FRANCE 98 – Match preview n°15

Midfield veterans Carlos Valderrama and Gheorghe Hagi hold the key to Monday’s World Cup Group G match between Colombia and Romania here.

Valderrama, now 36, and Hagi, 33, are both in the lower reaches of club football-the South American plying his trade in the United States and Hagi playing in Turkey. But both are essential to the World Cup fortunes of their respective countries.

The Colombians are aiming to make amends for their disastrous campaign in the United States four years ago. The Romanians need to rediscover the creative blend which took them to the quarter-finals in USA 94. They were hugely disappointing in the European Championships two years although they finished top of their European World Cup qualifying group.

Colombia, with 16 of the players from USA 94, look as if they have passed the sell-by date but Valderrama and former Newcastle striker Faustino Asprilla give them class. Valderrama, impossible to avoid on the pitch, not only for his flame red hair but also his passing and intuitive reading of the game, is Colombia’s real anchorman in midfield.

Hagi, who can create and score goals-unlike Valderrama-now plays for Turkish club Galatasaray after a career that has taken him to Constanta, Sportul Studensc, Steaua Bucharest, Real Madrid, Brescia and Barcelona. While he may have lost a little pace, his left foot remains as deadly as ever and he still averages a goal almost every third international. Whatever happens in France, Hagi has vowed the tournament will be his last hurrah.Gica Popescu, with eight goals in the qualifying competition, Coventry’s Viorel Moldovan, with six, and Hagi, with five, should pose the biggest threat for Romania. Colombia coach Hernan Dario Gomes, haunted by the murder of defender Andres Escobar following their disappointing showing in America four years ago, tries to relieve the pressures. ” What counts is showing our countrymen back home we have played to the best of our ability and possibilities. That we make them proud, “ he says.

Dario Gomez has adopted a more practical style of play than his predecessor but Colombia are still expected to struggle if Romanian coach Angel Iordanescu has ironed out the wrinkles. Colombia will also be looking to American-based Anthony de Avila, who played in the last World Cup, and Freddy Rincon, a veteran of two finals and a perfect partner for Valderrama in the centre. ” Colombia pride is at stake, “ Valderrama warned. ” We were our own worst enemies in 94. We thought nobody could touch us and it cost us dearly. “

But Romania, a more solid combination, look capable of matching the 3-1 win they achieved in Pasadena, California, four years ago.