DILI, 18 July 2025 (TATOLI) – The under-16 national football team of Timor-Leste is ready to kick off its historic participation at the CPLP Games this Saturday, July 19, 2025, facing Portugal side in the tournament’s opening game. Kick off at the National Stadium in Dili is set for 7.45 p.m. local time.
Speaking at a press conference held today at the Dili Convention Center (CCD), Timor-Leste U-16 assistant coach Denilson Baptista said his team is fully prepared for the challenge.
“We are ready to play against Portugal. All the tactical instructions and preparations have been passed on to the players, and now it’s up to them to give their best on the pitch for the full ninety minutes. Our goal is to play well and fight for a positive result,” he said.
Baptista also emphasized that, as a coach, his role is to motivate and build confidence in the players so they can represent their country with pride.
Team captain Inigo Martins Braz echoed the sentiment, saying, “We’re ready to compete. We’ve received all the guidance from our coaches, and we’ll give our best to achieve a positive result.”
On the Portuguese side, the head coach Pedro Mota da Silva said that his team is also prepared for the tournament opener against the host nation.
“We’ve prepared for this tournament as we would for any other international competition or training camp. What makes this special is the cultural and historical context that unites Portuguese-speaking countries. This tournament is an important opportunity to strengthen our shared history and highlight the global importance of the Portuguese language,” he said.
When asked about Portugal being the favorite, Mota da Silva noted that football always offers three possible outcomes—win, draw, or loss—and emphasized that Portugal’s main focus is youth development.
“The most important thing isn’t the outcome of the match. Our goal is for the players to develop, gain valuable experiences, connect with different cultures, and return home improved. This goes for both the Portuguese and Timorese athletes,” he said.
Regarding the tactical approach for the match, Mota da Silva said Portugal would stick to its identity.
Silva said that regardless of the opponent, “we aim to control possession and dominate the game. Portuguese football has a rich history of great players, and we want to continue in that tradition. We will aim to impose our game, but we’re prepared for any scenario.”
On adapting to Dili’s tropical climate, the coach said the team would handle the conditions naturally.
“There’s no special preparation—just adapting to the weather, the pitch, and the atmosphere. Players must be ready to perform under different conditions around the world,” he concluded.
Journalist: Afonso do Rosário
Editor: Isaura Lemos de Deus
Translator : Camilio de Sousa
