CoachwarnsColombiaof toughtimes
TEST AHEAD Despite 30 win over Poland, Pekerman says Rd of 16 still far away KAZAN
: Colombia coach Jose Pekerman quickly put a lid on the euphoria surrounding the win over Poland on Sunday, warning that they still have plenty of work to do to get into the knockout stages of the World Cup.
It was a warning that understandably went unheeded by thousands of South Americans on the streets of Kazan in the early hours of Monday as they celebrated an emphatic 3-0 victory that breathed new life into their campaign.
After losing to Japan in their opener, however, Colombia are only third in Group H and require a win over Senegal in Samara on Thursday to guarantee them one of the top two spots.
“We are not qualified right now,” Pekerman told reporters. “We are out of the competition right now, we need to play at an extraordinary level to beat an extremely tough team, a team that is on the up and up, getting better.
“We’re talking about a strong side with excellent players and we’re going to have to be extremely strong to beat them.”
It was not just the margin of victory over a disappointing Poland side at the Kazan Arena that had the Colombian supporters excited, but the manner of it.
The midfield trio of James Rodriguez, Juan Quintero and Juan Cuadrado orchestrated a performance of real brio that revived memories of Colombia’s charge to the quarter-finals at the last World Cup.
“From beginning to end, we Japan and Senegal will advance with draws against Poland and Colombia respectively. Should Senegal and Japan both draw with the same score, they will be split by fair play.