The Colombian National Team will have to face the strong heat that it will experience in their duel against Costa Rica in Arizona, on the second day of Group D of the Copa América.
Colombian national team in hell
In true hell the team is preparing for its second match in the competition, in which it will seek to secure a place in the quarterfinals.
Due to the high temperatures, both teams have been forced to change their training schedules, from daytime to nighttime, both in the cities of Glendale, where the match will be played, and in Phoenix, where they remain concentrated.
These cities in the state of Arizona as of 07:00 local time register about 112 degrees Fahrenheit or 44 degrees Celsius. When the game starts this Friday, at 5 pm (Colombian time), at State Farm Stadium, according to the weather.com portal there will be a temperature of 43 degrees, thank goodness the stadium is covered and air-conditioned otherwise it would be impossible to play at that time.
Colombia National Team, in Arizona.
Photo:FCF
The local news has warned that in the coming days there will be a weather alert for the excessive heat that can exceed 44 degrees.
Much of the state of Arizona, known for its desert landscapes and cacti, has an arid or semi-arid climate and receives less than 40 centimeters of rain per year, making its cities very hot in summer and with very mild winters.
The Colombian national team’s press department reported that the team’s schedule was changing due to these weather conditions.
“We send you the modification of the media agenda that the Colombian Senior Men’s National Team will have that will train in the afternoon, due to the high temperatures in Glendale, United States. Therefore, the practice will take place at 6:30 in the afternoon and not at 8:40 in the morning as had been agreed.”
Although the members of the Colombian team are already accustomed to playing in the 33 and 35 degrees of Barranquilla, the team’s headquarters in the South American qualifiers, what happened in Arizona has no point of comparison.
Colombia selection.
Photo:FCF
‘Hotter than in Barranquilla’
John Durana 20-year-old forward for English Aston Villa, warned: “The temperature here is very high, even higher than in Barranquilla… This here is hell, I have never felt so hot before.”
The Argentine River Plate striker Miguel Angel Borjawho also spoke to the media, said: “I have never experienced such heat. Not even in Tierralta at one in the afternoon,” he said, comparing the heat in Arizona with that of his hometown in the department of Córdoba, which is also hot. And the heat is not only overwhelming Arizona.
It should be remembered that the high temperatures recorded this summer at the Copa America in the United States, already caused the Guatemalan linesman to Humberto Panjoj He collapsed during the match between Peru and Canada last Tuesday in Kansas City, just before the end of the first half.
Last year, Phoenix set a new heat record after experiencing 19 consecutive days of temperatures above 43 degrees. The National Weather Service (NWS) recorded a high of 46.6 degrees in 2023. Phoenix has a history of very high temperatures with 50 degrees on June 26, 1990; 49 degrees on July 28, 1995 and 48.5 degrees on June 25, 1990.
However, the highest temperature in the state was recorded in Lake Havasu when the thermometer reached 53 degrees on June 29, 1994. Climate journalists have made some recommendations to try to counteract the heat.
“We recommend people take it seriously, whether you’re acclimatized or indoors, you should stay hydrated and stay indoors as much as possible.” Without a doubt, this Friday State Farm will be a true oasis in the Arizona desert for everyone.
EFE
