The past

Runners-up at the last FIFA Women’s World Cup™ in 2007 and silver medallists at the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament in Beijing the following year, the bar has been set very high for Brazil’s women’s U-20 squad by their senior Seleção counterparts. The potential is there to match these feats, however, with As Canarinhas reaching the last four at the first three editions of the global U-20 showpiece. Hosts Canada were their semi-final conquerors at the 2002 event, then China at Thailand 2004, despite the best efforts of adidas Golden Ball winner Marta. At Russia 2006 their path to the final was barred by Korea DPR, though they did bounce back to clinch third spot – their best finish so far at this level. In Chile in 2008, meanwhile, Brazil exited at the quarter-final stage following a 3-2 defeat by Germany.

The present

Previous U-20 supremo Kleiton Lima made such an impression that he has now been handed the reins of Brazil’s senior women’s team, with Marcos Gaspar, Auriverde coach at the FIFA Women’s U-17 World Cup New Zealand 2008, coming in to replace him. Gaspar has a wealth of talented youngsters at his disposal, including Chile 2008 veterans Camila, Ester, Ketlen and full-back Leah Lynn. The latter, who is Sao Paulo-born but has spent virtually all her life in the United States, has caught the eye thanks to her throw-in technique: launching the ball into play only after first performing a spectacular forward flip. Brazil are not all party tricks, however, and were imperious in March’s South American U-20 Women’s Championship in Bucaramanga, Colombia, winning all their games and taking the title with a 2-0 victory over the host nation in front of 35,000 spectators.

The future

Though women’s football is showing impressive signs of growth across South America, Brazil remain the undisputed queens at continental level. Quite aside from an abundance of talent, the country’s female internationals have a dedicated tecnical committee, planning for every tournament and free use of the training facilities at Granja Comary in Teresopolis. “That’s what gives us an edge,” says Gaspar. “The Brazilian FA has permanent and separate committees for each of the three age levels and gives the girls all the support they need to feel valued. Before the South American championship for example, the girls attended a talk by Jorginho – a World Cup winner and currently assistant coach of the senior men’s Seleção. They feel rewarded for their efforts.”

Facts and figures

Former stars

Marta, Cristiane (2002 and 2004), Renata Costa (2002, 2004 and 2006), Erika (2004, 2006 and 2008)

Key players

Alanna (forward), Camila (forward), Ester (midfielder), Ketlen (midfielder), Leah (right-back), Rafaelle (left-back)

Qualifying statistics

Brazil made relatively light work of their rivals at the South American U-20 Women’s Championship, cruising past Venezuela, Uruguay and Peru before being made to work harder in 3-1 wins over Paraguay and Chile, the latter in the semi-finals. Their final victory over the Colombian hosts, with both sides already having guaranteed their passage to the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Germany 2010, only served to underline their continental dominance.

The numbers game

25 – As Canarinhas’ goal tally from just six games at the qualifying tournament in Colombia, an average of 4.16 per match. They conceded a grand total of just three at the other end.