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This Friday, when the ball rolls in the Metropolitan Stadium of Barranquilla for the Colombia vs Uruguay match, for the third date of the Qatar 2022 World Cup Qualifiers, nostalgia will also roll.
In front of television, now as one more fan, will be the last man who scored a goal in a qualifying tournament for the Uruguayans: Abel Enrique Aguilar.
The goal, the only one
The day that is repeated like in a movie in her memory was October 11, 2016: “Muriel charged, it was very humid, there was no sun, it was my role in corner kicks or free kicks, she trained and the ball there. That moment is not forgotten … We had been organizing a dance, whoever scored had to lead the others, in the week we tried a few steps and it happened to me. I finally got the goal. “
It was a furious celebration, a cry that summed up a long list of frustrations: “I had a broken ankle in 2015 before the Copa América in Chile, I missed it and it took me three and a half months to recover. Then I had a hard time taking the rhythm and confidence, I spent almost six, seven months without playing. I went to Portugal looking for minutes and returned to Colombia thinking about the National Team, looking for consolidation to come back and it happened like that, the Qualifier began and they called me again, I returned against Paraguay as a visitor and then that match in Barranquilla … in that difficulty is when one values trust, he (Pékerman) trusted even when in Cali I had no continuity and I was able to perform later in the National Team. “
Goal Abel Aguilar Colombia
Goal Abel Aguilar Colombia vs Uruguay
It was his only goal in an official competition with Colombia (he would make three more in friendlies). It seems little but it was enough to know how to hurt a South American power, with players in the best teams in the world, with a coach who arouses admiration, but who, despite everything, cannot divert the national team from a peremptory obligation: You can’t fail at home in a Playoff!
How do you face a rival like Uruguay?
Uruguay is a very competitive team, they come from losing in a difficult way and that touches their morale, they will want to come for their result. They know what it is to play here and they understand what the Colombian National Team is and what it generates, so for them a draw is wonderful. That is where the selection must be faithful to what it has done, if they keep their idea there will be no problem to win.
But it’s still a favorite …
It is a very careful match, winning it will open up many possibilities for qualification. The Eliminatory is long but it is key to win at home. One point would not be enough because those points would have to be found in Ecuador. In the Russia qualifier we had to do it, we tied with Uruguay, we had to win in Ecuador, we had to add outside because we let escape from home, so we don’t have to win at home.
What is the mistake that Colombia cannot make?
The mistake is to believe that you are mastering yourself. One can dominate Uruguay in the game but there it is more dangerous because they do not forgive in their transitions with Suárez and Cavani. Uruguay is a very physical team, very powerful, in the last match Suárez made us 1-1 and in a long ball they won us space and they made us second (‘Cebolla’ Rodríguez). With more control you have to be twice as careful.
How much is the midfield going to suffer, its sector in Colombia, against Uruguay?
They have to continue to consolidate. Wilmar, Jefferson, Matheus who returns, have to consolidate, even Square, who use it as an interior. They have done the process but this is when they must establish themselves, be the strength of the team, maintain the level.
Who is the ‘Abel’ of this new version of the National Team?
I see Matheus more back and forth, physically very strong, he is good at attacking, he is good support, but I really liked Lerma’s work, he has a more tendency to play. Today the team plays differently, we had more specific positions, this team is faster, with players like James who control the game but with many much faster transitions, very demanding.
How much will they miss Colombia Falcao and the injured?
They are external factors, which cannot be controlled. The climate, the people, the environment here is wonderful and that is the adaptation of the player, you have to overcome. That is what team work is for, mental work, motivation must come from each one, to know themselves in a National Team and enjoy it. Falco is at an important moment, he surely wants to help inside, but also outside, he is a leader, a reference and for those who arrive it is important. Duván is at the peak of his career and he’s taking advantage of it. Falcao must always be there, accompany him, he invites you to work and helps you understand what it means to be part of the National Team. But Colombia depends on Colombia, it has to trust its game, make an effort and not give advantages, pay attention to the details and be one hundred percent concentrated.
If it makes such a difference to play at 3:30 pm in Barranquilla?
You have a physiological imprint. Many of us played at that time in our beginnings, that allows us to handle difficulties, we all learned it, it is not easy but we are definitely more used than Uruguay or Argentina. They (the Uruguayans) know it, they have already experienced it, we have always been playing at 3:30 because we handle the heat better, we talk a lot, we help each other better. But the key work is what is done on the field, there are external factors that influence but football is what makes the difference.
Is a marker encouraged?
Clear! We won 2-1, goals from Duván and James.
