Silva, speaking after the defeat, said she is already turning her focus to Brazil’s final challenge at the World Cup.
By Kehinde Okeowo
Brazil’s U-17 Women’s National Team head coach, Rilany Silva, has attributed her team’s 3–1 defeat to Nigeria’s Flamingos in the semi-final of the ongoing FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup to the West African team’s approach.
She made this known on Wednesday night during her interview with CBFTV after the loss to Akeem Busari’s side.
Nigeria opened the scoring in the 56th minute when Queen Joseph slotted home from four yards to put her side ahead.
Awawu Bashiru then doubled the lead in the 71st minute with a lofted cross that sailed over the Brazil goalkeeper into the net, before sealing the win with her brace ten minutes from time.
Greise Kelly, however, netted Brazil’s consolation goal in the 89th minute, as Nigeria celebrated a first-ever win against the South Americans to reach the final in Morocco.
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Reacting to the defeat, Silva said she is already turning her focus to her team’s final challenge at the World Cup.
She also pointed to the difficulties in matching the opposition’s physical intensity, but highlighted the players’ commitment and determination throughout the match.
She said, ‘When some things aren’t coming off technically, winning duels is extremely important in matches against African teams. Today, besides misplacing some passes, we lost some duels. Even so, the effort was there throughout, as was the commitment to what we came here to do.’
Silva added, ‘The positive takeaway will always be the mentality, commitment, and courage to play that were there throughout. And with every match, I need to reinforce that commitment and courage they have.’
Looking ahead to the third-place match, the coach recalled the previous edition of the World Cup, when Brazil came very close to winning a medal. In the closing minutes, Mexico equalised through a Brazilian own goal. In the penalty shootout, Mexican goalkeeper Murrieta shone with two saves, securing a 3–1 victory for Mexico as Brazil finished fourth. According to Rilany, that experience taught the squad a lesson.
’The message we take from that match is the importance of staying focused from the first minute to the last and trying to control the game even without the ball. The game is only over when the referee blows the whistle. Our mentality must always show in how we play,’ she concluded.
