The Colombian U-20 national team begins a new sporting challenge next weekend when the curtain falls on the U-20 World Cup in Argentina. The tricolor team will debut against Israel on Sunday, 21st May and the game can be enjoyed on RCN channel screens.
The performance of the guys led by Héctor Cárdenas during the South American Cup played in the Colombian region made a great impression and the fans dreamed of a good participation in the World Cup to be played in Argentina.
The tricolor team finished the tournament in Colombia in third place behind Brazil and Uruguay, but now with a few newcomers, the team will have a bit more hierarchy and chances to emerge as the protagonists.
Apparently in South American, Héctor Cárdenas prefers to play with a 4-5-1 and this will be the approach chosen by Cali’s coach, who will overpopulate the half-field so that his wingers Oscar Cortes and Daniel Luna are outclassed. Can come Take advantage of speed and the spaces your opponent may leave you with your agility.
The team’s great effectiveness in the center of attack in the last part of the South American tournament suggests that it will continue with the same players, as well as Yasser Asprilla, one of the jewels of Colombian football and who hopes to be able to play this A leading role in the World Cup. , which is a great performance.
Colombia national team under-20 number of eleven
On the players’ participation in their respective clubs so far in 2023:
Luis Marquinez, who hails from Atlético Nacional, has not played a single minute for his team so far this year, but has been Héctor Cárdenas’ reliable man in goal.
Edior Ocampo, who is also part of the Purslane squad, played three games with the club and played 224 minutes. The right-back showed a great face during the South American Under-20s and despite the fact that he has had little involvement in his team, the tricolor team he has shown
Fernando Álvarez was left with the title in the middle of the South American Championships played in Colombia and since then he has not left the regulars of Héctor Cárdenas’ team. The player is part of the Pachuca U-20 team and there he has appeared in five games with 371 minutes and one goal.
Kevin Mantilla completed the central defense of the national team. Despite his young age, he earned ownership with Independiente Santa Fe and there he has been one of the best in Colombian football in his position. The Bogotá man has played eight games and 396 minutes this year with one goal included.
Andres Salazar is in charge of the left side. The technical player belongs to Nacional and there, although he has minutes, his participation is minimal as he has added 179 minutes in the 4 games that he has played in the purslane shirt.
Juan Castilla is a talented left-handed midfielder who plays for Houston Dynamo II in the United States’ third tier. There he has played 211 minutes in three matches and continues to appear regularly for the national team.
Gustavo Puerta is the captain and one of the undisputed of this team. The young midfielder made a decision that has cost him nothing in the middle of the South American Championship, as he has made zero appearances on the pitch since moving to Nuremberg in Germany. However, Puerta would be on the team’s starting list.
Daniel Luna is also part of foreign football and in Mallorca’s fourth division the left winger has made only two appearances with 116 minutes on the pitch.
Oscar Cortes is probably the biggest figure on this team and the man belonging to Millonarios was close to not being able to go to the World Cup because his team needed him to be in the FPC Finals. Cortes has played 14 games and played 1,006 minutes, and despite not being a striker, he has scored six goals with his team this year.
Yasser Asprilla joined the squad to face the World Cup in Argentina, as Watford did not loan him out for the South American Championship. The skilful midfielder is also one of those who appear on the pitch the most, but only for a few minutes. Asprilla plays in the Second Division of England and made 16 appearances with 459 minutes and one goal.
In the middle of the tournament played in Colombia, Jorge Cabezas also made it to the starting team and the Medellin center forward will be in charge of leading the national team’s attack at the World Cup. Cabezas has 6 court appearances and 187 minutes played in the ‘Powerful’ shirt.
Also worth noting is the presence of two Antioquia players, Miguel Monsalve and Tomas Angel, who are part of Independiente Medellin and Atlético Nacional respectively. Both footballers have more than 10 appearances in this Colombian tournament and the required number of minutes to be part of the starting team.
