Valderrama Praises Rodriguez And Pekerman
The former star of Colombia Carlos Valderrama has been impressed with what his country has accomplished in this edition of the World Cup as he praised the work of the entire squad but gave special praise towards James Rodriguez and the coach of the team Jose Pekerman.
James Rodriguez is a young and promising figure who has managed to score 5 goals in 4 matches as he found the back of the net during all of the group matches which has helped Colombia on advancing through the next rounds of the World Cup.
With all of those impressive performances from James Rodriguez, Carlos Valderrama recently went out to the media and is even considering Rodriguez to his own successor, similar to the what happened some years ago when Robinho was making standout performances with his local club Santos and Pele stated that Robinho was going to be the player to follow his footsteps.
Jose Pekerman is also receiving ovation as the coach is considered to be one of the most influential figures who has transformed the Colombian team into what they are now and Valderrama applauded all of his work.
“We’re happy because we had never won two straight games in the World Cup, and we’ve got these guys and they are making history. I feel admiration for Pekerman, with everything he’s done. He has regained the identity of Colombian football.” Valderrama told reporters
Colombia managed on reaching the quarter-final rounds of the 2014 World Cup and even if they are unable on advancing any further, it has already been a historic landmark that the team of Pekerman has managed on accomplishing with consecutive triumphs and impressive performances throughout all of the group stages.
Herrera Places Ban On Alcohol And Sex
“If a player cannot endure a month or 20 days without having intercourse, then you are not prepared to be a professional. Let’s play a World Cup; we’re not going to a party.”
That was the statement released by the head coach of Mexico, Miguel Herrera as he prohibited the players of his team from consuming alcohol or having any types of sexual activities.
This is the opposite of what Felipe Scolari is doing with Brazil as the manager revealed that his players will be allowed to have sex and the former Colombian footballer Carlos Valderrama agrees with the decision of the Brazilian coach as he stated that this will relax the players after the matches.
“If we’d had sex during the World Cup, it would’ve been better. We would have relaxed after games especially after defeats. It’s total relaxation. It’s not an impediment. It should be quiet, cool, without inventing crazy poses. “Carlos Valderrama said.
The Colombian legend has experience playing in the international stage as he was featured in 3 World Cups making over 100 appearances for his country and still remains being an icon in his country for everything he accomplished.
Valderrrama voiced his opinion and support towards Colombia as he believes that they have what it takes to surprise the other teams. Ivory Coast, Greece and Japan will be the nations that Colombia will face off against in Group C and according to Valderrama all of them will be difficult opponents and he went on voicing his opinion about who he would like to see playing in the finals.
‘’I would like to watch Brasil vs Argentina in the finals as it would be a South American battle although it would also be great to see Spain vs Germany as a finals match between 2 of the best teams in Europe’’. Valderrama added on.
COLOMBIA CAN WIN
The coach of Colombia, Jose Pekerman has come a long way since 2006 when he was in charge of Argentina and during the quarterfinals of the 2006 World Cup his team was disqualified as they played against Germany.
Pekerman has had impressive results and campaigns with the Argentinean Youth squads that he has been in charge of as he guided the youth team to World titles in 1995, 1997, and 2001 as later went on reaching the 2006 World Cup quarterfinals with Argentina.
The 64 years old tactician has also made a number of controversial decisions and he gained a number of negative response when Javier Zanetti and Walter Samuel were both dropped from Argentina during the 2006 World Cup but Pekerman is still considered to be a very effective coach that does his job well and that is why he was picked to guide Colombia through the next World Cup.
Pekerman is optimistic about the challenges that await him in Brazil as he wants his squad to impress everyone and go far for their upcoming international matches.
“We are going to Brazil optimistic that we can have a great World Cup. We are definitely going to be a very competitive team. Colombia has improved a lot and it continues to improve, I have an excellent group and a fantastic staff, we are truly a team.” Pekerman said.
It still remains unclear whether or not Radamel Falcao will be recovered in time to participate in the 2014 World Cup but it will be a huge blow for Pekerman and Colombia if their star is unable to make it in time.
Even if Falcao is absent for the 2014 World Cup, Colombia was pitted in a relatively simple group and are expected to make it through the group stages of the grandest competition of all.
