The Copper Queens suffered yet another heavy defeat at the ongoing FIFA Series Tournament losing 6-1 to hosts Brazil.
Brazil started strong but Zambia gave a good resistance in the opening few minutes.
Barbra Banda and Prisca Chilufya looked lively in the opening few minutes.
Things however changed in the 27th minute when goalkeeper Hazel Natasha Nali was sent off for a foul outside the 18 yard area, she was deemed to have stopped a goal scoring opportunity.
Initially given a yellow card but after a VAR check, the card was rescinded and a red card ā¦ļø issued, to reduce the Copper Queens to ten players. Coach Charles Haalubono forced into a change, introducing Mwila Mufunte in place of Susan Banda.
Real Madrid defender Yasmin stepped up and put away the resulting free kick to open the scoring.
Barbra Banda thought she had equalized in additional time of the first half with a close range toe poke only for the VAR check to cancel it out for a hand ball in the build up. 1-0 the match at the break.
The drama came in the second half, Taina Maranho doubled the lead two minutes into the second stanza with a close range finish off a brilliant cross from Gabi Portilho.
Zambia however reduced the deficit four minutes later as Barbra Banda went on a solo run after receiving a long ball from Mufunte before chipping it over the goalkeeper for her first of the tournament.
However Brazil restored their two goal lead at the hour mark, Angelina converting from 12 yards after Gabi Portilho was brought down by Mufunte, the first assistant flagged for offside initially but after a VAR check the penalty was awarded and Angelina put it away with ease.
Brazil were cruising and Raissa Bahia made it 4-1 with a brilliant header catching Mufunte off her line after a delicious ball from Ludmilla, a first international goal for the youngster.
Dudinha thought she had scored in the 86th minute with a brilliant header but a VAR check chopped off the goal for a foul in the build up.
However they would not be denied in the first minute of additional time as Kerolin scored from close range after the defense failed to clear a cross from the left wing.
Brazil were not done as a reckless foul from Mapalo Maluba handed them another chance from 12 yards, this time around VitĆ³ria Calhau stepped up and made no mistake, 6-1 was the result.
The Copper Queens have now conceded 10 goals in their opening two games of the FIFA Series Tournament.
The last game for the COSAFA giants will be against fellow winless side South Korea on Saturday at 21h00 CAT.
Brazil š§š· 6-1 šæš² Zambia
(Yasmin 30′, Taina Maranho 47ā, Angelina 60ā pen, Raissa Bahia 77ā, Kerolin 90+1ā, VitĆ³ria Calhau 90+6ā| Barbra Banda 51ā)
Zambia Men and Women think they can play in today’s football by not putting pressure on the ball. At one point I saw a Brazilian player literally control, roll ball with feet, look up, then push ball some more and Zambian players were going back instead of attacking the ball. It is incredible. We don’t have the players to allow opposition to have that much time on the ball thinking it is okay. We don’t have the hunger and good decision in defense.
One player in defense ran up to a Brazilian forward from the Brazilian side and did not think of shielding the Zambia side of goal. In doing this all the Brazilian player did was to go towards the open face of field and created more danger.
Why are coaches not teaching these players to defend goal side. Always shield your any forays towards your half and especially protect and guard your half by repelling any attack.
As soon as possible start including the younger players from U17 and U20 for both the Men and Women. You can’t get anything more from the older players