The Football Ferns maintained their unbeaten record against Colombia at the Estadio El Campin in Bogota on December 2, holding the FIFA Women's World Cup quarter-finalists to a scoreless draw in a well-contested affair which both sides could have won. "Las Cafeteras" enjoyed the first chance of a gruelling encounter in the tenth minute, with Mayra Ramirez getting the better of Michaela Foster on the right before delivering a cross which was diverted into the path of Colombian captain Daniela Montoya. Her shot was blocked by Rebekah Stott, who was skippering the Football Ferns for the third time in the absence of the injured Ali Riley. Ten minutes later, Colombia went close again, this time via a Catalina Usme free-kick. Jorelyn Carabali rose between defenders to direct a header narrowly past Anna Leat's right-hand post from six yards, a range from which she should have hit the target. The quality and accuracy of the Football Ferns' passing game weren't what they could have been at times in this match, and while playing at 2600m above sea level doubtless contributed to the issue to some extent, it can't be used as an overriding excuse - this team's standards are far higher than that, and the players won't need telling that better is expected of them. There were little passages of play when they got the mix right, however - Malia Steinmetz and Indiah-Paige Riley were prominent in these moments, as were Foster and the recalled Ava Collins in the 34th minute, the university student's neat control and lay-off inviting the fullback to deliver a whirling dervish of a cross which had Colombian goalkeeper Catalina Perez flapping wildly as the ball arced over her head but narrowly past the far post. The hosts responded strongly to this shot across the bows. Leicy Santos, whose charging run earlier in the half had been stopped dead by a thunderous tackle from Stott in the middle of the Football Ferns' half of the pitch, delivered a 38th minute corner from which mayhem ensued. The delivery was deflected to Ramirez, whose reflex shot sent the sphere crashing against the crossbar. Carabali, lurking in the vicinity of the dropping ball, wasn't able to turn home the rebound, while Marcela Restrepo's attempt to do so was cleared off the line by Katie Bowen on the occasion of her 99th "A" international for New Zealand. Right on half-time, Colombia threatened to break the deadlock again via another goalmouth flurry. Restrepo was this time the source of the problem, her left flank raid taking her to the by-line, from where she pulled the ball back to Santos. Leat parried her shot, and the combined efforts of Stott, Bowen and Mackenzie Barry ensured that the scoreboard operator's services wouldn't be required prior to the half-time whistle. Two minutes after the resumption of play, Jitka Klimkova's charges went close to breaking the deadlock. Steinmetz won the ball in midfield and worked a one-two with the lively Jacqui Hand before looking to play in the striker. The retreating

figure of Lorena Bedoya was wise to their ploy, however - danger averted. Back came the Colombians, Leat saving another attempt by Santos five minutes into the half, this time after Montoya and Restrepo had combined on the right. Seconds later, a wayward pass was chased down by Bowen, but her momentum took her over the touchline, allowing Carolina Arias to latch onto the loose ball and surge towards goal. She crossed the ball to Santos, whose scrumptious back-heeled pass opened up the Football Ferns defence and invited Ramirez to let fly on the run from the edge of the penalty area. "Big Mack" took one for the team, however, Barry hurling herself into the path of the shot to prevent a near-certain goal. "Las Cafeteras" pressed again just before the hour mark, Restrepo working a one-two with Montoya before curling one narrowly past the far post from fifteen yards at a time when the Football Ferns were briefly down to ten, with Riley having copped a head knock, prompting her withdrawal from the fray. A series of substitutions broke up the flow of the game, one of whom made a significant impact as far as the visiting side was concerned. Ally Green cast aside her disappointment at missing out on FIFA Women's World Cup Finals with a cameo which suggests she'll be around for quite some time to come. Her 77th minute corner to the far post was a goalkeeper's nightmare to deal with, and Perez will doubtless testify to the fact. Arriving to meet it simultaneously were Collins and Bowen, who, with the goal at their mercy, somehow managed to get in each other's way as both looked to turn it home … that should have been 1-0 New Zealand, no question! Unperturbed, they came again, another Green corner this time picking out Hand at the near post, from where she directed a header over the bar via the shoulder of the close-at-hand Grace Jale, who, in the 84th minute, sent Paige Satchell racing down the right to the by-line, from where she jinked inside a defender before seeing her cross cannon to safety off Carabali. It was the last chance in a match where scoring opportunities were few and far between, but both teams will rue the chances spurned to break the deadlock in a contest which will be repeated in three days' time, this time behind closed doors at Bogota's Estadio Metropolitano de Techo, a venue where the Football Ferns will look to conclude this most challenging of years on a winning note. Colombia:     Perez; Carabali, D. Arias (Acosta, 46), Vanegas; C. Arias (Ramos, 90), Montoya (Pavi, 63), Santos (Huertas, 90), Bedoya; Usme, Ramirez, Restrepo (Chacon, 74) F'ball Ferns:     Leat; Barry, Stott, Bowen, Foster (Green, 72); I. Riley (Satchell, 61), Steinmetz (Cleverley, 71), Hassett; Hand, Jale (Kitching, 89), Collins Referee:     Angelina Rodas (Paraguay)