Colombia Takes on New Zealand in Pre-World Cup Friendly Match
Colombia is set to take on New Zealand in a pre-World Cup friendly match on Saturday night. The game will be held at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Colombian time. This match marks the first in a doubleheader for Colombia, who also face Australia on November 18.
Importance of the Match for Colombia
Under the guidance of coach Nestor Lorenzo, this friendly serves as a crucial opportunity to refine strategies and assess player capabilities. The outcome will be instrumental as Colombia aims to secure a favorable seed in Pot 1 for the December 5 World Cup draw in Washington.
Recent Performance
- Colombia’s last match ended in a 0-0 draw against Canada on October 14.
- Prior victories include a significant 4-0 win over Mexico.
- Additional qualifying successes featured a 6-3 victory against Venezuela and a 3-0 win over Bolivia.
- The team also recorded a 1-1 draw against Argentina in June.
New Zealand’s Form
New Zealand, already qualified for the 2026 World Cup, has experienced mixed results recently. Their last match was a 1-1 draw with Norway on October 14. However, the All Whites have faced defeats against Poland, Australia, and Ukraine, with their last win occurring on June 7 against Ivory Coast.
Colombia’s Projected Lineup
Coach Lorenzo plans to employ this match to maintain the sharpness of key players while evaluating potential candidates for the World Cup roster. The expected starting lineup for Colombia is:
- Goalkeeper: Álvaro Montero
- Defense: Santiago Arias, Yerry Mina, Carlos Cuesta, Álvaro Angulo
- Midfield: Jefferson Lerma, Gustavo Puerta, James Rodríguez, Jhon Arias
- Winger: Luis Díaz (left wing)
- Forward: Jhon Córdoba (striker)
The bench includes experienced players such as David Ospina, Camilo Vargas, and Davinson Sánchez. Emerging talents like Yaser Asprilla and Johan Carbonero are also vying for spots on the final roster.
Conclusion
Colombia is eager to conclude the year with a strong performance against New Zealand, reinforcing its bid for a top seed. Meanwhile, New Zealand will look to challenge itself against a formidable South American opponent as it readies for the expanded World Cup tournament next summer.
