Third behind Spain and Mexico as the world’s biggest Spanish-speaking nation in terms of its population, Colombia contribute in the development of Latin culture around the globe. With iconic figures such as Juan Pablo Montaya, Sofia Vergara and even better known singer Shakira, the country can only admit that they have some way to go to equal such high standards in the current world of football.
Players like Carlos Valderrama and Rene Higuita as well as the national team’s distinctively passionate supporters, however, all the same lift Colombia’s flag high. Present stars such as FC Porto's treble winner Radamel Falcao have also taken over the torch to keep brightening the positive image of Colombia worldwide.
Still, the treasure boxes of the South American country’s rich football culture remain to be found by Los Cafeteros. Their trophy room lacks more honors made of gold…
Has time put a seal on Colombia’s heydays which lasted between 1985 and 2001? Won’t there be any more precious and historical feats like their outstanding 5-0 defeat of Argentina back in 1993?
No World Cup qualification since their 4th and last appearance in France 1998 means that Colombia’s best memory remains their 2001 Copa America triumph on home soil.
10 years since that glorious achievement, where lies Colombia’s fate as the 2011 Copa America is about to leave its print on this year’s month of July?
A Recap Of Colombia’s Copa America History And Record
Los Cafeteros are placed 7th in the Copa America’s historical rankings in terms of general statistics. They are sandwiched between Peru and Bolivia with a total negative goal difference which only underlines their defensive weaknesses throughout the years compared to their attacking strengths (Arnoldo Iguaran being their all-time top scorer with only 25 goals in his 14-year international career).
The history of the Copa America tournament began in 1916 but Colombia’s only commenced in 1945 as they did not enter the 17 previous editions of the championship. The format at the time saw the participating nations grouped in a single table and having to play against each other—making the competition look more like CONMEBOL’s current World Cup qualifying format. However, 2 points were awarded instead of 3 for a win whereas a draw was worth 1 point and a defeat 0.
Colombia’s results were dreadful as they suffered a 3-0 loss to Brazil in their opening fixture. The second match was even worse; Uruguay humiliated the inexperienced Copa America contenders 7-0. Then, all hopes of winning the trophy were virtually gone when Chile defeat Los Cafeteros 2-0 before Argentina gave them a punch in the face through an impossible 9-1 score line.
But as if Mendoza’s solitary goal in that terrible defeat to the Albicelestes was a sign of pride, Colombia finally clinched their first victory of the competition by triumphing 3-1 over Ecuador. This win also proved to be their last as a fight-back from Bolivia against Colombia settled the scores at 3-3 on the last match-day. A disastrous debut campaign, one to rather forget. But Los Cafeteros, at least, avoided the shameful bottom position as they finished 5th anyways.
Colombia then featured 4 times in the Copa America between 1945 and 1967—withdrawing 6 times and failing to qualify at one occasion. But 1975 marked the prelude of a better period to arrive. Los Cafeteros topped the likes of Paraguay and Ecuador in Group 3 to reach the semis where they trounced Uruguay 3-0 only to lose in the finals to Peru who eventually clinched their 2nd Copa America title.
Colombia reached higher standards in 1987, 1993 and 1995 by finishing third. But their 2001 Copa America success on home soil will forever remain as the year Los Cafeteros offered gold for the first time to their supporters. From A to Z, Colombia cruised through an unbeaten campaign—defeating Venezuela, Ecuador and Chile in the group stages before punishing Peru 3-0 in the quarter-finals.
Honduras also
suffered under Los Cafeteros’ domination in the semis and the last victims were Mexico’s El Tri in the final in Bogota. That year, Colombia didn’t concede a single goal.
Champions: 2001
Second place: 1975
Third place: 1995, 1993, 1987
Fourth place: 2004, 1991
Quarter-final place: 1999, 1997
Round 1: 2007, 1989, 1983, 1979
Fifth place: 1957, 1945
Seventh place: 1963
Eight place: 1949, 1947
Did not qualify: 1967
Withdrew: 1959 (Argentina), 1959 (Ecuador, extra tournament), 1956, 1955, 1953, 1946
Did not enter: 1916-1942 (17 editions)
Colombia’s 2011 Copa America Coach & Squad
Colombia’s coach:
Los Cafeteros’ current coach is Hernan Dario Gomez, nicknamed El Bolillo. His career highlights as a manager include his success at taking Ecuador to their first ever World Cup finals back in 2002. His lowlight, meanwhile, happened in 2004 especially when he failed to inspire Round 1 victims Ecuador in the Copa America.
This led to Hernan Dario Gomez’s resignation shortly after. Besides coaching, the 55-year-old has experience in football journalism as he was a commentator during the 2006 FIFA World Cup for Canal RCN. In May 2010, he succeeded Eduardo Lara as coach of Los Cafeteros.
Colombia’s 2011 Copa America 23-man squad roster:
Goalkeepers: David Ospina, Luis Martinez, Breiner Castillo
Defenders: Mario Yepes, Aquivaldo Mosquera, Luis Perea, Cristian Zapata, Pablo Armero, Camilo Zuñiga, Yulian Anchico, Juan David Valencia
Midfielders: Juan Guillermo Cuadrado, Elkin Soto, Abel Aguilar, Fredy Guarin, Carlos Sanchez, Gustavo Bolivar
Forwards: Hugo Rodallega, Adrian Ramos, Teofilo Gutierrez, Radamel Falcao, Martinez Jackson, Dayro Moreno
Top Quotes From Colombia’s Camp Ahead Of The 2011 Copa America
Striker Radamel Falcao to El Espectador:
“Our main objective is to make it to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. But I think that we have to take full advantage of this opportunity. In my heart, I’m carrying the dream of going on to win the Copa.”
Striker Hugo Rodallega to Terra US:
“The Copa America is very important. It’s a tournament in which the whole world is watching. All the national teams and all the players will be watched and for that reason Colombia will approach it with responsibility. We are going to go one step at a time, one match at a time, always thinking about winning—although our main objective is seeing the national team go to the 2014 Brazil World Cup.”
Coach Hernan Dario Gomez to CA2011.com:
“We all think about the World Cup [in 2014]—from the President Santos to every single member of the squad. But no doubt we are going to play the Copa America with responsibility, trying the goals we want.”
So reaching the 2014 World Cup is a mission engraved in Los Cafeteros’ thoughts. What impact will this have on their focus for the 2011 Copa America? Few are teams that like being drawn against host nations. How will Colombia face the challenge of Lionel Messi’s Argentina in the group stages?
