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Goalkeepers
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Player
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Team, Age, Caps
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Farid Mondragon
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(Independiente, Argentina), age 26 (27 on June 21), 21 caps.
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Lost his place during mid-1997 after a series of
blunders in World Cup matches and in Copa America.
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Oscar Cordoba
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(America), 28, 45 caps.
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Played in goal during
Colombia's ill-fated 1994 World Cup campaign. Regained his place
from Mondragon last year but his future his uncertain as he
recently walked out on the squad, claiming that star striker
Faustino Asprilla was enjoying too many privileges.
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Miguel Calero
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(Atletico Nacional), 27, 9 caps.
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Third-choice goalkeeper who has rarely been tested for his country in
competitive matches. Began career with Deportivo Cali and once scored a spectacular individual goal in which he dribbled through an opposing team.
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Defenders
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Player
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Team, Age, Caps
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Jorge Bermudez
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(Boca Juniors, Argentina), 27 (28 on May 20), 40 caps.
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Has stepped into the place of the late Andres Escobar,
the player murdered after returning from the 1994 World Cup. One
of the finds of Colombian soccer since USA '94, he
has played in two Copa Americas and nearly all of the World Cup
qualifiers.
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Alexis Mendoza
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(Veracruz), 36, 67 caps.
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One of the old guard
who played in both the 1990 and 1994 World Cups. His age makes
him a rank outsider for a place in France and the fact that his
club were relegated in this year's Mexican championship does not
help his cause.
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Wilmer Cabrera
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(Millonarios) 30, 42 caps.
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Another player
moving towards his third World Cup, though this time he is as
likely to play as a midfielder as in defense. Scored the goal
which qualified Colombia for the World Cup in a 1-0 win over
Venezuela.
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Ivan Cordoba
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(San Lorenzo), 21, 12 caps.
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Made his debut last
year during the Copa America and played well.
Also played in Colombia's last four qualifying matches and looks
likely to partner Bermudez in defense.
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Evert Palacios
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(Deportivo Cali), 29, 5 caps.
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Reserve defender who has tasted international experience late in his
career.
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Hugo Galeano
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(Atletico Junior), 27 caps, 15 caps.
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Versatile defender who played in nine qualifying matches, most of them as
substitute.
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Francisco Mosquero
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(Atletico Nacional), 24, 1 cap.
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Has made
a good impression of himself for Atletico, particularly when
they reached the Libertadores Cup final in 1995, and is now
pushing for a regular national team place.
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Jose Santa
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(Atletico Nacional), 27, 23 caps.
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Has made
a good impression of himself for Atletico, particularly when
they reached the Libertadores Cup final in 1995, and is now
pushing for a regular national team place.
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Wilson Perez
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(Unicosta), 30, 37 caps.
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Another veteran aiming for his third World Cup.
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Midfielders
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Player
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Team, Age, Caps
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Mauricio Serna
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(Boca Juniors, Argentina), 30, 36 caps.
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Defensive midfielder who came into the side following the 1994
World Cup debacle. The team's penalty taker.
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Andres Estrada
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(Deportivo Cali), 30, 15 caps.
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Has had to
wait until relatively late in his career for a national team
chance and is usually used as a substitute. Played in five
qualifying games.
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Carlos Valderrama
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(Miami Fusion, United States), 36, 104 caps.
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Veteran midfielder with distinctive frizzy orange hairdo
who is set for his third World Cup. First made himself noticed
at international level with an outstanding performance in the
1987 Copa America, the first of the five occasions he has played
in the South American tournament. A superb one-touch passer who
directs attacks, Colombia have still not come to terms at the
possibility of playing without him.
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Freddy Rincon
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(Corinthians, Brazil), 31, 72 caps.
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Lanky
player who deceptively gives the impression that he is clumsy
and not always in control of the ball. In fact, he possesses the
most deft of touches and likes to indulge in all kinds of clever
flicks and back heels. Has been around almost as long as
Valderrama and is heading for his third World Cup. Has returned
to Brazil after a bitter experience with Real Madrid.
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Harold Lozano
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(Valladolid, Spain), 26, 30 caps.
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Showed a lot
of promise early in his career but has still not been able to
upstage either Rincon or Valderrama in midfield. Often used as a
second-half substitute.
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Herman Gaviria
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(Atletico Nacional), 28, 22 caps.
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Hard-tackling midfielder who has been around the national team
for several years without ever forging a regular place. Used
mainly as a reserve or substitute, particularly when Gomez feels
in defensive mood.
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Neider Morantes
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(Atletico Nacional), 22, 6 caps.
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Performed
promisingly in last year's Copa America, when he was made his
international debut, scoring twice against Costa Rica. But will
have to wait for Rincon and Valderrama to retire before getting
a regular run.
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Victor Pacheco
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(Atletico Junior), 24, 11 caps.
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A small,
skillful player with an excellent touch in the typical Colombia
mold. Played in last year's Copa America, when some of the
older players were rested.
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Jorge Bolano
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(Atletico Junior), 21, 9 caps.
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Reserve
midfielder who played in April's 2-2 friendly draw in Chile.
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Forwards
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Player
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Team, Age, Caps
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Faustino Asprilla
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(Parma, Italy), 28, 37 caps.
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Elusive,
rubber-legged striker who is probably the most exciting player
the country has ever produced. Often gives the impression that
the ball is tied to his foot. Enigmatic and softly spoken off
the field, he has a tendency to get into fights when he goes
back to Colombia and annoys his neighbors in Europe by playing
salsa at full volume in his home. Previously with English club
Newcastle United.
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Victor Aristizabal
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(Sao Paulo, Brazil), 26, 39 caps.
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After a
superb year with Sao Paulo in 1997, Aristizabal has suddenly
found himself in the reserves at his club. An eternal substitute
at national team level, where he has never quite been able to
find his club form. Has been involved internationally since 1993
and has played in three Copa Americas. Began with Atletico
Nacional. Can also play in midfield.
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Hamilton Ricard
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(Middlesbrough, England), 23, 17 caps.
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Physically strong but clumsy striker who has distinguished
himself in England only with a number of glaring misses.
Formerly with Deportivo Cali, he partnered Asprilla in several
qualifying games.
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Antony de Avila
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(MetroStars, United States), 34, 59 caps.
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Another veteran on course for his third World Cup. De Avila
played in 12 qualifiers, most of them as substitute, and scored
three goals, including a late winner against Ecuador.
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