Unleashing the Colombian Storm: England's Sarina Wiegman Braces for Women's World Cup Quarter-Final Clash

England head coach Sarina Wiegman cautions that her team must be cautious of Colombia's "unknowable" forwards in the Women's World Cup quarter-final match on Saturday.

After narrowly defeating Nigeria on penalties in the previous round, the Lionesses are set to confront a Colombia squad that has impressed in this tournament with their aggressive playing style and offensive prowess. Young winger Linda Caicedo, in particular, has emerged as one of the standout performers thus far.

Wiegman emphasized that England focused primarily on their own game plan for the knockout tie. Despite being European champions, they have not yet reached their full potential. However, she acknowledged the need for caution due to the considerable threats posed by Colombia. In her pre-match press conference, Wiegman commended Colombia for their strong performance.

"They exhibit great cohesion and unity. It is evident that they possess physical strength, with formidable players who are keen on delivering the ball to their attacking unit, as it adds an element of unpredictability.

"Our primary focus is not on surprising Colombia, but rather on designing and executing our own football strategy. We have our distinct style of play and conduct a thorough analysis of Colombia's tactics to formulate and implement our plan effectively [on Saturday]."

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Colombia's Linda Caicedo expresses her hopes for less stress compared to their match against Nigeria. She acknowledges the intense competition in the tournament, emphasizing the beauty and growth of women's football.

I hope we can reach a decision prior to [penalties]. We firmly believe that the game will be highly competitive and we remain hopeful that it will be in our favor.

England goalkeeper Mary Earps has only conceded one goal thus far in the tournament. However, she anticipates an improved performance from the team in possession on Saturday, assuring that there is even better to come. The team is now regarded as tournament favorites following the notable eliminations of teams like USA and Germany.

The tournament has demonstrated the competitiveness of the games and the strong performance of the teams that have been eliminated. It is a testament to the remarkable state of the women's game. Our focus is on giving our best and achieving the highest possible position in the competition. We do not underestimate any opponent and feel confident that we have untapped potential to unleash.

I believe our performance against Nigeria showcased our exceptional character and ability to bounce back. As a united team consisting of both players and staff, we displayed remarkable cohesion throughout the entire process, not only during the 90 minutes of regulation time but also during extra-time and penalties.

I genuinely believe that our potential has yet to be fully realized. The group brims with immense talent, and there are still numerous unexplored heights to which we can ascend.

The squad possesses a remarkable amount of talent and experience acquired through our experiences as an international team and also as members of club teams. Over the years, we have been involved in various fixtures, including the Champions Leagues, where we have achieved titles and cups individually. Being an England player at this moment is incredibly thrilling, but we must earn the privilege. We are constantly striving for improvement, pushing ourselves to enhance our performance and meet higher standards. We are not content, we are not finished.

What is the schedule?

The quarter-finals of the tournament will take place in Wellington, Auckland, Brisbane, and Sydney between August 11 and 12.

The first semi-final is scheduled for August 15 in Auckland, followed by the second semi-final at the Accor Stadium in Sydney on August 16. The final will be held at the Accor Stadium on August 20. Additionally, a third-place play-off is set to take place in Brisbane on August 19, a day prior to the final.