Pekerman needs to get call right this time as he faces another Riquelme moment
TWELVE years ago, Jose Pekerman walked away from the World Cup without a job and with his reputation tarnished.
Pekerman was in charge of a mindbogglingly talented Argentina squad but his decisions on the touchline led to their elimination on penalties by hosts Germany in the quarter-finals. Minutes later, he resigned.
Pekerman has largely rebuilt his career since then and, if his Colombia side beat England tomorrow, it will equal their best performance at a World Cup, after their march to the last eight in Brazil four years ago. Outside South America, Colombia have never made it past the last 16 of a World Cup.
The 68-year-old Argentine’s achievements mean that many already regard him as Colombia’s finest-ever coach — but as he knows well, the World Cup means years of excellent work can be ruined in a split second. If it is tense at the Spartak Moscow Stadium tomorrow, can Pekerman be relied upon to get the big decisions right?
It is likely the 2006 tie in Berlin still haunts him. With Argentina 1-0 up, Pekerman took off his main man — Juan Roman Riquelme. Pekerman had placed his faith in the playmaker, who had always divided opinion among coaches. In that tournament, Riquelme had largely repaid his coach, dictating the rhythm of Argentina’s smooth passing style.
Yet Riquelme was sacrificed for the more defensive Esteban Cambiasso as Pekerman, panicking, renounced his principles. Germany equalised and won 4-2 on penalties, with Cambiasso’s effort saved.
This Colombia squad are not as talented as that Argentina group that, along with Riquelme, contained a 17year-old Lionel Messi as well as Carlos Tevez, Hernan Crespo, Roberto Ayala and Javier Mascherano.
Nonetheless, they still have players who would set the European market alight were their clubs to make them available tomorrow.
James Rodriguez, who is an injury doubt for the England game, was the top scorer at the 2014 World Cup and was bought by Real Madrid on the strength of his performances at the tournament. He moved to Bayern Munich on loan last summer and enjoyed an outstanding debut season with the Germans.
Juan Cuadrado is a key member of the Juventus squad that continue to dominate in Italy and perform well in the Champions League.
After two seasons of struggle with Manchester United and Chelsea, Radamel Falcao is a feared striker, after recapturing his best form at Monaco. Juan Fernando Quintero has been one of the best playmakers in Russia.
Elsewhere, Pekerman can count on the impressive central defensive pairing of Yerry Mina, who has two goals in the tournament, and Tottenham’s Davinson Sanchez.
This is probably Pekerman’s final chance to bury the memory of 2006 and COLOMBIA dangerman James Rodriguez has not given up hope of playing against England.
James, 26, has a calf problem but scans ruled out a muscle tear, so he could play some part. Colombia were due to train in Moscow today.
James was the top scorer at the 2014 World Cup and had an outstanding debut season with Bayern Munich, who he joined last summer on a twoyear loan deal from Real Madrid.
Bayern team-mate Arturo Vidal hinted he had been in touch with James and described the injury as “something light”.
he has the tools to do it. On one hand, it is unfair to judge a fine career on a single bad call but this is the nature of the World Cup. Pekerman understands that and now, barely 24 hours before his team’s most important match for four years, he is faced with a similarly difficult call — whether to involve his best player, James, against England.
James has a calf problem which, if this were a routine club fixture or even a qualifier, would surely rule him out of contention tomorrow.
Yet James will see this as one of the most significant games of his life and will be desperate to play. If the medical staff are more cautious than the player, Pekerman will be required to make the final call. If Colombia lose, it is likely to mean another Riquleme moment for Pekerman.