AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) — For Portugal coach Francisco Neto, his team’s accomplishment hit him during the national anthem. After all the preparation and 13…
Zealand For Portugal coach Francisco Neto, his team’s accomplishment hit him during the national anthem.
After all the preparation and 13 qualifying matches, Portugal, like seven other countries, made its debut at this year’s Women’s World Cup. Being here became real for Neto during the pregame ceremony before his side’s opening match July 23 against the Netherlands as “A Portuguesa” played.
“The first time we heard the anthem,” Neto said when asked a moment he cherished at the tournament.
“It was our first World Cup,” he continued. “It was the first time we were there, and we could sing our song. So, I’m very proud of that moment.”
The group stage was the source of enormous national pride for Portugal, the Philippines, Vietnam, Panama, Ireland, Haiti, Zambia and Morocco, all newcomers to the highest level of international women’s soccer.
The debutants played hard, played with spirit and half of them picked up their first Women’s World Cup win. The debuting nations combined for five wins, two draws and 17 losses.
Morocco defied expectations and made the round of 16 with a thrilling upset of Colombia on the final night of the group stage, but the rest of the newcomers were eliminated.
“It’s (the) World Cup. The pressure is so high. We are growing inside the pressure, and that is amazing,” Neto said. “For our players, it is something we need to build because the media, the sponsors, the supporters — everything is different for us. We never have this kind of opportunity.”
Just playing in the tournament is a step in the right direction.
The newcomers were able to compete against some of the strongest sides in the world, many for the first time.
