2014 FIFA World Cup™: Colombia, the potential surprise package

It has hurt and frustrated football fans worldwide, including me, that AS Monaco and Colombia striker Radamel Falcao will not play at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. His absence will mean that one less world class player will not be gracing 'the greatest show on earth'. Yet in context, the fact that the ex-Porto and Atletico Madrid man will not grace the 20th FIFA World Cup tournament, does not damage Colombia's World Cup credentials as much as one might perceive.

Los Cafeteros, whose World Cup campaign kicks off on 14th June against Greece, finished 2nd in the CONMEBOL World Cup qualification group, behind Argentina. Their first appearance at a World Cup finals since 1998, Colombia will also face Japan and the Ivory Coast in Group C. They are, attacking-wise, a very underrated team, despite the fact that Falcao will not be leading the front line for them in Brazil. His absence puts pressure on coach Jose Pekerman to prove that Colombia are not, contrary to popular opinion, a one-man team. 

So who are the ones to watch?

James Rodriguez, Falcao's teammate at AS Monaco will be Los Cafeteros' main man, having netted 9 times in France's Ligue 1, as well as assisting 12 other goals for the Southern French outfit. Predominantly playing on the wing, the ex-Porto man has the power to cut in from the left and is not afraid to have a pop at goal. Rodriguez will be going to Brazil having less and lower expectations/attention than the likes of Messi, Ronaldo, Neymar and Rooney. Should he replicate his club form for country, then he may well develop the same reputation Mesut Ozil did for Germany in South Africa, four years ago. If that is the case, then expect a bidding war for the wingman across Europe, post-Brazil 2014.

Go get it son: James Rodriguez somewhat fills the void left in attack by Radamel Falcao

And it's not just Rodriguez who's the man to watch. FC Porto's Jackson Martinez will be carrying much of Los Cafeteros' goalscoring burden. Scoring 23 goals in 41 outings in all competitions for the Portuguese club, Martinez is impressively acrobatic and has a reputation for scoring headers and is indeed a target man. His ball control skills are very advantageous for an ice-cool finisher like him. Teofilo Gutierrez is likely to partner Martinez, but an injury or suspension for the latter could significantly crush Colombia's chances of progressing beyond their 1990 second round finish - their best at a World Cup finals. Carlos Bacca of Sevilla is another striker available to Jose Pekerman, should Gutierrez not play.

Fiorentina's Juan Cuadrado will be instrumental in supplying crosses and assisting goals for the front two of Martinez and Gutierrez, in tandem with Rodriguez. On the flipside, Colombia's defence won't be among the best at the World Cup, which isn't helped with Christian Zapata's spontaneous clumsiness and an ageing captain in Mario Yepes. This leaves Colombia very exploited at the back, especially when the full-backs will support Rodriguez and Cuadrado. Carlos Sanchez will have a lot on his plate protecting the back-four. A 4-4-2 or 4-2-2-2 formation is the norm for Pekerman's Colombians, with predominantly-attacking football being at the very epitome of the South Americans' style of play.

Furthermore, the heat in Brazil will not be a  problem for Colombia given the fact that they are used to such conditions and will be expected to play comfortably in Belo Horizonte, against Greece, and in Cuiaba against Japan. 

Pekerman took Argentina to the Quarter Finals at Germany 2006

Colombia could face England in the second-round of the tournament in Rio de Janeiro on 28th June (if Colombia top Group C and England finish second in Group D; or vice versa). Colombia, being a South American team, will relish the chance to get at Roy Hodgson's men and may have a slightly more potent attack. But the pace of England players like Adam Lallana, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Raheem Sterling may catch Los Cafeteros' defence with their pants down, especially off the back of an unsuccessful counter-attack. If the Three Lions can keep the trio of Rodriguez, Cuadrado and Martinez under-control, then Falcao's absence may be a key deciding factor in a potential Colombian defeat to the 1966 FIFA World Cup champions.

Pekerman will no doubt guide his men to the second round at Brazil 2014, and they will do well to get there. Beating the Ivory Coast and Japan will be imperative, with Los Cafeteros' match against the latter potentially being one of the most exciting matches football fans will see this summer, when taking into account the sheer quality and fanpower held by either side. 

Whoever you support in Brazil this summer, do not take your eyes off Colombia...


CREDITS:

James Rodriguez and Falcao picture: 

http://www.beinsports.tv/di/library/bein_us/e9/62/james-rodriguez-radamel-falcao_1r02u8lx85zhh1wrbhz9lp3hdq.jpg?t=362158287&w=640&h=360&quality=97&cropTo=top

Jose Pekerman and player picture:

http://www.rpp.com.pe/pict.php?g=-1&p=/picnewsa/890415.jpg