Kerolin hails Canada’s quality before FIFA Series ‘decider’ | OneFootball

Forward Kerolin praised the quality of Canada, Brazil’s opponent on Saturday night (18) in the decisive match to determine the FIFA Series champion, during a press conference held at CT Manoel Dresch in Cuiabá this Friday (17), on the eve of the clash at Arena Pantanal.

For Brazil’s No. 10, the team must acknowledge the strength of its opponent, but also be aware that it has been having a strong tournament, with 11 goals in two matches, and trust both in the talent of its players and in the difference the athletes coming off the bench can make through substitutions.

“We have to stay calm and know that we’ve been training and playing very well. Canada is a highly respected team, with very strong players, and we have to focus on our work. We’re very confident after scoring 11 goals in two games. It’s about going into the match and playing football with joy, responsibility, and attacking intent because we have a lot of talent. There will be 11 substitutions, so Arthur will use everyone, and whoever comes on can change the game and help the national team.”

Kerolin smiles during the Women’s National Team training session for the FIFA Series at Cuiabá’s training center Credits: Lívia Villas Boas/CBF

In the emphatic wins over South Korea, 5-1, and Zambia, 6-1, the São Paulo native from Bauru came on in the second half of both matches, but the reduced playing time compared to the starters did not affect her performances. Against the South Koreans, she scored one goal and provided two assists and, against Zambia, she added another goal.

Progress in this FIFA window

In the first squad call-up of the year, Brazil beat Costa Rica (5-2) and suffered defeats to Venezuela (2-1) and Mexico (1-0), results that have already been left behind in this FIFA window, with convincing wins and performances that have pleased head coach Arthur Elias. According to Kerolin, the matches in the FIFA Series showed a national team with “more intensity” and “more switched on” during the game.

“As part of a natural process, we’ve had our ups and downs. Our first call-up this year, for example, wasn’t one of the best, but we definitely came into this tournament with much more intensity and more focused on what needs to be done, especially at home. Brazil is improving a lot, and the matches have shown that, but we still have a lot to improve. We’re in a very positive process.”

Kerolin takes photos with national team fans after the rout over Zambia in the FIFA Series at Arena PantanalCredits: Lívia Villas Boas/CBF

National team No. 10

With 58 appearances for Brazil, 15 goals scored, a place in the 2023 World Cup squad on her résumé, and Copa América titles in 2022 and 2025, Kerolin, who has become one of the team’s key figures, stressed that she still believes she has a lot of room to grow and commented on the responsibility of wearing Brazil’s No. 10 shirt.

“I’m 26 years old and I can develop much more on the field, be more incisive, and help the team more in different ways. I think I’m on a very good path, very positive and very focused, but I have to show that on and off the field. (...) I want, with great ease and calm, to honor Marta’s No. 10 shirt and build a story both individually and collectively.”

Kerolin wears the national team shirt during the FIFA SeriesCredits: Lívia Villas Boas/CBF

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.