Spain will be playing in their first-ever semi-final match in the FIFA Women’s World Cup when they take on 2003 runners-up Sweden on Tuesday, and head coach Jorge Vilda is confident in his side’s ability to overcome one of the pre-tournament favorites.
La Roja have already made history at the Mundial in Australia and New Zealand, having made it to the quarterfinals for the first time following a 5-1 thumping of Switzerland. However, Vilda and his team will be hoping to make it to the final of the tournament and replicate the feat achieved by their men’s team in 2010 in South Africa.
“Yes, Sweden are the one of the teams that we have to beat,” Vilda said. “But it’s an additional motivation. And we’re in a situation of having this opportunity.
“Sweden has an obligation to beat us because of their historical record. But I’m also convinced, and that’s how I really see it, that we can look at them in the face. And if we present a good version of Spain, tomorrow will win the game.”
The 42-year-old, who has been the head coach of the Spanish women’s team since 2015, helped them progress to the last four by beating 2019 runners-up the Netherlands 2-1 in the quarterfinals.
While speaking in the pre-match conference on Monday, Vilda also revealed that his side is ready to take the game to the wire if it results in possible penalties.
“Well, have we or haven’t we trained for penalties? We have our way of training,” he said. “We’re not going to tell you about it.
“But for the past two months, we prepared for a penalty shoot-out if it does reach a penalty shootout, my players have maximum confidence in themselves. And then through the analysis that we have prepared for the Sweden team if we reach the penalty shootout, what will happen mentally and psychologically?
“But to reinforce and to use tools so the players are as sure of themselves as possible. And we have to be prepared for the same thing that happened the other day with Australia and France. They had ten penalties. We have to be prepared for this and we are prepared.”
Spain will take on world number three Sweden in the first semi-final match on Tuesday, August 15 at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand.
YOU CAN WATCH THE SEMI-FINAL MATCH BETWEEN SPAIN AND SWEDEN TOMORROW FROM 8:30AM WAT LIVE ON AFROSPORT ON FREE TV CHANNEL 730 OR STREAM ON VIDIVU
