Colombian women's team: the five reasons for its elimination, thinking about the Olympics

The Colombian women's national team They made it to the quarterfinals of the Gold Cup by losing to the United States 3-0 on Sunday. The team, after this blow, has a lot to work on ahead of the Paris Olympic Games, which is its great challenge of the year.

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1. Nerves at key moments

The Colombian women's national team is undergoing an important evolution, but its preparation and intentions were frustrated by a mental aspect that took its toll on several players, especially in the match against the United States. There were bad deliveries of the ball, false starts from their own area, mistrust, insecurity and childish mistakes… Faced with such a strong and favorite rival, Colombia paled, they even entered the game strongly to calm their nervousness.

2. The absences were necessary

Although Colombia is going through a moment of renewal, it was evident in this Gold Cup that several of its figures, absent for different reasons, weighed on the collective performance. It is one of the reasons why the team was inferior to the last World Cup (they reached the quarterfinals). Key players were missing such as goalkeeper Catalina Pérez who was the starter, Leicy Santos, Ana María Guzmán and Mayra Ramírez, players who give more weight to the team.

3. Time for renewal

Given the forced absences, coach Ángelo Marsiglia took advantage of this Gold Cup to give play to other non-regular players. Players like Manuela Pavi, Ilana Izquierdo, Diana Celis, Fabiana Yantén and Liana Salazar had their opportunity to join the main team. The coach is expanding his panorama of selectables to deal with possible absences and to strengthen the base team. This process does not happen overnight.

4. Linda Caicedo's weight

Linda Caicedo is the star of this generation of the National Team, a Real Madrid player and a figure in the world's past. However, Colombia depended too much on her performance in this Gold Cup, and was not always in her best shape. Linda, who overcame an injury at the end of 2023, did not have the brilliance of other occasions. She scored two goals and could have scored more. She is the different player, but she depends a lot on her genius. Especially because of Mayra's absence.

5. We must review the national arc

In the absence of starter Catalina Pérez, the opportunity in goal went to Natalia Giraldo, who received four goals in the tournament. Although Giraldo was not directly responsible for the goals against the United States, it was evident that, at 20 years old, she has aspects to improve for the Olympics, since Pérez will not be there. In the group stage against Brazil she did give away the winning goal. The team has to regain security at the back, starting with the goal.

PABLO ROMERO
Sports

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