World Championship
Colombia’s scandal game warns DFB women before the World Cup
The DFB women want to avoid unnecessary duels against Colombia. photo
© Dean Lewins/AAP/dpa
Germany and Colombia are favorites in Group H at the Women’s World Cup. The South Americans make negative headlines just before the tournament.
First World Cup mood at the training ground, boomerangs as welcome gifts and a clear warning from the group opponent Colombia – the countdown to the start of the World Cup is in full swing for the German soccer team.
The official reception in the DFB quarter in Wyong with the sounds of a didgeridoo, the traditional wind instrument of the Australian Aborigines, and several hundred fans with black, red and gold fans turned out to be extremely friendly on Sunday. The team of national coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg cannot expect that from group rivals Colombia.
The South American runners-up caused a scandal before the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand (July 20th to August 20th), which of course also concerns the DFB women. The Irish national team called off a friendly against Colombia after about 20 minutes because it was played “excessively physically”, according to the Irish association Fai. According to media reports, Ireland coach Vera Pauw said her players were “fearful” about their physical integrity.
Voss-Tecklenburg warns of playing style
After the opening game of the runners-up European champions against Morocco on Monday in a week (10.30 a.m. CEST/ZDF), Colombia will be the second preliminary round opponent on July 30 (11.30 a.m. CEST/ARD) in Sydney. The South Americans are considered the main rivals in Group H, which completes South Korea.
Voss-Tecklenburg had repeatedly warned against the physical play of the Colombians – most recently in the 2-3 defeat of the runners-up European champions against the equally robust World Cup outsiders Zambia in Fürth. But their players don’t want to be impressed by the tough style of play. “In situations like this we shouldn’t hold the ball for long, but play quickly with one or two contacts. That way we often avoid unnecessary duels. But of course we also have to fight back in direct duels,” said vice-captain Svenja Huth on Sunday at ” Picture”.
The Colombian association commented on the case in a statement on its own website. Ireland’s decision to abandon the game is accepted, even though the Colombian team have been guided by the Laws of the Game, healthy competition and fair play throughout.
“Physical and robust type”
“The exciting thing about a World Cup is that different styles of play come together,” said Svenja Huth from VfL Wolfsburg. “For some teams, that also means being physically strong and robust. That’s why we had a friendly opponent in Zambia who behaved like that. Because we know that Colombia, for example, also plays like that.”
Ireland midfielder Denise O’Sullivan injured her tibia in a tackle during the closed test in Brisbane, Australia and was taken to hospital for a check-up. According to media reports, it should not be a break. Your appearance at the World Cup opener on July 20th against co-hosts Australia seems possible.
In the last few days of preparation, the focus of the DFB selection is particularly on the defence. It’s about “that we’re all in the mood to defend again,” said Wolfsburg goalkeeper Merle Frohms: “That made us strong as a team at the European Championship and made us excellent.”