One word has dominated José Pékerman’s press conferences at the World Cup – calm – and no player followed that instruction with more conviction in Colombia’s defeat of Greece than Mario Yepes. The veteran defender will make his 100th appearance in a Colombia shirt against Ivory Coast on Thursday and intends to retire when the tournament is over. The captain’s form is essential to delaying that farewell as long as possible.
The focus was on Colombia’s attack in the absence of Radamel Falcao before their opening game and remained there following their biggest win in five World Cup tournament appearances. James Rodríguez was voted man of the match after patiently dissecting Greece’s respected defence in the 3-0 victory, Juan Cuadrado demonstrated his blossoming reputation at Fiorentina on the right and Teófilo Gutiérrez led the line selflessly in the heat of Belo Horizonte. But it was Yepes’ composure and organisation in defence that gave them the platform to impress.
Colombia’s rearguard was the main concern for Pékerman and the team’s passionate followers before the World Cup. They conceded the fewest goals in the South American qualifying section, 13 goals in 16 games in finishing second to Argentina, but their back-line, and in particular their aged central defence, created an anxiety that increased during subsequent friendly fixtures.
But for Luis Perea pulling up lame shortly before the World Cup with a groin injury, Pékerman would almost certainly have started the competition with a central defence with a combined age of 73. Instead, Milan’s Cristián Zapata started alongside Yepes against the 2004 European champions and the 38-year-old dominated in the absence of his usual 35-year-old partner. Few players at the World Cup merit their moment in the spotlight more.
Yepes is the oldest outfield player in the tournament and his 99th international appearance was his first on the World Cup stage after three failed qualification attempts. He is the third most-capped player in Colombia’s history, behind Leonel Álvarez and Carlos Valderrama, having played for his country for 15 years compared to their 12 and 13 respectively. Valderrama’s all-time record of 111 games would not be surpassed if Yepes led Colombia to the World Cup final but Álvarez’s 101 should be equalled in the final group match against Japan, fitness allowing. He and Colombia would not be satisfied there.
After a club career spanning Cortuluá, Deportivo Cali, River Plate, Nantes, Paris Saint-Germain, where he was idolised, Chievo, Milan and finally Atlanta, the World Cup offers Yepes a fitting exit that may be shaped by the meeting with Ivory Coast in Brasília. The winners of Group C, and it currently looks a straight fight between Colombia and Ivory Coast, meet the runners-up in England’s group at the Maracanã in the second round and would be backed to progress. But that is looking too far ahead, something many Colombians were guilty of in the aftermath of the Greece game and their coach has been anxious to guard against. “Colombia waited a long time to play in a World Cup so it is important I remain calm and try to inspire the players,” Pékerman said. “They are new to this and I need to share the experience I have of a World Cup with them. We need to keep calm.”
What is certain is that the Ivory Coast forwards Wilfried Bony, Gervinho and Didier Drogba will present a more fluid and purposeful attacking threat to Yepes and company than the isolated Theofanis Gekas did on Saturday. Colombia’s captain will not have the time and space he enjoyed against Greece.
“Ivory Coast are one of the strongest teams in Africa,” Pékerman said. “They have played in several World Cups, they have experienced players and good individual talents. They know what it means to be at a World Cup and what is required. That is the reason we have to keep cool and stay calm. The game against Greece was very intense and we have some injuries so I will have to see what to do with the team.”
The Sevilla forward Carlos Bacca did not feature against Greece but has joined Colombia’s injury list after pulling up in training with a muscle problem. He could miss the final two games in Group C.
Yepes’ importance to Colombia is not confined to defensive duties, with his experience vital in a young dressing room dealing with the pressures of the country’s first World Cup in 16 years and a team prone to the occasional loss of composure. “When we were preparing for our first game we considered several psychological aspects,” Pékerman said. “We wanted to keep our concentration but also play in an inspired way with good technique. And to keep calm while doing it. That was what pleased me about the first game, we fulfilled those objectives.” With Colombia’s next centurion leading the way.