The Colombian women's U-17 national team finds itself in a precarious situation following a disappointing start in the South American Championship held in Paraguay. With their hopes of reaching the FIFA World Cup in Morocco on the line, the team now faces a critical opportunity to secure their spot. Under the guidance of coach Carlos Paniagua, the team, which has enjoyed a decade-long streak of World Cup qualifications, must now rise to the occasion.
On Thursday, the Colombian squad learned that they will face Venezuela in a do-or-die clash for the coveted World Cup berth. Venezuela, having reached the semifinals of the tournament, fell to Argentina with a narrow 1-0 defeat, and they too are vying for one of the last available spots for the upcoming World Cup.
Despite arriving at the final group stage match with a chance to advance, the Colombian team could not secure qualification. They achieved a convincing 3-0 victory over Paraguay; however, this was insufficient to progress, as their overall goal difference compared to Argentina and Chile left them at a disadvantage, leading to a controversial conclusion to the group stage.
Now, the national team must prepare to compete against Venezuela, who finished second in Group B and has exhibited solid performance throughout the tournament. The match is scheduled for Saturday, May 9, at the Estadio Ameliano Villeta, located approximately 30 kilometers from Asunción. While the exact time of the match is yet to be confirmed, broadcasting responsibilities will be handled by Caracol Sports through their digital platforms.
The winner of this match will secure a place in the U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco, joining Argentina, which has already claimed its spot by advancing to the final of the South American Championship.
Meanwhile, Ecuador will also have its opportunity to compete for another World Cup slot when they face Chile in a separate match.
The last time Colombia failed to qualify for the U-17 Women’s World Cup was in 2016, when they finished fourth in the South American Championship held in Venezuela, losing all three matches in the final round with only one goal scored and eight conceded.
As reported by elespectador.com.
