As the spokesperson for the working group led by Jorge Braz, João Matos shared insights at the beginning of Portugal’s preparations for the World Championship in Uzbekistan. He discussed the ambitions of the Quinas team ahead of the prestigious tournament.
The experienced Sporting athlete also evaluated the team’s ideal physical condition and the challenges posed by their opponents: Morocco, Tajikistan, and Panama.
Goals for the championship: “Despite Portugal having won everything before, our ambition remains to win it all again. We are starting a new cycle with many days ahead, focusing on our daily work. The mystique and DNA of our national team have led us to numerous victories.”
Team morale: “The group is highly motivated. We aim to establish good physical fitness, solid group routines, and maintain our cohesion. Our focus is on preparation, which is crucial. We are not fixated on the World Cup or a potential final but on our day-to-day efforts. We want to reach the World Cup in the best possible shape.”
Regarding their opponents: “We have faced Morocco several times; they are a very strong, dynamic, and intense team. Panama, as coach Jorge Braz noted, has significantly improved since we last met them at the 2016 World Cup. Additionally, Tajikistan, who eliminated Japan, presents a tough challenge, making it a difficult group overall.”
