Colombia held by Tunisia (AFP) Wednesday 5 March 2014 Share Colombia drew 1-1 with Tunisia in a pre-FIFA World Cup™ friendly as the South Americans lack of a cutting edge in the absence of star striker Radamel Falcao was exposed. With Los Cafeteros World Cup opener against Greece just over three months away, coach Jose Pekerman gave a number of his fringe players the chance to shine as Christian Zapata, Fredy Guarin, Jackson Martinez all started on the bench. Falcaos Monaco team-mate James Rodriguez opened the scoring from the penalty spot after Tunisian keeper Farouk Ben Mustapha had felled Victor Ibarbo after 20 minutes. Tunisia responded well, though, and were level 15 minutes later when Wahbi Khazri drilled home Yassin Mikaris cross. Colombia, who will also face Côte dIvoire and Japan in the group stages of the World Cup, had the lions share of possession after the break. However, without Falcao, who is struggling to make the World Cup after suffering knee ligament damage in January, and Martinez they didnt have the killer touch to turn their domination of the ball into goals. Mustapha made amends for conceding the penalty when he saved bravely from Fiorentinas Juan Cuadrado. Colombia were forced to see out the final ten minutes with ten men when Luis Perea saw a second yellow card for chopping down Fakhreddine Ben Youssef as he broke clear on goal.
Posted on: Wed, 05 Mar 2014 22:50:04 +0000
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