Football Ferns head coach Jitka Klimková says she’s disappointed Wednesday’s international against Colombia will be played behind closed doors.
The Colombian Football Federation opted to play the second game in the two-match series without spectators at Estadio Metropolitano de Techo, Bogotá, a local club ground.
The match will be live-streamed free by FIFA+ (see links below).
Sunday’s first game between the sides attracted almost 20,000 spectators to the 39,000-capacity Estadio El Campin.
It ended in a 0-0 draw, with both sides having their chances.
READ MORE: Clean sheet and strong finish provide positives for Ferns’ draw in Colombia >>>>
Klimková said Sunday’s crowd were “amazing”.
“We couldn’t even hear each other on the field or the sideline, so I mean while that’s frustrating, it’s also basically the atmosphere that you want to play.”
She said the crowd were respectful to the Ferns “which was amazing and we were super grateful for that.”
“It’s a little bit disappointing that we are going to play now without fans,” Klimková told a media briefing.
“I think that having this kind of atmosphere in women’s football is what we are dreaming for, and I think women’s game deserves people around and have fans in the stands so we can promote a women’s game more and more, and that’s a little bit disappointing that we are just going to play in the quiet stadium.
“But we will focus (on) what we can control and under our control is our performance.”
READ MORE: Ferns coach Jitka Klimková sets objectives for second game against Colombia >>>>
New Zealand will be without captain Ali Riley and defender Marisa van der Meer, who are both injured.
READ MORE: Ferns captain Ali Riley ruled out of second international against Colombia >>>>
READ MORE: Knee injury ends season for Ferns and Phoenix defender Marisa van der Meer >>>>
Klimková also confirmed that defender Grace Neville had pulled out of the squad at the last minute, unable to travel to Colombia because of an infected tooth.
Wednesday’s game will be the Ferns’ 16th international match this year, of which the side has won twice.
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 (12 caps) Aston Villa, England
Defenders
Mackenzie Barry (8 caps) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Katie Bowen (99 caps) Inter Milan, Italy
Michaela Foster (9 caps) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Ally Green (6 caps) AGF, Denmark
Ali Riley (159 caps) Angel City, United States
Rebekah Stott (96 caps) Melbourne City, Australia
Marisa van der Meer* (0 caps) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Midfielders
Daisy Cleverley (32 caps) HB Køge, Denmark
Manaia Elliott* (0 caps) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Betsy Hassett (151 caps) Stjarnan FC, Iceland
Aniela Jensen* (0 caps) University of the Pacific, United States
Katie Kitching* (0 caps) Sunderland AFC, England
Malia Steinmetz (26 caps) FC Nordsjælland, Denmark
Kate Taylor (11 caps) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Forwards
Ava Collins (12 caps) St John’s University, United States
Jacqui Hand (18 caps) Åland United, Finland
Grace Jale (22 caps) Perth Glory, Australia
Ruby Nathan* (0 caps) Canberra United, Australia
Indiah-Paige Riley (15 caps) PSV Vrouwen, Netherlands
Paige Satchell (47 caps) London City Lionesses, England
*Debut Ford Football Ferns call-up.
Head coach: Jitka Klimková
Fixture
Game to be played on Wednesday December 6, 2023
Colombia v New Zealand
Estadio Metropolitano de Techo, Bogotá, Colombia, 9am (NZT)
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