The Ford Football Ferns have ended 2023 with a narrow defeat against FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 quarter-finalists Colombia, going down 1-0 at Estadio Metropolitano de Techo in Bogotá. 

Head coach Jitka Klimková made one change to her starting line-up from the first match against the South American side, with Kate Taylor coming in at centre back for Rebekah Stott who was unavailable due to illness.

Taylor joined Katie Bowen in central defence who was making her 100th appearance for the Ford Football Ferns, just the 12th player to reach that milestone. Bowen also captained the side for the game.

The first half had chances for both sides but ended goalless with neither team able to find the breakthrough.

The best chance for the Ferns fell to Betsy Hassett just before half-time but after a great run from midfield she was unable to find a way past Catalina Pérez in the Colombian net.

The second half began with a bang with good chances at both ends of the pitch.

Moments after kick-off, Jacqui Hand made a great run down the wing, fighting off a Colombian defender, and picked out Grace Jale in the box but she wasn’t able to get her shot away.

Colombia followed with their own opportunity in the 52nd minute as a Viviana Acosta fired just past Anna Leat’s post.

On the hour mark the Fern put together their best move of the game.

Some neat interplay in midfield found half-time substitute Paige Satchell who turned her marker and ran into space on the wing.

Satchell picked out Jacqui Hand on the edge of the box who forced the Colombian keeper to make a great save and prevent the Ferns from opening the scoring. 

10 minutes later it was Colombia who took the lead. 

After a Colombian corner was cleared, the ball fell to substitute Daniela Montoya to cross in from the touchline.

Montoyla’s cross missed the Colombian attackers in the box but crept into the Ferns goal after confusion at the back, breaking the deadlock.

The Ferns continued to press for an equaliser, introducing forward Ruby Nathan for her debut, but couldn’t find a way back into the match.

Following the game head coach Jitka Klimková reflected on her side’s performance:

“I will start with the positives and again, I saw a lot of grit on the field. Defensively, we were very solid. 

“It was a little bit unfortunate with the goal that we conceded, but it was not easy for them to go through us. 

“We were very tough defensively, specifically by the sidelines where we wanted to win the ball, and we won the ball a lot. 

“In attack, I think that's our work on. We need to get just better. We need to be more aware about the spaces. We need to be more sophisticated on the ball so we can possess more.

“That was one of our goals, to be actually more successful with our position. Have we achieved it? Not 100%.

"I think that's still something there we could do a better job in this game so we can progress into the final third a little bit more and we can create more chances. 

“We created two, three chances in the game and I think we need more.”

Final Score:

Colombia – 1 (71’ Daniela Montoya)
Ford Football Ferns - 0

Article added: Wednesday 06 December 2023