Colombia will be without attacking midfielder James Rodriguez when it opens group play against Japan Tuesday. The latest James Rodriguez injury update says the 2014 Golden Boot winner is still struggling with a left calf injury that he sustained during training, and he’s since been omitted from Colombia’s starting eleven to face Japan.
TEAM NEWS | #COLJPN
Here are the Starting XIs...#WorldCup pic.twitter.com/86LFG2Ssjv— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 19, 2018
Radamel Falcao captains the side in his first-ever World Cup finals appearance after missing the 2014 event because of an ACL injury.
James Rodríguez arriving in the stadium ahead of #COL v #JPN .
Kick off: 14:00 CEST pic.twitter.com/1GZ9KhwTpe— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) June 19, 2018
James proved vital for Colombia in qualifying, scoring a team-best six goals throughout the process. The 26-year-old had an improved club season with Bayern Munich after his struggles at Real Madrid, scoring seven goals and adding 11 assists in 23 Bundesliga appearances last season.
With Poland and Senegal still to come in group play, this match is seen as something of a must-win for los Cafeteros. Still, if Colombia’s medical staff believes that James will be fully fit for the country’s next match against Poland on June 24, it’s difficult to envision a scenario where Jose Pekerman risks his side’s most vital component right off the bat.
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