FIGHT TO THE DEATH
Colombia boss fired up to face England
With more than 20,000 wild and colourful fans providing a raucous soundtrack to their progress, Colombia move on to Moscow to face England.
the only thing that could dampen their mood is the recurrence of a calf injury that forced off star man James Rodriguez in the first half and means he is now a doubt for the last-16 collision on tuesday.
Still, Jose Pekerman’s rejuvenated side will be buoyed by successive wins that bagged top spot in Group h and a shot at avenging their 2-0 defeat by a David Beckham-inspired England in Lens at France 98.
‘ England are a young team, very confident, with excellent individual players,’ said the manager. ‘they passed the group stage comfortably. England have what it takes, but we are also very confident.’
Less so, perhaps, without Rodriguez, top scorer with six goals at the last World Cup in Brazil.
‘Right now i don’t know where he stands,’ Pekerman added. ‘We do hope we’ll hear good news once he’s gone for his check-up.
‘A different type of match is heading our way. We’re talking about the world’s best 16 teams. these will be full-on, to-the-death matches where you must play a great game from the beginning.’
Colombia were heading home yesterday until Barcelona defender Yerry Mina came to their rescue with 16 minutes to play, eliminating Senegal in cruel fashion.
Japan’s 1-0 defeat by Poland in Volgograd meant they had an identical record to the Senegalese and the sides had to be separated by their disciplinary records.
in three group games, the Senegalese collected two yellow cards more than the Japanese, and Africa are without a team in the last 16 of the World Cup for the first time since 1982.
Although his players were heartbroken, Senegal boss Aliou Cisse reacted with dignity.
‘it is a shame but this is the law of the game,’ said Cisse. ‘Senegalese players are highly committed and i cannot ask them to go out and avoid yellow cards. it is difficult to win football matches without commitment.’
Colombia move on without performing with any great fluency in any game other than a 3-0 win against the Poles. they lost their opener to Japan when playing most of the game with 10 men, and were tense and disjointed against Senegal.
Colombia were also grateful when an intervention by VAR prompted referee Milorad Mazic to reverse his decision to award a penalty for a foul by Davinson Sanchez on Sadio Mane early in the game. the challenge was desperate and last-ditch, made from behind, and Sanchez seemed to be fishing for the ball as Mane prepared to shoot.
Replays, however, showed he won the ball with his heel and, although dispute continued about whether he barged into the striker first, the Serbian ref changed his decision.
Senegal edged the first half with Colombia’s only threat from two free-kicks taken by Porto playmaker Juan Quintero.
Colombia improved after the interval, dominating possession and a second goal in two games by Mina, heading in a corner from Quintero, changed everything.
Senegal responded, aware of their peril, but two fine saves by David Ospina kept them at bay. ‘there were some very worrying moments, especially in the first half, when Senegal played very well and it was tough for us,’ said Pekerman. SENEGAL (4-4-2): K Ndiaye 6.5; Gassama 6, Sane 6, Koulibaly 6.5, Sabaly 6 (Wague 74min, 5); Sarr 5, Kouyate 6, Gueye 6.5, Balde 5 (Konate 80); Niang 5 (Sakho 86), Mane 6. Booked: Niang.
Manager: Aliou Cisse 6. COLOMBIA (4-3-2-1): Ospina 6.5; Arias 6,
MINA 7.5, D Sanchez 7, Mojica 6; Quintero 7, C Sanchez 6.5, Uribe 6 (Lerma 83); Juan Cuadrado 5, Rodriguez 4.5 (Muriel 31, 6); Falcao 5 (Borja 89). Scorer: Mina 74. Booked: Mojica. Manager: Jose Pekerman 6. Referee: Milorad Mazic (Serbia) 6.
Attendance: 41,970.