Colombian striker Radamel Falcao's cruciate knee ligament injury will not keep him away from his team's World Cup match against Greece.
Fans can expect the competitor on the sidelines cheering on his fellow Los Cafeteros Tricolor teammates when the 12 p.m. eastern standard time Saturday class C matchup begins, according to the Federal International Football Association's website. Injured central defender Luis Amaranto Perea will join Falcao.
"This is a real group, it's a family. Tomorrow [Saturday] you will see that Falcao and Perea will be there with the team when they could be on holidays," Colombia head coach Jose Pekerman said in a statement on FIFA's website. "It's always been a very united group, a family, and we deal with problems like a family."
Pekerman also mentioned the team's situation involves a bigger idea than just standard injury protocol.
"We're not talking about injuries anymore, we're talking about players. I really believe in this team and from here on in we're working on every situation we could come across on the pitch."
While Pekerman feels confident other players will fill Falcao's void, he still wants the athlete out on the field.
"What team that is here wouldn't want Falcao as their center-forward? That's obvious, but we want to look forward," Pekerman said.
Pekerman said his squad will need to capitalize on Greece's ability to utilize their strengths in the middle of action.
"They're a very competitive team who are aggressive and know very well how to play to their strengths," Pekerman said. "On top of that they have a coach who is consolidating them in this final stage, improving them with new things while maintaining their identity. There's no doubt we're going to come up against a tough rival. Traditionally this is the toughest type of rival for Colombia."
Falcao has been disabled since ripping his cruciate knee ligament in January, according to FIFA.
