Colombia’s acting coach Ángelo Marsiglia believes the Football Ferns are “world-class and competent”, but he knows how to beat them.
“They are a team that tries to play a very good aerial game, attack from the sides, they retreat very quickly and the idea is to mess them up with the ball. With the progression of the ball, we can win the game,” he told Colombian media ahead of Sunday’s match.
New Zealand play Colombia in Bogata on Sunday at 10am (NZT) in the first of two international friendlies.
“The truth is we have studied the rival a lot,” Marsigilia said. “They are world-class and competent rivals, and we must greatly appreciate the efforts of the Federation for this type of rivals that help us grow in preparation for what is coming next year, which is a lot of football for us.”
“We hope to face this match in the best way; we have studied the rival’s behaviour and evaluated our style.”
Long-time coach has left Colombian role
Colombia will face the Football Ferns without a permanent head coach after the departure of Nelson Abadía, who left the role after nine years and has been a free agent since the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Abadía (67) led Colombia to the quarter-finals of the tournament, in which they were beaten 2-1 by England.
Marsiglia (37), who was an assistant coach during the World Cup, is the interim coach.
His squad for the Ferns games is without two leading players.
Real Madrid forward Linda Caicedo (18) has an ankle injury and won’t be fit till 2024, while Bayern Munich defender Ana María Guzmán (18) suffered a knee injury during Colombia’s October international against the United States.
In two games against the United States, Colombia lost 3-0 and drew the other 0-0.
Sunday’s game will be Colombia’s 15th full international this year, having played five games at the FIFA Women’s World Cup, accompanied by a busy programme of friendly games.
Colombia are 22nd in the current FIFA world rankings, while the Ferns are 26th.
PREVIEW: Football Ferns squad face high-altitude test against Colombians >>>>
READ MORE: Colombians opt to play Ferns behind closed doors in second international >>>>
Squads
Colombia
Goalkeepers
Catalina Pérez (36 caps), Werder Bremen
Luisa Fernanda Agudelo (0 caps), Deportivo Cali, Colombia
Sandra Sepúlveda (73 caps), Independiente Medelin, Colombia
Defenders
Ángela Barón (3 caps), Atlético Nacional, Colombia
Carolina Arias (103 caps), Sante Fe, Colombia
Daniela Arias (23 caps), América de Cali, Colombia
Daniela Caracas (46 caps), Espanyol, Spain
Jorelyn Carabalí (33 caps), Brighton & Hove Albion, England
Mónica Ramos (8 caps), Grêmio, Brazil
Viviana Acosta (14 caps), Independiente Santa Fe, Colombia
Midfielders
Daniela Montoya (captain) (84 caps), Atlético Nacional, Colombia
Gabriela Huertas (3 caps), Santa Fe, Colombia
Lady Andrade (63 caps), Real Brasilia, Brazil
Leicy Santos (63 caps), Atlético Madrid, Spain
Lorena Bedoya Durango (21 caps), Real Brasilia, Brazil
Manuela Vanegas (43 caps), Real Sociedad, Spain
Marcela Restrepo (28 caps), DUX Logrono, Spain
María Camila Reyes (3 caps), Sante Fe, Colombia
Forwards
Catalina Usme (93 caps), América de Cali, Colombia
Elexa Bahr (20 caps), América de Cali, Colombia
Ivonne Chacón (13 caps), Valencia, Spain
Manuela Paví (8 caps), Atlético Mineiro, Brazil
Mayra Ramírez (53 caps), Levante, Spain
Acting head coach: Ángelo Marsiglia
New Zealand
Goalkeepers
Brianna Edwards (0 caps) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Victoria Esson (20 caps) Rangers, Scotland
Anna Leat (11 caps) Aston Villa, England
Defenders
Mackenzie Barry (7 caps) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Katie Bowen (98 caps) Inter Milan, Italy
Michaela Foster (8 caps) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Ally Green (5 caps) AGF, Denmark
Grace Neville (6 caps) London City Lionesses, England
Ali Riley (159 caps) Angel City, United States
Rebekah Stott (95 caps) Melbourne City, Australia
Marisa van der Meer* (0 caps) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Midfielders
Daisy Cleverley (31 caps) HB Køge, Denmark
Manaia Elliott* (0 caps) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Betsy Hassett (150 caps) Stjarnan FC, Iceland
Aniela Jensen* (0 caps) University of the Pacific, United States
Katie Kitching* (0 caps) Sunderland AFC, England
Malia Steinmetz (25 caps) FC Nordsjælland, Denmark
Kate Taylor (10 caps) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Forwards
Ava Collins (11 caps) St John’s University, United States
Jacqui Hand (17 caps) Åland United, Finland
Grace Jale (21 caps) Perth Glory, Australia
Ruby Nathan* (0 caps) Canberra United, Australia
Indiah-Paige Riley (14 caps) PSV Vrouwen, Netherlands
Paige Satchell (46 caps) London City Lionesses, England
*Debut Ford Football Ferns call-up.
Head coach: Jitka Klimková
Colombia play New Zealand in their second game on Wednesday December 6, 2023, at 9am (NZT).
Fixture
Game to be played on Sunday December 3, 2023 (NZT)
Colombia v New Zealand
Estadio El Campin, Bogotá, Colombia, 10am (NZT)
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