TERESOPOLIS, Brazil (AP) – The adorned profession of Swedish coach Pia Sundhage in ladies’s soccer consists of Olympic gold medals with the USA in 2008 and 2012 and a silver along with her personal nation in 2016, nationwide and continental titles and private accolades.
But one massive hole within the 63-year-old’s teaching profession is a World Cup crown. Next month she is going to attempt to obtain that with Brazil, which can be looking for its first trophy within the event as the good Marta nears the top of her enjoying days.
Sundhage mentioned in an interview with The Associated Press at Brazil’s coaching middle in Teresopolis, exterior Rio de Janeiro, she has an opportunity to triumph when all of it kicks off in Australia and New Zealand on July 20.
Her workforce is in Group F with France – the workforce that eradicated the Brazilians 4 years in the past within the final 16 – Jamaica and Panama.
“I truly believe the 10 best-ranked teams, like we are, do have a chance to go all the way,” Sundhage mentioned. “If you take a look at USA, Germany, Sweden and England, they’ve a giant likelihood to win.
“But look at Canada. They won an Olympic gold medal (in 2020) and they always come from behind. If you don’t have any injuries, you have a great team, you gain confidence by winning and having a little bit of luck. Any of those could win the title.”
The Swede will announce her squad on Tuesday. She was USA coach within the 2011 World Cup last, received by Japan in a penalty shootout.
Sundhage took the Brazil job in 2019 and her contract will likely be up after the 2024 Olympics in Paris. She arrived with data concerning the nation’s soccer tradition however virtually no Portuguese-speaking abilities, and a demanding model.
Now, as one other Women’s World Cup approaches, she has turn into a fan of Brazilian singers and adopted a extra affected person method.
Sundhage mentioned she felt a tradition conflict when she took the job, with gamers reliant on their abilities however but to develop when it comes to teamwork.
In April, exhibiting her aspect was on the rise, Brazil drew in England and beat Germany away in two friendlies regardless of having a number of gamers injured, together with Marta.
“At the start it was overwhelming,” Sundhage mentioned. “When I went to the U.S. it was the identical factor. They have been very profitable and who am I? Should I modify something? Yes, after all, slightly bit. But it couldn’t be an excessive amount of of a change as a result of they’d been profitable. And it couldn’t be too small as a result of they may simply as nicely herald an American coach. It is comparable right here.
“In Sweden we are very well organized, we have a game plan, especially in defense. When it comes to the U.S. it is go for it, one versus one. And of course that always brings a change to be more flexible and organized. This warm country with warm people is very emotional. They rely on their technique and doing special things that make you shine, your team shine.”
Defender Rafaella agrees Brazil’s first expertise with a overseas coach has improved the workforce’s protection and introduced a extra tactical method.
“She brought her style of a very compact team, it is very hard for others to break our lines. We evolved a lot,” Rafaella advised the AP. “Pia is an extrovert during our meetings, she sings and laughs, but she is very demanding about our fitness, intensity. We will never forget our intensive training with her. I hope we can carry those lessons beyond the 2024 Olympics, no matter how long she works with Brazil.”
Sundhage’s workforce has been affected by accidents. The three that stand out took striker Ludmilla out of the event, put the 37-year-old Marta on the danger of ranging from the bench and forged doubts on midfielder Angelina.
“It is a team game, it is not one player that will win the World Cup. It will be the team and it will be a cohesive team,” mentioned Sundhage, who mentioned among the gamers she is including to the roster “will be unstoppable” inside 4 years.
Sundhage is aware of Brazil followers will choose her on what occurs within the World Cup however trusts she is on the proper path. As to what occurs after, she is unconcerned. The workforce’s finest earlier end result was a runners-up marketing campaign in 2007, dropping the ultimate to Germany.
“I am on a fantastic journey to the World Cup. Then another fantastic journey to the Olympics in France. And then I have no idea,” mentioned the coach. “What matters is that I’m right here, right now.”
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