Frías, however, noted that Venezuela’s La Vinotinto have seven players who are eligible to play again next year.
By Kehinde Okeowo
Venezuela head coach Dayana Frías has said her team paid for their inexperience after losing to Nigeria’s Flamingos in the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
She made this known on Sunday night while speaking with FIFA.com after the South Americans were eliminated from the tournament following a 1-0 defeat to Nigeria.
Although Venezuela were outplayed by the Flamingos for most of the encounter, they put up a resolute display at the back.
The match appeared to be heading to a penalty shoot-out, but the Flamingos were awarded a late spot-kick when Venezuela defender Migleydys Bolsegui was adjudged to have fouled Oluebube Umejiaku.
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Azeezat Oduntan converted the spot-kick to seal Nigeria’s place in the final four.
Reacting to the defeat, Frías said her team paid for their mistake in the game, but expressed happiness over her girls’ performance.
”It was a good performance overall, but I think we made one mistake and paid for it. As for the experience, it’s been really beautiful and rewarding,” she said.
The gaffer also noted that La Vinotinto have seven players who are eligible to play again next year, adding that the players are “ready to come back and keep growing.”
”I’m happy to see how much they’ve grown and how they’ve developed as footballers throughout the tournament. We also have seven players who are eligible to play again next year, so I think they’re ready to come back and keep growing,” Frías added.
