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COLOMBIA
 music: Grupo Niche-No Lepeue a la Negra
One of the most feared teams coming out of S. America in the mid 1990s was not one of the usual suspects, Brazil or Argentina.
It was Colombia. The country known more for its coffee, cocaine and a collapse in the 1990 World Cup against Cameroon, Colombia was now back as they won their qualifying group and along the way beating 1990 Finalist Argentina 5-0 in BUENOS AIRES no less. Featuring 1993 South American player of the Year, Carlos Valderrama, Freddy Rincon, Faustino Asprilla and Lionel Alvarez, and new goal keeper Oscar Cordoba this was a side that put the world on notice that S. American soccer was not just Brazil and Argentina.
The 1994 World Cup, however, ended up a disaster. Outside favorites, they were beaten by Romania in their opening game, then, to their great embarassment the United States, effectively ending their cup. After their final game, defender Andres Escobar, who scored an own goal in the US game was killed outside a night club. Colombian soccer has not been the same since, a 2001 Copa America against a weakened field on home soil not withstanding.
Colombia, however has too many skilled players and an overflowing passion for the game and are now retooling to recapture the lofty heights behind young players like Juan Pablo Angel and Ivan Cordoba.
Colombia's greatest known player
the great Carlos Valderrama
BLACKS IN COLOMBIAN FOOTBALL
Like Brazil, Colombia has a solid Black population and great players such as the afore mentioned Rincon and Asprilla as well as Adolfo Valencia have excelled on the National Team.
Faustino "Tino" Asprilla has annilihated
many a defender during his career with
various teams including the Colombian
National Team (soccergallery.net)
Bottom line:
If Colombia develops consistent scoring to go along with an already strong defense, Colombia should be able to regain their billing as one of South America's top sides.
COLOMBIA FACTS:
Association: Federación Colombiana de Fútbol
Founded: 1924
Soccer Confederation: CONMEBOL
Colors: Red, Blue and Yellow
National Stadium: El Campin
Location: Bogota
Coach: Jorge Luis Pinto
World Cup appearances:
1962,1990,1994,1998
HONORS:
2001 Copa America
 Colombian National Team News and Scores
Colombian First Division News and Scores
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