I'm getting excited for the nest round of Russia 2018 qualifiers, starting on March 23rd. We're not at the end yet but now the matches do become more significant. In Europe teams that had a shaky start can't afford to lose again. In Asia teams can't afford to fall too far behind the top three spots which guarantee qualification or the chance at the intercontinental play off. In South America it is a very tight race. Ecuador in third place are only three points ahead of sixth place Colombia. The top 4 qualify and 5th place means an intercontinental play-off.
As I was going through all the standings and reading news from the different confederations I came across a mention of Colombia and their "fifth place finish at Brazil 2014." This was on Fifa.com and I thought, since when do we assign places for any team other then the top four. We remember the winners and losing finalists, and nobody wants to remember the 3rd place team, not even the 3rd place team. But how did Fifa now make up that Colombia, losing quarter finalists finished 5th. Is it all just to add a label (the 5th place team) or add some pedigree to a team that needs it? "Colombia, the 5th place team at the last World Cup, after previous disappointments....."
Losing quarter finalists. That's what they were, like the other 3 losing quarter finalists. Statistics from their matches before that don't mean anything. But I do hope they make it to Russia and have another good run, just to see the happiest goal celebration.
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