FIFA World Cup: 3 things Colombia did wrong in 2-1 loss to Japan

#2 Taking Quintero off for an unfit James Rodriguez

James was not in a fine fettle

With Colombia a man less in the defense, it prompted manager Pekerman to make a tactical switch. He subbed Juan Cuadrado for Wilmar Barrios to beef up the backline, and whilst that made sense, his decision later to take Quintero off for an unfit Rodriguez added insult to the injury.

Quintero was clearly one of the better players going forward and emanated great threat with his crosses and off-the-ball movements. His substitution took the mickey out of Colombia's vanguard as Rodriguez failed to offer anything in the attack. The Bayern Munich star linked up well initially, but there was little else of note to his game thereafter.

He cut an isolated figure up front as Colombia spent most of the second-half in their own half and when in possession, his passes were labored and first touches, very limp. His frustrations were clear when he picked up a yellow card for a rash foul. But Quintero's substitution means there was no one else to inspire the creative juices either and Pekerman's gamble failed miserably.