01:03 PM
The victory of the Colombian National Team over Romania sealed a great Fifa date, and the best start to the year that Néstor Lorenzo could imagine for his team. Something that without the help of the three Chocoanos present on the scoreboard In the end it would not have been possible.
First was Jhon Córdoba, who early opened the scoring with a header (6), Jhon Arias signed the second at minute 35, and Yáser Asprilla made it 3-0 partial at 79, these last two goals after great collective plays.
In the last part of the match, Romania scored a goal (Hagi 84′, Tanase 90+3′) and scored the final 3-2, which gave them more importance from time to time for the Chocoanos.
Added to this great contribution is the call for other players from the region such as Carlos Cuesta and Carlos Andrés Gómez. Under the command of Néstor Lorenzo, Deiver Machado also became a regular, but injuries affected his 23/24 season.
This new generation of chocoan players who take the Colombian National Team is consistent with the historical contribution of the department on the national team. There were many who wore the Tricolor, but some managed to stand out more.
Best chocoanos in Selection
Carlos Sanchez
‘The Rock’ was very important in Néstor Pékerman’s process. He earned his place in the midfield and was so common that he managed to become the eighth player with the most appearances in the history of the Colombian National Team (88). He was a starter in the 2014 Brazil and 2018 World Cups in Russia, and in the 2011, 2015 and 2016 Copa América. He is the second in his position with the most games in the history of the Tricolor, only behind Leonel Álvarez (101), and the Chocoano with the most participations.
Jackson Martinez
‘La Pantera’ is remembered for his good performance at club level, especially for his time at Porto. In the National Team, he unfortunately shared a generation with the best forward the country produced, Radamel Falcao, and in the process of competing for a position his participation was greatly reduced. Even so, he is the Chocoan with the most goals in the National Team, adding 10 in 40 games. He played in the 2014 World Cup and the 2011 and 2015 Copa América.
Hamilton Ricard
Chocó distinguished themselves by contributing goals, which is why other of the most outstanding soccer players in the region are forwards. Hamilton Ricard was important in the 90s, participating in tournaments such as the 98 World Cup in France and the Copa América in 1997 and 1999. He played 27 games and scored 5 goals in total. At the club level he was one of those who paved the way for the coffee growers in the English Premier League.
Tressor Moreno
For his part, Tressor Moreno was part of the unfortunate generation of the 2000s that did not qualify for any World Cup. He reached the semifinal of the 2004 Copa América, was in the Korea-Japan 2002 Qualifiers, Germany 2006 and South Africa 2010. In total he made 32 games and 5 goals.
Wason Renteria
He had many opportunities in the 2010 South Africa Qualifiers while in European football. He scored 5 goals in 23 games, almost all of them in friendlies, but he ended up returning to Colombia without establishing himself in the old continent and was not called up by the Tricolor again.
It is worth mentioning an iconic youth like Libis Arenaswho did not make his debut in the Senior team, but is remembered for his excellent level in the 2005 South American U-20 where Colombia was champion. Although it seemed destined to be the ‘1’ of the National Team For a long time, he missed his opportunity at Lazio in Italy and ended up stumbling around South America without consolidating anywhere. David Ospina, his substitute in the U-20 team, won the position on the senior team.
Among other Chocoans, Felipe Pardo, Darwin Andrade and Danilson Córdoba were in the Colombian National Team. Manuel Acisclo Córdoba, father of the current Tricolor soccer player, scored 3 goals in the 80s.
Finally, between The contributions that Chocó gave to football is Francisco Maturana, Easily the most important Colombian coach in history, and with the two heaviest titles on his back: the 2001 Copa América, the first and only title for the Colombian National Team, and the first international title for the country with the 1989 Copa Libertadores.
