The Ford Football Ferns will play their final international fixtures of 2023 this December when they travel to Bogotá to face Colombia (FIFA rank 22). 

Head coach Jitka Klimková’s side will face the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 quarter-finalists on Saturday 2 December at 4pm (Sunday 3 December at 10am NZT) and Tuesday 5 December at 3pm (Wednesday 6 December at 9am NZT). 

The first fixture will be played at Estadio El Campin, with the second at Estadio Metropolitano de Techo, both in Bogotá, Colombia. 

Both games will be streamed live and free on FIFA+ in Aotearoa New Zealand. 

Klimková sees the two games as a good test for her side and an opportunity to implement some of the lessons from the previous campaign ahead of the next cycle: 

“2023 has been a ground-breaking year for the Ford Football Ferns and women’s football in general in Aotearoa New Zealand, but after a period of reflection and opportunities to learn from the past cycle, we now need to focus on the future and building a team to look forward to the Olympic qualifiers next year and ultimately the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027. 

“Colombia are a strong team with some outstanding individuals, who had a great FIFA Women’s World Cup, so they will be a really good challenge for us, which is exactly what we want. 

“It is great to wrap up 2023 with two great games ahead of another big year coming up in 2024.” 

The Ford Football Ferns last played Colombia at the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics, winning 1-0 after an Amber Hearn goal.  

MATCH DETAILS 

Colombia v Ford Football Ferns 

Game 1:
2 December KO 4pm [local] / 3 December KO 10am [NZT]
Estadio El Campin, Bogotá, Colombia. 

Game 2:
5 December KO 3pm [local] / 6 December KO 9am [NZT]
Estadio Metropolitano de Techo, Bogotá, Colombia

Article added: Wednesday 15 November 2023