today-is-a-good-day
HomeNewsFalcao Out.. Zapata In! Colombia's World Cup Qualifier Squad Is Full Of...

Falcao Out.. Zapata In! Colombia’s World Cup Qualifier Squad Is Full Of Surprises

Published on:

Jose Pekerman announced his squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Bolivia and Ecuador, and the shocking announcement was the inclusion of Udinese forward Duvan Zapata.

The 25-year-old has been in phenomenal form this season – having scored eight goals in all competition so far, but the Serie A star is yet to make his international debut.Colombian striker Duvan Zapata

The former Napoli, Estudiantes and America de Cali attacker has previously only represented his country at under-20 level.

Pekerman also handed recalls to Bahia left-back Pablo Armero and Tigres de UANL forward Luis Quinones.

As expected, there was no place for Monaco forward Radamel Falcao, who was left out after failing to recover from an oblique muscle strain.

Colombia will play Bolivia in Barranquilla on Thursday before a clash with Ecuador in Quito five days later.

Pekerman’s team is currently sixth in the South American zone World Cup qualifying standings, nine points behind leaders Brazil.

The top four teams at the end of the CONMEBOL qualifying tournament will earn a direct berth in next year’s World Cup in Russia. The fifth-ranked team will book a playoff spot.

Colombia squad:

Goalkeepers: David Ospina (Arsenal), Camilo Vargas (Cali) and David Gonzalez (Medellin).

Defenders: Cristian Zapata (Milan), Oscar Murillo (Pachuca), Davinson Sanchez (Ajax) and Yerri Mina (Palmeiras), Santiago Arias and Stefan Medina, Frank Fabra (Boca Juniors), Farid Díaz (Nacional) and Pablo Armero (Bahia).

Midfielders:Carlos Sanchez (Fiorentina), Daniel Torres (Alaves), Wilmar Barrios (Boca Juniors), Mateus Uribe (Nacional) and Abel Aguilar (Cali), Juan Guillermo Cuadrado (Juventus), Edwin Cardona (Monterrey), Macnelly Torres (Nacional), Luis Quinones (Pumas) and James Rodriguez (Real Madrid).

Forwards: Carlos Bacca (Milan), Luis Fernando Muriel (Sampdoria), Duvan Zapata (Udinese) and Miguel Borja (Palmeiras).

Abhishek Chaudhary
Abhishek Chaudhary = The Blues, who have left an indelible impression on his life. Factoid :- He cried inconsolably for a week when Jose Mourinho was sacked by the bosses at Stamford Bridge 2nd time round. His passion for the beautiful game is only matched by his fascination for beer! Supports Chelsea

also read