CONMEBOL: December 28, 2014 - 2014
was a year of many changes for Argentina's Women's National Team. They
had a new coaching staff, a Copa America Tournament, a South American
tournament, and all of it ahead of the Pan American Games. And so, the
women's national team says goodbye to another year with hopes for a
better future.
For starters, the women's senior
national team won the gold medal at Chile's ODESUR tournament. After a
setback against the local team during the group stage games, the players
managed to pull their potential to eliminate larger opponents. Perhaps
the most difficult to overcome than any of them was Brazil, who they
managed to eliminate in the semifinal. After the big win, the group led
by Luis Ezequiel Nicosia had to once again face Chile. The result ended
in a 2-1 in favor of Argentina, and the gold medal to be displayed in
the hallways of the AFA.
Months later came the Copa America Tournament in Ecuador, which
awarded the qualification to the World Cup and the Pan American Games,
both to be played in Canada, and a place for the 2016's Olympic Games in
Rio de Janeiro. The the story would repeat itself just like at the
ODESUR tournament: As part of the B group, Argentina crossed paths again
with Chile. The result was again a victory for their opponent.
However, the results that
followed allowed the players to dream of qualifying for the finals as
they beat Bolivia and Paraguay by 6-0 and 1-0, respectively. They
continued the winning streak against rival, Brazil, whom they had
eliminated at the previous ODESUR tournament. With a great performance
by Stephanie Banini, the "Messi" of women's football, they beat Brazil
by 2 to 0. In the final phase the results were not as expected: the
team finished fourth, but at least found a place for the Pan American
Games in 2015.
But the year was not going to end
there for the women's team because, in November, Julio Olarticoechea,
along with Eduardo Sanchez and Osvaldo Conte, took command of the team
just one month in advance of the international friendly games in the
city of Brasilia. There, the team faced major powers, such as Brazil,
the United States and the ever improving China. The result was a draw
against China, but with new guidelines, the girls and the coaches seek a
boost for 2015.
Source: AFA.