The 1990 World Cup Finals in the USA seem an age ago but for Colombians this represents the pinnacle of their footballing golden generation. Talents such as Freddy Rincon, Carlos Valderrama and Faustino Asprilla played with such aplomb that the side were outside favourites. But only one win out of the three games and their subsequent early group stage elimination put paid to any dreams from this nation. And then of course there was the horrendous murder of Andres Escobar in Medellin after the event.
Why is it that since 1998 the Colombian National side has failed to qualify for a World Cup? In performing so atrociously over the past two years of qualifying, there are a few things that have been pulled out into the open and perhaps, in addressing these, the Cafeteros can move on with some intense soul searching and look towards Brazil 2014.
Colombia’s Psychological Problem
After USA 1994 when their “golden generation” failed to come up with the goods and Andres Escobar was murdered, gunned down for his own goal versus the US, the eyes of the world fell unceremoniously upon the nation. The Colombian leagues, flushed with laundered money from the cocaine trade were exposed and the ills of the country and its conflict rapidly became front page news. From this Colombia has never recovered and as Tim Vickery of the BBC has remarked: “from this point the joy went out of the Colombian game.” It could be argued that this has yet to return.
Colombia’s Lack of a Striker
Perhaps the most obvious point to make, but 14 goals in 18 games is not enough. The team’s top scorer Jackson Martinez who plies his trade for Independiente Medellin only managed a grand total of three! Only the bottom placed team in qualifying, Peru, managed less (11).
But it is not as if there are no options up front for the Cafeteros.
One would imagine that in big physical games such as versus Uruguay or Argentina the coach Eduardo Lara could have employed Wigan frontman Hugo Rodallega to greater effect. A solid and muscular striker in the mould of Emile Heskey would have drawn away as many as two defenders and allowed for play with a second striker.
Why Has Fredy Montero Hardly Featured?
Tried and tested with Deportivo Cali Fredy Montero now plays for Seattle Sounders in the MLS. His total time on the field was a pitiful 55 minutes versus Paraguay in a 1-0 loss at home in October 2008. Is the MLS so frowned upon that this promising talent with 12 goals and 6 assists in 26 games in the United States could surely have been called up more frequently?
Colombia’s Defense is Solid But a Firm Strategy is Lacking
While Colombia failed to qualify the team and nation can take some scant pride in the fact that they have been hard to score against. While this does little to heal the wounds it does show that something was working. The Colombians conceded 18 goals in 18 matches, only Brazil (11) and Paraguay (16) conceded less.
But there remains no strategy for the team. In part this can be blamed on a change of coaches; Colombia began the qualifying process with Jorge Luis Pinto who was then replaced by Eduardo Lara in September 2008. Long enough one would think for him to make his mark and pick his team, but the team roster for Colombia grew exponentially.
Where Should Colombia Play their Home Games?
In a country with more than 45 million inhabitants you would think that maybe the home games could be rotated or at least played in cities that would work to the home side’s advantage. In previous campaigns the Colombians had achieved some astonishing results in the heat and fury of Barranquilla and at least the Estadio Campin in Bogota is at altitude, something that the Brazilians, Paraguayans and Uruguayans abhor. But, strangely Lara preferred the balmy climes of Medellin. Shamefully this stadium rarely filled for home games and the hincha or fans are not as rabid and vociferous as say in the aforementioned Barranquilla or Cucuta.
Colombia’s Future
It is hard to say what lays in store for Colombian football. One thing is for certain is that the national team will continue to struggle if a stability is not brought to the side and then this in turn can be manipulated into a pride for wearing the team colours. The ghost of Andres Escobar will not go away but by acknowledging the foul past the Colombians can try and correct their errors and return once again to the beautiful game.
Why is it that since 1998 the Colombian National side has failed to qualify for a World Cup? In performing so atrociously over the past two years of qualifying, there are a few things that have been pulled out into the open and perhaps, in addressing these, the Cafeteros can move on with some intense soul searching and look towards Brazil 2014.
Colombia’s Psychological Problem
After USA 1994 when their “golden generation” failed to come up with the goods and Andres Escobar was murdered, gunned down for his own goal versus the US, the eyes of the world fell unceremoniously upon the nation. The Colombian leagues, flushed with laundered money from the cocaine trade were exposed and the ills of the country and its conflict rapidly became front page news. From this Colombia has never recovered and as Tim Vickery of the BBC has remarked: “from this point the joy went out of the Colombian game.” It could be argued that this has yet to return.
Colombia’s Lack of a Striker
Perhaps the most obvious point to make, but 14 goals in 18 games is not enough. The team’s top scorer Jackson Martinez who plies his trade for Independiente Medellin only managed a grand total of three! Only the bottom placed team in qualifying, Peru, managed less (11).
But it is not as if there are no options up front for the Cafeteros.
One would imagine that in big physical games such as versus Uruguay or Argentina the coach Eduardo Lara could have employed Wigan frontman Hugo Rodallega to greater effect. A solid and muscular striker in the mould of Emile Heskey would have drawn away as many as two defenders and allowed for play with a second striker.
Why Has Fredy Montero Hardly Featured?
Tried and tested with Deportivo Cali Fredy Montero now plays for Seattle Sounders in the MLS. His total time on the field was a pitiful 55 minutes versus Paraguay in a 1-0 loss at home in October 2008. Is the MLS so frowned upon that this promising talent with 12 goals and 6 assists in 26 games in the United States could surely have been called up more frequently?
Colombia’s Defense is Solid But a Firm Strategy is Lacking
While Colombia failed to qualify the team and nation can take some scant pride in the fact that they have been hard to score against. While this does little to heal the wounds it does show that something was working. The Colombians conceded 18 goals in 18 matches, only Brazil (11) and Paraguay (16) conceded less.
But there remains no strategy for the team. In part this can be blamed on a change of coaches; Colombia began the qualifying process with Jorge Luis Pinto who was then replaced by Eduardo Lara in September 2008. Long enough one would think for him to make his mark and pick his team, but the team roster for Colombia grew exponentially.
Where Should Colombia Play their Home Games?
In a country with more than 45 million inhabitants you would think that maybe the home games could be rotated or at least played in cities that would work to the home side’s advantage. In previous campaigns the Colombians had achieved some astonishing results in the heat and fury of Barranquilla and at least the Estadio Campin in Bogota is at altitude, something that the Brazilians, Paraguayans and Uruguayans abhor. But, strangely Lara preferred the balmy climes of Medellin. Shamefully this stadium rarely filled for home games and the hincha or fans are not as rabid and vociferous as say in the aforementioned Barranquilla or Cucuta.
Colombia’s Future
It is hard to say what lays in store for Colombian football. One thing is for certain is that the national team will continue to struggle if a stability is not brought to the side and then this in turn can be manipulated into a pride for wearing the team colours. The ghost of Andres Escobar will not go away but by acknowledging the foul past the Colombians can try and correct their errors and return once again to the beautiful game.
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