Group A Preview: Hopes and Dreams

Colombian football’s semi-final group stages begin this weekend amid the current trend of domination by the small teams that I was refering to in my last post (offside-only). Group A features four traditionally small sides that have made it this far thanks to their high workrate, collective spirit and great tenacity. Boyacá Chicó, Once Caldas, Seguros La Equidad and Tolima will battle in this group. Let’s take a closer look at each team:

Once Caldas
Arguably the team less deserving of the “small side” label considering they were Copa Libertadores champions in 2004. Their attack is lead by the Peruvian assassin Johan Javier Fano, who’s been a starter in his national team of late and has 7 goals in the Copa Mustang. Former southampton midfielder John Viafara is the leader and icon of this team and his strengths are his physical presence and his strong long shots. They have two more foreigners in the starting XI: Argentine forward Ariel Sebastian Carreño who found consistency after a lethargic stint at Millonarios and Uruguayan hard-working midfielder Jorge Casanova whom alongside Viafara provides lots of heart and offensive presence to the All-whites midfield. If they can pick up their home form to match the spectacular set of results that they got away during the regular season, they are the top candidates for me to reach the final in this group.

Boyacá Chicó F.C.
After a miserable outing from this year’s Copa Libertadores, Gamero’s side is enjoying greener pastures at their domestic competition even after suffering a notorious 6-3 thrashing at the hands of Real Cartagena in a match where they clearly paid the price of the lack of motivation because their qualification to the semi final stage was already guaranteed.

They are expecting Argentine maestro Miguel Caneo to recover the great form that led them to last year’s title. To help him do that, Chicó relies heavily in what teen sensation Marco Perez is able to do up front in a team that plays a conservative style, based on quick counterattacks and the hustle of players like Juan Mahecha and Edwin Movil. Another lethal weapon of this team are the free kicks of Anthony Tapia.

Deportes Tolima

The team that made the infamous threat of pulling out of the league because of financial difficulties. The question everybody is asking themselves nowadays is: How could they had done if they had money? There’s no easy answer because they had a wonderful season beyond everyone’s expectations considering the circumstances: Tolima ended the regular season as leaders and many believe this miracle will end up in a championship star. 

What’s certain is that the strenght of the the team is definitely their happy, free-flowing football. With a fantasista  who knows many of the right moves such as Rodrigo Marangoni, a fantastic sidekick who is everybody’s “partner in crime” (Christian Marrugo) and a plethora of young, hungry and energetic strikers including Wilder Medina and Franco Arizala, this team seems ready for primetime. Hopefully the owner’s chequebook can withstand the challenges ahead and he doesn’t resort to any more of his too well known antics.

Seguros La Equidad

The team that is closer to my heart now as they represent the continuously hurt pride of our nation’s capital Bogotá. The 8-million-people, 21-year-trophyless city has all its hopes resting in this relatively new and hungry team which already has the first Copa Colombia under its belt. Coach Alexis Garcia (previously known as “El Maestro” during his playing days) managed to assemble a deeply cohesive and collectively talented squad filled with hunger and leaded by a player who is the active reflection of his coach’s former self in the field: Stalin Motta. A true gentleman and a true caretaker of the ball. His unmatched vision and superb passing ability make him one of the most complete number tens in FPC. Among his most productive teammates are Panamanian centre back Román Torres, right back Victor Giraldo and the strikeforce of Roberto Polo (yeah, he stayed!) and Wilson Carpintero. 

Dinner will be served promptly. The first courses will be Once Caldas-Chicó and Tolima-Equidad all on May 24. Be back tomorrow for group B. 

 

Category: Fútbol Profesional Colombiano News