Banned from swimming, Rebeca Gusmao picks up soccer

Source: Xinhua  |   2008-10-25  |     ONLINE EDITION

BANNED from the swimming world by the International Federation of Swimming, Rebeca Gusmao announced yesterday that she will join the Ascoop soccer team.

Gusmao will play in the Women's National Soccer League, which is not linked to the Brazilian Confederation of Soccer (CBF). She is scheduled to be the team's "bulldozer" of a forward.

Gusmao was introduced to the team on Thursday. Yesterday, the news was made official that she will play in the upcoming season. Her first practice is set for Monday due to an ailing injury in her tibia.

Gusmao will play without any pay. Arnaldo Freire, president of the Ascoop athletic club, announced that he and the athlete have a verbal agreement. He stated, "I knew she was playing for her university team. I invited her to play with us in the league and she accepted. She is very strong. We want to work with her to turnher into the type of player like Adriano so that she can use her strength and talent to score goals."