Change of formation helped: Colombia coach

With the thumping win, Colombia sealed the second spot on goal difference and entered the Round of 16 from Group A. Ghana topped the group, with US being pushed to the third position. “I knew the goal difference, so the main indication to the players was to keep on doing what they were and keeping the spaces tight. I knew the outcome of the goal count,” Restrepo said. 

“During the half time, I changed the formation to 4-32-1 and that helped the team. I did that constantly during the second half, rotating and changing positions and that is why we came on the top,” the Colombia coach explained. The senior Colombia team has qualified for the FIFA World 2018 to be held in Russia and the U-17 coach said that his boys did take inspiration from that. 

“We woke up early and watched the game, and that was the great motivation for the kids,” he added. According to the coach, he has been working with the players to put up a show, like they did last night. “I have been working on the players (for) the way they came out and played today (last night).”