With Team Colombia, There Is Never A Dull Moment

MarioYepes says on Sep 6, 2005, 05:27:

If it is not broken, why fix it?? I watched Sunday game against Uruguay. it was after that game that I finally realised that I will never never understand Colombians.
I went to Barranquilla in June to see my mate who teaches English there. I also saw the two matches against Peru and Ecuador. It was first time at seeing Colombia play live and they were magnificent. They beat Peru 5-0 and Ecuador 3-0 and after seeing that performance, I had no doubt in my mind that they would at least get the automatic 4th spot because their football was so good.
Three months later, the team go to Uruguay. This should be a routine win for the 'cafeteros'. But they lose 3-2 (Which I thought was quite flattering because Uruguay could of easily scored 5 or 6 goals).
Why did Colombia lose?? Well for some reason that only Colombians understand, that despite not conceding any goals in June. They changed 3 defenders and the goalkeeper!! Where was Hanyder Palacios?? Where was Jair Benitez?? Where was the Mario Yepes?? and most importantly where was Farid Mondragon the goal keeper?? Could they not get a visa into Uruguay??
Had those players I mentioned been playing, Colombia would of won 2-0. The Colombian team needs to learn that if you are winning, they you shouldn't change the team. If it is not broken, they why fix it??
Colombian can still make it to Germany, but I hope they don't If Marcelo Zalayeta can score 3 goals past you, then you should not be going to the world cup. (Once again Marcelo Zalayeta??? 5th choice striker at Juventus)
Another reason why I never understand Colombians: How can you treat Andres Escobar the way you did, but make Ivan Cordoba the Captain of Colombia?? He is slow, he can't defend, he can't clear the ball (as we all saw for the first Zalayeta goal)and when Colombia was losing 2-0, he didn't try to motivate the team. This man is no Captain!!

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Gomezman5 says on Sep 6, 2005, 08:16:

Mr MarioYepes, Your micro analysis could not have been more succinct, and on point. I am glad to see that it is not I alone, who has grown increasingly frustrated with their inconsistent play.

Great post and thanks for your insight.

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kikiortiz11 says on Sep 6, 2005, 08:44:

MARIO YEPES And GOMEZMAN first lets start at Mario Yepes' case. He was suspended from accumilation of yellow cards. That was the only reason he was not present on the field against Uruguay. God willing he will be back healthy for the next two matches against Chile and Paraguay. Jair Benitez was not included in the list of players called up becuase of his iregular rendiment in the colombian league. He wasnt performing as well as he should have been and that was the only reason he wasnt present against Uruguay. Moving on the the goalie situation. Miguel Calero is the starting keeper! if you have been following the world cup qualifying for Germany 2006 you would have noticed that Miguel Calero earned the starting position since Oscar Cordoba gave up his spot soon after his unfortunate mistake against Argentina in Colombia! (another possible three points we lost bc of stupid mistakes!) . Miguel Calero for me and to up untill now for Reinaldo Rueda is the best keeper Colombia has. and he is a hell of a keeper.! without him let me tell you , Uruguay would have put in another 2 or 3 goals. and the two goals that they scored there was nothing he could do about them. Straight out they were both mistakes committed by no one other than Ivan Ramiro Cordoba(who i have questioned his starting rights ever since PEREA started with the national team. The back line should definitely line up something along the line of *(starting from left to right) Bedoya(or Benitez), Yepes(como capitan), Perea, and Hayder Palacio. and ofcourse Calero in goal. With them we should have nothing to worry about!!

Also for the next two fechas we need to start worrying about the suspensions due to accumulated yellow cards. We will be missing Amaranto Perea and Tressor Moreno (TWO KEY PLAYERS!) and two of my favorites.... Who their replacements will be , mmmmmm. maybe Ivan Cordoba for Perea and Pacheco for Tressor? I dont know!!! I can tell you one thing though I am only 20 years old next week , and I feel like i am going to die of a heart attack by the time this world cup qualifying ends! We can only hope for a victory for Colombia at home against chile and then at least a tie over in Paraguay. And that Uruguay drops both of their games!!! I still have hope in our team.

Kiki Ortiz-Matallana

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Gomezman5 says on Sep 6, 2005, 10:10:

Kikiortiz.....a thank you to you I will be the first to admit that I don't have the detailed knowledge that you and MarioYepes has about the Colombian team. You both are far more knowledgable about the overall compostition, player performance and general playing ability than I am.

Calero is excellent and I will agree with you that he had an almighty task in trying to stop Uruguay.

But allow me to make two points, every National team, and there is no better example than here in the US, has it's players scatterd throughout, playing in their respective leagues. In fact, if you look at the US team, you will find that several of their key players play in the various European leagues. Therefore, the fact that some players are precomitted to other leagues is irrelavant. If a given player cannot find the time to practice and play with the National team, you replace him. Mexico by the way has the same problem.

In the end, excuses will not work. I layed out the several possible scenarios above. While Colombia did not qualify in 2002, they were able to qualify in past years, both convincingly and by the skin of their teeth. This time, if they qualify by the skin of their teeth, I like all of us who want to see her go to Germany will be quite content.

In any event Kikiortiz.....great post....very informative as well

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MarioYepes says on Sep 6, 2005, 12:55:

Calero....one hell of a keeper?? kikiortiz11, what game did you watch on Sunday? I agree that Calero wasn't directly at fault with the three goals that Uruguay scored. But there is no way that you can say that he had a good game.

There are too many heirs and graces in the Colombian team and when you say that Miguel Calero 'is the keeper' highlights what is wrong with the team. If you want to keep players motivated then you have to let them keep their place if they are playing well!! Mondragon and Benitez was part of the winning side in June that didn’t concede a goal. Benitez can’t play for his country because he been inconsistent for his clubside?? This is the Latin logic that I am complaining about. Michael Owen spent the whole year on the bench at Real Madrid but he didn’t lose his place in the England squad. And if I can remember rightly, he repaid the manager’s loyalty by scoring three goals in his last game (Guess who against?)

As for this Miguel Calero, the man couldn't command his penalty area on Sunday and communicate badly with his defenders. Simple balls led to Uruguayan corners because he didn’t shout at his defenders of the danger or to say that he was there.

The result of this led to the back four playing so deep that they were almost defending inside their own goal!! They four defenders were not high enough up the pitch. Why? Because they have no confidence in their goalkeeper and this is fatal in international football. If you are going to have a heart attack when the qualifications ends, I almost had an heart attack seeing Colombian defenders playing short balls to each other 3 yards away from their own goal! Crazy football but again, the goalkeeper should be blamed for the ill discipline in defence.

I do remember Yepes getting a yellow against Ecuador so that explains his absence. However, leaving Benitez out was a bad decision by Rueda because 1, he is a big occasion player and 2. The team are used to playing with him. Where against Uruguay there were five strangers playing together. By the time everybody had said “Mucho Gusto� and “Encantado� to each other, Uruguay had scored two goals past them!!

Looking to the future, Amaranto Perea will be a big miss against Chile next month, but Tressor Moreno's suspension could be a good thing for Colombia. I wasn’t that impressed with his performance on Sunday. Like the Ecuador game HE HAD TEN GOOD MINUTES!! He disappeared after Uruguay scored the first goal. There were frequent occasions where Angel, Moreno and Rey were stepping on each other’s feet during the game. Everybody was in the middle and the team had no width. I would like to see the team play four in midfield with Soto playing exclusively on the left wing. Soto can really make Angel and Rey come alive with his aerial balls from the left hand side of the pitch. Plus he can score there (As seen on Sunday, and what a goal!!) For the game against Chile, I would give Martin "Gordito" Arzuaga his first start for his country to replace Moreno. I think that this kid could be the Colombian Wayne Rooney if given the chance!!

Will Colombia finishing 5th place in their group?? Despite deserving not to qualify after Sunday's debacle, I can't see Paraguay going to Venezuela and getting anything. Venezuela was unlucky to lose in Paraguay (Only 1-0) and they have still got a chance for the fifth spot also. Paraguay doesn’t travel well and I think they have only got one win outside their country. I can see them getting a draw at most in Venezuela and Colombia beating Chile. Then for the final match between Colombia and Paraguay, Colombia winning by a dodgy penalty to go through to the world cup on goal difference!!

What do you think???

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Gomezman5 says on Sep 6, 2005, 20:38:

Venezuela???....I don't think so..BUT don't forget the GDIF M.Yepes...an interesting observation

I really never even bothered to figure Venezuela into the equation. I think that I still come from the school that feels when you think of football, in CONMEBOL, Ven. has historically never been a factor in the equation in terms of World Cup competition. In fact, most years, they are lumped somewhere at the bottom of the conference. The dark horses that have been barely qualifying in recent years have been the likes of Chile, Ecuador, and yes, Colombia. But you do make an intersting observation.Paraguay has not had an impressive road record. Like Colombia, many matches resulted in a draw. But, if your prediction is correct, and Paraguay only draws with Venezuela, Venzuela will be essentially eliminated because they only have 18 points and with Colombia and Chile having 20 points and Uruguay in the 5th spot with 21 points, Venezuela will go nowhere. Venezuela's last game is with Brazil, in Brazil. There is a better chance of Chicago seeing snow in July, then Venezuela defeating Brazil on their home field. No, I still don't see Ven as being a factor in this thing. I'll stick to one of the scenarios I predict in my opening post of this thread.

There is one more thing that should be mentioned...and I think we all forgot about this. And it was this factor by the way that sent Uruguay instead of Colombia to Japan in 2002. If you remember, Uruguay and Colombia both had 27 points, but Uruguay had a +6 GDIF and Colombia had a +5 GDIF in competition for the 5th playoff spot with Australia. Today, Colombia has a +7 GDIF with two games to go!!!!! To put it another way, only the two teams that have already qualified, Brazil and Argentina, have better GDIF. Third place Ecuador is +4, fourth place Paraguay is 0, and fifth place Uruguay is -6. Isn't that interesting??? Colombia, currently is in 6th place, with only 20 points, yet is has a +7 GDIF. That said, with the teams so closely grouped at this point, it could be the GDIF factor, the very factor that eliminated them 4 years ago, that might push them into advancing this year.......

Hey, I just keep looking for the positive. Believe me, I am looking at every angle.

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kikiortiz11 says on Sep 7, 2005, 09:01:

Colombia will Qualify MarioYEpes- "I would give Martin "Gordito" Arzuaga his first start for his country to replace Moreno. I think that this kid could be the Colombian Wayne Rooney if given the chance!!"

On this point I would have to disagree! MArtin Arzuaga and Wayne Rooney are two very different players almost in every way. I dont believe he can play out of the center mid position o como un enganche.But he definitely deserves to be on the list. great player no doubt about it. But as an offensive center mid, I dont think he has the vision and control as Moreno does. I also agree that Tressor didnt have his best game but if i am remembering correctly he did set up elkin soto on his goal( and what a goal it was!!!) I definitely believe that Tressor is the new conductor of the team. He moves the ball very well and has unbelievable precise passes into space. Also a very flagrant player with his attractive futbol.

Changing the subject, The defenders who played sunday know eachother very well.. Bedoya, Perea, Cordoba, and Orozco have played various times together. Although I want to point out that Orozco was playing out of his natural position which is center back, but as long as Perea and Yepes are here he has no chance there! I noticed Calero miscommunicate one time with perea which led to a corner. But Perea made the right decision to kick the ball out, only wish I.Cordoba would have done the same. The defenders have lots of confidence in Calero! He is one of the leaders on the team and many of the team look up to him. The Defense all together (CORDOBA) just didnt have their night.

Going back to Jair Benitez, I belive that it is more than important that players called to play at the national team level be in their best form and moment. If Angel is not scoring goals in England than why call him??? I agree with Rueda and he has made it clear on this matter that only the players in their best moments will be called to the team. There are to many great players in Colombia to have one fixed lineup..! But starting to think towards world cup matches WHEN WE MAKE IT , this team right now that is playing and has played against Ecuador , Uruguay, and Peru is the team for me to take to Germany. (maybe can also include in the list humberto mendoza, Pacheco, elkin murillo, freddie grisales) .. It has been fun and interesting chating with you guys about our beautiful national team. We can only wait and hope now that the results that we need come through. I know they will! Venezuela will definitely be tough for Paraguay. And Colombia should be able to pull of a great victory against Chile in Barranquilla. They wont be able to adapt to the heat! and Colombia can definitely beat Paraguay in Asuncion bc this Paraguayan team is not that all great!

Kiki Ortiz-Matallana

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MarioYepes says on Sep 8, 2005, 18:03:

Colombians could learn a lot from Venezuelans Gomezman and Kiki, I have enjoyed this chat with you this week and I am sure that another thread will be created when Colombia play Chile next month.

Gomezman, I am very surprised that you don't take Venezuela seriously. The days of being the whipping boys of South America have gone. One of the reasons why I was so upset with Colombia on Sunday was because Venezuela went to Montevideo and on 3-0!! The reason Venezuela are not higher up in the table is because they have young players still inexperienced at this level of football. I think the next world cup in 2010; these youngsters will come good.

You are right in saying that the chances of them beating Brazil in Brazil in the final game is slim, but we have seen some very strange results from the two top teams this campaign. (E.g. Paraguay v Argentina??) I wouldn't be surprise if Brazil fields a weak side for the final game because they have already qualified for Germany. Plus they would rather see Venezuela qualify instead of more difficult opposition they may have to cross again in Germany.

Kikiortiz, when I meant that the defenders have not played together, I meant that the four have not all played together in a single unit. That has been impossible because Yepes has always been in the side. Without Yepes the defence are all strangers to each other and playing Orozco out of position..... well he didn't do too badly against Diego Forlan but it is still putting square pegs into round holes. You say that Colombia have many players. Why not play a natural left back??

As for blaming the defence for the defeat on Sunday, in truth, nobody really had a good game. I think that the real problem with Colombians is that they are too polite and respectful of others. One thing that I am always complaining about is not showing enough assertiveness and constantly needing assurance of their skill and talent. They don’t back themselves enough that they are the best. Even when they have the proof they still doubt the facts.

I watched Sunday’s game in a restaurant in South London. When the final whistle blew, the Colombians were saying things like "I knew Uruguay would win, they are a better team than us, they are higher ranked in the world than us, etc." I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Uruguay are rubbish!! Even though they won the game 3-2 I think Uruguay are one of the most boring and cynical sides you could watch in football. At times I found myself falling asleep during the game and Sosa’s kick on Moreno was a disgrace. Overall, not a good side. When you look at the team sheet man for man, there is no contest between the sides: You have Angel, Soto and Rey against Garcia, Rodriguez and Montero. Paolo Montero is about 53 years old!! If Uruguay asked him to play for his country, things there must be bad.

So why did Uruguay win?? Because they were up for it and wanted it more than the Colombians. The players, the manager (Did you see his face when Colombia Equalized? I thought he was going to kill someone!) and the 60,000 fans that was singing and shouting all the way through the match.

This Colombian team should be going to places like Montevideo and winning comfortably, but like I said earlier, they are too polite and respectful. In the interview before the game, the players and manager played down the game where they beat Uruguay 5-0. Saying “yes we won that game, but had we played again two days later it may have been a different score�: Too respectful talk of opponents and it made the Colombian side sound like they were lucky on the day.
In contrast, Venezuela doesn’t show teams any respect. They went to Uruguay when they were seen as a joke to world football and won 3-0. They went to Barranquilla and won there also. They had no grounds to win those games, but they were so unfazed and assured of themselves that they did. The Colombian team on the other hand, went to Montevideo after back-to-back wins in June and a psychological advantage over their opponents: but could not win or even draw. What more assurance do they need before believing that they are the better team??

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