Colombia coach Nestor Lorenzo upset over extended half-time break for Shakira show
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Colombian singer Shakira will perform during half-time at the Copa America final on July 14.
PHOTO: AFP
MIAMI – Colombia will seek their second Copa America title when they take on defending champions Argentina at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on July 14 (July 15, Singapore time), but the clash will not be the only spectacle, with Shakira doing the half-time show.
Conmebol confirmed the performance would last for 20 minutes, and Colombia coach Nestor Lorenzo said he disagreed with the decision to extend the break as it could affect the players’ fitness.
He added that South American football’s governing body had sanctioned late arrivals on the pitch after half-time.
“Regarding the show, I hope all enjoy it, Shakira is an excellent artiste. I found out today. I think it should be like any other game, the 15 minutes according to the rules,” Lorenzo told a press conference on July 13.
“When we have gone out at 16 (minutes), we have been fined. Now there is a show and we have to go out at 20 or 25. With the impact it can have on the players, they might cool down and we know what it costs those minutes of recovery in the dressing room.”
The coach added he expected his team to play a flawless game to beat Argentina, and highlighted the role of veteran playmaker James Rodriguez, who has been crucial in the squad.
“If we hadn’t done a good performance, we wouldn’t be here. To beat Argentina, we have to be the best version of ourselves and multiply it,” said Lorenzo.
“James has had a very good tournament. We are lucky that he is doing well, that he has taken the leadership of the team and that the team have supported him. He is undoubtedly one of the best in the Copa.”
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni agreed, saying: “He (Rodriguez) is a great player and it’s a pleasure to watch him... Nestor has built a team around him and it’s a great thing for football.”
While Albiceleste captain Lionel Messi hopes his long-time teammate Angel di Maria ends his international career with a goal and the Copa trophy, Scaloni said it was not guaranteed that di Maria would play.
“Even though we know it will be his last game, we will always decide first what is best for the team. If he has to play, it’s because he has to play. If we decide not to play him, it’s because we think differently,” he said.
“We hope that everything goes well and that Angel can retire in the best possible way,” he added.
Meanwhile, Luis Suarez rescued Uruguay with an injury-time equaliser, before the South Americans defeated Canada 4-3 in a penalty shoot-out to win the third-place play-off on July 13.
Uruguay looked to be heading to a shock defeat after the Canadians took a 2-1 lead in the 80th minute through a Jonathan David goal at Charlotte’s Bank of America Stadium, before Suarez intervened to make it 2-2.
Rodrigo Bentancur had opened the scoring for Uruguay on eight minutes but Ismael Kone equalised before the break. Kone and Alphonso Davies missed during the shoot-out. REUTERS, AFP
