Head Coach Nelson Abadia announced the 23-player list of the Colombian squad for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023. The 2022 Copa America Feminina finalists aim for a second knockout qualification in the 2023 Women’s World Cup with a squad-marking talent. The South American nation will also delight fans with the fight they want to offer at the world stage.
History
Colombia will be participating in the Women’s World Cup for the third time. They return to the stage after missing out on the previous edition in France. In 2015, Las Chicas qualified for the round of 16 stage as their best-ever finish in their short history of the tournament. It was also in Canada that Colombia got their first goal and also the first win in the competition against France. A historical 2-0 victory with the game not sealed until the last minute. Daniela Montoya became the first player to find the net for the side a game prior but Lady Andrade stole the show striking twice in the remaining two games against Les Bleues and England.
Qualification for FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023
The top three teams from the 2022 Copa America Feminina got an automatic berth to the 2023 Women’s World Cup after participating nations from the tournament were increased to 32 from 24. Colombia had a fascinating journey having reached the Copa America final with only winners Brazil stopping their winning run.
Preparation for FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023
After having a decent period last year in which they won all their six friendlies following the Copa America without even conceding a goal, Colombia's wheels fell off in 2023 as they registered only two wins in eight matches. The one against Ireland was abandoned after 20 minutes for the match being ‘overly physical’ in which opponent’s midfielder Denise O’Sullivan sustained a shin injury and was taken to hospital. That game also sparked controversy as Colombia’s Daniela Caracas mocked the incident post-match to the reporters with scornful language. Their final friendly before the tournament ended 2-2 with Asian champions China.
Colombia Squad for FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023
Goalkeepers: Catalina Pérez (Avai Kindermann), Sandra Sepúlveda (Independiente Medellin), Luisa Fernanda Agudelo (Deportivo Cali)
Defenders: Daniela Caracas (Espanyol), Jorelyn Carabali (Atlético Mineiro), Mónica Ramos (Grêmio), Daniela Arias (América de Cali), Ana María Guzmán (Deportivo Pereira), María Morales (Deportivo Cali), María Fernanda Viáfara (Cortuluá FC)
Midfielders: Carolina Arias (Junior), Daniela Montoya (Atlético Nacional), Diana Ospina (América de Cali), Lorena Bedoya (Real Brasília), Manuela Vanegas (Real Sociedad), Marcela Restrepo (DUX Logroño), María Camila Reyes (Santa Fe), Liced Serna (Valencia)
Forwards: Catalina Usme (América de Cali), Ivonne Chacón (Valencia), Lady Andrade (Real Brasília), Linda Caicedo (Real Madrid), Mayra Ramírez (Levante), Leicy Santos (Atlético Madrid), Gabriela Urueña (Llaneros)
Head Coach: Nelson Abadia
Strength
Colombia has a clear way of approaching games with intensity and searching for goals irrespective of their opposition. They bring a ruthless physical battle on the ground, although anything extreme is not likeable, as they look to gain an advantage. Colombia are also potent in front of goal having scored in each fixture since the 1-0 loss to Brazil in the Copa America final. Members of the present squad in the 2015 tournament will tell the tales of their knockout qualification in that edition to motivate the team further.
Weakness
Inconsistency in their form will hit the team hard in the contest. Although they have not lost many games, Colombia have accepted defeats against France and Italy. They face a similar prospect in Germany and South Korea which is a rival for the second spot. Even Morocco with their immense solidity cannot be ruled out. While the defense has not allowed too many goals aside from the game against France in the warm-ups, they are unable to keep clean sheets which will be a disaster for this group.
Key Player: Linda Caicedo
One of the promising talents in women’s football, Linda Caicedo will be playing in a third consecutive World Cup with the one in Australia and New Zealand being with the senior team. Earned tons of praise in whatever tournament she played in, Caicedo will not shy away to show her skill on the ball for Colombia in the most prestigious competition. The Real Madrid winger was also awarded the best player, among other individual awards, in the 2022 Copa America Feminina and was sensational for her club, contributing to six goals in 10 league matches. All of those at the age of only 18 make her high on the list of top youngsters to watch in the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
Group H
Colombia
Germany
South Korea
Morroco
Fixtures
Tuesday, 24 July 2023
Colombia vs South Korea - Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney (07:30)
Sunday, 30 July 2023
Germany vs Colombia - Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney (03:00)
Thursday, 3 August 2023
Morocco vs Colombia - Perth Rectangular Stadium, Perth (15:30)
Prediction
Colombia's spirit will be greatly tested at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in a difficult group to manage. Colombia certainly has the tools to be a threat but whether it will be enough to put them into knockouts is the answer they can get if errors are minimized. Four points might be enough to take them through and for that, they have to take a draw from either of the first two games before a must-win against Morocco. However, the opener against South Korea and then Germany puts them on the back foot even before kicking a ball.
Note: All timings are in Indian Standard Time (IST)
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