TICKETS
Emilly did what Emilly does. The sport’s reigning Best Women’s Player flashed her intoxicating genius, scored twice and got an assist as Brazil downed IR Iran 4-1 in their FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup™ opener.
At the game’s end, she was handed the Player of the Match. At the day’s end, she believes, the award went into the right room in Makati Shangri-La Hotel in Manila. Emilly feels, however, that it went to the wrong person.
“Ana Luiza was amazing,” Emilly raved about her room-mate. “Ana Luiza plays like she’s a girl on the streets. She plays like she’s having a kickabout with her friends, no pressure on. The rest of us feel the nerves, but she’s able to play like she’s on the streets and this is what sets her apart.
“She always dazzles. She dazzled again today, obviously with the help of her team-mates. She deserves this [award]. She has spectacular gifts. She’s a rare talent.”
Ana Luiza deserved a prize just for breaking the deadlock. Farzaneh Tavasoli had guarded the Iran net invincibly until the Brazil pivot controlled an Emilly pass impeccably, shot-faked the goalkeeper to one knee, and lashed it over her shoulder and home. Ana Luiza’s breathtaking flick then set up Debora Vanin for the second, before her crafty lay-off enabled Emilly to make it three.
“I’m really happy,” said Ana Luiza. “I genuinely really happy. A goal and two assists, I’m happy with my own performance but what mattered what the result, so I’m even happier with the performance of the team and the result.
“It was indescribable to play in the World Cup. Not in my wildest dreams could I have imagined this. Thankfully we emerged victorious. I think there were nerves at the start, but then we manage to find our rhythm, do what we’d worked on in training. We’re really, really happy.”
Smiles will soon turn serious. Next up for Brazil is Italy, who pummelled Panama 17-0.
“I think it will be a really tough game, an even game,” said Ana Luiza. “Italy like to play, to create. They have great players and a great team, just like Brazil. I believe it will be an incredible show.”
Emilly added: “The Italian national team have so much quality. They know how to attack and they know how to defend. They’re a really talented and strong team.
“I think we can make some improvements from our performance against Iran. Against Italy, you simply can’t make mistakes. They’ll punish you.”
The Azzurre’s punisher-in-chief is, of course, Renata Adamatti. The 32-year-old produced a performance for the ages, which included three goals and two assists, against Panama.
“She’s fantastic,” said Emilly. “I have the utmost respect for her. She’s so good with her left foot. She’s a rapid dribbler. She makes it look easy. She can win a game in an instant. Let’s hope she doesn’t do that against Brazil (laughs).
“Joking aside, I think Italy against Brazil will be a spectacle for everyone who watches. I think you have two great teams with a lot of quality. It will be a very even game and I hope we can win.”
