FIFA World Cup 2014: Colombia and Uruguay

Colombia

Without Radamel Falcao Jose Pekerman’s team was surely expected to qualify from a relatively easy group,

but not play so well. The way the team won all of its three matches makes many pundits put their money on Colombia’s advancement. Despite the fact that Greece, Ivory Coast and Japan showed their best against Colombia, the South Americans were always ahead of their opponents. Especially impressive was
the last group match, where most of the team leaders had a chance to rest. The team under no pressure enjoyed playing football, showing some extreme pace in counterattacks and a killer-instinct in finishing. Juan Cuadrado, the player with the most assists in the World Cup so far, and James Rodriguez, already the topscorer of Colombia in the World Cup history, are on their way to appear on the top shelf of the world football.

The first Play-off opponent, if not the last, is going to be another South American team. This means that the teams have nothing to hide from each other. A European side would have been a more suitable team to beat for Colombians. However, the absence of Luis Suarez gives a big advantage to Colombia. Pekerman’s team is going to be the one to attack during the whole match. The match will test how good Colombians are in positional attacks. As soon as they score the opener, they will be able to use their quick counterattacks and bury Uruguay’s hopes for advancement.      

Matches played: 3

Goals scored - conceded: 9 - 2

Topscorer (s): James Rodriguez (3)

Team marks: 5,0 + 3,5 + 6,0 = 14,5
Average mark: 4,83
Best players: James Rodriguez (2,5), Cuadrado (2,0)  

Place among 32: 2

Chances to win the World Cup: 8,2%

Uruguay

An unbelievable comeback after a sensational loss to Costa Rica in the first match makes Uruguay an unpredictable team. The lousy match, where they conceded three after leading 1-0 before the break, made Oscar Tabarez find a better solution concerned to the team tactics. Especially defence got more solid, while Luis Suarez’s return increased the team’s attacking potential. Killing England, Suarez and friends appointed a big group final with European vice-champions Italy, a team needing a draw and traditionally being famous for winning in such type of matches. Uruguay was on its way to desperately open up and try to get the needed victory, when the destiny gave them three presents in a row: the sudden expulsion of Marchisio, the sudden non-expulsion of Suarez, and finally Godin’s goal from a corner.

Now there is no Suarez for the rest of the tournament. The team morale is smashed after its topscorer was humiliated so badly by FIFA’s decision to ban him from every football-related activity. The impressive performance of South American rivals from Colombia doesn’t make things better for the semi-finalists of the last World Cup and South American champions. They are going to enter this Play-off as underdogs. The only way to restore the confidence is a quick successful counterattack or a 0-0 draw for at least 70 minutes. The experience and proficiency of Muslera, Godin, Caceres, Forlan and Cavani can never be taken away, and this is the sole advantage of Uruguay compared to Colombia.      

Matches played: 3

Goals scored - conceded: 4 - 4

Topscorer (s): Suarez (2)

Team marks: 3,0 + 7,0 + 4,0 = 14,0
Average mark: 4,67
Best players: Godin (2,5)  

Place among 32: 12

Chances to win the World Cup: 1,94%