Why is Colombia's Duran Missing the Argentina Match?

Synopsis
In a significant setback for Colombia, striker Jhon Duran is out of the World Cup qualifier against Argentina due to a back injury, confirmed by the Colombian federation. Meanwhile, Chile faces challenges as forward Alexander Aravena also misses the match against Bolivia due to injury. What do these developments mean for the teams?
Key Takeaways
- Jhon Duran ruled out of the Argentina match due to back injury.
- Colombia currently stands sixth in the qualifiers.
- Alexander Aravena misses the Bolivia match due to injury.
- Chile's key players are suspended, complicating their situation.
- Both teams are facing critical moments in their World Cup campaigns.
New Delhi, June 8 (NationPress) Striker Jhon Duran has been excluded from Colombia's World Cup qualifier against Argentina due to a back injury, as confirmed by the Colombian football federation.
The 21-year-old reported discomfort following the Cafeteros' scoreless draw with Peru in Barranquilla last Friday, and medical personnel have since confirmed his unavailability for Tuesday's match in Buenos Aires, according to reports from Xinhua.
“Jhon has departed the squad due to a recurrence of lower back pain that will hinder his fitness to face Argentina,” stated the federation in an announcement. They have yet to name a replacement for the Al-Nassr player.
Meanwhile, the Argentine national team resumed training in preparation for their second match in this double-header South American qualifier. After a day off granted by the coaching staff, the squad returned to practice on Saturday morning.
The players who started against Chile engaged in gym sessions for regenerative exercises. Conversely, those who did not play on Thursday participated in a full forty-minute practice.
Currently, Colombia sits sixth in the 10-team South American standings with three qualifiers remaining. The top six teams will gain direct qualification for the prestigious tournament set to take place in the United States, Mexico, and Canada next year, while the seventh-ranked team will enter a playoff.
In another update, forward Alexander Aravena has been released from the Chilean squad for their World Cup qualifier against Bolivia due to a strained hamstring, as announced by the Chilean football association.
Aravena suffered the injury during his team's 1-0 home defeat to Argentina on Thursday, and further scans have confirmed his unavailability for the upcoming match in El Alto, as stated by the organization.
Additionally, Chile will miss veteran midfielder Arturo Vidal and defender Guillermo Maripan, both suspended due to an accumulation of yellow cards.
The Roja is currently at the bottom of the 10-team South American qualifying table and must secure a victory in Tuesday's match to maintain any hope of qualifying for next year's World Cup.
The top six teams will advance automatically, while the seventh-placed team will engage in a playoff.