The Colombia National Team arrived at Kansai International Airport on Saturday 25 March for the KIRIN CHALLENGE CUP 2023 to be held at Yodoko Sakura Stadium in Osaka on Tuesday 28 March.

The team arrived in Japan by plane from the Republic of Korea and looked tired from the trip but held an evening training session on 25 March to condition themselves, before holding another training session behind closed doors on 26 March.

Coach and Players' Comments

NESTOR GABRIEL LORENZO, Head Coach
This will be my second visit to Japan since 1988. We are very grateful to the JFA staff, and all the people involved for their warm hospitality, and for the excellent training environment, including the pitches. The Colombia National Team is in the process of building a new team, as we are trying to integrate the veterans with the younger players. We see the friendly against Japan on 28 March as a very important opportunity for us. I think it will be a tough game for the Columbia National Team as Japan will be looking to build on their momentum from the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™.

Rafael Santos BORRE
I am grateful for the warm reception we have received from the Japanese people, including all the fans who greeted us at the training ground. We will prepare well for Tuesday's match so that it will be a fascinating match.

Carlos CUESTA
We think that this game will be significant in uniting our team. I think the Japan National Team will take full advantage of the fact that they are at home. There will be a large crowd in the stadium, and the Japanese football fans will be fervent and devoted to their team. We'll work hard to make it a successful match.

Colombia National Team

Head Coach

Nestor LORENZO (Argentina)

Squad

GK
12  Camilo VARGAS (Atlas/Mexico)
 1   Alvaro MONTERO (Millonarios)
22  Devis VASQUEZ (AC Milan/Italy)

DF
17  Johan MOJICA (Villarreal CF/Spain)
13  Deiver MACHADO (RC Lens/France)
 2   Alexis PEREZ (Giresunspor/Turkey)
21  Daniel MUÑOZ (KRC Genk/Belgium)
23  Davinson SANCHEZ (Tottenham Hotspur/England)
 3   Jhon LUCUMI (Bologna FC/Italy)
 4   Carlos CUESTA (KRC Genk/Belgium)
 6   Juan David MOSQUERA (Portland Timbers/USA)

MF
15  Mateus URIBE (FC Porto/Portugal)
10  James RODRIGUEZ (Olympiacos/Greece)
      Juan Fernando QUINTERO (Junior)※
 8   Jorge CARRASCAL (CSKA Moscow/Russia)
18  Yilmar VELASQUEZ (Deportivo Pereira)
 5   Kevin CASTANO (Aguilas Doradas)
25  Nelson PALACIO (Atletico Nacional
24  Dylan BORRERO (New England Revolution/USA)

FW
 9   Radamel FALCAO (Rayo Vallecano/Spain)
19  Rafael Santos BORRE (Eintracht Frankfurt/Germany)
 7   Diego VALOYES (CA Talleres/Argentina)
11  Jhon ARIAS (Fluminense FC/Brazil)
14  Jhon Jader DURAN (Aston Villa/England)

※Juan Fernando QUINTERO is expected to miss the match due to injury.

SAMURAI BLUE vs Colombia National Team
Date: Tuesday 28 March 2023, 19:20 (subject to change)
Venue: Yodoko Sakura Stadium, Osaka
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