Frazzoni On Upcoming W Gold Cup Qualifiers
[Written by Stephen Wright]
Eva Frazzoni, the Bermuda women’s national team captain, says there is no danger of complacency creeping in when they face Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in the Concacaf W Gold Cup qualifiers at the Flora Duffy Stadium tomorrow [December 1].
Bermuda head into the final qualifying window with their fate in their own hands, knowing wins against Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and the Dominican Republic away on Tuesday will guarantee they top group C League B and advance to the play-offs against one of the group runners-up from League A.
Frazzoni believes the team took their foot off the gas during their 1-1 draw away to Barbados last month and insists they will be at full throttle when they play Saint Vincent and Grenadines in front of a home crowd.
“It’s important we stay present and focused on what we need to do tomorrow,” Frazzoni told Bernews.
“In the previous window, we’re aware we got slightly complacent, looked too far ahead, and didn’t get the job done [away against Barbados].
“Our full focus is on Saint Vincent and Grenadines and ensuring we have something to play for against the Dominican Republic on Tuesday.”
The attacking midfielder, who captained Bermuda to the gold medal at the NatWest International Island Games in Guernsey last summer, said she is proud to lead such a unified group and believes the current crop is the most talented in the history of the Bermuda women’s national team.
And having not lost a game in ten matches in all competitions, Frazzoni believes the team are finally getting the attention they deserve.
“The girls give me a lot of respect and love and trust me to lead them, but it’s a team, and everyone needs to clock in for themselves,” said Frazzoni, who plays for English non-league side AFC Sudbury Women.
“We’re in a good space, and as a captain, I’ll do everything I can to help us get the job done. We’re a unified team, and a unified team is dangerous to play against.
“It’s no secret we’ve flown under the radar for many people. It does sometimes take the team to win [to attract interest].
“We’ve had some heartache in the past and not always done the right things, but we’ve now put ourselves in a position to qualify.”
Frazzoni, who visited Mount Saint Agnes Academy with her team-mates today, said the players have been overwhelmed by the level of support they have received on the island.
“We’ve even had people showing us love in the grocery store!” she added. “It’s surprised some girls and made us even hungrier.”
The inaugural W Gold Cup, running from February 20 to March 10 in the United States, will feature 12 teams.
