We lost again: 1 – 2

Colombia lost tonight’s game against Honduras at Fort Lauderdale. Suazo and Thomas scored for Honduras, meanwhile Rentería did the same thing for us. I didn’t find highlights on youtube nor any similar web.

The last time we beat Honduras was back in 2001 (Cup America Semifinal) when we won 2-0. Since then, both teams have played each other 4 times (including tonight’s game) losing twice. Overall, they have won 6 games and we 3.

Pinto’s lineup was almost the one I said on my previous post, but Pinto surprised everyone using Aldo Ramírez (I liked this, but he didn’t play well and was later substituted) instead of G. Hernandez on the midfield. Colombia didn’t control the game on the first half but had the better chances to score. Nevertheless, Honduras did it first at the 30th minute, when Suazo took advantage of an error by A. Mosquera and scored a good goal. Just after that, Colombia started to play better, but couldn’t score.

For the second half, Pinto sent Zuñiga instead of Bustos (a expected substitution), and Colombia played well for some minutes. Rentería scored the equalizer after he headed a ball sent by Grisales at the 54th minute, but Thomas scored for Honduras in the 63th minute. After that, Honduras controlled the game and Colombia didn’t do enough to try to score again.

I know that Pinto is trying to use these friendlies to prepare the team who will play on the Qualifiers, but I think he should use them to test new players. We have the goalkeeper (Julio), the defenders (Bustos, Mosquera, Moreno and Velez), the forwards (Rentería and Falcao) and 2 midfielders (Amaya and Sánchez), so why don’t we try to look for those 2 mens on midfield missing and some good backups for the rest of the team? What is the point of using the same lineup? Someone could say that maybe it’s because Pinto wants them to gain some experience, but I think they all are experienced enough.

Let’s see what will happen on April 30th, when we will play with Venezuela on Bucaramanga, it’s expected that Pinto will use players from the local league so maybe it’s the time to see some new faces (finally the chance to Josimmar, Motta and Moreno?).

PS: just for the record, Falcao scored the first goal on River’s victory over Universidad Catolica.