Bianca recalls South American triumph, hails Brazil U20 chemistry

Of the 21 players called up by coach Camilla Orlando for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, 14 played in the South American Championship in February this year. Among them, center back Bianca was also part of Brazil’s 11th continental title win. The player looked back on the campaign and highlighted the importance of the team chemistry within the Canarinho.

“It was a huge emotion. Being able to represent your country is priceless and something every athlete wants. Making it to the national team is the peak of your career. I was very happy to play in the competition and to win the title. It was a unique feeling,” she said.

“A large part of the players who are here also played in the South American Championship, and that helps our chemistry because we already know each other and have been training together for some time, practically an entire cycle. So that only adds to it,” she added.

In the South American Championship, Brazil’s U-20 Women’s National Team finished the first stage in second place in Group B, with nine points from four matches. The team finished behind only Argentina, which topped the group. In the final hexagonal stage, Brazil was relentless and won four of its five matches, including a 4-0 thrashing of Argentina. The only draw came against Ecuador, which finished as runner-up.

Bianca during a U-20 Women’s National Team training session in PolandCredits: Luciana Vermell/CBF

Now, the challenge is even greater: the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. The competition brings together the top national teams in the category and represents another opportunity for the Brazilian team to put into practice all the work developed throughout the cycle. In the first stage, Brazil is in Group B and will face Tanzania, Canada, and England in search of a place in the next round of the tournament.

“We’re arriving prepared. As I said, we had a long preparation period and many friendlies. We’re coming in well, just like all the other national teams here, because they deserve to be here. But we are prepared and confident for this first stage,” she said.

“I feel happy and proud to be here and to be part of this squad. We are ready to represent the country and give our all in the competition,” she concluded.

In an interview with the CBF website, Bianca said her interest in football came from her father, who is very passionate about the sport. The center back took her first steps in the game at age 9, when she played in regional tournaments alongside boys. At 13, she began training with girls, though in older age groups.

Originally from Tenente Portela, in the countryside of Rio Grande do Sul, the player was competing in the Rio Grande do Sul U-17 Championship for Flamengo de São Pedro in 2022 when she was spotted by Internacional. The following year, she joined Colorado’s youth ranks and has remained with the club ever since, now as part of the senior squad.

The U-20 Women’s National Team is in the city of Kraków, Poland, where it is holding its first training sessions focused on the World Cup. The country will host the tournament, which will be played from September 5 to 27.

On Sunday (30), the Canarinho will travel to Bielsko-Biała, where it will play its opening matches of the World Cup. In the group stage, Brazil will face Tanzania, Canada, and England on September 5, 8, and 11, respectively. All three matches will be played at Bielsko-Biała Stadium at 10 a.m. (Brasília time).

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.