Falcao to miss World Cup

Colombian striker Radamel Falcao has been left out of coach Jose Pekerman’s 23 man squad. The AS Monaco player sustained a serious knee injury in January and the two time Europa League winner has ultimately failed in his battle with fitness. The 28 year-old scored the winner in the 2011 Europa League Final in Dublin for Porto.

Colombia will now look to other striking options to replace the goals of Falcao. The strikers selected by Pekerman include Carlos Bacca who won this year’s Europa League with Sevilla and Jackson Martinez who has been on fire for his club side Porto, prompting rumours of a move to a major European side after the tournament.  

The squad selection also sees the break-up of a long standing central defensive partnership between Luis Perea and Mario Yepes. Yepes, 37, is the Colombia captain and he makes the squad but it is former Atletico Madrid defender Luis Perea who misses out. The pair had amassed 171 caps between them.

Pekerman’s Colombia conceded the least goals in qualifying, and it will be between AC Milan centre back Cristian Zapata and River Plate youngster Eder Alvarez Balanta to partner Yepes when the tournament begins, however Carlos Valdez has played alongside Yepes before.

Colombia’s defensive strengths shouldn’t take away from the fantastic attacking options they have. Playmaker Fredy Guarin has been courted by many a European giant and looked set to join Chelsea in January before Jose Mourinho opted for Nemanja Matic instead.

On the wings, Falcao’s Monaco team mate James Rodriguez has had a fantastic season and will be looking to continue his form in Brazil. On the opposite wing, Juan Cuadrado has been in blistering form in Serie A for Fiorentina, who have secured a Champions League berth for next season. Cuadrado will look to team up with Napoli’s Camilo Zuniga down the right flank.

Goalkeeper Faryd Mondaragon will become the oldest player at a World Cup finals if selected at the age of 42, or 43 if selected beyond his birthday, 21^st June.

Colombia will start their campaign in Belo Horizonte on June 14^th against Greece, then they travel to Brasilia to take on Ivory Coast on June 19^th before finishing off the group stage against Japan in Cuiaba on June 24^th.

For a full view of the Colombia squad visit our Colombian team page.

Colombia World Cup Squad:

Goalkeepers: David Ospina (Nice), Faryd Mondragon (Deportivo Cali), Camilo Vargas (Independiente Santa Fe)

Defenders: Pablo Armero (Napoli), Eder Balanta (River Plate), Mario Yepes (Atalanta), Camilo Zuniga (Napoli), Carlos Valdes (San Lorenzo), Santiago Arias (PSV Eindhoven), Cristian Zapata (AC Milan).

Midfielders: Alexander Meija (Atletico Nacional), Aldo Ramirez (Morelia), Abel Aguilar (Toulouse), Carlos Sanchez (Elche), Fredy Guarin (Inter Milan), Juan Fernando Quintero (Porto), Juan Cuadrado (Fiorentina), James Rodriguez (AS Monaco).

Forwards: Victor Ibarbo (Cagliari), Jackson Martinez (FC Porto), Teofilo Gutierrez (River Plate), Adrian Ramos (Hertha Berlin), Carlos Bacca (Sevilla).

Extratime.ie will be covering the FIFA World Cup 2014 from the first kick of a ball to the last with reports and news. We will also have regular features from our reporter in Brazil – Macdara Ferris.