Quito -
The Ecuadorian defender John Narváez will play the final of the Copa Colombia with Deportes Tolima, a match in which he will face Deportivo Independiente Medellín on February 11, coached by former national team coach Hernán Darío Gómez.
Independiente is the reigning champion and reached the final after defeating Deportes Quindío 1-0, while Tolima eliminated Deportivo Pasto 2-1 in the penalty shootout, after a 1-1 tie in regular time.
"There was the possibility of being a finalist in the Copa Colombia, very happy and proud because step by step things are happening in the neighboring country," said Narváez in an interview with Mundo Deportivo.
The Copa Colombia was an opportunity for the Ecuadorian defender to gain playing time after an injury that left him inactive for about two months, following his signing with Deportes Tolima in August.
"My start here was complicated, during the pandemic break I had an injury and I couldn't participate much in the Colombian tournament, but then I was able to earn a place on the team, gain minutes, and gain confidence," said the 29-year-old player.
The qualification for the Copa final was also complicated. The game ended in a 1-1 draw and a penalty shootout was necessary.
"We had the opportunity for the game to be calm; however, Pasto knew how to take advantage of their only set piece opportunity and scored on us, but a semifinal is not good if there is no drama," commented the Ecuadorian defender.
Finalists! ---- An important step towards this great goal -- pic.twitter.com/0j4kHRFBtB
— Club Deportes Tolima S.A⭐️⭐️ (@cdtolima) January 28, 2021
In the final of the Colombian tournament, Narváez will face the team of Coach Gómez, who coached him in the national team.
"It's a match that I wanted to happen, to face Coach Bolillo, beloved by many Ecuadorians, but especially because Independiente is one of the best teams that has been assembled in Colombia for this year," he said.
Narváez was called up to the national team twice by Gómez and played in the 2-1 away victory against Panama in November 2018.
The national team is an old desire that he doesn't rule out, although he acknowledges that for now he doesn't see it as close.
"I haven't had any approaches with the coaching staff, but let's hope an opportunity arises. The first thing is to win the Copa Colombia title and with that get John Narváez's name to reach the ears of the national team coaching staff, then we'll see if I can be considered, but I am calm and focused on what Deportes Tolima is," he said. (D)