Yesterday Colombia played its first official match under new coach, Carlos Queiroz. The Tricolor met Japan in Tokyo and managed to revenge the Blue Samurai with a 0-1 victory, but the players were far from impress. Radamel Falcao scored his 33rd goal in the national team from the penalty spot. Yesterday we basically saw Reyes’s team, the one who played the friendlies in September-October but it’s just natural that it’ll take time for the players to get to know Queiroz’s idea of play. Colombia had a bad first half, when Japan attacked and played much better, exposing Colombia’s most vulnerable part – the full backs. In the second half Duvan Zapata replaced Sebastian Villa in the 56th minute and made the big change which helped Colombia to improve their form and to start creating chances. This is my one by one:
GK: Camilo Vargas – Subsitituted injured David Ospina and did a good job. He had more to do in the first half than in the second but everytime he was spot on to take the Japanese dangerous shots. Based himself as the second goalkeeper in the NT, although in his current form he can also be #1. Grade 7
RB: Helibelton Palacios – Still doesn’t convincing while wearing the yellow shirt. Was too much confuse in both offensive and defensive parts, Didn’t contribute to the attack and in the first half suffered from the fast players of Japan. Doesn’t deserve a spot in the NT at the moment. Grade 4.5
CB: Davinson Sanchez – Regular match for Tottenham’s player. Struggled a bit in the first half (Just like in the World Cup), in the second half felt more comfortable. Grade – 6
CB: Yerry Mina – Mina also had a regular match. Suffered from Machado lack ability to defend and also had one mistake when he couldn’t handle with the rival’s speed. Grade – 6
LB: Deiver Machado – Just like Helibelton, he doesn’t have a spot in the team. The weakest player of Colombia. Seemed lost in both offensive and defensive parts. Most of the HJapanese dangerous attacks came from his side. Very poor performance. Grade -4
New coach, new uniform. Colombia have won Japan 0-1 in Tokyo (Foto: EFE)
DM: Wilmar Barrios – Was involved too many times between the center backs in order to help them, didn’t manage to break the Japanese attacks or to build the team’s play from behind. Grade – 5.5
DM: Jefferson Lerma – Just like Barrios, didn’t contribute to the defensive game nor to the offensive. It seems that the ‘Double 5’ strategy won’t work Colombia with this duo on the field together. Grade 5
RAM: Sebastian Villa – Wasn’t at his best, too much inaccurate. far from the form that he plays in Boca, altough putting him in the starting XI isn’t a bad idea. Grade 5.5
CAM: James Rodriguez – Wasn’t the best game for our best player. He tried to be involved, was inaccurate in the first half, improved a bit in the second but in general didn’t show his best form, far from it. Grade 6
LAM: Luis Fernando Muriel – After quiet first half, Muriel started to play much better and was much active when Zapata came in. Even had a great chance to score but the finishing wasn’t good enough. Grade 6.5
ST: Radamel Falcao – Had a decent game. Tried to battle for every ball, did a good job almost through all the match, aim several times on goal and eventually scored the winning penalty. Played much better next to Zapata. Grade 6.5
Subs:
ST: Duvan Zapata – Made the big change, Came in for Villa in the 56th minute and since that moment Colombia started to control the match and create chances when Zapata was very active, the penalty was caused because of his shot and the Japanese defense couldn’t handle his size. Needs to start next to Falcao in my opinion. Grade 7
Duvan Zapata, the MOM vs. Japan. Made a change in the national team with his entrance
LAM: Luis Diaz – Played only 11 minutes, came in for Muriel but it was enough for him to send a dangerous shot into the crossbar. Very interesting player that can be Colombia’s super sub. Without grade.
CM: Matheus Uribe – Came in for Falcao in the 82nd minute. Should start over Lerma and in general must be a starter next to Barrios in my opinion. Without grade.
ST: Alfredo Morelos – Came in for James in the 87th minute and didn’t have time to do much. Would like to see him vs. South Korea on Tuesday. Without grade.
COLFOOTBALL 