FRANCE 98 – General Media News Template

The venue may be different and it may be four years on, but Colombia’s squad remains remarkably unchanged from the last World Cup finals.

Skipper Carlos Valderrama is impossible to avoid on the pitch, not only for his flame red hair but also his passing and intuitive reading of the game.

A real anchorman in midfield, the effervescent 37-year-old prowls around his territory, making the impossible seem easy and providing essential support to the predatory Faustino Asprilla. Parma’s outstanding ball controller, top scorer for his national side in their qualifying round with seven goals, is one of the few Colombians to have made it in Europe.

Prone to indiscipline on and off the field Asprilla played in the finals four years ago when Colombia started as one of the favourites but failed to live up to that billing.

With the tragedy of defender Andres Escobar’s death on his return home after an own goal in America hanging over the side, morale plummeted. But the climate is clearer for France 98 with soccer’s links with the Colombian drug cartels — Wilson Perez was sentenced to 50 months prison for possession-relaxed after concerted government action. After initially running away with the South American qualifying group they hit a stumbling block, suffering four consecutive defeats. But back on track with victories in the final three matches, they qualified in third place.

Other players who will make their presence felt are the 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.

With manager Hernan Dario Gomez adopting a more practical style of play than his predecessor, Colombia constitute a more solid side lying in wait for England, Romania and Tunisia in the first round.