Injured Monaco striker Radamel Falcao is the key name missing in Colombia’s squad released Friday for upcoming friendlies against South Korea and China. Monaco’s Colombian forward Radamel Falcao celebrates after scoring a goal during the French L1 football match between Dijon FCO and AS Monaco, on August 13, 2017 at Gaston Gerard stadium in Dijon, northern France. / AFP PHOTO / PHILIPPE DESMAZES The Monaco captain, who heads the French Ligue 1 scoring charts this season with 13 goals in nine outings, is sidelined with a thigh injury. Arsenal keeper David Ospina is also missing. Colombia will be led in Falcao’s absence by James Rodriguez, the country’s leading scorer with six goals in qualifying for Russia 2018. Alongside the 26-year-old Bayern Munich star are Serie A midfield duo Juan Cuadrado and Carlos Sanchez. There is also as call up for centre-back Davinson Sanchez after his club Tottenham’s eye-catching 3-1 champions League win over titleholders real Madrid at Wembley this week. Colombia, managed by Argentine Jose Pekerman, play South Korea in Suwon to the south of Seoul on November 10 followed by China in Chongging four days later. Colombia squad Goalkeepers: Leandro Castellanos (Santa Fe), José Fernando Cuadrado (Once Caldas). Defenders: Cristian Zapata (AC Milan/ITA), Davinson Sanchez (Tottenham/ENG), Santiago Arias (PSV/NED), Eder Alvarez (Basel/SUI), Stefan Medina (Monterrey/MEX), Oscar Murillo (Pachuca/MEX), Frank Fabra (Boca Juniors/ARG), Yerry Mina (Palmeiras/BRA), William Tesillo (Santa Fe). Midfielders: Carlos Sanchez (Fiorentina/ITA), Juan Cuadrado (Juventus/ITA), James Rodriguez (Bayern Munich/GER), Jefferson Lerma (Levante/ESP), Giovanni Moreno (Shanghai Shenhua/CHN), Mateus Uribe (America/MEX), Edwin Cardona (Boca Juniors/ARG), Wilmar Barrios (Boca Junios/ARG), Abel Aguilar (Deportivo Cali). Forwards: Duvan Zapata (Sampdoria/ITA), Carlos Bacca (Villareal/ESP), Felipe Pardo (Olympiakos/GRE), Aviles Hurtado (Monterrey/MEX), Miguel Borja (Palmeiras/BRA).
Source: Vanguard
