"Colombia has to take off"

What does the Copa América glimpses?

It takes a country in a great time. Argentina is seeking immediately a tournament that is played in its territory, somehow makes them win. In what environment will be a true celebration of the continental game, regarding the level, although probably there are teams like Mexico to come to comply with the invitation, in the sense that they will bring their best players. Beyond that, this cup comes at a great time in South American football in general.

What expectations are there in Colombia while there are two months left?
Colombia is living the Cup in a year awash of football and excitement. The hosting of the Under 20 World Cup live as a prelude to the most important tournament of America puts the country on a long-awaited soccer ban. People are already beginning to see that way to get time off in June and July to arrogate to football.

How the public reacted to the arrival of Hernan Dario Gomez?

The "Bolillo" is a much loved man and respected in Colombia. Under his leadership the team got their latest results of glory and that is why the local public is excited and confident that there will be one more Cup. There are good players, a coach who knows the mentality of Colombia and that is why we hope to do a good job is starring in the dreams of our fellow countrymen.
But always there are those who resist it and judge by his recent performances as a coach.

Can you give a list of players who have potential for the final list?
Goalkeepers: David Ospina (Nice), Luis Enrique Martínez (Once Caldas)

Defenders: Mario Yepes (Milan), Amaranto Perea (Atlético Madrid), Cristian Zapata (Udinese), Pablo Armero (Udinese), Camilo Zúñiga (Napoli), Yulian Anchico (Pachuca)

Midfielders: Abel Aguilar (Hércules), Freddy Guarín (Porto), Carlos Alberto Sánchez (Valenciennes), Fabián Vargas (Almería), Carlos Carbonero (Once Caldas), Diego Chará (Portland Timbers), John Viáfara (Junior), Dorlan Pabón (Nacional), Gustavo Bolívar (Tolima)

Forwards: Wason Rentería (Once Caldas), Hugo Rodallega (Wigan), Radamel Falcao García (Porto), Teófilo Gutiérrez (Racing), Adrián Ramos (Hertha Berlín), Dayro Moreno (Once Caldas)

What do you think about the Colombia’s group?

We are in a group that makes us think that the second stage is achievable. When the rivals met, the first impression was that of relief, but regardless, it was felt to lack, because Japan is a very tough rival and Bolivia wants to take off. Be smooth and highly contested matches in which the less I get good results is wrong and not necessarily who plays better.

Colombia will play in Jujuy and Santa Fe. Do you know something of those provinces? Has there been contact with local media?

By now we had no direct contact with the authorities of provincial press and the truth is that what is known through the teams playing and of course the Colombian players went through the respective. In Santa Fe, played Grisales, Hernández, Benítez, Mendoza, Bedoya ... the region is known more by monitoring at the time there was to them. Either way we hope to meet with a warm climate of the people and ensure that support native Colombia.

What Colombia has to win the Cup?

We are fortunate to have a very strong backbone and the generation of that under-20 winner in 2005 is beginning to be ready. Players like Ospina, Zapata, Guarin, Rodallega, Falcao arrive in great time and have a spirit of great glory. In addition, the technician is a sage who knows the mentality of the Colombian and knows what it means to be champion of America. It's time to take off for Colombia.

Who do you loom as a revelation of the Cup and figure?

The revelation will be Chile. I really like the ideology of pursuing game and also gives a result, I think they can do very well. As for the figure, bringing to Messi, Neymar and others, I think Fredy Guarin is emerging as a player who can break schemes.

You were hosts in 2001, what do you remember about this football festival?

Two things will always remember that Cup, is to conquer America for the first time, and the other is that Argentina did not come.
Although it was a great experience to live the greatest festival of football in your country is something magical and the fact that it won was wonderful. Although the tax distaste directed selection at that time by Bielsa, is leaving unfinished the answer to the question of what would have happened if they played.

Posted in: Colombia