Colombia nips El Salvador
Late goal gives South Americans win in friendly
By JASON MCDANIEL For the Chronicle
El Salvador sent several of its top players to Friday's soccer friendly with Colombia, and the team's faithful fans turned out in droves, filling Robertson Stadium with a sea of blue.
But it was the Colombians who brought the urgency.
Despite not facing a World Cup qualifier until September, they dominated the first half – and most of the match – before using a goal in the 88th minute to seal a 2-1 victory before 20,418.
El Salvador was on the defensive from the outset, and Colombia quickly took advantage.
Forward Teofilo Gutierrez took a pass from Jhon Viafara on a controlled attack inside the box in the 13th minute and deposited it in the left side of the net, giving Colombia a 1-0 lead.
Colombia coach Eduardo Lara fielded an alternate side, but El Salvador — which plays Wednesday at Trinidad and Tobago in a key qualifier — failed to take advantage in the first half.
A pair of yellow cards against Colombia midway through the half temporarily energized the El Salvador offense, but they never could break through the Colombian back row.
El Salvador keeper Miguel Montes kept his country in the match, coming up with several saves, including a leaping, one-handed deflection of a Jairo Palomino shot in the 36th minute.
El Salvador finally got the temporary equalizer in the 69th minute.
Osael Romero sent a corner from the right side to Juan Carlos Moscoso, who came off the bench to score the ball on the left side of the net.