Post by Bozur on Mar 2, 2005 17:44:38 GMT -5
Tell Me About: Colombia (Futbol)
Currently, Colombia is one point shy of a qualifying spot in the Confederation Sudamericana de Futbol group that will head to World Cup 2006 in Germany. The once-dominant Colombians will have to battle Uruguay for the playoff spot. As of February 2005, the Colombians have 13 points through 11 games, one point less than Uruguay who has 14 points through 11 games. The Colombians are under the leadership of a new coach, Reinaldo Rueda, since February 2004 after winning only one point in their first four qualifying games. Since Rueda's arrival, the Colombians have gotten back on the winning track and have moved to sixth place overall in the group standings.
Overall, the Colombians have been to the World Cup four times in team history, in 1962, 1990, 1994, and 1998. Their best finish to-date was in Italy in 1990 when they finished in the final sixteen before losing to Cameroon 1-2. En route, Colombia managed to defeat both the United Arab Emirates as well as eventual 1990 winners Germany. In 1994, big expectations fell on Colombia and their "golden generation" of players, especially after Colombia defeated powerhouse Argentina 5-0 in the final preliminary qualifier. However, Colombia did not move beyond group play at World Cup 1994 in the United States in a group that included the United States, Romania, and Switzerland; Colombia was the only team from the Confederation Sudamericana de Futbol not to advance beyond group play that year. In 1998, the Colombians again did not advance beyond group play, losing to Romania and England while defeating Tunisia. Then, the Colombians failed to qualify for World Cup 2002 in Korea/Japan.
Other regional titles for Colombia include the Copa America in 2001, and the Central American Cup in 1946 and 1970. In head-to-head competition with the United States, The Colombians have won 7 of 11 games, while the US has won one game. In all, there have been three draws. The teams first met in May 1988 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where Colombia defeated the US 2-0. The sole win for the US against Colombia came in 1994 at the World Cup held on US soil. In the game in Los Angeles, the US defeated Colombia 2-1. The largest margin of victory between the teams came in July 1995 when Colombia defeated the US 4-1 at a game in Maldonado, Uruguay during the Copa America Cup for that year.
Currently, Colombia is one point shy of a qualifying spot in the Confederation Sudamericana de Futbol group that will head to World Cup 2006 in Germany. The once-dominant Colombians will have to battle Uruguay for the playoff spot. As of February 2005, the Colombians have 13 points through 11 games, one point less than Uruguay who has 14 points through 11 games. The Colombians are under the leadership of a new coach, Reinaldo Rueda, since February 2004 after winning only one point in their first four qualifying games. Since Rueda's arrival, the Colombians have gotten back on the winning track and have moved to sixth place overall in the group standings.
Overall, the Colombians have been to the World Cup four times in team history, in 1962, 1990, 1994, and 1998. Their best finish to-date was in Italy in 1990 when they finished in the final sixteen before losing to Cameroon 1-2. En route, Colombia managed to defeat both the United Arab Emirates as well as eventual 1990 winners Germany. In 1994, big expectations fell on Colombia and their "golden generation" of players, especially after Colombia defeated powerhouse Argentina 5-0 in the final preliminary qualifier. However, Colombia did not move beyond group play at World Cup 1994 in the United States in a group that included the United States, Romania, and Switzerland; Colombia was the only team from the Confederation Sudamericana de Futbol not to advance beyond group play that year. In 1998, the Colombians again did not advance beyond group play, losing to Romania and England while defeating Tunisia. Then, the Colombians failed to qualify for World Cup 2002 in Korea/Japan.
Other regional titles for Colombia include the Copa America in 2001, and the Central American Cup in 1946 and 1970. In head-to-head competition with the United States, The Colombians have won 7 of 11 games, while the US has won one game. In all, there have been three draws. The teams first met in May 1988 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where Colombia defeated the US 2-0. The sole win for the US against Colombia came in 1994 at the World Cup held on US soil. In the game in Los Angeles, the US defeated Colombia 2-1. The largest margin of victory between the teams came in July 1995 when Colombia defeated the US 4-1 at a game in Maldonado, Uruguay during the Copa America Cup for that year.