NEIL ASHTON: Memory of Escobar driving Colombia to glory in Brazil
When the family of Andres Escobar arrive at the Estadio Castelao
wearing Colombia's No 2 shirt, they will stir the emotions of the
millions watching back home.
Memory of tragic Andres Escobar driving Colombia to glory at the World Cup
- Escobar was shot dead in Medellin after returning from 1994 World Cup
- Defender scored an own goal against the hosts USA during the tournament
- Colombia exited the tournament at the group stage
When the family of Andres Escobar arrive
at the Estadio Castelao wearing Colombia's No 2 shirt on Friday afternoon,
they will stir the emotions of the millions watching back home.
Los
Cafeteros are in a World Cup quarter-final for the first time and the
country will be at a standstill as their team attempt to overcome the
might of favourites Brazil.
Yet it
is the grainy CCTV images of Escobar, who was gunned down in a car park
following an argument about his unfortunate own goal at the 1994 World
Cup, that have spurred on Jose Pekerman's team.
Scroll down to watch Colombians pay tribute to Escobar
Remembered: Santiago Escobar, brother of Andres, attends a memorial service in Medellin on Wednesday
Gone but not forgotten: Colombia defender Andres
Escobar, pictured here during the 1994 World Cup, was murdered after
returning from the tournament
Horror moment: Escobar diverted the ball beyond his own goalkeeper Oscar Cordoba during a defeat to hosts the USA in Los Angeles
VIDEO Colombians pay tribute to Escobar
The
image of Colombian football is a blur of colour and adventure, combined
with the murky underworld of drug cartels and gangland killings. Even
James Rodriguez, the World Cup's leading goalscorer, emerged from a
shadowy start at Envigado, a club just outside Medellin.
Eight
years ago, drug trafficker Gustavo Upequi, the owner of Envigado and an
influential figure in Rodriguez's early development, was murdered at
his home.
Here Colombia are trying to move on from their past and show the world
that their football has some of the brightest talent in the game. The
country's president, Juan Manuel Santos, is flying in for the match and
he has declared a half-day holiday for the country's 48m people.
Even English football has an affinity with Colombia's past, from
goalkeeper Rene Higuita's famous scorpion kick at Wembley in 1995 to
Faustino Asprilla's antics at Newcastle and Carlos Valderrama and that
unruly mop of hair. Pekerman's team cruised through the group stages
before Rodriguez helped knock out Uruguay.
Down and out: Escobar sits on the turf after
scoring an own goal which helped eliminate his side from the World Cup
at the group stage
Defiant: Colombia fans call for peace after the senseless murder of their star defender in Medellin
Valderrama, the undisputed king of Colombian football, believes
Rodriguez, 22, could become the country's most celebrated player. The
Monaco forward has been electrifying, the star of the tournament so far
after scoring against Greece, Ivory Coast, Japan and twice against
Uruguay in the second round.
'I've said how much I respect El Pipe (Valderrama's nickname) because he is our football legend,' admitted Rodriguez.
'He
was my hero as a boy and I wear the No 10 shirt he wore very, very
proudly. To have him say nice things about me is wonderful.
'Carlos
was one of the greatest Colombian footballers who has ever drawn breath.
I loved sitting watching him play for us as a kid - every Colombian kid
did.
'If they are comparing me to him at the end of my career,
that's when I will be extremely happy. He has done a lot for our country
and he is a very good guy. But I have not proved myself at
international level yet. If I can do that this summer and put a smile on
his face, along with all the other Colombians, I will be very happy.'
All smiles: James Rodriguez (centre) has helped the current Colombia team reach the quarter-finals in Brazil
Leading the way: Manager Jose Pekerman and his team have helped Colombia fall in love with football again
The
stadium is sold out and beating Brazil, for the first time since a 2-0
group win in the Copa America in 1991, would be something special.
That was the Escobar era, when talents such as Higuita, Valderrama and Freddy Rincon were coming to prominence.
'I
was just a young boy and I still remember how excited I was watching
USA 94 on television,' added Rodriguez, speaking at a Q&A with
adidas.
'I remember David Beckham scoring against Faryd Mondragon (in
1998). It was huge for the country but of course it didn't end well.'
This
is a new generation of players including Rodriguez, Porto forward
Jackson Martinez and Mario Yepes, ready to surpass the team which won
the Copa America in 2001.
'Our coach has got us playing and fighting
for each other, and for Colombia,' said Rodriguez, who has been
recognised as one of the most talented young midfielders in the world.
'It's
nice to hear others say they think I am going well, especially when it
comes from coaches and players. I use it as a positive but I don't let
it give me a big head. That's when you think you have made it and things
quickly go wrong for you.'
So far, everything is going right for Rodriguez and this team.
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