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'Rodagol' May Boost Colombia's World Cup Bid

'Rodagol' May Boost Colombia's World Cup Bid

By NICHOLAS MURRAY Tribune correspondent
Published: Mar 6, 2005

Just more than a decade ago, Colombia was supposed to be coming into its own as a major power in world soccer.
Entering the 1994 World Cup, a number of people, including Pele, picked the Colombians to win the title.

Of course, it never happened.

Eliminated in the opening round, the Colombians went into a free fall in the South American pecking order, failing to qualify for the World Cup in Japan and South Korea, and currently being ranked 26th in the world behind such nations as Iran and Poland.

Currently sixth in the South American qualifying group for the 2006 World Cup, one place out of the final qualifying spot, Colombia may now be looking to change its fortunes behind the play of one of the most explosive talents to come out of its country in recent years.

Hugo Rodallega, 19, is his name, although his nickname of ``Rodagol'' is how he is known. The youngster scored 11 goals for Colombian first-division team Deportes Quindio in 2004, a feat that earned him a place on the under-20 national team for the South American Youth Soccer tournament. His first game in the national spotlight proved to be memorable.

Although starting on the bench against Bolivia, for what the coach said was a ``lack of commitment in training,'' Rodallega came in in the second half after a teammate's injury to score four goals to lead the Colombians to victory.

``It's never nice to get your chance because of another player's injury, but that's all part of football,'' Rodallega said after the game. ``What's important is that I was able to show what I was capable of and win over the supporters.''

In the ensuing games, he not only won over the supporters, but also began to re-write the South American record books, scoring 11 goals in his first 8 1/2 games to break the South American Youth tournament record, bringing the title to Colombia in the process.

The scoring spree broke the previous tournament record of Argentina's Luciano Galletti, who scored nine goals in 1997. While most of the pre- tournament hype had focused on young Argentinian star Lionel Messi, Rodallega stole the show.

Rodallega, 5-foot-6 and 176 pounds, is now not only attracting attention from the top Argentinian clubs, but also from Colombian national coach Reinaldo Rueda. With Colombia having scored only 16 goals in 11 World Cup qualifying matches, Rodallega could provide a goal-scoring boost.

With the Colombians facing the United States in an exhibition match Wednesday, Rodallega may get a chance to shine against Bruce Arena's men before the Colombians' pivotal World Cup qualifiers against Argentina and Venezuela at the end of the month.

http://sports.tbo.com/sports/MGBLH8NGY5E.html

By ColombianoX on Mar 6, 2005, 18:42 in Friendly Talkzone.

kernow62 says on Mar 6, 2005, 19:12:

I wouldn't call a match against Venezuela pivotal, it should be a sure win. If they beat Argentina then they are ready for the big time. I will be watching that match for sure.

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Miguel says on Mar 6, 2005, 19:40:

Hugo Kernow62, have you seen this kid play?

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kernow62 says on Mar 6, 2005, 19:54:

Miguel, only in the highlights of the matches. I am looking forward to seeing more of him.

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kernow62 says on Mar 6, 2005, 20:06:

http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/050218/1/355m.html

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Miguel says on Mar 6, 2005, 20:18:

Si puede... Try to find video of the goal he scored on 30 enero...contra Uruguay? No me requerdo exacatamente. Increible!

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kikiortiz11 says on Mar 7, 2005, 13:42:

Rodagol... Even though he scored a lot of goals in the sub20 suramericano, I definitely think he has still a lot to improve on. I dont think he is ready to compete for a starting position on the major team. Dont get me wrong, I was also very impressed with his performance in the suramericano, but definitely he needs to work on his colectiveness.. He should be dominating the copa mustang already to even think that he would be an option for the colombian national squad, but he hasnt. I am actually dissapointed the couple of times I saw him play in a few colombian league matches.

"I wouldn't call a match against Venezuela pivotal," kernow62

Have you seen Venezuela play lately??? You never know anymore because everysingle team in south america is very strong now days.. You saw what Bolivia did to Colombia in La Paz. Never underestimate these guys, because they have come a long way from the days when we used to kill them 5, 6,7-0 every game... I hate to say this because I am a diehard follower of the selecion nacional, but there is a very hard road ahead of us. I look foward to wathcing Rodagol against the US. ojala que Colombia golea! When is the game against the US??? Friday or Wednesday????? thanks!

Kiki Ortiz-Matallana

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Antonio_4 says on Mar 7, 2005, 14:40:

I can't wait to see him play here in the youth world cup coming summer. Till now ive only seen some highlights of him. I think he can do magic in the national team. The mix of experience and youth in a team always pays off. Angel + Rodagol upfront already sounds deadly to me.

As for the chances of reaching the final stages. I give Colombia a good chance since the football quality has improved this much. Once Caldas earned heaps of respect last year. And specially the home games should bring them atleast 6,7 points out of 9 (Peru, Equador, Chile). Its gonna be tight though, with the really hard away matches left (Venezuela, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay). But as Johan Cruijff always said: "to reach a final you have to win the big ones"
VIVA COLOMBIA!!!

Btw kikiortiz11, i think its wednesday, 22:30 Colombian time if im not wrong.

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kikiortiz11 says on Mar 7, 2005, 15:13:

GRACIAS Antonio! Saben por que canal lo van a presentar en los EU???

Kiki Ortiz-Matallana

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ColombianoX says on Mar 7, 2005, 15:20:

Unfortunately, that night Mexico's national team plays Argentina so guess which game Telemundo will be broadcasting? I think it's shameful that Telemundo, a US network, would opt to show that game instead of the game in which the home country (USA) will play.

CX

ColombianoX 'Defensor de la Colombianidad'

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dwmte says on Mar 7, 2005, 15:51:

you're right, colombiano... those miserable dogs. (telemundo)

telemundo interviewed my son a week or so ago and i cant get it here in daytona...pity.

i wont see the playoffs til i get cable...poor me.

dw.

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Antonio_4 says on Mar 7, 2005, 15:58:

De nada kikiortiz11 No se...
Im from Europe, pero I checked Telemundo's site and i saw Mexico-Argentina listed. It amazes me too Colombiano. I even tried out ESPN's website, but theyre showing Champions League matches instead. Hard to believe they wont show USA-Colombia... en frequin USA.
Maybe its on another channel. I tried their sites but i couldnt find out.

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kernow62 says on Mar 7, 2005, 16:13:

dw what show is he going to be on. I get Telemundo. PM if you don't want to broadcast it.

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dwmte says on Mar 7, 2005, 16:33:

no big secret, kernow... he didn't even tell me (my son) i heard it from his sister who asked, "dad, did you see immanuel's interviewe?" duh?

nope.

it's all about a short movie my son produced, "diaz" it was in the los angeles film festival recently, and will be in the san jose film festival while we speak, through the 13th.

father's are the last to know.

dw

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