Youth International Tournament Ratings:
A – Impressive performance, definitely rewatch
B – Decent, would rewatch
C – Okay, could rewatch
D – Wouldn’t rewatch
Player profile:
- Nationality: Colombian
- Age: 20
- Date of birth: 17/06/1999
- Current Club: Feyenoord
- Career: Once Caldas, Feyenoord
- Position: Left Wing
- Secondary Position: Centre Forward or Right Wing
- Preferred foot: Right
Sinisterra was probably the stand out player in this match and caused the Polish defence many problems throughout. The Colombian is explosive with the ball at his feet, using great pace and close control to outmanouvere his opponents and driving at them well to force them on the back foot. Once in a position to deliver a cross or shot, his end product was good. When making runs off the ball he was able to stretch the defence using his acceleration and pace.
Physically, Sinisterra is small and fairly lightweight which lead to him being muscled off the ball on occasion. Despite this, he worked incredibly hard for his team down the left hand side and tracked back well to support the full back with his defensive duties. Overall, a very impressive performance from the young winger.
Rating: A
Player profile:
- Nationality: Colombian
- Age: 20
- Date of birth: 22/03/1999
- Current Club: Palmeiras
- Career: Envigado, Palmeiras
- Position: Right Wing
- Preferred foot: Right
In this game Angulo showed very similar qualities to that of Sinisterra. His pace is electric and with the ball at his feet he constantly had defenders on the back foot with his skills and ability to quickly change direction. In the final third, the quality of his end product greatly varied with some wayward shots and crosses but he was able to keep his composure when it mattered to finish well for his goal. Like his teammate on the other wing, Angulo was able to help greatly stretch the Polish defence allowing gaps to open up further infield. He is slim in build but his lack of physicality rarely caused him any problems today and his work rate was second to none. It was thanks to this work rate that he was able to play a big part in Colombia’s other goal as he showed great anticipation and awareness to force the opposition into a mistake.
Rating: A
Player profile:
- Nationality: Colombian
- Age: 19
- Date of birth: 27/09/1999
- Current Club: Liverpool
- Career: Fortaleza C.E.I.F., Liverpool, Mallorca B (L), Gent (L), Mladá Boleslav (L)
- Position: Left Back
- Secondary Position: Right Back
- Preferred foot: Left
Playing as a right back in this game, Arroyo put in an impressive display, albeit against a below par Poland side. The full back had very little defensive work to do throughout the match, but showed his ability when going forward, frequently making marauding overlaps. With good close control and clean passing the Colombian always seemed to have everything under control and cut a composed figure on the field.
Physically he is of average height but stocky and well built, suiting him well to his defensive role. When called upon to fulfil his defensive duties he accomplished them with ease and showed a good awareness to sniff out any danger. A good display, but I would be interested to watch him against a higher standard of opposition in order to test his defensive capabilities.
Rating: B
Player profile:
- Nationality: Colombian
- Age: 18
- Date of birth: 14/11/2000
- Current Club: Atlético Nacional
- Career: Atlético Nacional, Orlando City (L)
- Position: Defensive Midfield
- Secondary Position: Central Midfield
- Preferred foot: Right
Perea played as one of three central midfielders in Colombia’s system on the day and put in a very solid performance. The first thing that is noticeable about Perea is his size, standing at over 6 foot, the Colombian is very well built and his strength plays a huge part in his game. He frequently snuffed out any chance of the opposition mounting an attack, either by winning the ball or forcing the play away from goal. He is a very aggressive player who is hard in the tackle, perhaps verging on being slightly rash at times when making an attempt to win the ball. With the ball at his feet he was sensible with his passing, (understanding his role in the team) and drove with the ball well to start the attack. His work rate was impressive for a player of big stature as he never stopped running in the midfield.
Rating: B
Player profile:
- Nationality: Colombian
- Age: 19
- Date of birth: 18/01/2000
- Current Club: Deportivo Cali
- Career: Deportivo Cali
- Position: Defensive Midfield
- Secondary Position: Central Defender
- Preferred foot: Left
Balanta played as the holding midfielder in a 4-1-4-1 formation for Colombia in this game, showing both strengths and weaknesses in his ability. The holding midfielder is fairly small in stature and height but has a good burst of acceleration and is decisive in the tackle. His strengths lie in his defensive ability and positioning, frequently winning the ball back for his team through either well timed tackles or interceptions. He is patient in his defensive duties and waited for a good opportunity to challenge for the ball rather than making any rash or reckless decisions. Furthermore, his positioning between the defensive and midfield lines meant that there was little room in which the Polish attack could try and create anything. However, his downfall today was his ability on the ball. Balanta lacked composure and gave away possession through a loose pass or poor awarness of his surroundings on more than one occasion and this hindered Colombia’s build up play at times.
Rating: C