Libertadores Feminino 2021

Libertadores Feminino 2021 will take place in Paraguay from November 3-18 and the final uniquely will take place in Montevideo Uruguay on November 21st

Schedule and squads

Ferroviaria are the current champions of the tournament winning the last edition played Argentina during March 2021 a tournament suspended from 2020 due to the pandemic situation.

One major change from the tournament winning squad is the departure of coach Lindsay Camila, with Roberta Batista in charge of defending the title. There is little change in the playing squad one major addition being Brasil international striker Raquel.

Ferroviaria has a recent history of being the dark horse, frustrating teams and taking games to penalties. They were Semi finalist in the Brasileirão Feminino 2021 and Paulista Feminino 2021.

A well organised squad, Sochor, Aline Milene, Rafa Mineira offer goals other than Raquel.

Deportivo Cuenca champions of Ecuador enter the tournament as the club as a whole in financial difficulties, Madelin Riera their star striker will be the target as they aim to progress from a difficult group for them.

Sol de America Second of the three host teams won the second place play off against Dep Capiata. They were also vice champion of the clausura losing to Cerro Porteno on penalties in the final. Mirta Pico was the clubs leading scorer with 11 goals , however they will be missing Julieta Lema who contributed 7 goals a big loss for the tournament. Julieta suffered a fractured foot and is sidelined.

Santa Fe are the vice champion of Colombia losing out to Deportivo Cali in the final. They have drafted in loan signings from America Joemar and Gisela Robledo to boost their forward line. Joemar is remembered for her stunning equalising goal in the semi final of the last edition against Corinthians for America who ultimately won the game on penalties. Gisela one of Colombia’s great talents a star of the 2019 edition at 16 continues her progress and features for the third time in the tournament. Daniela Arias and Katherine Tapia are other loans from America making a very strong squad that should be capable of going quite far in the tournament.

Cerro Porteno champions of Paraguay will look to Ana Maria Fleitas and Lourdes González Oliveira who scored 14 and 12 goals respectively in the recent championship as their ammunition. A battling team will look for home inspiration as they battle to get out of the group.

Santiago Morning champions of Chile and will play U de Chile in the final of the 2021 edition, a squad of very experienced players with international pedigree. Karen Araya 23 goals and Yenny Acuña 17 provide the force of the attack teams will be wary of Araya’s ability from distance to. They will forget their exit of the tournament in March at the hands of Corinthians as they enter the tournament from two tough duels with Colo Colo in the semi finals well primed and prove their capability given the draw as being a team that can reach the semi finals at a minimum the quarters.

Yaracuyanos Venezuela champion of a short tournament a team difficult to analyse over so few games. They drafted in Anlly Iglesias from America, Lisa Cardozo from Real Santander, Paola García from Libertad to boost their squad. Kareylen Capdevilla one of the exciting talents in Venezuela will be seen as there playmaker to link up with Dubruska Rivera. It will be a difficult tournament in a tough group.

Kindermann the third team from Brasil failed to overcome losses of star players and finished 8th in the Brasileirão Feminino 2021 losing comfortably to Corinthians in the Quarter Final. In the last edition of Libertadores in Argentina they failed to get out of the group. A team though capable on its day of surprise Catyellen, Lele, dangerous strikers. With Brasil international keeper Barbara in goals a spine of Zoio Tuani it is better prepared to make at least the Quarter Final stage, they warmed up for the tournament winning the campeonato catarinense.

Deportivo Cali champions of Colombia very decisively beating Santa Fe in the final lead by Starlet Linda Caicedo who should need no introduction being a star of the America team at the age of 14 in 2019 and well tracked around the world. This will be a opportunity for her to show her talent globally being her first Libertadores appearance. With experience in defence of Laura Aguirre a solid midfield and pace in attack they will be seen as one of the favourites for the tournament potentially giving Corinthians a difficult time in a possible Semi Final.

U de Chile Chile runner up and finalist again in the 2021 tournament still to be played a team with a battling spirit who were unfortunate to lose out on penalties in the Quarter Final in the last tournament in Argentina. With experienced international players in the squad Claudia Soto, Yessenia López, capable of causing damage to the opposition along with Argentine Yael Oviedo and a defence that only conceded 3 goals in the 2021 campaign they will be expected to match at least there run of the last edition.

Alianza are the Champions of Peru and upgraded their squad by bringing in four players from America, very experienced Diana Ospina, and young talents of Wendy Bonilla, Sara Martinez and Fabiana Yanten. A defence led by Yoselin Miranda only conceded 1 Goal throughout the tournament while scoring 70, Neidy Romero providing artillery from midfield. However the task of the group will be much more stiffer than they have faced it is however a opportunity for individuals to showcase as the team battles to give its best.

Real Tomayapo the recent surprise champions of a short tournament in Bolivia showed they will fight hard however the task of the group is very difficult. They have 8 international players recently in the squad that played Dominica Republic Yoselín Portales, María Segovia, Olga Sandóval, Ana Paula Rojas, Flavia Morales, Ana Huanca, Danny Pedraza y Marlene Flores.

Corinthians back to back champion of Brasil and awaiting a Paulista final against São Paulo. They enter the tournament as the favourites and hoping to amend their Semi Final defeat by America de Cali in the last edition to regain the title they won in 2019. A squad littered with Brasil international players and great future stars like Jheniffer who has carried on her ability from Brasil youth squads and her time at Internacional of scoring goals. Victoria continues her super form that was spotted in her time in Minas in 2018 and her third year now in Corinthians proving a vital cog of the team along with Gabi Portilho. A potential pitfall is a habit of conceding a goal and not finishing off opportunities as in the last tournament in Argentina defensive concentration is required in the latter stages of the tournament.

San Lorenzo the championsh of Argentina and current leader of its group unbeaten in the current championship proving a team of a battling spirit on tight defence and energy and like Ferroviaria found a habit of knock out wins on penalties Alicia Bobadilla being a major player of their recent success. Nicole Hain one of Argentina young talents and experience of Maca Sánchez renowned for her off the pitch battle to provide some kind of professionalism to the game in Argentina will feel they can qualify out of the group.

Nacional Uruguay champion with a attack lead by a very talented and much touted Esperanza Pizarro and experienced Yamila Badell can be dangerous provided with the opportunity. A squad with youth potential of Solange Lemos and Karol Bermudez who will find the tournament a great learning experience.

Deportivo Capiatá the third team maybe surprisingly over Libertad Limpeño fought their way to third place in Paraguay, Grety Ávila with 8 goals was their leading scorer. Tania Risso was the clubs only representative in the recent international against the USA. It will be a experience for all to learn more of this team in a very difficult group. A big loss for the club will be Helen Acosta who scored some spectacular goals during the season.