FRANCE 98 – General Media News Template

Belgian coach George Leekens has warned England not to write off Colombia’s World Cup hit men, even if they have been firing blanks in the run-up to France 98. After a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Germany on Saturday, the Colombians went down 2-0 to Leekens’ well-organised side here on Wednesday evening. Danny Boffin’s header and a stunning 30-metre strike by Marc Wilmots put the Red Devils in the driving seat within the first half hour.

The Colombians never looked like making a contest of it. But some inspirational flashes from veteran playmaker Carlos Valderrama and former Newcastle striker Faustino Asprilla in the second half provided a reminder of how dangerous they can be on their day. Leekens cautioned against reading too much into Wednesday’s result. “Pay attention because offensively this Colombian team with Asprilla and Valderrama are very dangerous,” he told AFP. “In the second half they were better than us and they showed they can play football.” Asprilla for me is a world class player and if you allow Valderrama to play then you will see what he can do. Despite the warning, Leekens said he was confident that England, who face the Colombians in their final group G match in Lens on June 26, would be able to close down the supply lines to the danger men. I think Glenn Hoddle is smart enough that he can solve this problem as we did. ” 

Hoddle will also have taken particular comfort from the shaky performance of Colombia’s goalkeeper Oscar Cordoba. The keeper, who plays with top Argentinian side Boca Juniors, looked suspect on every cross fired at him and was seriously at fault on the first Belgian goal, when he failed to come off his line and allowed Boffin to head home from only two metres out.