Angelo Balanta

Infobox Football biography
playername = Angelo Balanta


fullname = Angelo Jasiel Balanta
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1990|7|1|df=y
cityofbirth = Cali
countryofbirth = Colombia
height = convert|5|ft|10|in|m|2|abbr=on
position = Left winger
Striker
currentclub = Queens Park Rangers
clubnumber = 19
youthyears = -2007
youthclubs = QPR Centre of Excellence
years = 2007–
clubs = Queens Park Rangers
caps(goals) = 13 (1)
nationalyears =
nationalteam =
nationalcaps(goals) =
pcupdate = 09:18, 30 September 2008 (UTC)
ntupdate =

Angelo Jasiel Balanta (born 1 July 1990 in Cali, Colombia) is a Colombian British footballer who currently plays for Queens Park Rangers. [ [http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10373~1280125,00.html Waiting in the Wings] , 3 April 2008, qpr.premiumtv.co.uk. Retrieved 24 September 2008.] Balanta played for QPR's youth team before being promoted to the senior team in 2007. He signed his first professional contract with QPR in January 2008, which will keep him at the club until 2010 and has been given shirt number 36. [cite web | date = 2008-01-16 | title = EXCLUSIVE: BALANTA TURNS PRO | url = http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10373~1216836,00.html | format = HTML | publisher = Queens Park Rangers | accessdate = 2008-01-16]

His debut appearance occurred when we was brought on as a substitute, replacing Ben Sahar, against Crystal Palace on 4 December 2007. He made his first professional start against Watford on 29 December 2007. In the 10th minute of the game, Balanta put Dexter Blackstock through with a looping ball which resulted in him being fouled and a penalty being given.

This penalty was scored by Martin Rowlands. On the 40th minute, Balanta won an aerial challenge against Lloyd Doyley and found unmarked Martin Rowlands with a lob. Martin Rowlands scored with a chip over Richard Lee from an acute angle. Balanta is highly rated at Q.P.R. and is the latest talent to break through the youth set up at Loftus Road. [cite web | date = 2008-01-16 | title = EXCLUSIVE: BALANTA TURNS PRO | url = http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10373~1216836,00.html | format = HTML | publisher = Queens Park Rangers | accessdate = 2008-01-16] On 5 January 2008, he made his FA Cup debut versus Chelsea, coming on as a 65th minute substitute for new signing Hogan Ephraim. On the 23 February 2008, Balanta scored his first senior goal for Q.P.R. against Sheffield United at Loftus Road. The goal came in the 19th minute where former West Ham starlet Hogan Ephraim whipped in a superb cross into the near post where Balanta latched onto the ball and made no mistake with his finish. Rangers drew the game 1-1.

At the start of the 2008-2009 season new boss Iain Dowie handed Balanta the number 19 shirt, and gave him his first start in the League cup third round game away at Swindon Town, QPR won the game 3-2 with Balanta scoring the first goal.

In September 2008, the England Under-19 side placed Balanta on standby as a replacement were a player to withdraw from the team. [ [http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10373~1399852,00.html Balanta on Standby] , 22 September 2008, qpr.premiumtv.co.uk. Retrieved 24 September 2008.]

References

External links

*soccerbase|id=48289|name=Angelo Balanta
* [http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10373~42514,00.html Queens Park Rangers - Player profiles]