Bolivia’s wonder captain has her country dreaming big
The captain and star of the Bolivian women’s futsal team scored four goals on Friday in a match that ended with a 5-2 victory over Trinidad and Tobago, which gave the South American country a ticket to the semifinals.
Futsal captain Maria Cristina Galvez dazzles everyone with her moves and is making Bolivia dream of a medal in women's futsal, a feat that would mean huge progress for sport in her country. Enthusiastically celebrated by the spectators at every display of her skills on the court, the top player in Bolivia’s futsal team is determined to keep going further, although she was shocked when she found out that she made it to the front page of the leading Bolivian newspaper La Razon.
Having scored 13 goals in four matches, 18-year-old Galvez is now thinking about the upcoming games. Her team will face either Portugal or Japan in the semifinals. "I am very excited because it’s something that we weren’t expecting. But we came here to represent the power of God and our country and those are the reasons that motivate us to win," Galvez said.
"It is very exciting to receive ovations from the public and to hear people from other countries chanting your name. We are pushing Bolivian futsal forward and we are showing that there is talent in our country. And we’ll keep on fighting to move forward."
After qualifying for the Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympic Games and surprising everyone by taking the bronze at the 2018 South American Games, the Bolivian women’s futsal team has high hopes for the tournament. Although it will be difficult for them to get a medal in Buenos Aires, Galvez is inspiring her team to dream big.
It won’t be easy, but we’ll give our very best. We do not have a preferred rival for the semifinals because either of them will be very tough. Maria Cristina Galvez Bolivia - Maria Cristina Galvez Bolivia
The team's semifinal opponent will be decided on Saturday, October 13.