Colombia won its Women’s World Cup opener against South Korea 2-0 as Los Cafeteras head coach Nelson Abadia served the first of a two-game suspension.
Colombia’s manager since 2017, Abadia received a red card at the end of the 2022 Copa America Feminina final for arguing with a match official. A spokesman for CONMEBOL, the governing body of South American international tournaments, did not provide any other details about the incident.
The red card was tantamount to a two-game suspension, meaning Colombia’s first two games in Group H at the world tournament. Abadia will also miss Sunday’s game against Group H favorites Germany.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Colombia head coach Nelson Abadia watches during the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 Group H match between Colombia and Korea Republic at Sydney Football Stadium on July 25, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Patricia Perez Ferraro/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
Colombia midfielder Alexa Barah said he is like a father to the team. “But I don’t think it affected us. We all came to win the first game and that’s what we did.”
Angelo Marsiglia is recruiting for Abadia.
“He was always there to give us the best conditions,” said Colombian forward Linda Cecido. “He was very clear about what we had to do and set the order on the pitch.”
Reporter under fire for asking Morocco captain ‘inappropriate’ question about teammates’ sexuality
Colombia’s Linda Cacido, left, celebrates after scoring her side’s second goal during the Women’s World Cup Group H soccer match between Colombia and South Korea at Sydney Football Stadium in Sydney, Australia, Tuesday, July 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)
Bahr said the team played a friendly against China earlier this month with Abadiah watching from the stands.
“It was a little unusual for us,” he said, “but other than that we tried to keep everything the same.”
Cacedo, one of the many youngsters playing at this World Cup at the age of 18, scored in the 39th minute of Tuesday’s match. She is the youngest goalscorer of the tournament so far. He debuted with the Colombian senior team at the age of 14 and beat cancer at the age of 15, and this is the biggest tournament of his career.
Click here to get the Fox News app.
Colombia’s Catalina Esme, left, celebrates after scoring the opening goal on a penalty kick during the Women’s World Cup Group H soccer match between Colombia and South Korea at Sydney Football Stadium in Sydney, Australia, Tuesday, July 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)
“We knew he wasn’t going to be able to go there, but the information he gave us was very clear,” Cecido said of Abediah.
Abadia’s son, Mario, who is also an assistant coach, attended the post-match press conference in place of his father.
“They have excellent communication on the pitch,” Mario Abadia said of the Colombian players. “We do certain things during the week and during training, and then they show it.”
Source by [Fox News]
