New Zealand’s next women’s international opponents will be Colombia who will play two matches against the Football Ferns in December.
NZ Football have confirmed the Ferns will travel to Bogotá to face the FIFA Women’s World Cup quarter-finalists on December 3 and 6 (NZT).
Colombia are rated 22nd in the FIFA world rankings, while the Ferns are ranked 26th.
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The first fixture will be played at Estadio El Campin, with the second at Estadio Metropolitano de Techo, both in Bogotá, Colombia.
The games will be streamed live and free on FIFA+ in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Head coach Jitka Klimková sees the two games as a good test for her side and an opportunity to implement some of the lessons from the previous campaign ahead of the next cycle.
Klitková said:
“2023 has been a ground-breaking year for the Ford Football Ferns and women’s football in general in Aotearoa New Zealand, but after a period of reflection and opportunities to learn from the past cycle, we now need to focus on the future and building a team to look forward to the Olympic qualifiers next year and ultimately the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027.
“Colombia are a strong team with some outstanding individuals, who had a great FIFA Women’s World Cup, so they will be a really good challenge for us, which is exactly what we want.
“It is great to wrap up 2023 with two great games ahead of another big year coming up 2024.”
The Ford Football Ferns last played Colombia at the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics, winning 1-0 after an Amber Hearn goal.
Fixtures
Game to be played on Sunday December 3, 2023 (NZT)
Colombia v New Zealand
Estadio El Campin, Bogotá, Colombia, 10am (NZT)
Game to be played on Wednesday December 6, 2023
Colombia v New Zealand
Estadio Metropolitano de Techo, Bogotá, Colombia, 9am
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