World Cup Preview - Group C - Colombia
Nickname: "Los Cafeteros (The Coffee Growers)"
Absurd FIFA Ranking - 5th
Coach: Argentine veteran Jose Pekerman
Game Schedule:
June 14 – Colombia v. Greece (Belo Horizonte, 12:00 p.m. EST, ABC)
June 18 – Colombia v. Ivory Coast (Brasilia, 12:00 p.m., ESPN)
June 23 – Colombia v. Japan (Culaba, 4:00 p.m., ESPN)
Prospects: Much as in 1994, Colombia come into Brasil 2014 with impossibly heightened expectations, having finished second to Argentina in CONMEBOL qualifying and having been assigned the absurd FIFA ranking of 5th in the world. All of Colombia will expect them to sweep through the weakest group in this summer's tournament with South American flair, scoring hatfuls. Much of this is down to the sparkling form of Monaco's deadly striker Radamel Falcao. However, this is a team that has been playing together for some time and may just gel at the right time this summer and spring a few surprises.
Key Player: Fiorentina's Juan Guadrado springs many of Colombia's quick breaks and links well with the strikers.
Mile Jedinak will be key to this, and he was absolutely crucial in Crystal Palace’s late season renaissance under Tony Pulis.
Read more at http://worldsoccertalk.com/australia-world-cup-2014-team-preview/#DO5dBKrb3MtCI2Yq.99
Read more at http://worldsoccertalk.com/australia-world-cup-2014-team-preview/#DO5dBKrb3MtCI2Yq.99
Mile Jedinak will be key to this, and he was absolutely crucial in Crystal Palace’s late season renaissance under Tony Pulis.
Read more at http://worldsoccertalk.com/australia-world-cup-2014-team-preview/#DO5dBKrb3MtCI2Yq.99
Read more at http://worldsoccertalk.com/australia-world-cup-2014-team-preview/#DO5dBKrb3MtCI2Yq.99
Youngster to watch: 22 year old James Rodriguez is a big part of Falcao's success at Monaco. He might be worth a look.
Who Will Get the Goals: It's all about Falcao for Los Cafeteros; he's scored 51 goals in 20 appearances.
Who Will Get the Cards: At 38, skipper Mario Yepes is the oldest defender in the tournament. I'd start him on a yellow card.
Prediction: Top of Group C after three wins; knocked out on penalties by, of all teams, England in the Round of 16.
posted by The Blue Devil @ 9:41 AM
1 Comments:
I will add some trivia. Colombia's Argentine Jewish coach, Jose Peckerman, has recalled 42 year old Faryd Mondragan back to the squad as a goalkeeper. He may very well start and is the lone survivor from their 1998 World Cup team. Agreed about Yepes despite being a starter in Serie A and Falcao. I would always bet against England in a penalty shootout, so I will predict that the coffee growers will be eliminated by the host nation in the quarters
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