Colombia national team today: Abel Aguilar, last to score a goal against Uruguay, gives key to Qatar 2022 qualifying duel, interview, exclusive | Selection of Colombia



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This Friday, when the ball rolls into the metropolitan stadium of Barranquilla for the Colombia-Uruguay match, for the third round of qualifying for the Qatar 2022 World Cup, nostalgia will also roll.

In front of the television, now as an extra fan, will be the last man to score a goal in a qualifying tournament for the Uruguayans: Abel Enrique Aguilar.

The goal, the only one

The day that repeats itself as in a movie in his memory was 11 October 2016: “Muriel loaded, it was very humid, there was no sun, it was my role in corner kicks or free kicks , she trained and the ball there. That moment was not forgotten … We were organizing a dance, whoever scored had to lead the others, during the week we tried a few steps and it happened to me. I finally conceded the goal. “

It was a furious party, a cry that summed up a long list of frustrations: “I broke my ankle in 2015 before the Copa América in Chile, I missed it and it took me three and a half months to recover. Then I had a hard time getting over it. regain the pace and confidence, I spent almost six, seven months without playing. I went to Portugal to look for minutes and I returned to Colombia thinking about the national team, looking for the consolidation to return and it went like this, qualifying started and they called me again, I went back against Visitor of Paraguay and then that game in Barranquilla … in that difficulty is when confidence is enhanced, he (Pékerman) trusted even when I had no continuity in Cali and I was able to perform later in the national team ” .

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Target Abel Aguilar Colombia



Abel Aguilar Colombia vs Uruguay goal

It was his only goal in an official competition with Colombia (he would have scored three more in friendlies). It seems little but it was enough to know how to hurt a South American power, with players from the best teams in the world, with a coach who arouses admiration, but who, despite everything, cannot dissuade the national team from a peremptory obligation: You can’t fail at home in a playoff!

How do you face a rival like Uruguay?

Uruguay is a very competitive team, they come to lose in a difficult way and that touches their morale, they will want to come for their result. They know what it means to play here and they understand what the Colombian national team is and what it generates, so for them a draw is wonderful. That’s where the selection has to be true to what they did, if they keep their idea there will be no problem to win.

But it’s still a favorite …

It is a very careful game, winning it will open up many possibilities for qualification. The Eliminatory is long but it is essential to win at home. One point would not be enough because those points would have to be found in Ecuador. In the qualifying round against Russia we had to do it, we drew with Uruguay, we had to win in Ecuador, we had to add the winger because we ran away from home, so we don’t have to win at home.

What is the mistake that Colombia cannot make?

The mistake is believing that you are dominating yourself. You can dominate Uruguay in the game but there it is more dangerous because they do not forgive in their transitions with Suárez and Cavani. Uruguay is a very physical team, very powerful, in the last game Suárez made us 1-1 and in a long ball they won us space and made us seconds (“Cebolla” Rodríguez). With more control you have to be twice as careful.

How much will the midfield, your sector in Colombia, suffer against Uruguay?

They must continue to consolidate. Wilmar, Jefferson, Matheus returning, must consolidate, even Square, who uses him as an interior. They did the process but this is where they must assert themselves, be the strength of the team, keep the level.

Who is the “Abel” of this new version of the national team?

I see Matheus further back and forth, physically very strong, he is good at attacking, he is a good support, but I really enjoyed Lerma’s work, he has a greater tendency to play. Today the team plays differently, we had more specific positions, this team is faster, with players like James who control the game but with a lot of much faster, very challenging transitions.

How long will Colombia Falcao and the injured be missing?

They are external factors, which cannot be controlled. The climate, the people, the environment here is wonderful and this is the player adaptation, you have to overcome. Because this is teamwork, mental work, the motivation must come from everyone, to get to know each other in a Selection and enjoy it. Falco is in an important moment, he certainly wants to help inside, but also outside, he is a leader, a reference and for those who arrive it is important. Duván is at the peak of his career and is taking advantage of it. Falcao must always be there, accompany him, invite you to work and help you understand what it means to be part of the national team. But Colombia depends on Colombia, it has to trust its game, make an effort and give no advantage, pay attention to details and be one hundred percent focused.

Does it make such a difference to play at 15:30 in Barranquilla?

You have a physiological imprint. Many of us played in that period at the beginning, this allows us to face the difficulties, we have all learned it, it is not easy but we are much more used to Uruguay or Argentina. They (the Uruguayans) know this, they have already experienced it, we have always played at 3:30 because we manage the heat better, we talk a lot, we help each other better. But the fundamental work is what you do on the pitch, there are external factors that influence but it is football that makes the difference.

Is a scorer encouraged?

Clear! We won 2-1, goals from Duván and James.

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