Carolina Conceição Martins Pereira Interview on Women's Soccer United

 Read this interview in Portuguese

We were very excited when Women's Soccer United's Izzy conducted a interview with Equatorial Guinea's women's national football team member Carol Carioca.

Carol Carioca has a successful career as a defender who currently plays for Botucatu and has previously played for teams such as Vasco da Gama, Santos and USV Jena.

Carol is currently in Germany with the rest of the Equatorial Guinea squad as they prepare to compete in the women's World Cup for the first time in their football history.

WSU: How old were you when you first started playing soccer and who or what inspired or influenced you to play?

WSU: How is the reception of the people knowing there will be a women's team representing them at the World Cup.  It will be the first time that Equatorial Guinea has participated in a women's soccer World Cup?
CC:It's been a great party, we turned idols in our country, they are proud of us and everyone expects a good result, even though it will be the first time we participate at a World Cup. We have all the support that some selections do not have to. For me it's a big responsibility, because I am one of the most experienced players in the team.

WSU: How were you invited to play for Equatorial Guinea?
CC: : In 2007 I was invited to do some games in Guinea and so I was staying there. I was then invited to be part of the team selection and I was very happy with the invitation. I accepted a few months later and I'm now playing for Equatorial Guinea.

WSU: What is the difference between women's football in Brazil, Germany and Equatorial Guinea?
CC: In Brazil it is more skill, intelligence, in Germany football is more technical and has a tactical discipline, strength and speed, in Guinea it is more about strength and speed.

WSU: How are the preparations of Equatorial Guinea for the World Cup women's soccer?
CC: We're fine. We are already four months working hard concentrated between playoff games for the Olympics and friendlies, so that everything works out in the World Cup and who knows we can be the surprise of the Cup.

We know it's difficult, but nothing is impossible, because we eliminated the teams from Ghana and Cameroon, who have always been teams in the Cup, so Guinea is not going to Cup by coincidence.

WSU: The Equatorial Guinea team is already training in Germany, how is the responses of the German people and how you preparing for the eve of the World Cup?
CC: : Yes, we have been in Germany for a month already, where we were well received, they are all friendly.

On the eve we just need control the anxiety and have focus for the matches.

WSU: How do you feel about playing against Brazil in the first phase of the competition?
CC: I can not explain, it will only sink in when I'm entering the field and when they will play the anthem of Brazil (unique emotion) as it will be the first time that a female soccer player naturalized in another country will play against her own. I look forward to helping Guinea to play against Brazil.

WSU: What advice would you give to girls who want to be soccer players?
CC: Always fight and never give up. If you fall, get up ... And always go on fighting for your goals.

WSU: What are your interests / hobbies when you're not playing?
CC: Reading books, keeping an eye on what happening around the world, being with my family and friends, BBQ, pagode, travelling, swimming pool.

WSU: In your opinion, how has the women's game evolved since you started playing and what you would like to see for the future of women's football?
CC: It has evolved into parts, the prejudice has improved a lot ... and respect. I would like to see women's football to be valued, that Brazil has an organized league like in Europe, as well as sponsorship and media would be a good start.

WSU: Tell us something we do not know about you?
CC: I've had enough titles. I do a lot of headed goals. I played four years in Botucatu, I'm four years in the team selection of Equatorial Guinea, I went through big clubs. I started at the Vasco da Gama, after I played at Santos, in Sao Jose do Rio Preto and USV Jena (Germany), where I was champion of the DFB-Pokal (German Cup).