Michael Jackson hails youth pathway and Corinthians dominance as FPF launches Copinha Feminina | OneFootball

The Federação Paulista de Futebol has launched the Copinha Feminina, to be played from 24 November to 12 December, with Mariléia dos Santos, known as Michael Jackson, hailing the need for a proper youth pathway and praising Corinthians’ dominance.

According to Meu Timao, around 20,000 are expected for Saturday’s first leg of the national final against São Paulo at Neo Química Arena, with kick-off at 16:30.

The former Brazil and Corinthians forward said giving young players a structured calendar and space to develop is essential, recalling that in her era there was no comparable academy system. She welcomed the federation’s commitment to competitions that let girls play the game they love.

She also expressed pride in watching Corinthians, describing the team’s football as attractive and the pitch as their catwalk. The side’s standards, she said, reflect the quality of Brazilian talent.

Jackson linked rising attendances to the groundwork laid by her generation. She noted that finals can now draw 40,000 to 50,000, and remembered the 70,000 who watched Brazil at Parque do Sabiá in 1995.

On Monday Corinthians set this year’s national high for the women’s game, drawing 9,755 to Neo Química Arena for the Brasileiro semi-final second leg against Bahia. The all-time club record also belongs to the Brabas, with 44,529 at the Casa do Povo in 2024 to see a 2-0 win over São Paulo that secured a sixth Brazilian title.

Source: Meu Timao

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