Colombia on Tuesday will continue its pursuit of 2014 World Cup qualification when they take on a Venezuela team still reeling from a brutal loss to Argentina.
On Friday, the high powered offensive Colombian team dismantled Bolivia 5-0 in the South America Futbol Confederation (CONMEBOL) and moved into second place with 19 points.
More: Colombia destroy Bolivia to maintain World Cup dream
Venezuela didn’t have the same success, losing 0-3 to first place Argentina and falling one step closer to elimination at fifth place.
With top notch forwards in Radamel Falcao and Jackson Martinez, as well as young talents like mid-fielder James Rodriguez, Colombia will look to exploit their opponent with their speed on the attack.
Colombia will be playing without their team captain Mario Yepes who, after receiving a host of yellow cards in the Bolivia match, will be suspended for the game. Filling in for Yepes will most likely be the 34 year old veteran, Luis Amaranto Perea, who plays for Mexican club Cruz Azul, and once played for Atletico Madrid.
The last time the two teams played was in November of 2011, which resulted in a 1-1 draw. However, Colombia was without their Argentine coach, Jose Pekerman, and star striker Radamel Falcao.
Meanwhile, third place Ecuador will take on last place Paraguay on Tuesday. Should Ecuador win and Colombia lose, Ecuador would move to second place.
Also on Tuesday, Argentina will face Bolivia and, win or lose, will maintain its hold on first place.
The Colombia/Venezuela match will be played on Tuesday, March 26, in Puerto Ordaz, Venezuela at 7:30pm.
Sources
- South America matches and group standings (FIFA)
- Colombia’s National team to face Venezuela en route to the World Cup (Bleacher Report)
- Amaranto Perea se perfila como titular en reemplazo de Mario A. Yepes (El Tiempo)
