Colombia fun, dancing at World Cup comes with responsibility

Colombia's James Rodriguez, left, dances as he celebrates with his teammates after scoring his side's second goal during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Colombia and Uruguay at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, June 28, 2014. (AP Photo/Fabrizio Bensch, Pool) (The Associated Press)

FORTALEZA, Brazil – Colombia has been playing the exciting brand of football that Brazilians believe their team should be playing at this World Cup.

They've also been dancing after goals, bringing a spirit of fun to the pitch. Fullback Camilo Zuniga puts it down to coach Jose Pekerman's philosophy of mixing amusement with responsibility.

Zuniga, who will be a key figure in marking Brazil forward Neymar in a quarterfinal Friday, says Pekerman "helped us believe in ourselves ... He drilled into our heads that a Colombian with the ball should have fun, that he shouldn't have to play with pressure."

But Zuniga, who likes to attack down the flanks, says his first responsibility as a defender will be to contain Neymar and help the team keep a clean sheet.