RÍO DE JANEIRO (AP) – Marta and Formiga will lead the Brazilian women’s soccer team that will participate in the Tokyo Olympics, which, according to forecasts, will be their farewell.
Marta, 35, won the bronze medal in Beijing 2008, and Formiga, 43, the silver in Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008. They will be the seventh Olympians in which Formiga participates. The Brazilian women’s team came in fourth place at Rio de Janeiro 2016.
The most notable absence from the 18-player squad introduced by coach Pia Sundhage on Friday is forward Cristiane, 36, who has participated in every major national team tournament with Brazil since the Women’s World Cup in 2003. She has 14 goals in the Olympics, more than any player.
Sudhage also chose four players as possible replacements. Goalkeeper Aline Reis (Granadilla Tenerife), defender Letícia Santos (Eintracht Frankfurt), midfielder Andressa Alves (Roma) and forward Giovana Queiroz (Barcelona).
Next, the Brazilian women’s team:
Porteras: Bárbara (Avaí), Leitica Izidoro (Benfica)
Defenders: Poliana, Erika, Tamires (Corinthians), Bruna Benites (International), Rafaelle (Palmeiras), Jucinara (Levante)
Midfielders: Formiga, Duda (Sao Paulo), Júlia Bianchi (Palmeiras), Marta (Pride de Orlando), Debinha (Courage de Carolina del Norte), Anddressinha, Adriana (Corinthians)
Forwards: Ludmila (Atletico Madrid), Bia Zaneratto (Palmeiras), Geyse (Madrid CFF).
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