THE VITALS:

Team: Colombia

Brand: Adidas

Era: 2011-13 (Used for the 2011 Copa America and during qualification for the 2014 FIFA World Cup)

Name/Number: Falcao #9

CONDITION: VERY GOOD

Unfortunately, this shirt has seen better days; especially as far as the name and numbering is concerned with the print regrettably coming in some parts. The rest of the shirt however is still in very good condition with the material, national team crest and elastic not far from excellent.

DIMENSIONS:

Size: Small

Pit to Pit Measurement: 18 inches

Shirt Length: 29 inches

Made by Adidas in their ‘ClimaCool;’ range of shirts which they released in 2011; unlike many of Adidas’ shirts that they released at the start of the 2010’s – this shirt provides a stunning size small fit!

DESCRIPTION:

After eleven years; Adidas and Colombia were reunited and for what was their third stint together and their most recent relationship got off to an interesting start as what was seemingly a beta-mode strip was used for their first match under the new regime when they played Spain at the Santiago Bernabeu on 9^th February 2011. The pair of kits that would be used thereafter for the cycle debuted a month later in the 2-0 win over Ecuador. Unlike the efforts fashioned by Lotto during the 2000’s – no longer was the national team crest in the middle of the shirt as it was restored to the traditional left side of the chest, meanwhile navy was selected as the dominant secondary colour to compliment the famous yellow backdrop. This would also be the first time that a conventional navy v-neck was used as the collar in what was most certainly a fine start to what is a partnership that still remains to this day! Fans of the national side will remember this period with much fondness as the national side collected arguably its most talent rich assembly of players with Radamel Falcao earning status as one of the worlds most deadliest strikers, and alongside ‘El Tigre’ was the likes of: James Rodriguez, Juan Cuadrado,  Carlos Bacca, Freddy Guarin, Cristian Zapata, David Ospina, Jackson Martinez, Pablo Armero all coming into their own while Mario Yepes continued to lead the country at the heart of defence. Colombia would famously win Group A of the 2011 Copa America that was held in Argentina – holding the hosts to a goalless draw before crashing out to Peru in the quarter-finals. They would leverage that excellent form into the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign as they finished as runners-up to take part in their first World Cup since 1998!

THE SEASON(S):

After only uniting for the first time in 2010 in May; Colombia would endure poor 2010 as they won just twice in their eight Friendlies. 2011 would be a different matter entirely however, as they had the opportunity to travel to the home of the newly crowned World Champions – Spain for a friendly on 9h February against the hosts. Although they were beaten 1-0, they would return to the Spanish capital the following month to defeat Ecuador in all Latin affair. Three days later, they would travel to the Netherlands where they beaten by Chile 2-0 in their final match before the Copa America kicked off in Argentina at the beginning of July.

Hernan Dario Gomez’ side got off to the best start on 2^nd July when they beat Costa Rica 1-0 in their opening game, Four days later, they would take on the host nation in Santa Fe and walk out with a goalless draw to all-but seal their place in the quarter final! Radamel Falcao’s brace in the same stadium would secure a 2-0 win over Bolivia to when the group and set up a clash with Peru on 16^th July – however, the dream of the Copa America would end as they were beaten 2-0 after extra time in Cordoba.

Leonel Alvarez would take over the managerial hot-seat from Hernan Dario Gomez ahead of the September round of friendly games and he would deliver a pair of 2-0 wins over Jamaica and Bolivia respectively, before earning a 2-1 win over Bolivia to begin qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. The year would end on a slightly disappointing note as Venezuela held Colombia to a 1-1 draw in Barranquilla before losing 2-1 to Argentina in the same venue just a few days later in what was Leonel Alvarez’ final game in charge,

Miami would host Colombia’s first game of 2012 and the Jose Pekerman era as they beat Mexico 2-0, but would have to wait until June to come together again to resume qualifying for the World Cup. The Argentine coach made two wins out of two when James Rodriguez scored his first senior goal for the national side in the 1-0 win over Peru. Although Colombia would next be beaten by Ecuador; the national side would embark on a magical run of four straight wins – a first since 2007, to end 2012  with a fine record six wins, one defeat and a draw!

The Sun Life Stadium in Miami would again play host to Colombia’s first game of the year and they began 2013 in similar stead – this time beating Guatemala 4-1 on 6^th February! Next came their biggest win since 2005 when they beat Bolivia 5-0 in what was now their fourth win in a row at the Estadio Metropolitano in Barranquilla. Again, their momentum would be momentarily halted by the pairing of Venezuela and Argentina. The summer of 2013 would turn out to be a memorable one after all as Colombia defeated the triumvirate of: Peru, Serbia and Ecaudor.

In the final three outs during qualifiaction they would be beaten 2-0 by Uruguay and were then held 3-3 by Chile before seeing off Paraguay 2-1 with the legendary Mario Yepes scoring a brace as Colombia finished an impressive qualifying campaign in second place to take their place in a World Cup for the first time since 1998!

The notable players that season(s) were:

Dorian Pabon, Jackson Martinez, Adrian Ramos, Radamel Falcao, Luis Muriel, Carlos Bacca, James Rodriguez, Teofilo Gutierrez, Hugo Rodallega, Juan Cuadrado, Freddy Guarin, Elkin Soto, Abel Aguillar, Carlos Sanchez, Daryo Moreno, Yulian Anchico, Gustavo Bolivar, Mario Yepes, Cristian Zapata, Juan Camilo Zuniga, Luis Perea, Juan David Valencia, Breiner Castilo, Neco Martinez, Nelson Ramos, David Ospina