Test passed! Thus, as in the old TV contest, the Colombian women’s team soccer youth achieved its goal in the World Cup in Costa Rica, from which it was eliminated on Saturday, in the quarterfinals. Saturday’s very likely 1-0 loss against Brazil and the consequent elimination do not tarnish the achievement of the team led by Carlos Paniagua and it reflects two things: one, that the team went from better to worse in the tournament, making up for its lack of offensive fluency with courage and work. And, two, that at least in this category and against these rivals, they played hand in hand.
Passing the group stage was the objective and the classification as first in the group was fulfilled, when the calculation was to be second, below the superfavorite Germanywhich surprisingly was eliminated in the first phase and defeated by Colombia (1-0) in the debut.
brave and orderly
In the second phase, the fulfilled prognosis was that they would face Spain or Brazil and that, as it happened, it was most likely that the river would take them there.
This team, which also drew against Mexico (0-0) and New Zealand (2-2) passing oil in the second half, was brave, orderly in defense, strong, physical and brave. The fight and dedication were his main marks, his best weapons.
The problem, however, was ahead: in the generation of the game, therefore of options in volume, and in the definition, and that the stars of the team were (and are) Linda Caicedo and Gisela Robledo, the references pointed. Colombia did not have a link, a shipowner. Liced Serna was always more concerned with forming the line of four in the middle, for the ‘tactical’ task.
The game generation crisis was such that Linda Caicedo, the sensation of the team, was delayed to assume that role. They took her away from the arch.
attack problem
The real attacking formula for this team was for anyone to throw it long for Linda or Robledo to solve however they could. And that’s how Linda could only score twice and in the same game (the goals of 2-2 against New Zealand) and Robledo, willful and fighter, went blank because she was wrong in the definition and in most of the decisions that he took: when he should have passed it, he finished off; when she should have shot, she dribbled, and when she should have played singles, she passed…she ran a lot and always tried. That’s why she seemed that she had done more than she really did, which in white silver was little. The two of them, the goal cards, did not have a feeder. Serious.
In the four World Cup matches, the goalkeeper Natalie Giraldo fulfilled. She was one of the most outstanding despite receiving criticism for being small (1.67 meters tall). The reality is that she did well. With it, they approved the central Kelly Caicedo and Angela Baron (the foul penalty against Brazil was more of a ‘work accident’) and winger Guzmán and captain Reyes stood out for their physical ability and tenacity.
The feeling remained that perhaps Brazil could have tied, but at 1-0 before the break, beyond Colombia’s obvious reaction to the tie, as Brazil assumed more defensive positions and waited longer. With everything and that, the most important goal options in that second act were from Brazil.
It may sound like a consolation, that they played like never before and lost like always, but it is true that the youth women’s team achieved its goal, played as equals and the result and the general presentation were good, even if there was a lack of creation and attack, despite having Linda and Gisela. For this reason, although it was not possible against Brazil, it is necessary to sing with Charly García that “joy is not only Brazilian”. Test passed!
Meluk tells him
GABRIEL MELUK
Sports Editor
@MelukLeCuenta
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