Colombian national soccer team will get a chance to even the score for the World Cup 2014 defeat with Brazil, as the two giants were drawn together for the group stage of the Copa America 2015 in Chile on Monday.
At the 2015 Copa America group-stage draw ceremony in Viña del Mar in Chile’s central Pacific coast on Monday, Colombia has been pitted against the likes of Brazil, Peru and Venezuela in group C of the tournament.
Chile, Brazil and Argentina are the seeded teams for the June 11-July 4 tournament, which meant that Colombia, despite being third in the FIFA/Coca-Cola ranking, was bound to be paired with either one of the South American powerhouses.
Brazil is the only team to defeat Colombia in an otherwise excellent 2014 for “Los Cafeteros”. “Canarinhos” beat Colombia twice, with the World Cup quarter-final narrow loss 2-1 especially painful for Jose Pekerman’s side.
Apart from the July game in Fortaleza, Brazil came out winners again in a friendly played just two months later in Miami (0-1).
“To be drawn against Brazil, one of soccer’s all time greats and a favorite for the grand prize in Chile, is very exciting. It’s an opponent that we know very well. It will be the key game at this stage of the tournament.” said coach Pekerman in the wake of the draw.
The third Colombia vs. Brazil match-up in just under a year time will be held in Santiago de Chile on the 17th of June at the legendary “Monumental” stadium. The media have already dubbed the fixture as “James Rodriguez vs. Neymar” clash.
The other two teams to compete in group C alongside Colombia and Brazil will be Peru and Venezuela. Jose Pekerman warns against complacency against the two lower profile opponents.
“We have to respect Peru and Venezuela. Although they didn’t qualify for the last year’s world cup, both teams are looking to revamp themselves. They will be very hard games. Peru did well in the last Copa America and Venezuela always work their fingers to the bone when playing against us,” added the Colombia’s coach.
Colombia will face their traditional rivals Venezuela in the first game of the tournament on June 14 in Rancagua in central Chile.
The hopes in Colombia are thought to be high ahead of the tournament, as the country just rounded off the best year in history and boasts one of the most talented rosters on the continent.