Colombia face five-time World Cup winners Brazil Wednesday in an international friendly which promises to be an exhibition of free-flowing attacking soccer.
Both sides have been in scintillating form of late and are finding the back of the net for fun. Colombia are currently on a four-game winning streak and have scored 12 times in the process, while Brazil have won their last six bagging a remarkable 24 goals.
Even though there is nothing to play for but bragging rights both coaches are expected to name strong teams for the clash at the New Jersey’s MetLife stadium in the US.
Although a host of star players will be on show the head-to-head battle between Brazilian star Neymar and Colombian sensation Radamel Falcao is sure to whet the appetite the most.
Both players were recently named among a shortlist of players in the running for the Ballon D’or award, which is seen as the most illustrious individual award in soccer, and it will be interesting to see who comes out on top here.
Colombia coach Jose Pekerman is also expected to name young starlet James Rodriguez in his starting XI while his Porto teammate Jackson Martinez, who scored in the last friendly win over Cameroon, will feel he deserves another crack of the whip against the most successful team in World Cup history.
Meanwhile Chelsea’s burgeoning playmaker Oscar and fierce frontman Hulk are expected to feature in what will be the 1,000th international game for Brazil.
Pekerman will know that the clash with the samba stars will provide a good indicator of how far his ever improving team have come in the last few months.
Historically there has been no greater test for a team than to line up against the green and yellow men of Brazil and victory here for Los Cafeteros is sure to make the rest of the soccer world sit up and take note.
It also represents a great chance for Colombia to end the year on a high and make sure they go into their next World Cup qualifying match against Bolivia in March brimming with confidence.
