Andressa: Brazil have an advantage against USA - U-20 WOMEN'S WORLD CUP

Andressa: Brazil have an advantage against USA -  U-20 WOMEN'S WORLD CUP

(FIFA.com) 07 Aug 2014

The sun had already sunk below the horizon and darkness was settling over the Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton by the time Zhang Zhu scored the equaliser for China PR in the 89th minute to deny Brazil an opening-game victory. Despite this setback, As Canarinhas refuse to bemoan their fate or rue missed opportunities. If anything, the result has served to awaken their fighting spirit.  

 “The match against China played out exactly as we expected,” Andressa explained to FIFA.com. “We weren’t able to play the way we wanted at the start but gradually settled into the game. The game was well-balanced until the Chinese managed to score from a free-kick.”

The saying, ‘Always look forward, never look back’, certainly holds true for the lively and captivating Brazilians ahead of their next encounter on Friday. USA are favourites on paper but, unlike their opponents, have yet to pick up a point at this tournament. Advantage Brazil?

“One point is definitely better than none at all; we haven’t lost a game,” the Kindermann forward said. “I hope we can play against USA like we did against China, perhaps even better. USA have lost and that gives us a slight advantage. We need to win both of our next matches to seal a place in the quarter-finals."

Andressa also knows exactly what the key to success will be: “We’ve got to apply what we practiced at home in Brazil. We mustn’t change anything; we just need to do what we came here to do.”

Having previously enthralled the crowds with typical Brazilian dribbling alongside Andressa at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2012 in Azerbaijan, team-mate Djenifer sees no reason for the team to hold back. Respect? Yes. Fear? Never.

“We’ve still got to play two matches and we’re not out of the competition yet,” the midfielder said, concluding with a bold statement of intent: “We’re a strong side, but the most important thing is that we’re a team ready to defeat USA. I’m confident we can win this match.”

The 19-year-old’s healthy self-assurance will certainly come in handy on Friday. Brazil will receive a further boost if opening-match markswoman Byanca – also part of the Azerbaijan 2012 squad – can deliver a similarly strong performance against the three-time world champions. It remains to be seen who will emerge victorious from the showdown, but USA have certainly been warned.