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Colombia coach Jose Pekerman has unveiled the list of players that will square off against Chile and Argentina in the upcoming 2018 World Cup qualifying matches.
The good news for the fans is that Real Madrid ace James Rodriguez has overcome his injury and the former Monaco man will surely help los Cafeteros improve their game.
However, Chelsea striker Falcao will miss the matches against Chile and Argentina qualifiers. The “Colombian Tiger” suffered a muscle injury in training and he is definitely out of contention.
Jose Pekerman will count on three attackers for the upcoming matches, with the likes of Teofilo Gutierez, Jackson Martinez and Carlos Bacca all being named in the 26-man squad.
It has to be noted that the likes of Bernardo Espinosa (Sporting Gijon), Daniel Torres (Independiente Medellin), Francisco Meza (Santa Fe), Helibelton Palacios (Deportivo Cali) and Felipe Pardo (Olympiakos) could earn their first Colombia caps.
The Colombians kicked off their 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign with a 2-0 win over Peru, but they were totally outplayed by Uruguay at Estadio Centenario in their first away fixture in the process.
Los Cafeteros take on Chile at Estadio Nacional Julio Martinez on Friday, whilst they host Argentina at their Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Melendez on Tuesday evening.
Colombia squad:
Goalkeepers: David Ospina (Arsenal), Camilo Vargas (Nacional), Cristian Bonilla (La Equidad);
Defenders: Cristian Zapata (Milan), Bernardo Espinosa (Sporting Gijon), Jeison Murillo (Inter), Santiago Arias (PSV), Johan Mojica (Real Valladolid), Helibelton Palacios (Deportivo Cali), Francisco Meza (Santa Fe), Frank Fabra (Medellin);
Midfielders: Fredy Guarin (Inter), Carlos Carbonero (Sampdoria), James Rodriguez (Real Madrid); Carlos Sanchez (Aston Villa), Edwin Cardona (Monterrey), Juan Fernando Quintero (Rennes), Daniel Torres (Medellin), Macnelly Torres (Nacional), Alex Mejia (Nacional);
Forwards: Carlos Bacca (Milan), Teofilo Gutiérrez (Sporting), Jackson Martínez (Atletico de Madrid), Luis Fernando Muriel (Sampdoria), Adrian Ramos (Borussia Dortmund), Felipe Pardo (Olympiakos).
