Vozinha led Cape Verde’s unlikely band of brothers to an excellent level towards Spain this afternoon after which expressed his dismay that these closest to him weren’t current in Atlanta to witness it.
The 40-year-old made seven crucial saves to keep the European champions at bay as Cape Verde celebrated their World Cup debut with a goalless draw towards Rodri, Lamine Yamal, Pedri and Co.
Tears streamed down his face on the ultimate whistle as he and his team-mates secured one of the vital unlikely ends in the competitors’s historical past for a rustic that boasts simply 600,000 inhabitants.
“I cried as a result of I grew up with my grandparents,” said Vozinha after being awarded player of the match. “Sadly they weren’t right here. They died a number of years earlier than. They have been the whole lot for me, the whole lot for my life.
“And likewise due to my mum. She didn’t handle to be right here due to the visa. Due to the cash you must pay for the visa, we didn’t handle on time. I would love her to be right here.
“The efficiency is a efficiency for everybody. I’m the person of the sport, however this award is for all my colleagues, as a result of with out them, nothing is feasible. And I’ll proceed to work for the crew and for the individuals.”
Cape Verde are on the World Cup to compete – Vozinha
Vozinha now performs for Chaves within the Portuguese second tier however has had a nomadic profession with spells in Slovakia, Angola, Moldova and Cyprus. By no means would he have anticipated a day like at the moment.
He added: “Our greatest weapon is our unity. Whatever the participant who arrives at the moment, or the participant who’s 10 or 15 years outdated, the way in which we deal with our household is our best power.
“Everybody thought that we got here right here simply to benefit from the World Cup, however no, we all know that we have now groups that we are going to at all times respect, as a result of that is our first time, however we’re right here to compete, and we’re right here to combat for our nation.
“We labored quite a bit for this. We knew we have been taking part in towards the most effective nationwide groups on the planet however we additionally know our high quality. We labored quite a bit for this massive day. We knew it was going to be very tough however we’re very pleased.”
Bubista the architect of Cape Verde efficiency
Whereas Vozinha will declare the headlines, the draw was largely all the way down to the tactical acumen of coach Bubista, whose facet defended fantastically but in addition carried a menace on the counter assault.
He mentioned: ”It means the whole lot, for the nation to start with. We mentioned we needed all people to see our nation, our crew. We confirmed organisation and braveness. The crew have been good in our defending, our defensive organisation, and have been by no means too hurried on the again. We wish to do extra at this World Cup.”
