The Colombian youth team that competes in the South American Women’s Championship in Chile will face its most important challenge this Thursday, thinking of one of the quotas for the World Cup in Costa Rica. Second in Group A led by Venezuela with 7 points, the coffee makers will have to overcome the hosts if they want to reach the final phase. Four teams (Venezuela, Colombia, Argentina and Chile) arrive with possibilities and are after qualification.
The Colombian U-20 Women’s National Team arrives undefeated at this last date of the group stage, after two draws (Argentina 0-0 and Venezuela 1-1) and one victory (Peru 5-0). A new victory will allow them to advance to the final phase, in which the two qualified for the World Cup will be defined. It should be remembered that the best two teams advance from each group. On the other side, that is, group B, are Brazil (already classified) and the second place will be a direct fight between Uruguay and Ecuador.
The match between Chile and Colombia that will be played at the Municipal Stadium Nicolás Chahuán Nazar, in La Calera, will be at 5:30 pm. About 3 in the afternoon Venezuela and Argentina will collide. One seeks to secure its first place and the other clings to the option of qualifying as second in the group (it needs a defeat by the Colombians, who arrive with a better goal difference).
The only novelty in Carlos Paniagua’s team will be the absence of Liced Serna, who will not be available after completing two yellow cards in this phase of the championship.
Reactions of the protagonists
Iliana Izquierdo: “Against Chile it will be a final that we are going to play, against Peru the goal was opened for us to score the most goals, but there are still things to improve. Colombia is always very rich tactically and technically it can make a difference, who can have the ball and score the goal. We continue to depend on us. We need to win and with that we ensure classification”.
Katherine Valbuena: “It’s a great opportunity to show ourselves, football has grown at a women’s level and it helps us show that we are strong and have conditions. We have to trust in what we have done and in our work. The victory against Peru is something very well, it helps us and motivates us. The way we won it is very satisfying and shows us that we can always give our best.”
Date 5 – South American Championship Sub 20
Chile vs Colombia
Stadium: Municipal de La Calera, Chile
Day: Thursday, April 15
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Probable lineup: Natalia Giraldo; Ana María Guzmán, Ángela Barón, Kelly Caicedo, Sintia Cabezas, Ilana Izquierdo, Wendy Bonilla, Gabriela Rodríguez, María Camila Reyes, Mariana Muñoz and Gisela Robledo.
