MONTEVIDEO: Argentina and Colombia will look to wrap up qualification for next year’s World Cup as South America’s battle for places at the finals in Brazil enters the home stretch.
Leaders Argentina have a bye for today’s round of fixtures but will be able to guarantee their 11th consecutive World Cup appearance with victory over bottom team Paraguay in Asuncion next Tuesday. Second-placed Colombia meanwhile will go level on points with the Argentines and stand on the threshold of a first World Cup appearance for 16 years if they defeat third-placed Ecuador in Barranquilla today.
The Colombians’ preparations for their clash with Ecuador have been disrupted by an injury to star striker Radamel Falcao, who twisted an ankle in Monaco’s clash with Marseille in Ligue 1 last weekend. Colombia team doctor Carlos Ulloa said Falcao was responding well to treatment but rated the forward as doubtful for today’s showdown with their bitter rivals at the Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Melendez.
“We will take it day to day as to whether he will be fit or not,” Ulloa said. “There’s inflammation and pain,” the doctor added, emphasizing Falcao would not be risked if not fully fit.
Today’s encounter is likely to be an emotion-filled affair with Ecuador returning to competitive action for the first time since the shock death of popular international Christian Benitez, who died suddenly of heart failure in July.
Benitez scored the winning goal in Ecuador’s 1-0 victory when the two sides met in Quito earlier in the qualifiers, and coach Reinaldo Rueda said his grieving squad is still struggling to come to terms with the loss of the striker.AFP
