A dozen Europe-based players were summoned by Colombia coach Eduardo
Lara on Thursday for critical World Cup qualifiers next month against
Ecuador and Uruguay.
Colombia has an outside shot at reaching next
year’s World Cup in South Africa. The South American qualifying group
is led by Brazil (27) followed by Chile (26), Paraguay (24), Argentina
(22), Ecuador (20), Uruguay (18) and Colombia and Venezuela (17).
Two of Colombia’s strikers play in Europe —
Radamel Falcao Garcia at FC Porto, and Hugo Rodallega at Wigan — and
much of the defense is Europe-based.
The top four teams from South America qualify
automatically for the World Cup. The No. 5 team faces a playoff with
the No. 4 from North and Central America and the Caribbean for another
berth.
Colombia is home to Ecuador on Sept. 5 and plays
at Uruguay on Sept. 9. Its final qualifiers are at home on Oct. 10
against Chile, and at Paraguay on Oct. 13. (AP)