Colombia's opportunity to expand on 2014 World Cup heroics

Colombia's opportunity to expand on 2014 World Cup heroics 

Going into the last World Cup, Colombia mentor Jose Pekerman declared that Brazil 2014 would be the minute that his national group assumed a complete position at football's best table.

Stage one is finished. Colombia achieved the quarterfinals out of the blue and provided the competition's breakout star in James Rodriguez. Presently comes the snapshot of truth. Would they be able to appreciate proceeded with progress?

The confirmation of the previous four years isn't definitive. Colombia have been reliably disappointing. Genuine, they beat Brazil in the 2015 Copa America - still the main focused annihilation Neymar has languished playing over his nation at senior level - however it accompanied the main objective they oversaw in four amusements.

Third place in the 2016 Centenary Copa was somewhat better, yet at the same time they neglected to shimmer. Also, their capability crusade was a toiled undertaking, with few features en route. They slithered over the line, drawing their last four diversions in a crusade in which Pekerman utilized a sum of 45 players - a colossal sum for one mentor and a sign that he was attempting to locate his best group and his best framework.

It may be the case that the need to settle on a World Cup squad of 23 has improved the situation, driving the mentor to center. There is minimal ongoing proof to go on; Colombia's solitary warm-up neighborly was a goalless draw against Egypt on June 1. In any case, doubtlessly he has gone for a free 4-3-3, in which focus forward Radamel Falcao Garcia is flanked by Juan Guillermo Cuadrado and James Rodriguez, with the last allowed to wander over the assaulting line.

Falcao, obviously, was absent from the last World Cup, precluded by damage. His essence gives the side a bleeding edge. In top frame, he is a radiant ruthless sight. Be that as it may, he is basically a front-to-objective striker. Connecting the play with his back to objective isn't his strength. He needs supply, passes and crosses before him that he can assault.

Rodriguez will be relied upon to fill in as his main supply line. The star of Brazil 2014 has persevered through a disappointing four years, thinking that its difficult to build up himself at Real Madrid before discovering greater congruity at Bayern Munich, where he has likewise been utilized as a part of a more profound part.

Colombia players remain for their national song of praise. Photograph by Lokman Ilhan/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

Rodriguez obviously adores playing for Colombia, where he is critical. Furthermore, with Falcao propelled to sparkle in what will in all likelihood be his solitary World Cup, the connection between them is of incredible significance to the Colombian test.

Somewhere else in the group, Colombia can depend on a strong corps of players with 2014 experience. Maybe the most imperative is holding midfielder Carlos Sanchez, who in his calm way is a key figure securing the protection and adjusting the side. Attendant David Ospina is another imperative player, particularly in light of the fact that Colombia do not have a best class reinforcement.

In any case, investing his energy in the seat at Arsenal has plainly incurred significant damage on Ospina, who has had an exceptionally poor couple of months with the national group. Colombia seriously require him to recover his best shape.

Maybe the most fascinating newcomers are at focus back, where Yerry Mina and Davinson Sanchez are speedy and solid and should empower Colombia to play a considerably higher line than four years prior, when the nearness of the veteran Mario Yepes obliged the group to guard near objective.

Alongside the old stagers and the new young men is a trump card: assaulting midfielder Juan Fernando Quintero. A 21-year-old four years prior, he was reinforcement to Rodriguez and scored an objective against Ivory Coast. In this manner, however, he appeared to lose enthusiasm for the diversion. He put on weight, and there were bits of gossip that he was going to surrender football for a vocation in music.

In any case, revived by the possibility of a different universe Cup, he has constrained his way into the squad. At the point when Colombia are looking for an objective, his image of left-footed inventiveness could be a valuable asset off the seat. In the ongoing diversion against Egypt, Colombia's amusement streamed best when he made advances on connect up with James Rodriguez.

Thus the place at football's best table calls. The table has been laid, and the seat is pausing. All that remaining parts is for Colombia to demonstrate that they are deserving of staying there.