COLOMBIA STAR TAKE SWIPE AT FIFA AFTER A PAINFUL WORLD CUP EXIT

Colombia fell short against Switzerland but was it a level playing field? (Picture: Getty Images)

Colombia’s Jhon Arias says teams were not ‘competing on equal terms’ after a painful penalty shootout defeat to Switzerland in the last 16 of the World Cup.

In one of the least memorable games of the tournament, Switzerland edged into the quarter-finals after a goalless draw.

Davinson Sanchez and Cucho Hernandez both missed from the spot for Colombia, allowing Ruben Vargas to score the winning penalty for the Swiss.

They will go on to face Argentina in the quarter-finals, while Colombia head home frustrated with the scheduling of their matches.

Tuesday’s match was in Vancouver after they had beaten Ghana in the last 32 in Kansas City.

Colombia’s group games were held in Mexico City, Guadalajara and Miami, meaning all five matches were in different cities.

In contrast, Switzerland played their first two matches of the World Cup in Santa Clara and Inglewood (both in California), before three games on the spin in Vancouver.

Jhon Arias says ‘that’s how this industry works’ (Picture: Getty Images)

While not wishing to make excuses, Arias pointed out that it was hardly a level playing field.

‘It’s difficult to answer because I could be punished, but that’s how this industry works,’ the former Wolves midfielder said, via ESPN.

‘We don’t all compete on equal terms, but that’s not a new problem. It doesn’t end here, it continues and the trend is for it to get worse. That’s how football works, it’s nothing new. We have to compete wherever we are.

‘Obviously, traveling to three countries affected my physical condition, but that’s not an excuse.’

Colombia conceded just one goal at the World Cup (Picture: Getty Images)

The 28-year-old, who now plays for Palmeiras, also looked at what his country could do differently, in what was a solid World Cup performance, but not what they had hoped for.

‘It’s inexplicable. Unfortunately, we were once again knocked out, and with this bitter taste,’ he said. ‘We had enormous hope and believed we could make it to the final day, but something was missing, because we’re leaving the World Cup prematurely, in the round of 16.

‘With a cool head, we had a good World Cup, but that’s not enough. That’s football. We leave with a bad taste in our mouths, but also with the certainty that there are things we need to adjust and correct. We are on a path that can bring us great achievements in the future, because we already deserve it.

‘We all want the same thing: to win and conquer important titles with the national team, because our people deserve it. They always support us, show confidence, create hope, and in the end we always leave empty-handed.

‘Hopefully this will serve to provoke a change in the national team, because it’s enough that we’ve been at the door and haven’t made it to the last day . I firmly believe that God has great things in store for us, but we still need to do everything humanly possible to get there.’

Switzerland progress to face Argentina on Saturday in Kansas City.

- Phil Haigh

COLUMBUS CREW BEAT LAFC 2-1 TO WIN MLS CUP FOR THIRD TIME

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The Columbus Crew scored first-half goals through Cucho Hernandez and Yaw Yeboah to beat holders LAFC 2-1 and win their third MLS Cup title on Saturday.

The Crew dominated possession early on and LAFC's defence succumbed when a Diego Palacios handball in the 31st minute led to a goal by MVP Hernandez, who slotted home his penalty.

The Crew doubled their lead four minutes later when Malte Amundsen made one of the best assists of the season with a long pass to Yeboah, who put the ball away to delight the rain-soaked, gold-and-black clad fans at Lower.com field.

LAFC, whose style relies on counter attacking, never got into gear in the first half and Crew keeper Patrick Schulte was not forced to make a save until close to halftime.

After the break, Carlos Vela, playing what could be his final game for LAFC, tried to capitalise on a defensive miscue but his shot went directly into the arms of Schulte.

LAFC finally responded in the 74th minute when Jesus Murillo stole the ball in the Crew's half and found an open Denis Bouanga, whose first attempt hit Schulte in the face.

The golden boot winner fired the rebound home to cut the deficit but the Crew defence held out to ensure victory on a rainy day in Central Ohio.

"Words can't describe it," said midfielder Aidan Morris.

"We've made so many sacrifices. What we do in this profession is a lot of work. It's a lot of days away from your family, it's a lot of traveling, so to have it end like this is a dream come true.

"That's what we do at this club and we'll go for it again next year."