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Colombian Cambridge resident offers thoughts ahead of World Cup crunch match with England




Colombians from the University of Cambridge Colombian Society watch their national team take on Poland in the World Cup at The Grain and Hop pub, Sunday, June 24 2018
Colombians from the University of Cambridge Colombian Society watch their national team take on Poland in the World Cup at The Grain and Hop pub, Sunday, June 24 2018

Juan Sebastian Canavera Herrera is a second-year PhD student at Cambridge University and is president of the university's Colombian Society

On Tuesday, July 3, England and Colombia will battle it out in Moscow for a place in the World Cup Quarter Final.

Although England have never lost to Colombia, it would be unwise to underestimate the South Americans – a team that has the likes of Bayern Munich midfielder James Rodriguez and Colombia’s all-time leading goalscorer, Radamel Falcao, in its ranks.

“I think both teams are quite strong and it’s very difficult to determine which team is going to win,” says Juan. “I think both teams had a good campaign in the group stage, so I can’t predict a definite winner tomorrow.”

James Rodriguez remains an injury doubt for the game. “I think he’s a crucial figure for the team,” says Juan. “He did a great job in the last World Cup and since then his career has got bigger and better.

“I think he’s a huge figure for Colombia – he always helps a lot in the midfield – and having him on board would give a boost to the team.”

Juan, one of the founders of the University of Cambridge Colombian Society, believes England shouldn’t underestimate their opponents.

“I don’t think the England team itself does,” he says, “maybe the fans do a little bit... But I think many of the journalists I have seen here in England are not underestimating Colombia.”

Juan adds: “I’m looking forward to the match. I think this World Cup has been quite surprising, with some surprising results, so you never know. But we know that the challenge is quite big.”



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