Team Preview: Brazil “As Canarinhas”

Head Coach:	Pia Sundhage	Group:	F
Confederation:	CONMEBOL	Ranking:	7 Highest 3 (2008-2010) Lowest 10 (2018)
Federation:	CBF
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“As Canarinhas” – The Female Canaries

A dictatorship in the 1940s banned the women’s game in Brazil. This deteriorated further in 1965, when all women’s sports were banned. It wasn’t until 1979 that the women’s game was reinstated and since then Brazil’s success belies the challenges faced by the team and the nation.

Then in 2020, it was announced that the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) would pay women and men the same amount for representing the Brazilian national teams.

Now, the thought of Brazil brings more than a bead of sweat to many Australian football fans; a sometime nemesis and big rivalry stretching many years and multiple Olympic Games. 

There’s also a healthy respect for Brazil. They are one of only three nations, alongside Sweden and the USA, to appear in all seven instances of Olympic women’s football since its introduction in 1996. 

They’re also one of the most successful nations in Olympic women’s football, winning the silver medal twice (2004, 2008), and making it to at least the quarter-finals every time.

Beyond that, they’re the most successful South American national women’s team, having won Copa America seven times.

Squad

Goalkeepers

• Barbara
• Leticia

Defenders

• Bruna Benites
• Erika
• Jucinara
• Tamires
• Poliana
• Rafaelle 

Midfielders

• Adriana
• Andressinha
• Debinha
• Duda
• Formiga
• Julia Bianchi
• Marta

Forwards

• Beatriz
• Geyse
• Ludmila

Reserves

• Aline Reis (GK)
• Andressa Alves (FW)
• Giovana (FW)
• Leticia Santos (DF)

A lista completa das #GuerreirasDoBrasil que vão em busca do ouro no futebol feminino nos @JogosOlimpicos. Vamos, meninas! Vamos, Brasil! #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/iJk3gt7Jw3

— Seleção Feminina de Futebol (@SelecaoFeminina) June 18, 2021

Coach

Brazil’s head coach, Pia Sundhage, needs little introduction. She made herself known to many as the guitar playing head coach of the United States Women’s National Team (2008-2012), leading them to two Olympic gold medals and a World Cup silver medal (2011). 

Sundhage was also named FIFA World Coach of the Year in 2012 and then went on to coach Sweden from 2012-2017, winning the Olympic silver medal in 2016 after defeating Brazil in the semi-final.

With her contract now extended to coach Brazil through to the 2024 Paris Olympics, Sundhage has the time to build on this legacy.

Last Olympics

As hosts of the 2016 Olympics in Rio, Brazil was primed for a big result. They finished top of their group, with two wins and a draw against China (3-0), Sweden (5-1) and South Africa (0-0) respectively.

In the Quarter-Finals, they agonisingly defeated the Matildas 0-0 (7-6) on penalties and went on to the Semi-Finals against Sweden.

The Swedes changed the game by parking a yellow bus, thwarting Brazil and breaking the hearts of the home nation with a 0-0 (4-3) win over the As Canarinhas, relegating them to the bronze medal match which they lost to Canada.

The loss sits heavy with Brazil and they’re coming back to redeem themselves.

Qualifying Path

Brazil qualified directly for the Tokyo Olympics by winning the 2018 Copa América Femenina in Chile.

Read more: Chile Olympic Preview

The Strengths

My first thought is flair and comfort on the ball. Brazil seem unfazed by the big picture and seem firm in the moment at hand. Watching them play is often a beauty and sometimes a challenge, but always interesting.

With new(ish) coach Sundhage at the helm, some of the structure from the US WNT playbook may make itself known, absolutely to the benefit of As Canarinhas.

The Challenge

As for many nations, one of the biggest challenges will be the impact of COVID. Brazil has been hit particularly hard, with over 15 million cases, the second-highest death tally and a 7-day average still sitting above 60,000 cases.

The ability of the team to train together in a safe environment will be a challenge leading up to the Games. Fortunately, they did play at the She Believes Cup in February 2021, which included an impressive 2-0 victory over Canada.

As for the team on the ground, they need everyone to be at the right level. There are without doubt stars in the team, but whether they have consistent strength and fitness through the whole squad is a different question.   

Read more: Canada Olympic Preview

Key Players – Marta

Marta. Six-time FIFA World Player of the Year (2006-10 and 2018). Brazil’s leading goalscorer, woman or man, with 109 career goals. Instantly recognisable as perhaps the best footballer ever. 

Yes, she is at the outer edge of her career, but she continues to have a significant presence and impact on the team. 

But why is Marta so good? And is she the most complete footballer we have ever seen?

Well, she’s quick and extremely comfortable on the ball, has glorious skills and her strength belies her stature. Beyond that, she has vision, creativity and is a super striker with that dangerous left foot.

All of this makes her a difficult player to defend, but perhaps her most significant power at these Olympic Games will be her leadership. Marta inspires those around her, and she is unrelenting in her pursuit of improvement for herself and for Brazil. She is already a legend, but she’s not stopping yet.

Prediction

This is a tough group for Brazil, but all Olympic football groups are difficult.

The first game against China will be a litmus test to see if they’re ready. Head to head, Brazil holds the advantage, having won 5 and drawn 6 of their 12 encounters, with the two most recent results being draws in 2017 and 2019.

Brazil then take on Olympic debutantes the Netherlands. As Canarinhas have the statistical upper hand, with a 3-2-1 win-draw-loss record, but the Oranje have steadily been climbing the rankings and will be favourites to win this group stage match.

The final group stage match should be a win for Brazil against Zambia, but never speak too soon.

Making it through the group stage should be manageable for Brazil, but just how far they are able to progress beyond that is the big question. Based on previous Olympic form, they’re definitely a chance for a medal, and would be aiming for exactly that.

Matches

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