Colombian women return to international play with Peru win

April 5 – Colombia women’s team have returned to the international fray with a 2-1 friendly win over Peru. They hadn’t played a competitive game for nine months.

In March the disorganisation and discrimination around the Colombian national women’s team had led to a player revolt with the players battling the Colombian Football Federation, (FCF) demanding fair treatment. Professional set-up as well as the continuation of the domestic pro league.

They joined forces with Acolfutpro, the Colombian arm of FIFpro, and the FCF relented by conceding that a pro league would still go ahead.  The national team has now begun a training camp in preparation for the 2019 PanAmerican Games, hosted by Lima. The camp includes two friendlies against Peru. They dominated their hosts to win the first 2-1 through goals from Isabela Echeverri and Yisela Cuesta and mark a successful return to international football.

Colombia will not participate at this summer’s Women’s World Cup. Chile, Brazil and Argentina will represent the South American continent in France. The Colombians qualified for the 2011 and 2015 Women’s World Cups and the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games. In Canada, they reached the last 16 where they were knocked out by the eventual champions the US.

Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at moc.l1714088679labto1714088679ofdlr1714088679owedi1714088679sni@o1714088679fni1714088679