Colombia continue recovery with win in Chile
Reuters - Tuesday 11 September 2012, 23:33
Strikers Radamel Falcao and
Teo Gutierrez confirmed their red-hot scoring form as Colombia
came from a goal down to beat 10-man Chile 3-1 away in a World
Cup qualifier at the Monumental on Tuesday.
Colombia, who crushed Uruguay 4-0 at home on Friday, joined
Argentina at the top of the South American group on 13 points,
at least until Lionel Messi's side met Peru in Lima later on
Tuesday.
Chile were down to 10 men from the 34th minute when
midfielder Gary Medel was sent off for slapping defender Luis
Perea, who theatrically fell to the ground, in the face.
The hosts nevertheless took the lead five minutes before the
interval with a fine free kick from playmaker Matias Fernandez.
Goalkeeper Claudio Bravo then kept Chile in the match with a
string of fine saves although he was helpless with midfielder
James Rodriguez's free-kick equaliser just before the hour which
went in off his left-hand post.
Colombia's Argentine coach Jose Pekerman, appointed late
last year and instrumental in their recovery from a poor start
to the qualifiers, made a telling substitution in midfield in
the 73rd minute, bringing on Aldo Ramirez for Macnelly Torres.
Ramirez had an immediate impact with a fine through ball to
Falcao who steered it past Bravo to put Colombia ahead in the
74th with his third goal in two games.
Gutierrez, who like Falcao had scored twice against Uruguay,
increased the visitors' lead three minutes later when he took a
pass from his strike partner on the left and beat Bravo with a
low shot inside the near post.
Colombia midfielder Abel Aguilar was sent off three minutes
from time for handball, his second booking.
"We got three points that take us nearer to what we want.
Chile had a very good first half but we were able to come back
and we finished very well," Pekerman told Fox Sports.
"This is thanks to my family, my personal trainer and my
psychologist so that I could do things properly," said the
mercurial Gutierrez, recalled by Pekerman following a troubled
spell at Racing Club in Argentina.
"We have a good understanding [with Falcao], this is a very
nice family," he added referring to the Colombia squad.
"Pekerman has given us a lot in the tactical aspect and in
the mental aspect," Rodriguez said.