Gabriela Garcia was the first the leave the pitch when the final whistle sounded on Venezuela’s 3-2 defeat to Mexico, a result that spelled their elimination from the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Papua New Guinea 2016. As she made her way to the dressing room, the tall forward had a bittersweet mix of thoughts of the past, present and future running through her mind, as she explained to FIFA.com.
“On a personal level I’m going away quite happy because I came on and made a contribution, though we didn’t get the result we wanted or deserved. Even so, we’ve still got a long way ahead of us. We’ve just got to keep on working so we can come back stronger at future tournaments.”
One thing that is for sure is that Garcia did not expect to be waving goodbye to the competition quite so soon. Neither did the fans, who still have vivid memories of the fourth place achieved by Garcia and Co at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Costa Rica 2014.
Was there simply too much pressure on La Vinotinto in Papua New Guinea? “I don’t think so,” came the reply. “You have to understand that it was our first U-20 World Cup and that we just didn’t know what we were coming up against. Even so, we still played some great games. Overall, we haven’t lost. We’ve come away winners because we’ve learned so many things. That’s going to help us rectify our mistakes and become stronger.”
We’ve just got to keep on working so we can come back stronger at future tournaments.
No looking backIn Costa Rica two years ago, Garcia had the richly talented Deyna Castellanos for support, with both scoring six goals apiece. Following her exploits at Jordan 2016, however, Castellanos could not make it to Papua New Guinea. Contemplating what might have been, Garcia said: “Maybe she could have brought a lot to the team if she’d been here, but she wasn’t. And maybe we can play together again for our country in another team, or her with the rest of this team. But I don’t think we missed any players at all; not her or anyone.”
While that may be so, Garcia did not have a tournament to remember. Starting just the one match – her side’s first game, against Germany – she spent more time on the bench than on the pitch, but still managed to score a goal and provide two silky assists.
“She didn’t play more because of technical reasons,” explained Venezuela coach Jose Catoya. “She’s tall and good in the air, but we needed quicker players up front. I don’t know if she feels frustrated, but if she is, then that’s something she has to work on, because that’s just the way things are in professional football. You have to accept things and do your best for the team.”
Luckily for the 19-year-old Garcia, she has already picked up plenty of experience, which is helping her to make rapid strides and to take the rough with the smooth. Ever the optimist as she takes her leave of the competition, Garcia sees the glass as being half full rather than half empty: “I’m going to keep on working so I can be physically stronger and improve my technique. I’ve had a few offers already from different teams. I hope things work out and that I’m able to play abroad, reach a high level and come back to help out my national team.”