Portuguese women’s national team coach Francisco Neto voiced deep concern over injuries to key players Kika Nazareth and Tatiana Pinto following a competitive friendly loss to the Netherlands.
Neto described Nazareth’s departure from the field at the 34-minute mark as “a very great sadness.” The player left in tears.
The coach stated that both players would need re-evaluation. He expressed hope that the injuries were not serious, referring to Tatiana Pinto’s issue as “more of a scare.”
Injuries were a primary “negative point” for Neto, overshadowing some positive aspects of the game. Portugal faced a “very powerful” Netherlands team, which he noted features many players from top clubs globally and has achieved success as European champions and World Cup finalists.
Despite the loss, Neto highlighted his team’s attitude and ability to react to conceded goals. Portugal managed to create scoring opportunities against a formidable opponent.
The match also saw the debut of young player Érica Cancelinha, born in 2006.
Neto acknowledged that his team struggled with aggression and intensity in duels during the initial 35 minutes. However, he noted significant improvement after halftime adjustments.
He believed a draw would have been a fairer outcome given the team’s performance. Neto also emphasized Portugal’s progress in closing the physical gap with elite teams.
The coach concluded by thanking the supporters. He said the team felt privileged by the continuous fan support, even during difficult moments in the game.