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These are atypical days, marked by the pandemic and fear, and the national teams know it and suffer it. But the start of the Qatar 2022 qualifiers is just around the corner and there is no more time to lose.
That is why the Colombian National Team, which will debut on October 9 in Barranquilla, against Venezuela, are at work, as coach Carlos Queiroz explained. Of course, it is a fact that you are not in a hurry and that you will wait until the last minute to deliver your list … as is tradition, to tell the truth.
“This call will be very atypical. I always take into account four criteria that guide decisions: the quality and talent of the player, the experience and historical record at the service of the National Team (culture of selection), character and personality (identity of team), and sports form and performance (current state for the competition). Unfortunately, the fourth criterion (form and performance) is compromised for the October games, due to the problematic and disorderly start of the seasons in different countries “, he said in an extensive statement for the Colombian Soccer Federation (FCF).
And then, when is the list for? “As for the official announcement of the call, given the current situation, it will be a little later than usual. As is obvious, naturally, behind the scenes, everything is being prepared in the right time and with the utmost rigor.” It is said that it would be known until next Monday.
And although it does not give names, it does give clues: “For now, I think we can say that the great news will be, for example, the return of James to his place in football, playing and competing regularly, and the recovery and return of our captain Falcao to the fields. But we have more and good news in the technical and sports plan, with several players who managed to be champions, such as Cuadrado, James, Ospina (one glass), Uribe, Lucho, Barrios, Campuzano, Fabra and Villa, with the success in the European competitions of Duván, Muriel and Arias, and with several scorers such as Morelos, Borré, Córdoba, Luis Suárez, Duván and Muriel. But, as I always say, the National Team is always an open house, without doors and no windows. A house of merit and responsibility, at the service of the team. I think we will have many reasons to have good news in the final call. “
Conclusion? Falcao would not be an absence, those of Boca Juniors are on the radar despite the fact that there is no competition and Villa’s problems, Borré is still a name to consider and Luis Suárez would have managed to get the DT’s attention in recent months. It does not mean that they are fixed, but the doubts that weighed on them are more or less clarified.
Of course, this is not the time to give rudders because the suspension of the tournaments will notoriously affect the physical and the time only gives to appeal to the memory: “We will have to base our decisions mainly on the trust and knowledge of the players that we already know more about. and better. I think everyone will understand that this first call, after a long interruption and with all the new scenarios, forces us to have very special decision criteria, valuing experience and competitive maturity “.
The rivals in the region, according to Queiroz, are sufficiently diagnosed: “Our biggest opponents, Brazil and Argentina, continue to evolve and arrive stronger and stronger. Our rivals in the classification, Chile, Uruguay, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela, Paraguay and Bolivia They don’t let us close our eyes for a second to rest. What do we have to do if we want to win? We can’t be comfortable, relaxed and satisfied with what we did yesterday. It’s not enough. “
Queiroz concluded his message thinking of Colombians “who get up every day with courage and determination to face this pandemic and waiting for a solo debut in the Metropolitano:” to all the fans of the Colombia National Team, who unfortunately will not be able to be with us in the Barranquilla stadium, I want to thank you for your support and wish you a great future, with the conviction that united and with the strength of the jersey number 12 of the Colombian fans, we will achieve our first goal: qualify for Qatar. “
