by ldh2013 » Tue Jun 28, 2016 8:44 am
MIAMI -- Radamel Falcao and Juan Cuadrado scored as Colombia defeated Mexico 2-0 in a friendly on Wednesday, giving new coach Jose Pekerman a win on debut. . Falcao gave Colombia a 1-0 lead in the 37th minute. Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa deflected but failed to clear Dorlan Pabons shot from the right wing. Falcao retrieved the loose ball and tapped in a shot from inside the 6-yard box. Cuadrados goal in the 59th minute put Mexico in a deeper hole. James Rodriguez passed to Pablo Armero on the left wing. Armero dribbled toward the penalty area and picked out Cuadrado near the far post, where he converted on from 10 yards. Pekerman, a former Argentina national team coach, took over Colombia in January, replacing Leonel Alvarez. "Our players displayed will and determination throughout the match," Pekerman said. "Mexico had been playing at a high level of football and we were able to win." Mexico had opportunities: Carlos Salcidos 51st minute open shot from 25 yards rolled wide off the left post while Jesus Zavala hit the post from close range in the 21st minute. "I prefer to give Colombia the credit rather than what we lacked," Mexico coach Jose De La Torre said. "They made plays that we couldnt contain." Pekerman credited the work of his two immediate predecessors, Alvarez and Hernan Dario Gomez. "This group can continue to make progress," Pekerman said. Colombia resumes South American World Cup qualifiers against Peru on June 2. Mexico will play its first CONCACAF World Cup qualifier against Guyana on June 8. . Today, Craig looks at some trends that emerged from the quarterfinals. HBI 1. What went wrong for USA? In the wake of another failure to reach the semifinals - the fourth time in seven years for the U. . Long-standing doubts have been cast over the legitimacy of the participants intentions. Many have surmised that both Jim and Jim were in on the melee and the whole episode was rehearsed. If thats the case, it did no favours for either party, as Rome in particular struggled to book guests in the wake of the incident. Neither party has ever admitted to staging the fight, and the sentiments were likely real. . Anthony Davis and the New Orleans Pelicans ended up with the bigger problem.The Calgary Flames may have to do without goaltender Karri Ramo for a while. The 27-year-old Finn suffered an MCL injury during Saturday nights game against the Minnesota Wild and will be out until after the Olympic break. The Flames called up goalkeeper Joni Ortio from the American Hockey Leagues Abbotsford Heat. In 29 gaames with the Flames this season, Ramo has posted a 11-10-4 record with a . . 908 save percentage and a 2.66 goals-against average. He has 22-31-0-14 record in 77 career NHL games with the Flames and Tampa Bay Lightning. He was originally selected in the sixth round (191st overall) of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. ' ' '
