It is now officially confirmed: The Colombian national team will play its next South American qualifying match at an altitude of over 4,150 meters at the Villa Ingenio stadium in El Alto, Bolivia.
There was even discussion about changing the schedule to hold the match earlier than usual, but Conmebol has also dismissed that option.
Bolivia will host Colombia in El Alto on October 10 at 4:00 p.m. (local time), which means it will be at 3:00 p.m. in our country.
This match will kick off the ninth round of fixtures, before Venezuela faces Argentina, Ecuador hosts Paraguay, and Chile welcomes Brazil. The round will conclude on October 11 with the match between Peru and Uruguay in Lima.
Conmebol mentions that “match times are based on information received from Member Associations and are subject to changes” that will be communicated in the coming days.
Bolivia and Colombia will play in El Alto at 3:00 p.m. | Photo: CONMEBOL
Colombia vs. Chile with the afternoon sun
In the same way that Bolivia ignored the controversy surrounding the lack of oxygen and challenging conditions faced by visiting teams in El Alto, the Colombian Football Federation dismissed the complaints made by Lionel Scaloni, the coach of Argentina.
Colombia will keep its 3:30 p.m. slot to face Chile on matchday 10 of the South American qualifiers. This match is scheduled for Tuesday, October 15, and will take place at the Roberto Meléndez Metropolitan Stadium in Barranquilla, as usual.
This means that the Tricolor will transition from playing at an altitude of over 4,000 meters in Bolivia to competing at sea level for their home game, all within a few days.
The team’s health will now be under the care of Néstor Lorenzo, who stated that they are working to maximize the performance of his players. “It’s possible that the squad may be larger, but we will maintain the core group that has been playing. Perhaps in some positions, we will bring in players who are more accustomed to these conditions, but nothing has been finalized. We will hold the pre-match training in Cochabamba, at an intermediate altitude, where we will assess the behavior and adaptation of each player.,” said the Argentine coach in Sports Blog.
Néstor Lorenzo, coach of the Colombian National Team | Photo: Getty Images via AFP
The challenge in El Alto will serve as a test for the effectiveness of a process that has generated excitement in the country about the possibility of returning to the World Cup, following their absence from Qatar 2022 due to a remarkable streak of seven consecutive matches without scoring a goal.
Colombia to Face Bolivia at High Altitude in South American Qualifiers
Now it’s completely official: The Colombian national team will play its next South American qualifying match at an altitude of more than 4,150 metres at the Villa Ingenio stadium in El Alto, Bolivia.
There was even talk of changing the schedule to play even earlier than usual, but Conmebol also ruled out that possibility.
Bolivia will host Colombia in El Alto on October 10 at 4:00 p.m. (local time), meaning it’s 3:00 pm in Colombia.
This match will open the ninth round of the qualifiers before Venezuela faces Argentina, Ecuador receives Paraguay, and Chile hosts Brazil. The round will conclude with the match between Peru and Uruguay in Lima on October 11.
Conmebol notes that “match times correspond to information received from Member Associations and are subject to changes” that will be announced in the coming days.
Bolivia and Colombia will play in El Alto at 3:00 p.m. | Photo: CONMEBOL
Upcoming Matches in the Qualifying Round
Just as Bolivia turned a deaf ear to the controversy over the lack of oxygen and adverse conditions for rivals in El Alto, the Colombian Football Federation ignored the complaints from Lionel Scaloni, Argentina’s coach.
Colombia will retain its 3:30 p.m. slot to face Chile on matchday 10 of the South American qualifiers. This match is scheduled for Tuesday, October 15, at the Roberto Meléndez Metropolitan Stadium in Barranquilla.
This means that the Tricolor will go from competing at an altitude of more than 4,000 meters in Bolivia to playing at sea level at home within a few days.
Preparing for High-Altitude Challenges
The health of the Colombian squad will heavily depend on coach Néstor Lorenzo, who has asserted that training is focused on maximizing player performance at altitude. “Possibly, the squad will be larger, but we will keep the base that has been playing. We may bring in players who are more accustomed to high altitudes, but nothing has been firmly decided. We will conduct our preparations in Cochabamba, an intermediate altitude, to assess player adaptation and behavior.” said the Argentine strategist in Sports Blog.
Néstor Lorenzo, coach of the Colombian National Team | Foto: Getty Images via AFP
Historical Context of High-Altitude Matches
Matches at high altitude have often posed significant challenges for visiting teams. The effects of reduced oxygen levels can lead to performance dips, particularly for teams not accustomed to such conditions. Historically, Bolivia has benefited from this home advantage in qualifiers.
Advantages and Disadvantages
- Advantages for Bolivia:
- Home ground familiarity at over 4,000 meters elevates player performance.
- Opponents experience potential fatigue and decreased efficiency due to altitude sickness.
- Challenges for Colombia:
- Players might struggle with oxygen levels, impacting stamina.
- Adjustment to altitude could lead to slower gameplay, especially early in the match.
Travel and Preparation Tips for Teams
For teams heading to high-altitude venues, proper preparation can mitigate negative effects. Here are some practical tips:
- Arrive Early: Allow time for acclimatization to higher elevations.
- Hydration: Increase fluid intake before and during matches; dehydration exacerbates altitude effects.
- Nutrition: Focus on high-carb diets to combat fatigue.
- Training Adjustments: Conduct training sessions at higher altitudes if possible.
Future Prospects and Expectations
The upcoming match will test Colombia’s quest for World Cup qualification after missing out on Qatar 2022. The excitement and hopes are high as fans eagerly anticipate how the team will handle the high-altitude challenge against Bolivia.
