Colombia has been a rising power in CONMEBOL the last few years. The women’s national team qualified for a second consecutive World Cup and has been on a tremendous run of form the last couple of years. Las Cafeteras are hoping that carries into this summer’s tournament in Canada.
Coach
Felipe Taborda was initially hired as the under-17 women’s coach in February 2012. He had great success, guiding the U-17s to the Women’s World Cups in 2012 and 2014. He took over the senior side last July prior to the Copa America, where the Colombians were the only unbeaten squad with six wins and just one draw (vs. eventual champions Brazil).
Group F schedule
June 9: vs. Mexico in Moncton
June 13: vs. France in Moncton
June 17: vs. England in Montreal
How they qualified
Colombia finished in second place in the final stage of the Copa America in 2014. As a result, they automatically qualified for the 2015 World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympics along with Brazil.
Team strengths
Colombia has a solid spine with goalkeeper Sandra Sepulveda, defenders Katherin Arias and Natalia Gaitan, midfielder Diana Ospina, and forward Lady Andrade. Las Cafeteras’ defence is well organized and difficult to penetrate—the back line conceded just twice at the Copa America.
Team weaknesses
The attack has a nice variety, but has been shut down by more compact sides like Mexico, who won 2-0 in November against Colombia. There are talented players, but some are inexperienced at this level.
Player to watch
Yoreli Rincon is just 21 years old, but has been tipped as the next Marta. She made her debut with the national team in 2010 and has recently signed a three-year contract with Italian club Torres. She was Colombia’s leading scorer at Copa America and is a clever playmaker as well.
Burning question
Can Rincon deliver at the World Cup? She may be labelled as the next Marta, but in order for her to live up to that billing, the Colombian forward has to impress on the biggest stage. She has great potential, but it will mean little if Las Cafeteras are knocked out in the group stage again.
Prospects
Back-to-back group stage eliminations would be devastating, even though Taborda took the job less than a year ago. Colombia has drastically improved since the last World Cup, but given how strong they were at Copa America, the Colombians will be expected to qualify for the quarterfinals.
World Cup history
1991 – Did not qualify
1995 – Did not qualify
1999 – Did not qualify
2003 – Did not qualify
2007 – Did not qualify
2011 – Group stage