Colombia belongs among the big boys

Colombia belongs among the big boys

Upset of Mexico enhances effort to change image after 1994 killing

By BERNARDO FALLAS
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle

It wasn't Ricardo La Volpe's tweaked lineup that raised eyebrows. It wasn't Tressor Moreno's speed that dropped jaws. And it wasn't the huge crowd at Reliant Stadium that made people say, "Wow!"

The element of surprise in Sunday's Gold Cup quarterfinal came from a Colombian side that dominated from the onset and Abel Aguilar. His high sinker from 35 yards out stunned the crowd, his opponents and even his teammates when it found the net to clinch Colombia's 2-1 upset of Mexico.

The victory over the defending Gold Cup champion means Colombia will play Panama — which beat South Africa in a shootout at Reliant on Sunday — in a semifinal Thursday in East Rutherford, N.J.

Honduras plays the United States in the other semifinal, with the winners meeting Sunday in East Rutherford.

A vibrant, pro-Mexico crowd of 60,050 — the largest thus far in the Gold Cup — saw a Colombian squad whose speed, touch-and-go passing and seamless transition confounded Mexico.

The Tricolores, ranked sixth in the world by FIFA, were missing top scorer Jared Borgetti against No. 25 Colombia because of yellow cards for fouls in the tournament that determines the champion of North America, Central America and the Caribbean.

"I think today we ratified the good game that Colombia has," said striker Óscar Passo. "We came here trying to control the ball because that's what characterizes us."

Such a surprise on American soil was especially sweet for Colombia assistant coach Alexis Mendoza, a member of the national team at the 1994 World Cup in the United States.

That tournament is remembered for Colombia's early exit and the killing of defender Andrés Escobar in Medellin a few days after a 2-1 loss to the United States. It is believed Escobar's killers were motivated by his own-goal during the loss, which eliminated the Cafeteros.

"I think that unfortunate incident — the death of a fellow player, a friend and great person — will forever be in our minds," Mendoza said. "All of us Colombians are trying to rescue (the prestige lost) so that Colombian soccer can reach the level of respect and the place in people's minds that we all desire."

Aguilar, who was 9 when Escobar was killed, said the players are motivated to change Colombia's image.

"Unfortunately, people here (in the United States) have that memory," he said. "And logically we're always trying to change that. This is an opportunity for us to get exposure, so people can watch us play and see what we're made of."

Full deck of cards
In a rough game that saw 28 fouls, nine yellow cards and one red card (Mexico's Alberto Medina in the 90th minute), Jaime Castrillón put Colombia up with a clean header off a cross from Jairo Patiño in the 58th minute. Castrillón took advantage of a defensive breakdown by Mexico's back line.

"That first goal was my fault," Mexico defender Francisco Rodríguez said. "I was left hanging. I wasn't able to get to the ball in time and basically allowed the clean shot."

Mexico responded six minutes later when Gonzalo Pineda took possession of the ball near the penalty spot and netted the tying goal.

It was the only time Mexico was able to evade Colombia's tight 4-3-3 setup, which shut down La Volpe's offense.

La Volpe replaced Borgetti, a threat to score on headers, with Rafael Márquez Lugo, but his move backfired after Márquez Lugo was injured in the fifth minute.

"We can't say that we missed Borgetti, because we sought to replace him with Rafael Márquez (Lugo)," La Volpe said. "Unfortunately he (Márquez Lugo) got injured, so in a sense the change didn't work."

Márquez Lugo returned but was replaced by Héctor Altamirano in the 33rd minute.

A 35-yard stunner
Aguilar's score in the 76th minute sealed Mexico's fate. After a foiled offensive play by the Cafeteros, he recovered the ball near the sideline about 35 yards to the right of the goal, where Mexican keeper Moisés Muñoz stood nearly 10 yards forward. Aguilar then shot high above Muñoz, who was unable to deflect the ball while running back toward the goal line.

"That goal ... it was the defining factor," said Mexican striker Omar Bravo, who replaced Mario Mendez in the 61st minute. "It came right when we were beginning to control the ball better and play our game."

The win was only the fourth in 23 tries for Colombia against Mexico, which has beaten Colombia 11 times. The teams have tied eight times.

The Cafeteros, with Moreno and Wason Renteria plotting from the right, had two goals by Renteria in the first half disallowed because of offsides.

Moreno was named Man of the Match.

"Colombia is a good team. We have to respect them," Bravo said. "They are a very complicated team."

bernardo.fallas at chron.com

-------------------------------------------------

ColombianoX

'Defensor de la Colombianidad'

By ColombianoX on Jul 18, 2005, 09:34 in Friendly Talkzone.

ColombianoX says on Jul 18, 2005, 10:53:

Gringo,

The next game is in Giants Stadium, NJ on Thursday. Still plan on going?

Saludes,

CX

ColombianoX 'Defensor de la Colombianidad'

Mario says on Jul 19, 2005, 12:52:

Directions for future reference Reliant stadium is due West on I-10. When you get to the I-610 loop, go South until you see the Astrodome on the right and then get off. Use the signs for parking from there. It's bigger than the dome so you can't miss the place. I was at the Cup two years ago and it was a blast. Great venue.