COLOMBIA COACH JOSE Pekerman said he was “concerned” over influential playmaker James Rodriguez after he limped off injured in a 1-0 win over Senegal that secured the South Americans’ place in the World Cup last 16.
After playing a cameo role for 10-man Colombia in a 2-1 opening defeat to Japan due to a calf injury niggle, Rodriguez returned to the fray for a decisive performance in their 3-0 win over Poland.
But in Samara on Thursday, the Bayern Munich player hobbled off after just 31 minutes, forcing Pekerman to tinker with his team after losing one of his key players.
In the end a headed goal by Barcelona defender Yerry Mina was enough to see Colombia past Senegal and into the knockout round.
But Rodriguez, whose tournament-topping six-goal tally steered Colombia to the quarter-finals four years ago, could be a key absence when Colombia face England.
Pekerman said he could not confirm if the player’s calf injury had flared up, but admitted: “I’m extremely concerned, it’s a very tough situation for my team.
“I didn’t want to talk about this in a conference, because it risks overshadowing everything else that’s happened.
“But I can say it’s not a comfortable situation for us.”
Rumours among Colombian media suggested Rodriguez may have suffered a fresh injury, but Pekerman added: “At the moment we don’t have information, I can’t confirm or deny.
“He trained normally until yesterday as always, he stayed on afterwards to practise free kicks and penalties as he does.
“He was fully fit… but right now I don’t know where he stands.
“We do hope we’ll hear good news once he’s gone for his check-up.”
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Cooper behaving like a soccer player,what a rat,not a sending off
It was a booking, and as he was already booked, two yellows make a red!
it was a straight red,plus being pulled by the shirt would not make you roll over the floor for over 2 minutes
For clarification, it was a second yellow for the sending off and was a definite yellow.
I think you’ll find it was a second yellow. And he stayed down for treatment on his ankle, or were you watching a different game?!
Game was well up anyhow,castlehaven were poor,different story if they meet crossmaglen in the final!!!
Colm Cooper is the Messi of GAA. The most talented player to ever play the game and all the other players can do is foul him as they can’t stop him otherwise. And I am a Cork woman so even I can see he is a genius.
Well said Sandra!
The tackle in question http://www.balls.ie/gaa/gif-castlehaven-player-gets-the-line-after-unsubtle-challenge-on-colm-cooper/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gif-castlehaven-player-gets-the-line-after-unsubtle-challenge-on-colm-cooper&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter#sthash.FflGxaah.dpbs
A battle to resonate through the ages …..
fame! found ourselves in the photo. go on The Crokes
watching two unbelievable teams play fast open football today, if crokes meet crossmaglen it will be some game, ok you have bridgets whom are no bad team either im not forgeting portlaois v ballymun.all good games to look forward thanks to tg4.
Just back from Cork watching match Crokes were Fantastic can’t say one player but the Crokes team a a very talented bunch.
Fair play to Sandra -A true sportswoman who recognises a football genius
Am I sensing some sarcasm there Neil!