The coach of the Brazilian Women’s National Team, Arthur Elias, gave an interview in the mixed zone after the 2-0 defeat to Spain at the Bordeaux Stadium on Wednesday (31), and praised the athletes’ effort during the match. Despite the loss, Brazil finished third in Group C and ended up as one of the two best third-placed teams overall, advancing to the quarterfinals. On Saturday (3), the team will face France in Nantes as the knockout stage begins.
“Certainly, all the players who played today grew in their careers and experience. We will work hard to advance to the semifinals and have Marta back,” he said.
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Commenting on the number 10, the coach referred to the star’s red card in the 50th minute of the first half. Without the player, the team had ten athletes for the entire second half, but Arthur did not view their performance as lacking. He considered the red card “fair” and defended Marta, who was in tears as she left the field.
“She had an isolated incident; she has very good peripheral vision but didn’t see. I thought the red card was fair because the rule states so, even if it wasn’t intentional. And we fought; I think things never happen by chance. They gained the experience of playing without Marta in an organized, committed, and focused manner until the end,” he stated.
Arthur also highlighted the athletes’ determination throughout the last 45 minutes. Antônia, for example, felt pain in the final stretch of the game but fought for about 15 minutes before leaving in stoppage time, crying.
“Antônia gave her all in all three games. Obviously, there was a situation at the end of the match that she couldn’t handle, but she was very brave,” he praised.
