Colombia, Brazil to play friendly soccer match in Miami

(Photo: FIFA)

After having lost to Brazil 1-2 in the quarterfinals of the World Cup match last week, Colombia will have another shot to take down their rival in a friendly match in Miami, Florida, national media reported.

The two teams will meet at the Sun Life Stadium in Miami on September 5 to compete in a friendly soccer match ahead of the 2015 Copa America to be held in Chile, according to Colombia’s El Espectador newspaper.

Even without the knowledge of whether or not Colombia’s head coach Jose Pekerman will stay on at his post, Colombia has begun preparations for the upcoming 2015 Copa America as well as the 2016 Pan-American Cup in the US.

MORE: Colombia’s soccer federation wants Pekerman to stay on as head coach

Colombia and Brazil have played against each other 26 times in the past, including the 2014 World Cup, with 16 wins going to Brazil, two for Colombia, and eight ties, according to El Espectador.

In the 2014 World Cup, Colombia took 5th place, winning a total of four games, defeating Greece 3-0, Cote d’Ivoire 2-1, and Japan 4-1 to win their group. In the Round of 16, Colombia easily handled a Luis Suarez-less Uruguay, 2-0. Colombia’s only loss came against Brazil 1-2 in a controversial quarterfinal match.

MORE: Colombia takes 5th place in the World Cup

There has been no word on whether Brazil’s star player, Neymar, will participate in the friendly in September after fracturing his vertebra following a collision with Colombia’s Zuñiga, which forced him to prematurely leave the World Cup.

However, according to Neymar’s professional squad, FC Barcelona, the Brazilian phenom is “recovering well and he’ll continue his recovery in Barcelona on August 5.”

The Colombian national team returned from Brazil on Sunday to be greeted by over 120,000 energized fans in Bogota.

MORE: Colombia gives soccer squad overwhelming welcome in Bogota

Sources

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