The opponent that coach Pia Sundhage faced most often at the helm of the women’s football team is back again. This Friday (30), the Brazilians will face Canada in the quarterfinals of the Tokyo Olympics (Japan) at 5 a.m. (Brasilia time), at the Miyagi Stadium, in the city of Rifu.

Long live Canada! At #GuerreirasDoBrasil Today they completed their last training session before tomorrow’s decision in the quarter-finals of the Olympic Games. Let’s look for the vacant position! https://t.co/Na7w43NPb9

– CBF Futebol (@CBF_Futebol) July 29, 2021

At the helm of Brazil since August 2019, Pia has faced the Canadians four times. In November of the same year, the team dominated its rivals: 4-0 at the China international tournament. In March last year, at the International Tournament in France, the teams were tied 2-2. In February this year, the Canarian team beat the North Americans 2-0 at She Believes, a competition held in Orlando (United States). A little over a month ago, in Cartagena (Spain), the teams did not start from scratch during the last friendly match before the Olympics.

Interestingly, facing Canada in the Olympic knockout stage usually results in wins for teams led by Pia. At the Beijing (China) Games in 2008, the technique eliminated its rivals in the quarterfinals and led the United States to the gold medal – against Brazil in the final, in fact. Four years later, in London (Great Britain), in 2012, once again ahead of the Americans, the Swedes beat the Canadians in the semi-final.

“Canada is a good team. The games against them are close. I hope it will be a good game and we can do our best on defense. We have to be attentive [atacante Christine] Sinclair, who is experienced [duas vezes medalhista de bronze, com mais de 300 jogos pela seleção] and intelligent. We cannot let her dominate the match,” warned Pia at a press conference this Thursday (29).

“One detail that we have observed in previous matches is that they follow a pattern of play. We need to find out what that pattern is and prepare our players, especially in attack. As for the goals, I think it is time to score on a corner,” he added. .the technique.

Brazil finished the first phase in second place in Group F, with the same seven points as the leaders Netherlands, on goal difference. Last Tuesday (27), the Brazilians beat Zambia 1-0, thanks to a free kick from midfielder Andressa Alves. At the time, most of the starters were rested and expected to return against Canada. The only definite absence is that of defender Poliana, who suffered a blow to the head against the Africans and will have to undergo an MRI to check if there has been a concussion.

TOMORROW IS THE DAY! The morning will be full of enthusiasm and encouragement for our #GuerreirasDoBrasil. Let’s go looking for the vacancy, girls! 🏅🇧🇷 https://t.co/rSfuZbQ0Ps

– CBF Futebol (@CBF_Futebol) July 29, 2021

The likely lineup will have Bárbara; Bruna Benites, Érika, Rafaelle and Tamires; Formiga, Andressinha and Marta; Duda, Debinha and Bia Zaneratto.

Canadians have one win and two draws in Japan

Canada qualified in second place from Group E, with a victory (2-1 against Chile) and two draws (1-1 against Japan and Great Britain). Five years ago, the North American team frustrated Brazil in the bronze medal match at the Rio de Janeiro Games by winning the duel (played in São Paulo) 2-1. Twelve of the 18 athletes who made up the Canadian team in 2016 were there. Tokyo.

Against Brazil, coach Bev Priestman must play; Stéphanie Labbé; Ashley Lawrence, Vanessa Gilles, Kadeisha Buchanan and Jayde Rivière; Quinn, Sophie Schmidt, Janine Beckie and Deanne Rose; Adriana Leon and Christine Sinclair.

The winner will face whoever advances between the United States and the Netherlands, who will play at 8 a.m. in Yokohama. In the other two semi-final clashes, hosts Japan will face Sweden in Saitama at 7 a.m. Earlier, at 6 a.m., Britain and Australia are in Kashima.