Colombia
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Rank: 5 World Cup appearances: Best result: TOP SCORERS (QUALIFYING) Did you know? Colombia was originally chosen to host the 1986 World Cup, but FIFA later awarded the tournament to Mexico after the South American nation backed out. ![]()
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Colombia are going to their first World Cup since the golden generation of the 1990s reached three consecutive tournaments, although those achievements will always be overshadowed by the murder of defender Andres Escobar in 1994.
After appearing in Italy in 1990, the United States in 1994 and France in 1998, Colombia failed to make the grade until they finished second in the South American qualifiers for this tournament.
Coach Jose Pekerman's team, though, have a major worry in the build-up to Brazil after talismanic striker Radamel Falcao suffered a knee injury playing for Monaco in January. It was annonced he would miss the tournament in Brazil at the eleventh hour.. Colombia's chances hang on Falcao's recovery, said veteran Faryd Mondragon, now his country's second-choice goalkeeper.
In 1990, Colombia's commitment to attack came unstuck with a typical sortie into midfield by flamboyant goalkeeper Rene Higuita, which was punished by Roger Milla in an extra-time defeat by Cameroon in the second round.
Four years later, Colombia travelled to the United States on the back of a fine qualifying campaign that included a 5-0 win over Argentina in Buenos Aires -- Argentina's worst home defeat.
An own goal by Escobar in a 2-1 loss against USA contributed to Colombia's exit at the group stage. The defender was later shot dead in a bar in Medellin.
The team combine the traditional possession game of Colombian football with a new tactical strength.
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STRENGTH
Attacking mindset
They have great attacking power with Teofilo Gutierez up front and James Rodriguez prompting from midfield, plus a sturdy defence built round veteran centre-backs Luis Amaranto Perea and captain Mario Yepes.
Defensive record
Colombia finished the 16-match South American qualifying group with the best defensive record, conceding only 13 goals.
WEAKNESS
Centre-back
It's not all roses, though, and Pekerman is certainly on the lookout for new centre-backs. He may have to do with Luis Perea and Mario Yepes for the World Cup, and their friendlies of late have shown the team struggle to defend aerial balls into the box.
![Teofilo Gutierrez: Filling the shoes of an injured Radamel Falcao is a mountainous task which the River Plate's striker is set to take on.](https://tds-images.thedailystar.net/upload/gallery/image/arts/colombia-4.jpg)
ONE TO WATCH
Teofilo Gutierrez
With Radamel Falcao out, Colombia need Teofilo Gutierrez to show the sparkling form he displayed in the qualifiers and shun an impetuous streak that led him to walk out on teams in Turkey, Argentina and Mexico.
Gutierrez was a perfect foil to Falcao, scoring six goals as Colombia finished second in the South American qualifying group.
Gutierrez, who is gradually finding his scoring touch with River Plate in Argentina, will be under extra pressure if Falcao does not recover from surgery in time, even if there are able reserves in Jackson Martinez and Carlos Bacca.
Falcao was the man his country was banking on for success in their first finals since 1998 and he had struck up a good partnership with "Teo" under Argentine coach Jose Pekerman.
Perhaps Gutierrez's bad behaviour can be blamed on homesickness as he appears far more settled when back in his home town of Barranquilla on Colombia's northern Caribbean coast, where his first club Atletico Junior and Colombia play their home matches.
That is what Colombia fans dream of seeing from him in Brazil as Gutierrez looks to add to his 11 international goals, starting with the group matches against Greece, Ivory Coast and Asian champions Japan.
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Coach: Jose Pekerman
Colombia coach Jose Pekerman has considerable World Cup experience even if his biggest successes came at under-20 level, steering Argentina to three titles between 1995 and 2001.
His arrival triggered a turnaround and Pekerman, who played nearly half his career in Colombia as a midfielder for Independiente Medellin, developed a strong, confident team.
After Pekerman led Colombia to the finals, President Juan Manuel Santos offered him Colombian nationality, an indication of his status and popularity in the country.
Squad
Goalkeepers: David Ospina (Nice), Faryd Mondragon (Deportivo Cali), Camilo Vargas (Santa Fe)
Defenders: Mario Yepes (Atalanta), Cristian Zapata (Milan), Carlos Valdes (San Lorenzo), Eder Alvarez Balanta (River Plate), Santiago Arias (PSV Eindhoven), Camilo Zuniga (Napoli), Pablo Armero (West Ham)
Midfielders: Carlos Sanchez (Elche), Fredy Guarin (Inter), Abel Aguilar (Toulouse), Aldo Leao Ramirez (Morelia), Juan Fernando Quintero (Porto), Victor Ibarbo (Cagliari), Alexander Mejia (Nacional), James Rodriguez (Monaco), Juan Guillermo Cuadrado (Fiorentina)
Forwards: Teofilo Gutierrez (River Plate), Carlos Bacca (Sevilla), Adrian Ramos (Hertha Berlin), Jackson Martinez (Porto)
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