Five reasons Colombia can overcome Brazil hoodoo

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Five reasons Colombia can overcome Brazil hoodoo

Colombia have only managed to beat Brazil twice in 25 previous meetings, but having won all four of their matches at the 2014 World Cup are buoyant heading into their quarter-final against the hosts on Friday.

Here, AFP sports looks at five reasons why the Colombians can be optimistic about ending Brazil's quest for a sixth World Cup in Fortaleza.

1. King James

In a World Cup in which the star names have turned up at the party, it is not Neymar, Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo who lead the scoring charts but Colombia's James Rodriguez.

James has netted five times and provided two assists in his first four World Cup games, including a goal of the tournament contender with a sumptuous dipping left-foot volley to set Colombia on their way to victory in a 2-0 win over Uruguay in the last 16.

2. Neymar fitness concerns

Brazil's own talisman continues to show remarkable courage whilst shouldering the expectation of the host nation as he slotted home his side's fifth penalty in their shootout win over Chile in the last 16.

However, the 22-year-old was on the end of some rough treatment from the Chileans leaving him battered, bruised and far from fresh to face the Colombians.

3. Fred and Jo

La Selecao's reliance on Neymar has been exaggerated through four games thanks to the lack of any real end product from their number nines Fred and Jo.

Fred does have one goal to his name against Group A whipping boys Cameroon, but has been replaced by Jo with his side in need of a goal against both Mexico and Chile.

The former Manchester City striker has failed to provide that breakthrough on both occasions and wasn't even among Brazil's five penalty takers against Chile.

4. Brazil’s anxiety

Neymar, Julio Cesar and captain Thiago Silva were among those to break down in tears of relief following their narrow escape over Chile.

Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has also shown concerns over his side's mental state, calling in the team's sports psychologist for an extra emergency session with the team on Tuesday.

With so much nervous tension and 120 minutes of high intensity football against the Chileans in their legs, Colombia may well be able to call on greater energy reserves in the heat of Fortaleza.

5. Gustavo gap in Brazil midfield

Another setback from Brazil's encounter with the Chileans was a second yellow card of the tournament and subsequent suspension for the understated midfield general Luis Gustavo.

The Wolfsburg midfielder is key to Scolari's system in covering a huge amount of ground to allow full-backs Marcelo and Dani Alves to fly forward.

Moreover, Gustavo normally occupies the role in front of the defence where James will be looking to turn Brazilian dreams into another World Cup nightmare on home soil.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2014-07-03

[djhotsox]

GO BRAZIL!!!

[bigbamboo]

I don't think this Brazil team is good enough to win the World Cup. Whether Colombia take them out is another matter.

The best footballing team on show so far have been Belgium and I think they have it in them to beat Argentina who have also seriously disappointed. Taker Neymar and Messi out of the big two and you are left with little better than Roy's Rovers.

France look the best of the rest but Benzema is their 'Andy Cole'...... he seems to need a dozen chances to put one away.

The Dutch will crack at some point, usually in the final, so that leaves the team that is never the best to watch but will always be there or thereabouts at the end, can seemingly grab a last minute goal whenever they need it and never ever lose on penalties.

So there you have it. Football's biggest tournament in the most glamorous setting possible and the boring bloody Germans will win it on penalties.

[P45Mustang]

So there you have it...

[bigbamboo]

Sorry, I should have put a spoiler alert on my last post.

[P45Mustang]

GO BRAZIL!!!

+1

[djhotsox]

I don't think this Brazil team is good enough to win the World Cup. Whether Colombia take them out is another matter.

The best footballing team on show so far have been Belgium and I think they have it in them to beat Argentina who have also seriously disappointed. Taker Neymar and Messi out of the big two and you are left with little better than Roy's Rovers.

France look the best of the rest but Benzema is their 'Andy Cole'...... he seems to need a dozen chances to put one away.

The Dutch will crack at some point, usually in the final, so that leaves the team that is never the best to watch but will always be there or thereabouts at the end, can seemingly grab a last minute goal whenever they need it and never ever lose on penalties.

So there you have it. Football's biggest tournament in the most glamorous setting possible and the boring bloody Germans will win it on penalties.

Germans are sick. Don't bet on it.

[P45Mustang]

France win suits me.

We will see.