Kazan: Colombia coach Jose Pekerman has tipped Radamel Falcao for more success after the joy of seeing his star striker bag his maiden World Cup goal in a 3-0 win over Poland on Sunday.
“I think this is one of the greatest joys we experienced tonight (Sunday),” Pekerman said when asked how important Falcao’s goal was for the team and the country.
Falcao, 32, was cruelly deprived of competing in Brazil four years ago after suffering a serious knee injury while playing for Monaco against an amateur side in the French Cup.
Falcao has dreamed of scoring at the World Cup since his childhood, and after missing Brazil the whole of Colombia prayed for El Tigre (The Tiger) to make his mark on football’s biggest stage. And he did so in style when he hit the mark for Colombia’s second goal.
The thousands of Colombian fans who filled the Kazan Arena here erupted with joy, and Colombia’s players ran to offer their captain their congratulations.
Falcao is the symbol of the team… a symbol of Colombian football. We always knew he would score
Jose Pekerman
Pekerman was lavish in praise for Falcao. “He’s a symbol of our team, a symbol for Colombian football. We always hoped that he would score and that he can be as fit as he was in the match today,” said Pekerman.
“We want to help him as a team so that he can show all his skill and shine. And I think the fact that today he scored was extremely important not only for today’s match but for future matches,” also added Pekerman.
Falcao himself did not say much. “It was a moment that I will cherish in my life. May be I will score many goals, but this one, because it came in a World Cup game, will always remain etched in my heart,” informed the 32-year-old.
