competes in the Copa América, where it can guarantee a spot in the 2023 World Cup, based in Australia and New Zealand.
