Pia Sundhage attends Flamengo training at CEFAN
Accompanied by assistant Bia Vaz, Brazil's coach spends the morning with the red-black squad
By Rafael Rezende - inThis Wednesday (03), the coach of the Brazilian National Team, Pia Sundhage, was at CEFAN to watch the training of the professional team, which debuted in the Campeonato Carioca with a 10-0 victory over Boavista in the first round and now faces Viva Rio/Pérolas Negras at the weekend.
Alongside assistant coach Bia Vaz, the Swede toured all the facilities, met with the coaching staff led by Celso Silva, and, at the end of the activity, went to the center of the field and chatted briefly with the athletes. The two received the Sacred Mantle from Vitor Zanelli, Vice President of Youth, Women's, and Futsal.
"It's always wonderful to be on a soccer field and watch the girls play. Brazil is different from Sweden because of the heat, the good technique, and the way they put their hearts into it when they play. So, for me, it's very important to embrace the culture and get a sense of it. I'm grateful for that and I'd also like to thank Flamengo for the day," said Pia.
A former player for the Mais Querido team, where she won the national championship in 2016 and built a beautiful story, Bia couldn't hide her happiness at the reunion. Now in a new phase of her life, she spoke fondly of Flamengo and praised all their work.
"It's a great pleasure to be here and to be welcomed so warmly once again. I only have good memories of 2016. Not only of the athletes, but of the coaching staff, who opened the doors to us and do a very high-level job. Having the opportunity to talk to them and feel all this emotion again is very gratifying. I felt privileged," she said.