By Samindra Kunti
September 30 – The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) have introduced an American-style draft in Brazilian women’s football to ensure a more competitive balance in the domestic league.
Clubs that have qualified for the second phase of the Brazilian domestic league, were able to pick, on rotation, from players who play on a permanent basis for the Brazilian national team. The plan is to create a more competitive league in Brazil.
“Women’s football is on its way to becoming more defined and those who don’t perceive its beauty will be left behind,” said CBF coordinator of women’s football Marco Aurélio Cunha. “I ask of the clubs to invest in their women’s team, because it will be a good [business] opportunity. The buzzword is to advance the teams.”
“The most important thing is for the CBF to do justice, distributing well [financially] to the players and leaving all the teams in a condition to challenge for the championship,” commented Brazil’s women’s coach Vadão.
Twenty athletes were involved in the draft: Bárbara, Andressinha, Darlene, Fabi, Formiga, Gabi Zanotti, Géssica, Luciana, Maurine, Mônica, Travalão, Rafa, Raquel, Tayla, Thaisa, Camila, Letícia, Andreia, Rilany and Bia.
In total 20 clubs make up the Brazilian women’s Serie A, divided into four groups of five with the winners and runners up of each group progressing to the second phase, wherein two more groups of four are formed.
This season America Mineiro, Rio Preto, Santos, São José, Botafogo da Paraiba, Tiradentes, Adeco and Flamengo progressed to the second round. Another 24 games will decide who qualifies for the semi-finals.
Last season Ferroviária from the interior of Sao Paulo won the league after defeating Kindermann 8-3 on aggregate in the final.
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