Feck, I'm drowning in names, Claude realized.
There were 1,973 players he could call up, and most of them had three names. At least.
He realized that he wasn't going to be able to get anywhere without help, but for some reason, his staff was very reluctant to give advice.
Perhaps the previous manager had been the type that shot anybody who wasn't a yes-man.
He shuddered.
No thinking of people getting shot, he told himself.
In the end, he called up some forty players to the first international training camp under his watch.
Those that made the first XI were:
GK Oscar Cordóba, 34, 76 caps, Besiktas:
An experienced goalkeeper with brilliant reflexes, a resilient personality, there was no doubt who the Colombia #1 was, even if he'd kept just one clean sheet in the first four qualifying matches. A long-time Boca Juniors property who spend the past two seasons out on loan to Besiktas before making the move permanent in early March.
D/DM L Roberto Carlos Cortés, 26, 17 caps, 0 goals, MedellÃ*n:
Considering MedellÃ*n are struggling, its surprising to find an international-quality defender out on loan to Deportivo Cali, who are six places ahead of them in the table. Composed and determined, but not exceptional, Cortés is a solid but unspectacular player. He got the nod over possibly more-talented players in part for his good league form with Cali.
SW/D C Mario Yepes, 28, £6.0M, 41 caps, 2 goals, Paris Saint-Germain:
Dangerously slow, but makes up for it with his command of the game. In the box for corners, he is strong and tall, making him a solid piece defensively and a real threat in attack. Won Man of the Match in the 2-0 win over Venezuela back in Janury, and just completed a £6.0M move to France.
D/DM C John Eduis Viáfara, 25, 12 caps, 1 goal, Once Caldas:
A top midfielder for league-leading Once Caldas, Viáfara wasn't part of the squad in January, but Claude decided to drop him to defense. He may be the most physical player on the side, but he also has the pace to keep up with Brazil's strikers, and hopefully he can help make up for Yepes' problems in that area.
D RLC Iván Ramiro Córdoba, 27, 42 caps, 2 goals, Inter Milan:
The best defender on the side, Córdoba was used to starting central, but would push out wide against Brazil. His best talent is his ability to mark a man out of the game; he's also faster than Viáfara, hard-working and aggressive.
DM C Rubén DarÃ*o Velásquez, 28, 14 caps, 0 goals, Once Caldas:
The toughest choices were in midfield, where the number of quality options was almost overwhelming. Velásquez, a free kick expert who loves to have a go from long range, would be the choice in defensive midfield.
AM LC Arnulfo Valentierra, 29, £0.5M, 11 caps, 1 goal, Once Caldas:
The most on-form player in the side, with 3 goals and 5 assists for top-of-the-table Once Caldas, he is incredible from dead-ball situations, with impeccable corners, lethal penalties, and tremendous free kicks. He can also send in a cross with the best of them, and can hit the target from long range impressively. He's the one controversially moving to Al Hilal for the scandalously low figure of £0.5M in August.
AM RC Mauricio Alejandro Molina, 23, 6 caps, 0 goals, Morelia:
The right-winger didn't play in January, but he might be the most on-form player in the side, with 4 goals and 6 assists from just six matches in Mexico. Three of the goals have come from free kicks, but he's also solid from the spot, and puts in an excellent corner or cross. His decision-making leaves a bit to be desired, and he doesn't contribute much defensively.
AM RC Freddy Grisales, 28, 35 caps, 5 goals, Atlético Nacional:
The crown jewel of the midfield, and exceptional talent, amazingly based domestically rather than in Europe. There isn't anything he can't do, but his long throw-ins deserve notice, and he was hitting thirty-yarders regularly in training. He's also the side's captain, and had three assists in January, winning Man of the Match for the 2-1 win over Uruguay.
F C VÃ*ctor Hugo Aristizábal, 32, 71 caps, 18 goals, Cortiba:
What needs to be said about the most experienced striker on the side? He plays in Brazil professionally, so he knows many of the opposition, and he's been on form lately, netting four goals in the four January matches. He's quick off the ball, and better at feet than with head.
S C Juan Pablo Angel, 28, £9.5M, 28 caps, 9 goals, Aston Villa:
Just scored his thirtieth league goal for Villa, and looks more brilliant than ever. He's the target man, a big aerial presence, but his work with feet, especially his passing, is exemplary, and he's got the best mentality of any of Claude's players. He should be a workhorse of this qualification campaign.
He was honest with himself.
I'm not entirely confident in their ability to keep it on a level with Brazil, but I hope that they could put up a fight.
What I wouldn't have given for a friendly tune-up, he thought.
Well, a diamond 4-4-2 ought to be safe enough.
The seven substitutes would be:
S C Léider Calimenio Preciado, 27, 21 caps, 2 goals, Independiente Santa Fé:
Very impressive in front of goal, the sort of player whose flair makes him a fan favourite in South Americ, with pace and strength to spare. If he thought a bit more of his teammates instead of always going for glory himself, he might be in the starting lineup.
S C Edixon Perea, 19, 7 caps, 1 goal, Atlético Nacional:
Needs time to develop, but he's clearly the future. Claude's predecessor had been using him off the bench; Claude would do the same for Brazil and Argentina, but figured to bring him into the starting lineup in September. He is likely on the verge of a big-money move to Europe, considering the quality of the sides which are reportedly keeping tabs on his every match.
AM RC Jairo Patiño, 25, 18 caps, 3 goals, River Plate:
Started all four games in January, scoring one goal; it will be interesting to see how he reacts to losing his place under his new manager. Physically he's very impressive, but Claude felt his decision-making was suspect in training.
AM RLC Giovanny Hernández, 27, 30 caps, 4 goals, Colón de Santa Fe:
An incredible player with technique and flair, he may be a bit more physical than Valentierra, but his defending is a liability. Started all four games in January, as Colombia utilized a five-man midfield.
DM C Fabián Andrés Vargas, 23, 11 caps, 0 goals, Boca Juniors:
The sort of hard-working midfielder whose attitude inspires others, this youngster has a future with the side, for sure, even if he wasn't quite ready to start yet.
D/DM R Jersson Amur González, 29, £1.4M, 18 caps, 1 goal, Santos:
Struggling to break into the starting side wasn't helping his chances with the national team; he hopes to have solved that with a £1.4M move to Brazilian side Santos. He's exceptionally talented, more so than some of the defenders who are starting, but he's not match fit.
GK Juan Carlos Henao, 32, 8 caps, Once Caldas:
The toughest decision before camp had been "who to invite as a backup goalkeeper"; Henao, though unspectacular, won out on consistency and form, having kept 5 clean sheets for his life-long club Once Caldas already this season.
Also named to the 26-man squad, available in case of injury, were:
D LC José Julián De la Cuesta, 21, uncapped, Cádiz:
Had he been facing a side less talented than Brazil, Claude would have given De la Cuesta his first cap; he'll train with the side, and should debut against Bolivia in September, if not earlier.
D/DM L Alexander Viveros, 26, 54 caps, 1 goal, Nantes: The incumbent left-back, having started every match in January, but Claude just didn't see it.
He looks distinctly average to me, he thought, and if the lad didn't improve he might find himself dropped if De la Cuesta establishes himself.
D RC Luis Amaranto Perea, £1.0M, 25, 7 caps, 0 goals, Atletico Madrid:
None too impressive, Claude thought, in deciding to drop Perea from his place as a starting defenseman. Sure, he has blinding pace, but in most other respects he can't match up to the others, and it was only a sign of the lack of depth in defense that he was in the 26 at all.
DM C Andrés Sarmiento, 25, 2 caps, 0 goals, CA Bucaramanga:
Hovering around the fringe of the squad for both club and country, Sarmiento looks a likely sort, maybe the best defender of his defensive midfielders, and not entirely a liability elewhere. He's currently on loan to Los Millonarios.
AM RLC David Arturo Ferreria, 24, 20 caps, 0 goals, América de Cali:
Though blindingly quick, which must surely be why he's earned 20 caps at this age, he failed to impress Claude with either his technique or his mentality; he's certainly going to find his place in the squad under attack, considering some of the young guns banging at the gates.
F RC León DarÃ*o Muñoz, 27, 1 cap, 0 goals, Palmeiras:
Hasn't featured much internationally, and hasn't yet scored for his club this season; a distinctly average player who will hold a space just as long as it takes a younger talent to develop.
Fifteen players didn't make the squad, but were worth noting nonetheless; Claude was going to keep his eye on them, and expected them to feature at some point.
Three were players he expected to call up in the near future:
S C Sergio Alejandro Galván Rey, 30, uncapped, MetroStars:
An Argentina striker who earned Colombian nationality with a memorable 23-goal season for Once Caldas, but now plays professionally in MLS, Rey had agreed to give up his dream of playing for Argentina, and accepted a call-up to Colombia. Unfortunately, he then suffered a torn-groin in pre-season training, ruling him out for the March encounter.
AM RLC Néider Yesid Morantes, 28, 18 caps, 5 goals, MedellÃ*n:
Blends the creativity one wants in an attacking midfielder with a bit more defensive sensibility than some of the other players. Looks like he would be a very solid central midfielder in a flat-four or flat-five. If the side are overwhelmed by Brazil, Claude decided, I'll give Morantes his shot against Argentina.
AM/F LC David Fernando Montoya, 26, £1.3M, 4 caps, 0 goals, MedellÃ*n:
Like a younger version of Morantes, a little less potent both attacking and defending, but with the two of them in midfield, Claude expected MedellÃ*n should be doing better than 8th in the Colombia table. A bidding war of European clubs topped out at £1.3M, with Greek club Olympiakos the winners; the move goes through July 1st.
GK Faryd Mondragón, 32, 29 caps, 0 goals, Galatasaray:
A more dramatic 'keeper than backup Henao, he's the sort who makes a brilliant save one moment, then causes his manager grey hairs by wandering out of position the next. If his concentration and positioning were better, he'd be a sure starter.
Four players would feature in the Under-23 side, were there any Under-23 matches; instead, they'll be hangers-on looking for a call-up.
F C MartÃ*n Arzuaga, 22, £1.4M, 1 cap, 0 goals, América de Cali:
Just completed a £1.4M move to América de Cali, after scoring 26 goals in 4 seasons for CPD Junior. He's lightning quick, with great determination and work rate, but needs a bit of seasoning yet before he'll be ready for his second senior call-up.
AM LC Elkin Soto, 23, 1 cap, 0 goals, Once Caldas:
4 goals and 3 assists in the first seven matches of the league season almost convinced Claude to call him up immediately; had the midfield been less packed or the opposition less fearful, he might have given the on-form youngster the call. He's quick, tall, determined, and loves to bang 'em in from range.
AM LC Rafael Castillo, 23, 4 caps, 1 goal, Bucaramanga:
A brilliant free kick taker, he, too, is a sharpshooter from range. He's a hardworking midfield engine, but his defensive ability is too laughable to consider him against Brazil or Argentina.
D/DM RL Rubén Bustos, 22, 6 caps, 0 goals, América de Cali:
On loan to Atlético Nacional, he has been putting in impressive matches thus far this season, and he looks very talented, solid defensively, and able to contribute as a wingback ranging forward. He will almost certainly get his chance.
The remaining players he'd invited up were Under-20 players with real prospects to make an impact. Five of them he had tagged as potential call-ups in September, while the first and last may be his best long-term prospects. He expected them each to start in the U-20 match the day before the senior side's game, and told them he'd be watching from the stands.
F C Jhon Jairo Mosquera, 16, uncapped, River Plate:
May not be breaking into the first team anytime soon, but he's got head-turning potential, and the finishing of a player many years his senior already.
DM C Enrique Aguilar, 19, 7 caps, 2 goals, Deportivo Cali:
On the verge of having the talent for a call-up, but not quite there. Starting regularly for Deportivo, he works selflessly, and should mature into a nice defensive midfielder with time.
DM RC Jaime Castrillón, 20, 2 caps, 0 goals, MedellÃ*n:
In his first year with the starting lineup for MedellÃ*n, he's one of those quality players who might have gotten a call-up for a friendly or a match against a lesser side.
DM RC Freddy GuarÃ*n, 17, uncapped, Envigago:
Has really captured the national imagination with 3 goals and 2 assists to open the season with Envigado, and there's already pressure to call him up from the national media. He's an excllent long-range shooter; Claude's biggest worry in calling him up would be doing so too early, and causing the 17-year-old untold stress of bloated expectations.
D/DM R Yulián Anchico, 19, uncapped, CCD Tolima:
A quality defender already, for his age, he scored a fine goal for Tolima, nearly twenty-five yards out. He doesn't quite look ready for the big-time, but a year as a starter in the First Division might do him wonders.
D/DM L Cesar Augusto Fawcett, 19, uncapped, Al Nassr:
Based on his play in camp, this quick, tall left back deserved to take on the starting role. Claude had even pencilled him in as the starter.. until realizing that he would be giving a 19-year-old his debut against Brazil. He thought better of it, and sent him off with the Under-20 side, but it certainly can't be long before he claims a starting spot. The question of the day is, what will his £1.1M move to Saudi Arabia mean for his long-term prospects?
GK LÃ*bis Andrés Arenas, 16, uncapped, Envigado:
Possibly the top prospect in the Colombia youth system; despite twenty years as a coach with some of the best sides in France, Claude had never seen a keeper so good and so young. He's definitely not ready for the pressures of a World Cup qualifying campaign, but by 2014, he should be a rock in goal.
What a wealth of young talent, he mused.
I'm not so sure about 2006, but I half suspect we might be able to win it in 2010 or 2014!
Dare to dream, old man, he reminded himself.
Even if they are a likely lot, you've got to survive the short term. 
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