Portugal lost 1-3, against Poland, in the Women’s Under-15 Football Development Tournament, which took place at the Vale do Romeiro Municipal Stadium, in Castelo Branco.
Organized by the Portuguese Federation, in collaboration with the Castelo Branco Football Association, the competition was contested by the Under-15 National Teams of Portugal, Spain and Poland, and took place in Castelo Branco and Sertã.
In the first half, the Portuguese dominated the game, with high pressure and a well-positioned midfield. With supported football, with two players positioned close to the defenses, the Portugal team did not give Poland space to leave their midfield.
The Portuguese created attacking situations, but only in the 20th minute, and a recovery of the ball in the defense transition, attack Matilde Wadewitz isolated herself as the goalkeeper left and shot across the goal. The corner team even sent a ball to the post and saw the goalkeeper deny the goal twice.
In the second half, Poland fielded three players with superior athleticism as forwards. In the 55th minute, Leonor Poças was injured, being treated on the pitch for 10 minutes and then taken to the hospital in Castelo Branco. The Portuguese team lost concentration and Poland took advantage of this weakness. With the three newcomers creating attacking brilliance, they scored goals in the 68th, 76th and 85th minutes.
The Portuguese coach made substitutions, not always with the aim of improving the tactical system, but to give opportunities to the young players who were less used.
In the aftermath of the match, José Paisana, coach of the Portuguese women’s under-15 team, says he was waiting for Poland to perform well, in a game marked by two very distinct halves.
José Paisana, coach of the Portugal U15 women’s team, admitted that they left Castelo Branco with a feeling of sadness, in a game they could have won.
Francisco Carrega / Ricardo Pires Coelho
