Team News

Uruguay

Lucas Neill to captain Australia against Uruguay

SYDNEY, June 1 (Reuters) - Coach Graham Arnold confirmed on Friday that defender Lucas Neill will captain a below-strength Australia side in Saturday's friendly against Uruguay at Sydney's Olympic stadium.


Arnold said he would wait until Saturday before finalising his team but said Neill would wear the captain's armband.


The Australians will field a below-strength team after some of their Europe-based players were excused to save themselves for next month's Asian Cup.

Arnold said Uruguay were now a better team that the one Australia beat on penalties to qualify for last year's World Cup in Germany but said his young side were confident of upsetting them.

'I'm over the moon with the way they've trained,' Arnold told reporters on Friday.

'They're good players and very, very good young kids. They are the future of Australian football and if we don't give them the opportunities and put all of our resources into them then we could struggle further down the track.

'We're a very athletic side; we're going to try and chase Uruguay off the field. They can rip any team apart, but as I said, we're ready for whatever they bring at us.'





Peru

LIMA, June 12 (Reuters) - Newcastle United midfielder Nolberto Solano has been left out of Peru's provisional squad for the Copa America while striker Claudio Pizarro was recalled.


Solano, who announced his international retirement two years ago, has been at loggerheads with the federation recently although he says he wants to play for his country again.


Peru coach Julio Cesar Uribe said last month he would be prepared to pick the player again.

Pizarro, recently signed by Chelsea from Bayern Munich, also fell out with the federation last year after missing the second of two friendlies away to Chile.

Uribe included PSV Eindhoven striker Jefferson Farfan and Hamburg's Paolo Guerrero in his 26-man squad, which will be whittled down to 22.

pending

20/6/2007 - Uruguayan Manager calls up 22 players

For the Copa América 2007


AFP

Montevideo – The Uruguay national football team, Oscar Tabárez, has defined today the list of the 22 players that will participate in the Venezuela 2007 Copa America that will be held between June 26 and July 15.

Tabárez has excluded the goalkeeper Fernando Muslera (Nacional), the back Mauricio Victorino (Veracruz, México), midfield Alvaro González (Defensor Sporting) and center forward Carlos Bueno (Sporting de Lisboa, Portugal).

Below is the list of the 22 players called: .

Goalkeepers: Fabián Carini (Inter de Milán, Italia) y Juan Castillo (Peñarol).

Defenders: Diego Godín (Nacional), Diego Lugano (Fenerbahce, Turquía), Darío Rodríguez (Schalke 04, Alemania), Andrés Scotti (Argentinos Juniors, Argentina), Carlos Valdez (Treviso, Italia), Jorge Fucile (FC Oporto, Portugal).
Midfielders: Fabián Canobbio (Celta de Vigo, España), Carlos Diogo (Zaragoza, España), Pablo García (Celta de Vigo, España), Walter Gargano (Danubio), Maximiliano Pereira (Defensor Sporting), Diego Pérez (AS Mónaco, Francia), Cristian Rodríguez (Paris Saint Germain, Francia), Ignacio González (Danubio).

Forwards: Sebastián Abreu (no club), Fabián Estoyanoff (Deportivo La Coruña, España), Diego Forlán (Villarreal, España), Alvaro Recoba (Inter de Milán, Italia), Vicente Sánchez (Toluca, México), Gonzalo Vargas (AS Mónaco, Francia).

Tabárez declared that the national team will travel to the Copa America "with a dose of optimism and humility".

The Uruguayan players will travel this afternoon to Santiago where they will stay overnight, prior to continue on Friday to Caracas from where they will travel to Mérida.

Uruguay is in the Group A of the Copa America, in the locations of Mérida and San Cristóbal, together with Bolivia, Peru and Venezuela.

Positioned at the top of the continental championship, next to Argentina, with 14 titles, the Uruguay team will play for the first time on June 26 against Peru.

Lima – Peru's manager, Julio César Uribe, has called up 22 players for the Copa América Venezuela 2007.

Check the call-up list:

Goalkeepers: Juan Flores (Cienciano), Leao Butrón (San Martín) e George Forsyth (Alianza Lima).

Defenders: Santiago Acasiete (Unión Deportiva Almería, Espanha), Alberto Rodríguez (Sporting Braga, Portugal), Walter Vílchez (Cruz Azul, México), Edgar Villamarín (Cienciano), Miguel Villalta (Sporting Cristal), John Galliquio (Universitario) e Juan Vargas (Catania, Itália)

Midfielders: Juan Carlos Mariño (Cienciano), Juan Carlos Bazalar (Cienciano), Juan Carlos De la Haza (Cienciano), Jhoel Herrera (Alianza Lima), Pedro García (San Martín) e Damián Ismodes (Sporting Cristal).

Forwards: Jefferson Farfán (PSV Eindhoven, Holanda), Andrés Mendoza (FK Metallurg Donestk, Ucrânia), Paolo Guerrero (Hamburgo SV, Alemanha), Claudio Pizarro (Chelsea, Inglaterra), Roberto Jiménez (San Lorenzo de Almagro, Argentina) e Ysrael Zúñiga (FC Melgar).

Uruguay VS Peru
Uruguay

Uruguay Squad For Copa America 2007 - Tabarez Missing Porto Striker Bueno - Villareal's Forlan & Inter Milan's Recoba Named
Submitted by Scott Harkness on Sun, 24/06/2007 - 20:48.
Uruguay head coach Oscar Tabarez has named his 22-man ‘La Celeste’ team for the Copa América 2007 Finals in Venezuela.

Tabarez will be hoping to improve on Uruguay’s third-place finish in the Copa América 2004, but is without some of his regular players.

Uruguay will be missing injured FC Porto striker Carlos Bueno, who played a starring role in the Copa América 2004, scoring 3 in 4 matches and scored twice in Uruguay's 2-0 victory over South Korea in an international friendly in Seoul in March, who has failed to fully recovered from a leg injury.

Without Bueno, the attack is likely to be led by the duo of Villarreal CF striker Diego Forlán, who has made 34 appearances for Uruguay, scoring 12 goals, and Inter Milan forward Álvaro Recoba, who has 58 caps and scored 12 goals for La Celeste.

Uruguay have been drawn in Group A of the Copa América, along with hosts Venezuela, Bolivia and Peru and play their first match, against Peru on Tuesday June 26 in Merida.

Tabarez’s team recently beat Australia 2-1, (who, incidentally beat Uruguay on penalties in the 2006 World Cup play-off’s in November 2005 for a place in the tournament) in an international friendly in Sydney on June 2 as the squad prepared for the tournament.

Schalke 04 defender Dario Rodriguez, who scored the only goal in the World Cup play-off first-leg against the Socceroos, has been recalled for the tournament, along with former national skipper Diego Lugano who is now a defender for Turkish side Fenerbahçe.

Three regular Uruguayan players that failed to get the nod from Tabarez are defender Mauricio Victorino of Mexican club CD Veracruz, midfielder Alvaro Gonzalez of Uruguay's Defensor Sporting and Nacional goalkeeper Fernando Muslera, with Inter Milan’s Fabián Carini the long-term first-choice keeper.



Peru
Peru Squad For Copa America 2007 - No Place For Newcastle's Solano - Chelsea's Pizarro, PSV"s Farfan & Catania's Vargas Named
Submitted by Scott Harkness on Sat, 23/06/2007 - 18:20.
Peru coach Julio Cesar Uribe has named his 22-man squad for the Copa America 2007, Venezuela, but has left out Newcastle United midfielder Nolberto Solano from the roster, while Chelsea striker Claudio Pizarro has been recalled.

Solano, who has also played in the right-back position for the Magpies, has had a strained relationship with the national association since 2005, when the 32-year-old decided to quit the national football team due to disagreements with the coach at the time, Freddy Ternero.

However last month Julio Cesar had said that he would be open to select Solano in the national side but said he wouldn’t get into the Copa America squad as he had his 22 decided for the international championship.

Meanwhile, Pizarro, who has seen off his contract at Bayern Munich and signed for Chelsea FC as a free agent this summer, gets a recall from Uribe.

Peruvian free-kick specialist and Catania defender Juan Manuel Vargas, known as 'El Loco' by Peru fans, will also be a key player to watch during the tournament.

The focus of the Peruvian attack will be on PSV Eindhoven striker Jefferson Farfan, who scored 21 goals in the Dutch league last season, with Hamburg SV striker Paolo Guerrero joining him in the 22-man-squad.







Venezuela VS Bolivia

Venezuela

Venezuela Squad For Copa America 2007 - Real Mallorca Top-Striker Juan Arango Joins Torrealba & Arismendi In Attack
Submitted by Scott Harkness on Mon, 25/06/2007 - 21:06.
Venezuela head coach Richard Páez has named the 22-man ‘Vinotinto’ squad for the Copa América finals, which they are hosting from June 26 to July 15.

Juan Arango is the main danger-man for the Vinotinto, who is on top-form at the moment after a very successful season in Spain’s Primera Liga, where he was the team's top scorer in 2005/06.

Jose Torrealba from South African team Mamelodi Sundowns and Daniel Arismendi from UA Maracaibo in Venezuela are likely to partner Arango in attack, with Giancarlo Maldonado another option for Páez.

Venezuela have been drawn in Group A in the competition, alongside Uruguay, Bolivia and Peru.

They start the competition against Bolivia on June 26 in San Cristóbal.




Bolivia
Erwin Sanchez Names Bolivia Squad For Copa America 2007 - DC United Forward Jaime Moreno & Villareal's Juan Manuel Pena Named
Submitted by Scott Harkness on Sun, 24/06/2007 - 17:47.
Bolivia head coach head coach Erwin ‘Platiní’ Sanchez has named 25 players to travel to Venezuela for the Copa America 2007 Finals, which kicks-off on June 26, with Bolivia featuring in the opening match against the hosts, Venezuela in San Cristóbal.

The team, who drew 0-0 with Paraguay in a pre-tournament friendly on Wednesday, flew to Venezuela on Thursday to prepare for the tournament.

Bolivia, also known as La Verde, have failed to win in the competition since they finished as runners-up in 1997 and will struggle to qualify from Group A, which includes hosts Venezuela, Peru and South American giants Uruguay.

Jaime Moreno, who is a forward with DC United in the MLS and also had a brief stint in The Premiership with Middlesbrough FC, hasn’t featured in a competitive match for his country since 1997, but has been recalled to the squad by Sanchez, and will want to make a big impression, and to add to his 63 international caps and 9 goals for La Verde.

Bolivia have only one player in European top-flight football - defender Juan Manuel Pena - who plays with Spanish Primera Liga side Villareal.

Three players will be trimmed from the squad before the tournament begins.

Ecuador VS Chile
Ecuador


Popularity president Ecuador falls five points to 62 pct:Cedatos
reuters - sea 26 jun - 19h02

QUITO (Reuters) - the popularity of the president of Ecuador, Rafael Strap, fell five points to the 62 percent by the end of June by a scandal that sprinkles to the minister of Economy and the confrontation with political sectors, revealed Tuesday a sounding of the Cedatos-Gallup company the International.

A previous study of the company/signature, made in May and published at beginnings of this month, attributed a popularity of 67 percents to the nationalistic leader of 44 years, who assumed the reins of the country in January.

The study, second consecutive one in which the popularity of Strap falls, was made between 22 and 25 of June to about 1,456 citizens in the urban area.

The survey has a level of confidence of the 95 percent and a margin of error of +/- 5 percents.

Popularity president Ecuador falls five points to 62 pct:Cedatos




Chile


Of reserved prognosis party that played Ecuador and Chile tomorrow
notimex - sea 26 jun - 18h35
Quito, 26 Jun (Notimex). - The party that will play Wednesday Ecuador and Chile, in the opening of Group B of America Glass, is of reserved prognosis, today thought the ex- technician of the Ecuadorian selection, Ernesto War.

"It is a party of reserved prognosis. Anyone of the two will win with a difference goal ", also said to Notimex the ex- technician of several Ecuadorian equipment of First Division.

Ecuador and Chile will play in the Polideportivo Cachamay of Ordaz Port, from the 17:30 hours of Venezuela and immediately, in the same scene, Mexico and Brazil, the other members of Group B will face.

"If the Chileans respect to Ecuador and this country does the own thing with its rival, it will be a party of díficil prognosis", reiterated War.

"Yet what has Ecuador, that is respectable, I believe that must respect to a Chile that it has as it bases players of Colo Colo, in a 75 percent, equipment that has raised his futbol for himself and their country", wrote down.

Ex- strategist of Ecuador anticipated that, in his opinion, not variants will have many in scheme tactical of both equipment, which they will begin with a 4-4-2, which at some moment it will transform itself into a 3-5-2, in agreement with the marker.

On the other hand, he stood out that now its country is watched with respect, with the last antecedent of its classification to both world-wide, attitude in which the Ecuadorian combined one must be reciprocal with its rivals.

Combined Ecuadorian Venezuela is in with intention and arguments to look for trophy, assured, integrated by 11 players that militates in outside, to that other are added that plays in the country, some of young them, who have been trained by the technician Luis Fernando Suárez.

It emphasized that the potential of Ecuador is in the average field, although has weakness in the arc, where Cristian Moor does not have the level of the line of steering wheels, it attacks and defense.

In the average it has players who recover and control the ball, arm and qualities wished in any equipment project, affirmed, in reference to Edison Méndez, Edwin Tenorio, Second Castillo and Antonio Valencia.

When to refer to advantage said that it is in agreement with that Suárez technician has not taken to the forwards Jaime Iván Kaviedes and Franklin Rooms, that have talent to play, but are injured.

"What now it has Ecuador in the advantage is power with the head and both feet, but also talent is needed to unbalance", aimed.

Behind, it recognized it was worth of Ulises de la Cruz in defense and attacks, by right, and of Néicer Reascos, by left, this one last one that has adapted to since he is not his and that, according to War, is better than the young person Oscar Baguí.

In half of the rear, it would have to be ratified to Stolen Iván and to be decided on Jorge Guagua, who although does not have much trajectory in the selection is strong and capable, afirmó.De reserved prognosis party that Ecuador and Chile played tomorrow

Brazil VS Mexico

Previous-FUTBOL-Mexico does not watch back for debut with Brazil in Glass
reuters - sea 26 jun - 17h43

By Bald Carlos

PORT ORDAZ, Venezuela (Reuters) - the Mexican selection of soccer will in front of jump Wednesday to the field of the Cachamay stage of Ordaz Port for its debut in the America Glass Brazil, the defending champion, with the mind put in erasing the deception of the Gold Glass, but without spirits of revancha.

Sunday, the United States overcame 2-1 to Mexico in the end of the match of the CONCACAF and obtained its room title in the competition. The fall was a hard blow for the team of Hugo trainer Sanchez, who in Venezuela will have the opportunity to demonstrate what she could not in the last weeks.

Mexico will face Brazil a 4-4-2 scheme and will undergo the absence of two important players like Jared Borgetti - maximum goleador of the selection with 43 so many and the mediocampista Kept Andrés, both injured.

"we remained badly with the flavor of mouth as far as not gaining it (the Gold Glass). Here revancha is no, because what we wished it is to arrive between the four first and we are becoming qualified and preparing for that, "said Sanchez.

Brazil "is the equipment but difficult of our group but we are trusted removing a good result," said on the other hand White the Cuauhtémoc forward, considered the best Mexican soccer player at the present time.

The defeat "already was back, we are not discouraged, and now we have a very important party Wednesday where we must remove a good result," it emphasized Target.

The mind of the Mexicans is put in burying the ghosts of the past and in trying to demonstrate that it is for great things, something that could not clear in its last performances.

"there is no return back, we are calm, with the illusion, the idea and the desire to begin the America Glass well against Brazil and looking for to win with our arguments and to demonstrate that the Mexican soccer has grown and that we can be important in this Glass," it said to the guardameta Oswaldo Sanchez.

HUNGER DE GLORIA

But the things will not be easy for the directed ones by Sanchez, since opposite it will have to a Brazil that will undergo the absence of two of its great figures but that will have other soccer players whom they love to demonstrate that they can make history in "scratch."

Between absent stars in Venezuela they are Ronaldinho, of Spanish Barcelona, and Kaká, of the AC Italian Milan.

But so that the "torcedores" do not surprise them, technical director Dunga will align to stellar the Robinho and Diego, two of the great values of Brazilian soccer at the present time.

Both want that Brazil revalide the title obtained in 2004 in Peru, when "scratch" won in the end by penitentiaries to Argentina, and in addition to erase the deception of the nonclassification the Olympic Games of Athens 2004.

"the responsibility is great. We are more mature and with more experience after happening through European equipment, "it said Robinho Tuesday, that plays in Real Spanish Madrid.

"the hour Arrived from our generation (...) I know that if to Brazil does not go to him well the critics will be able to fall mine above," it added.

Mexico and Brazil will close Wednesday the activity of Group B in grama of the Cachamay stage of Ordaz Port from the 20,50 local time (0050 GMT of Thursday), after Ecuador and Chile have inaugurated the actions to the 18,35 local time (2235 GMT).

The encounter will be directed by the Argentine referee Sergio Pezzotta.

Next, the possible alignments of the equipment:

Mexico: Oswaldo Sanchez; Israel I castrate, Rafael Márquez, Jonny Magallón, Ramon Moral; Gerald Torrado, Jaime Draw out, Jaime Lozano, White Cuauhtémoc; Nery Castillo and Adolph Baptist.

DT: Hugo Sanchez.

Brazil: Helton; Maicon, Alex, Juan, Gilberto; Miner, Gilberto Silva, Elano, Diego; Robinho and Vágner Love.

DT: Dunga

Previous-FUTBOL-Mexico does not watch back for debut with Brazil in Glass




Mexico

Mexico remains without recognizing the field of the Cachamay stage
efe - mié 27 jun - 18h44

Ordaz port (Venezuela), 26 jun (EFE). - The selection of Mexico trained in a private school and it remained without making the recognition of the field of the stage of Cachamay of Ordaz Port where this Wednesday will be moderate with Brazil in the America Glass of Venezuela 2007.

Before the unexpected one of not being able to touch the turf of the Cachamay stage, Mexico went to the facilities of the Latin American school of Ordaz Port, to about six hundred kilometers to the southwest of Caracas.

The field of the Cachamay stage was not available for any of the four selections of group B and only Ecuador visited it during five minutes before retiring of the stage.

The equipment of Brazil went to the facilities of Venezuelan the Italo club in Ordaz Port to fulfill its training of the eve of the party before Mexico.

Brazil, effective champion of the America Glass, will face east Wednesday Mexico that arrives with the pride bruised by its defeat from Sunday before the United States in the end from the Glass Gold from the CONCACAF.

Mexico remains without recognizing the field of the Cachamay stage

Paraguay VS Colombia
Paraguay Copa America facts and figures

June 22 (Reuters) - Factbox on Paraguay ahead of the Copa America:

PAST RECORD

Winners: 1953, 1979

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Runners-up: 1922, 1929, 1947, 1949, 1963

RECENT FORM

* Paraguay have played seven matches since the World Cup and goals have been in short supply. They drew 0-0 with Austria and Bolivia, 1-1 with Australia, lost one game and won another against Mexico (1-2 and 1-0), lost away to Chile (2-3) and Colombia (0-2).

COACH

* Argentina's Gerardo Martino has been chosen as the successful to Anibal Ruiz following Paraguay's disappointing World Cup performance last year.

* The 44-year-old spent much of his career with Newell's Old Boys in his homeland and is regarded as one of the most important players in the club's history.

* Martino played a few friendlies for Argentina before the 1986 World Cup and also had spells in Spain with Tenerife and in Ecuador with Barcelona.

LEADING PLAYER

* Salvador Cabanas finished as top scorer in this year's Libertadores Cup with 10 goals for Mexican club America.

* Cabanas has been a prolific scorer throughout his career which has taken him to Audax Italiano in Chile and Chiapas in Mexico.

OTHER

* Paraguay have made several surprise exclusions including midfielder Carlos Paredes and German-based striker Nelson Haedo Valdez.

* Paraguay were the only team to beat Brazil at the 2004 Copa America. They won a group match 2-1 in Arequipa.




Pinto pointing Colombia to final in Copa America
June 24, 2007
BARRANQUILLA, Colombia (Ticker) - Colombia coach Jorge Luis Pinto believes his team has what it takes to reach the final of the Copa America.

The Cafeteros claimed a convincing 3-1 friendly victory over Ecuador on Saturday, and Pinto believes Colombia can maintain that form throughout the continental tournament that gets under way on Tuesday in Venezuela.

The 2001 champions play their opening Group C match against Paraguay on Thursday, and also meet Argentina and the United States in the opening phase.

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"We will compete in one of the two most important championships for Colombia, so if we are there it is because we want to be in the final - we don't want to be third or fourth," Pinto said. "If destiny or performance take us to one of those positions (third or fourth), we'll understand, but our conviction is to go towards the final."

Pinto also revealed that he is unfazed by what on paper appears to be a tricky draw for the group stage.

"Paraguay are a team of debutants with different characteristics compared to their past teams," he said. "The United States are rebuilding, they don't have their most important figures and almost all of them are new.

"Argentina, meanwhile, take a mixed team, but it doesn't mean anything because they are all compete at a great level internationally."







Argentina VS United States

West Ham Striker Carlos Tevez Unlikely To Start Against U.S. In Copa America - Barça's Messi & Inter Milan's Crespo Preferred
Submitted by Scott Harkness on Tue, 26/06/2007 - 02:27.
Argentina striker Carlos Tevez is unlikely to start Argentina's first match in the Copa América against the United States on Thursday, with the West Ham star admitting that "It hurts not to be a starter."

Albiceleste head coach Alfio Basile is remaining tight-lipped on the line-up he will use against the United States in their Group C match on Thursday, but Tevez seems to have resigned himself to only featuring in a substitute role.

"It hurts not to be a starter," said Tevez on Sunday. "But if I'm not playing, I'll always support those who are on the field."

With a wealth of striking talent to choose from, Basile is likely to use Barcelona attacking winger Lionel Messi and Inter Milan striker Hernan Crespo as starters up front against a depleted United States team who are missing a host of experienced players after winning the CONCACAF Gold Cup last weekend.

Argentina and the United States have been drawn in Group C of the Copa América 2007, alongside Paraguay and Colombia.



United States faces Argentina in Copa America

June 27, 2007
MARACAIBO, VENEZUELA (TICKER) -- Argentina begin their Copa America journey against the United States on Thursday desperate to ultimately inflict revenge on Brazil after their defeat in the final three years ago.

Adriano's injury-time goal helped the Selecao even the score at 2-2 in Peru and then win on penalties against their arch rivals.

Argentina is boosted this time around by the return of Juan Roman Riquelme to the national team, reversing the decision he made last year to hang up his international boots because his mother was affected by criticism to him.

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"Now, my mother and I are happy," Riquelme said.

"It's been less than a year since I took the decision (to retire from the national team) and I've met friends here again. I always want to play alongside the best players and I'm sure we'll have the best players here.I'm very happy and looking forward to playing a good Copa America. We'll try to play well to start this championship in the best possible way."

Meanwhile, the United States head into this game buoyed by having won the CONCACAF Gold Cup title on Sunday.

Bob Bradley's side is totally different, however, from the one which triumphed against Mexico last weekend.

Kasey Keller, who won his 100th cap in the 2-1 win against Canada in the Gold Cup semi-finals, is the only player on the roster to have played in a Copa America.

"Copa America is going to be a great opportunity for our younger players to gain invaluable experience at the highest international level," said Bradley.

"Playing two major tournaments back-to-back is both a privilege and a difficult challenge in terms of putting together rosters, and this is something we've known all along. This group has many of the faces that could play a role in 2008 and 2009 when our focus turns to our ultimate goal of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa."

The match will take place at Maracaibo's Jose Pachencho Romero stadium.




Ayala fit for Copa after training scare

MARACAIBO, Venezuela, June 24 (Reuters) - Argentina defender Roberto Ayala said a knee problem which forced him to pull out of a training session on Saturday was just a scare and that he was fit for the Copa America.


'Fortunately, I'm fine. I woke up this morning with no pain and was able to train in the gym with my team mates,' he told reporters on Sunday.

Ayala, who has made a record 109 appearances, said he withdrew from the previous day's practice as a precaution.

Argentina have arrived in Venezuela as slight favourites to win the Copa after Brazil's top pair Kaka and Ronaldinho asked not to be picked, saying they needed a rest.

'We are favourites because Argentina always are,' said Ayala. 'But we have to prove it on the field.

'The only idea we have in our heads is to win because Argentina haven't won anything for a long time.'

Argentina, who lost to Brazil in the 2004 final, face the United States, Paraguay and Colombia in Group C. They open against the U.S. on Thursday.

Argentina last won the Copa America in 1993.

Bolivia VS Uruguay

Copa America Group A Preview: Bolivia-Uruguay

Who: Bolivia vs. Uruguay.

When: 30 June 2007, 16:05 (local time). Where: Pueblo Nuevo Stadium, San Cristobal, Venezuela. Referee: Baldomero Toledo.



zoom - galleria Uruguay’s shocking 3-0 loss against Peru in the Copa America’s inaugurating match last Tuesday reminded most Uruguayans of the tough times they have experienced with the national team over the last decade. The most disturbing part about it is the fact that on paper Uruguay has the third best team in the competition, behind Argentina and Brazil. Uruguayan football has always produced high quality players, but most have disappointed when wearing their national team’s colours.

Bolivia on the other hand came into the competition as the bottom seed, and no-one really expected them to give Venezuela a run for their money. But they proved everyone wrong and picked up a valuable 2-2 draw. Infact Bolivia did enough to win the three points.

RICH HISTORY

Uruguay are tied on a record fourteen Copa America titles with neighbours Argentina, But haven’t won a title since 1995, when they defeated Brazil on penalties in the final on home soil. After their display against Peru most will tell you history doesn’t count in these kinds of competitions, but current form does. Uruguay’s players must demonstrate their quality in the remainder of their group matches or their campaign could be much shorter than expected. The rise of teams like their group opponents, Peru, Bolivia and Venezuela has evened out the competition a whole deal, as has the emergence of Ecuador and Paraguay.

PLAYING WITH NO HEART

Over the years Uruguayan football fans have become accustomed to seeing their players succeed in the top European football leagues. What angers them is that they believe their players have no motivation to play for the national team, and only want to show themselves individually in order to attract more interest from European scouts. The caliber of players like Diego Forlan, Diego Lugano, Sebastian Abreu and Carlos Diogo should already intimidate most sides, but they don’t work as a team. The Celestes have failed yet again, and must improve a great deal to proceed in the competition. Oscar Washington Tabarez has made three changes to the side, with the inclusion of Andres Scotti, Maximiliano Pereira and Cristian Rodriguez, but Alvaro Recoba will begin on the bench, despite recovering from injury.

OUTSTANDING DISPLAY

Bolivia manager Erwin Sanchez couldn’t have said it better: “Bolivia put on a spectacular display” in their 2-2 draw against Venezuela on Tuesday. The manager was particularly happy about the way they came back twice to force a vital draw. Bolivia looked dangerous in the attack throughout the entire ninety minutes, and could have won the match. In truth they took advantage of a Venezuela side that felt the pressure of hosting such an important international competition.

THE PRESSURE’S ON

Bolivian president Evo Morales attended the match and was very happy with his side’s performance. This means he is expecting Bolivia to have an equally impressive performance against the Uruguayans. Bolivian football hasn’t had much to be proud about over the years, but it is true that they were finalists when they hosted the tournament back in 1997. After the result they picked up in their opening group match, they will expect to at-least progress to the next round.

FORM GUIDE

Bolivia: They should be motivated by the fact that they held hosts Venezuela to a thrilling 2-2 draw in their opening group match. They were superior to their opponents during large periods of the match, and could have picked up the three points late on in the match. The Bolivians have picked up good results against Uruguay in the past, although they were on the wrong end of a 5-0 defeat the last time the teams clashed.

Last Five:

June 26 Venezuela 2-2

June 19 Paraguay 0-0

May 26 Ireland 1-1

March 28 South Africa 1-0

Nov. 16 El Salvador 4-1

Uruguay:

Uruguay promised a lot before the competition, but put on a disastrous display against Peru in their group opener. The loss hit them hard and they are on the verge of elimination. Uruguay came into the competition with a good record under Oscar Washington Tabarez, and the manager has promised we will see the real Uruguay against Bolivia. Alvaro Recoba will begin on the bench, but his introduction will do a lot to motivate the side as they look to win their first three points of the competition.

Last Five:

June 26 Peru 0-3

June 2 Australia 2-1

March 2 Colombia 3-1

November 11 Georgia 0-2 (2006)

August 18 Venezuela (2006)

Bolivia

PROBABLE STARTING XI

Sergio Galarza, Miguel Hoyos, Ronald Raldes, Juan Manuel Pena, Lorgio Alvarez, Leonel Reyes, Gualberto Mojica, Joselito Vaca, Ronald Garcia, Jaime Moreno and Juan Carlos Arce. Manager: Erwin Sanchez.

Uruguay

PROBABLE STARTING XI

Fabian Carini, Carlos Diogo, Diego Lugano, Andres Scotti, Dario Rodriguez, Maximiliano Pereira, Diego Perez, Pablo Garcia, Cristian Rodriguez, Diego Forlan and Vicente Sanchez. Manager: Oscar Washington Tabarez.

KEY PLAYERS

Bolivia: Jaime Moreno

Moreno was Bolivia’s main danger man in the 2-2 draw against Venezuela in their debut, and the experienced striker got on the score-sheet with a well taken goal. Since returning to the national team fold he has impressed, and is likely to cause problems for a shaky Uruguayan defense. The speedy Bolivian attack will look to him for the experience they need in order to move closer to qualification. Moreno picked up a knock in Bolivia’s group opener, but has recuperated just in time for the Uruguay clash.

Uruguay: Diego Forlan

Uruguay’s most lethal striker had a poor game in the 3-0 loss against Peru. Having come from an outstanding season with Spain’s Villarreal, where he scored 17 goals, there’s no reason why he won’t be able to get on the score-sheet against a Bolivia side that has shown their weaknesses in defense. The fact that Alvaro Recoba will reinforce Uruguay should play in his favour. Forlan’s understanding with Recoba has become vital for Uruguay’s attack, and it should be a further motivation for the side.

PREDICTION

Uruguay must win at all costs in order to keep alive their chances of proceeding to the next round. They have enough quality to overcome Bolivia, but will only be able to do so if they play like a team. Bolivia picked up a huge result against Venezuela and will try to take advantage of a Uruguay team that is low on moral.

Bolivia 1-2 Uruguay.

Gregory Sica




Venezuela VS Peru
Paez Assures Venezuela Will Leave Nerves Behind

Venezuela manager Richard Paez assures that his side will leave behind the nerves of their Copa America debut against Bolivia, and will pick up a good result against Peru on Saturday.



zoom - galleria The hosts drew 2-2 against Bolivia, and were lucky not to lose the match at the end. They need a victory against Peru on Saturday to move closer to qualification to the next round, but must improve a great deal.

Paez believes that pressure was an important factor that influenced Venezuela’s poor showing, and said Brazil experienced a similar situation when they lost 2-0 against Mexico on Wednesday.

“In the second match the team will have less pressure than in the first. The other day Brazil did things that weren’t normal from them. The Venezuelan player has already surpassed those nerves, and against Peru we expect to see the real team that we have been building for these last seven years of work”, he said.

In relation to Saturday’s rival Peru, Paez has already studied what they did right in their debut against Uruguay.

“Peru is a team that we have already studied. At times they play with a 3-5-2, at times with a 3-4-3 formation, but their side midfielders move back to support the defense, and they play with five at the back. So, it shouldn’t be an open match. Forget about big results, we have to win even if it’s by only one goal”, he stated.

Venezuela must overcome their opening match nerves in order to pick up a postive result that should put them in pole position to reach the next round.

Brazil VS Chile
Eleven goals in last training raise Brazilian spirit for Chile party
efe - sáb 30 jun - 19h48

Port the Cross (Venezuela), 30 jun (EFE). - The eleven goals that marked today in their last training before the party of Sunday before the selection of Chile seemed to raise the spirit of the Brazilian players.

Trainer, Carlos Dunga, divided in two the slight final practice made in Port the Cross hours before traveling to the Maturín neighbor, both in the Venezuelan northeast, where tomorrow the party will be disputed, and in the first part a group that played with blue t-shirt overcame 6-5 to another one with green clothes.

Daniel Alves, Joshua, Fernando and Afonso, with three, marked the annotations of the first group in a brief encounter of test, whereas Gilberto Silva, Kleber, Maicon and Julio Baptist, with two, wrote down for the group with green t-shirt.

The players soon practiced with centers to the area and free shots to portería, which had to be interrupted in a strong rain, accompanied with a fort wind.

The training seemed to confirm that Dunga will order the enter the average field of the player of the Portuguese Oporto Anderson in replacement of Diego.

The variant already tried it from the second time of the inaugural party of Group B, the last Wednesday, in which Brazil lost 0-2 before Mexico.

It was not clear after the today test if also in the average field the technician will maintain to Elano, of the ucraniano club Donetsk, 26 years, or will prefer to Julio Baptist, player of Real Spanish Madrid.

Actually more intense of Friday, Dunga also made form to Anderson in an assumption titular equipment and also it removed in the development of that party to Elano and in his place it placed Julio Baptist.

With it, although not yet it has confirmed it, it would command to the shock with Chile to Doni; Maicon, Alex, Juan, Gilberto; Gilberto Silva, Mineiro, Elano or Julio Baptist, Anderson; Robinho and Vágner Love. EFE

Eleven goals in last training raise Brazilian spirit for Chile party



Mexico VS Ecuador



Dunga wary of Mexico threat

June 25, 2007
ANZOATEGUI, Venezuela (Ticker) - Brazil coach Dunga believes Mexico will hold a crucial advantage over his side when they meet in the Copa America.

Mexico, which is the Selecao's first opponents in Group B, also has been competing in the Gold Cup - losing Sunday's final 2-1 to the United States - and Dunga claims this will mean el Tricolor is more prepared heading into the tournament.

"Mexico are competing now - that is an advantage," he said. "Some teams work for an entire year and don't achieve anything. We have been practicing for the last 10 days only."

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Mexico coach Hugo Sanchez has been unable to name his first-choice 22-man squad however, after three players - PSV Eindhoven's Carlos Salcido and Stuttgart duo Ricardo Osorio and Pavel Pardo - asked not to be included in the final list.

"We asked him (Sanchez) not to name us as we needed some time to rest - we didn't have a vacation after the World Cup," Pardo said.

"I don't want any doubts - I want to play the Champions League with Stuttgart," Osorio said. "I haven't had a vacation for five years and that has led to ankle injuries more than once."

Salcido, meanwhile, would prefer to spend time with his family than participate in the tournament.

"I asked him (Sanchez) to understand that even though I have had time to rest, I feel exhausted," Salcido said. "I'm not enjoying it and it takes a lot of work for me to be 100 percent. It's better to step aside and leave the place for someone else."

Also in Group B, Chile is beginning to shape its team ahead of the opener against Ecuador with coach Nelson Acosta fielding a forward line of Matias Fernandez, Mark Gonzalez, Humberto Suazo and Reinaldo Navia in training.

"We have to play the three games to the death and I trust the team to have a good tournament," Acosta explained.

"Against Ecuador we are going to see how the team works, but Brazil is a very different prospect and maybe we will have to make some changes to the lineup."

Ecuador is yet to arrive in Venezuela ahead of the tournament, which kicks off on Tuesday.

However, its final preparations did not go to plan with the squad suffering a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Colombia on Saturday.





America: Mexico remains with two doormen AP - sáb 30 jun - 18h56

MATURIN, Venezuela (AP) - Mexico remained just by two doormen to face the rest of the America Glass, after the exit of Jesus Crown by an injury, informed Saturday the Direction into National Selections.

"the Direction of National Selections informs that Jose de Jesus Crown, third doorman of the National Selection and player 23 of Tricolor that participates in the Glass America 2007, returns today in the evening to Mexico, due to an injury", indicated an official notice emitted by the department of press of the Mexican Federation of Soccer.

Crown, that plays for the Tecos of the first national division, did not see action a single minute in the Gold Glass, nor in the first game of America, when the tricolors folded 2-0 to Brazil.

In the past match, the Oswaldo veteran Sanchez opened all except a game, whereas in the South American joust Guillermo Ochoa was holder before the Brazilians, and thanks to their great performance are possible that Sunday repeats before Ecuador.

"the guardameta, that accompanied to the Aztec equipment to the America Glass like substitute doorman, underwent esguince in the left elbow, reason why the Technical Body Tricolor determined that the player returns to Mexico to be taken care of of this injury", he adds the official notice.

Crown Rodriguez will be some days of vacations in Guadalajara, later to report themselves with its club and to initiate the preseason facing the Match Opening 2007.

America: Mexico remains with two doormen




Mexico
Copa-Borgetti out, replaced by Landin


PUERTO LA CRUZ, Venezuela, June 27 (Reuters) - Mexico's all-time leading scorer Jared Borgetti has been ruled out of the Copa America because of injury in the latest blow to the team and coach Hugo Sanchez.

The Mexican Football Federation (FMF) said in a statement that Borgetti would be replaced by Morelia striker Luis Angel Landin.

Borgetti, injured during the CONCACAF Gold Cup final against United States on Sunday, has scored 43 goals for his country, including five this year despite starting most internationals on the bench.

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The "Desert Fox" returned home last year to play for Cruz Azul after an unhappy season with English premier league Bolton Wanderers, where he was rarely given a game.

Mexico face Brazil in their opening Group B game in Puerto Ordaz later on Wednesday and go into the Copa America in disarray.

They were fiercely criticised at home after losing 2-1 on Sunday and there have also been reports of a split in the camp after Pavel Pardo, Carlos Salcido and Ricardo Osorio asked to be rested from the Copa America.



Injured Borgetti dropped from Mexico roster

PUERTO ORDAZ, Venezuela (AP) -- Forward Jared Borgetti was dropped from Mexico's roster for the Copa America after getting hurt in Sunday's Gold Cup final against the United States.

Borgetti, who injured a left leg muscle, was replaced by Luis Angel Landin ahead of El Tri's Wednesday night opener against defending champion Brazil. Landin had made just one international appearance.

Borgetti, Mexico's career scoring leader, returned to Cruz Azul last season after a short stint with Bolton of England's Premier League.

Pavel Pardo, Carlos Salcido and Ricardo Osorio -- all regular starters -- were left off the roster after asking for time off.

United States VS Paraguay

The United States in the "Boiler of the Earth Devil" of Chávez
efe - lun 02 jul - 01h10

Nemesio Rodriguez

Caracas, 1 jun (EFE). - The president of Venezuela, Hugo Chávez, has called "devil" in more than an occasion to George W. Bush, but he discards that he has influenced for which United States Devil must itself play its future in the America Glass in "the Boiler del".

The United States lost their first party of group "C" with Argentina by 4-1, reason why tomorrow, Monday, must remove a positive result before Paraguay if it aspires to accede to the quarterfinals.

The whims of the drawing have wanted that the United States disputes east party in the Earth of Hugo Chávez and a stage known like the "Boiler of the Devil", the Agustín Tovar "the Carolina" of the city of Barinas.

Given the permanent pendencia that maintains Chávez and Bush, the malicious ones could think that the drawing "was directed" so that the North American selection had "to boil itself" in a party in Barinas, State Capital homónimo of which it is original Chávez.

But the drawing was clean and the destinies wanted that the United States was placed next to Argentina, Colombia and Paraguay, a true group "of the death" for the guests of the north.

The parties of this group have like Maracaibo seat, with the exception of an encounter to dispute in Barinas, indeed the one that touched to the United States and Paraguay.

The seat of Barinas was in doubt until the last moment by delay in the remodeling of "the Boiler of the Devil", call thus by the high temperatures that are registered in the zone, and Chávez even took part to accelerate works.

Chávez the past appeared 25 of May at daybreak in the stage to make an inspection of the works and to ask the people in charge of the organization and the works that maintained the quickened step to conclude works in the predicted time.

The South American Confederation of Fu'tbol (CSF) had indicated to days before its preoccupation by the delays in three stages, one of them the one of Barinas, State Capital homónimo, whose governor is the father of Chávez.

The CSF ratified to Barinas like seat, but it retired a party to him of the quarterfinals, that transferred to the city of Port the Cross, whose stage, Jose Antonio Anzoátegui, has greater gauging than the one of Barinas (38,000 against 27,500).

Chávez was born in the locality of Sabaneta, not very far from Barinas, the 28 of 1954 July, son of a marriage of teachers formed by Helena Fri'as and Hugo of Kings Chávez, governor of the region from 1998.

Finally the "devil" arrives at its earth, but not in the form that feared of George Bush, but with the skin of the American selection, list to make debut in the "boiler" where the only thing which they are possible "to be cooked" is the goals that their players mark. EFE

The United States in the "Boiler of the Earth Devil" of Chávez






U.S. looking to rebound against Paraguay

By JOSHUA GOODMAN, Associated Press Writer
July 1, 2007

MARACAIBO, Venezuela (AP) -- After an opening wipeout against Argentina, the United States is hoping to bounce back against Paraguay on Monday in the Copa America.

The Americans took an early lead against Argentina when Eddie Johnson converted a ninth-minute penalty kick, then gave up four straight goals.

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"You learn a little bit from it and put it behind us," midfielder Ben Olson said. "You know there are still two games out there. At this point the goal is to get enough points to move to the next round."

With a a poor goal difference, the United States likely needs at least a tie against Paraguay to keep alive its chances of advancing.

"The most disappointing thing that I have is that we conceded those last two goals," U.S. goalkeeper Kasey Keller said. "Goal difference can be everything when you are trying to get that third place qualifier, and to give up that last goal was silly."

Paraguay opened with a 5-0 rout of Colombia, getting three goals from Bayern Munich forward Roque Santa Cruz.

"Santa Cruz poses a big threat in every game," U.S. coach Bob Bradley said. "He's able to hold the ball and to bring players into the match, and he also has the ability to get behind the defense as we saw against Colombia. Overall, Paraguay is a good team with a couple of very, very talented individuals."

The United States is 2-0-2 against Paraguay, winning 3-0 at the 1930 World Cup in Uruguay. In their last meeting, the Americans won 2-0 in a July 2003 exhibition game at Columbus, Ohio, on goals by Landon Donovan and Earnie Stewart.

Keller, the U.S. captain that day, was playing his first game for the national team in nearly 14 months. Against Argentina, Keller made his 101st international appearance and is the lone holdover on the young and inexperienced American roster.

"Paraguay is going to be full of confidence," Keller said. "I think we impressed a lot of people for 60-65 minutes. The question is can we do it now for 90 minutes."

Missing most of its regular starters, who are either back with their MLS teams or on vacation ahead of the next European club season, the United States appeared increasingly disorganized in the second half against Argentina.

"Certainly over the first 60 minutes we were able to stay organized and make things difficult for Argentina," Bradley said. "When you play against a good team, it's natural that a good amount of energy just goes into defending but that's not enough."



Argentina VS Colombia

America: Colombia trains behind closed doors AP - Sunday 01 jul - 21h18

MARACAIBO, Venezuela (AP) - Colombia trained Sunday behind closed doors and the technician Jorge Pinto Luis still would have doubts on the alignment that will use Monday in a duel of life or death against Argentina in Group C of the America Glass.

The press as soon as it had access when the establishment was on the verge of finishing to the session of almost two hours in the small stage of the park Path of the Lake.

Pinto it did not take care of means and the task entrusted to its assistant Jose Hernandez who said that "professor Pinto has not defined the list, has not defined absolutely anything, then cannot be spoken of some variants, in the practices looked for to correct the faults that were in the defeat in front of Paraguay".

Colombia made debut in the championship with a misfortune 5-0 at hands of the Paraguayans.

The defender Iván Ramiro Cordova and the steering wheel Fabian Vargas accompanied Hernandez and both said that the idea is to make a party different from the one from Paraguay and to try a triumph, although considered that a tie well would be received.

"We will fight by the three points, important that not to lose, would recover life to surpass the initial stage", indicated Cordova.

Vargas thought that "he will be key for protecting our arc, to maintain the zero, will be important to add one or three points to revivir the option" to advance to the quarterfinals.

In spite of the hermetism that surrounds to the Colombian onceno, the press could know that during the Pinto training it included as central to Luis Perea Amaranth and excluded Mario Alberto Yepes, whereas Alvaro Domínguez, that missed a penitentiary against Paraguay, gave to passage to Jorge Banguero and lateral the left Javier Arizala to Jair Benítez.

The attacker Edixon Perea, in spite of having pain in the left knee, would play next to Hugo Rodallega

Pinto in the morning he had cancelled an announced press conference Saturday, and preferred to go shopping with the soccer players.

America: Colombia trains behind closed doors

Peru VS Bolivia

Venezuela 0-0 Peru Half-Time Copa America 2007 - Peru Down To 10-Men After San Martin Midfielder Pedro Garcia Shown Red-Card

Submitted by Scott Harkness on Sun, 01/07/2007 - 00:34.
Venezuela are currently still level 0-0 at half-time against Peru in their second Group A match in the Copa América 2007, Venezuela, playing in San Cristóbal on Saturday evening.

Venezuela had a goal ruled-out in the 5th minute after striker Giancarlo Maldonado was rightly flagged offside after leaping on a rebound, much to the dismay of the home-fans, who have only seen their team record one win in their Copa América history.

Peru then went down to 10-men after Maldonado was elbowed by Pedro Garcia, who was shown a straight red-card by the referee in the 15th minute.

This meant that for most of the half Peru were content with defending, except for a brief spell in the middle of the half, when Sanntiago Acasiete had Peru’s only attempt on-target in the first-half, with José Paolo Guerrero shooting wide.

Ricardo David Páez and Fernando de Ornellas both had shots off-target for the hosts, with José Manuel Rey and Juan Fernando Arango both forcing Peru goalkeeper Leao Butrón into saves, but nothing to seriously worry the Peruvians.

The first-half finished 0-0, with the 10-men of Peru still very much in the game, with the hosts struggling to find a way through the sturdy Peruvian defence.





Sub-17 of Peru will play international match in Japan
notimex - lun 02 jul - 17h26
It files, 2 Jul (Notimex). - The Peruvian selection of futbol Sub-17 will travel Monday next to Japan to participate in an international match with selected of Asia, Europe and the Australian Continent, previous to the World-wide one of the category, informed a local sport source today.

The Peruvian Federation of Futbol (FPF) indicated that the youthful equipment previous Inca to the event will maintain a friendly duel before the Japanese equipment of Hokusinetu, the 13 of July.

In addition with the Peruvians the selections of Japan will compete in the international match, Hungary, New Zealand and representative the Japanese of Albires and Niigata.

Peru will integrate the Group To with Japan and Albires, while key B will conform Hungary, New Zealand and Niigata.

It will be the third tour to the outside of the Andeans like preparation for the World-wide Sub-17, to be made of the 18 of next August to the 9 of September, where it will have of rivals to the Korea host South del, Togo and Costa Rica.

The Sub-17 of Peru has disputed to date nine international parties of preparation, with two triumphs, six ties and one defeat.

Peru equaled 1-1 before Honduras and soon 3-1 like the premises prevailed, in front of Haiti removed two ties 1-1 and 2-2 in Port Prince, before the United States it was left 0-0 in Atlanta, against Trinidad and Tobago it gained 2-1 and it equaled 0-0 in Spain Port.

The week last before Colombia disputed in house two encounter, with a tie without goals in Lima and lost 2-4 in the northern city of Chimbote.Jugará Sub-17 of Peru international match in Japan




Peru and Bolivia define their classification in a party of reserved prognosis
efe - lun 02 jul - 16h02

Mérida (Venezuela), 2 jul (EFE). - Peru and Bolivia will define tomorrow, in a party of prognosis reserved of the group To of the Glass America, their classification to the quarterfinals of the continental match.

The Peruvians have prepared an offensive extreme scheme with the intention to go by the three points, in spite of a tie also will give the ticket them for the following phase, thanks to the three points that added in the made goals one from 3 to 0 on Uruguay, of the first day.

The selector of Peru, Julio Caesar Uribe, today defined in a session behind closed doors a change of tactical scheme of habitual the 3-5-2 employee from the beginning of the match, by 4-4-2 in which he alternated the forward Ysrael Zúñiga.

This attacker can replace Claudius Pizarro, who trained separately although already he has surpassed the injury that underwent the Saturday last before Venezuela.

Uribe also will replace to the creative steering wheel Pedro Garci'a, who was expelled to the 16 minutes of the game with Venezuela, and its position will be occupied by the outstanding Juan Carlos Mariño or Damián �smodes, the youngest child of the match with 18 years.

�smodes is well-known, since it appeared the year last in the Sporting Crystal of Lima, like "Robinho" by his great physical similarity - and technical quality with the Brazilian figure of Real Madrid.

In the training which they today made Peruvian in the stage "the Pink Grove" of Mérida, the selector Julio Caesar Uribe placed an unpublished steering wheel, in which for the first time they appeared Juan Carlos Mariño, Jefferson Farfán, Paolo of the Haza and �smodes.

At the end of the practice, Uribe praised the technical quality and the temperament of the young Peruvian player and said that anybody it must surprise that it is titular front to the Bolivians.

The Peruvian selector admitted that the encounter with Bolivia will be "of equal to equal, very fought, as they are the parties of the America Glass".

"we are sharpening our proposals and this will be a plus, and surely that we will obtain what we are going to propose, because we know that we are a good equipment", emphasized.

In the neighboring border, Bolivia also calibrated the machinery and it was trusted the quality of his players to give campanazo and to leave to Peru outside the competition.

The selector Erwin "Platiní" Sanchez showed his respect by Peru, but also he left in clear that their pupilos work with emphasis to match the greater international trajectory of their rivals.

"Peru demonstrated good game before Uruguay, but also he is vulnerable like before Venezuela. We are beginning a process ", limited.

Sanchez said that, in spite of the 0-1 suffered before Uruguay, in a party in which they deserved better luck, will not vary their scheme of game and she will only be forced to change, by injury, to skillful Ronald Garci'a, who probably will be replaced by Sacha Lima.

The doorman Sergio Galarza considered that the shock with the Peruvians "is going to be a end" and recognized that it is important that Bolivia does not depend but on its good performance to advance in the competition.

"most important it is than we depend on us, we depend on our possibility, a triumph is going to give the classification to us, and that is what we are going to look for with all the desire, with all the faith of the world", said.

Bolivia occupies the last place of the Group To with a point and only a triumph against Peru will allow him to classify itself to the quarterfinals of the America Glass.

Probable alignments: - Bolivia: Sergio Galarza, Miguel Holes, Ronald Raldés, Juan Manuel Rock, Lorgio Alvarez, Leonel Kings, Gualberto Mojica, Joselito Are vacant, Sacha Files, Jaime Moreno and Juan Carlos Maple. DT: Erwin Sanchez.

- Peru: Leao Break-in, John Galliquio, Alberto Rodriguez, Santiago Acasiete, Walter Vílchez, Paolo of the Haza, Juan Carlos Mariño, Damián �smodes, Jefferson Farfán, Paolo Guerrero and Claudius Pizarro or Ysrael Zúñiga. DT: Julio Caesar Uribe.

Referee: the Chilean Carlos Chandía, secundado in the lines by its compatriot Rodrigo González and the Ecuadorian Felix Badaraco.

Scene: Metropolitan stage of the Venezuelan Andean city of Mérida, with capacity for 42,000 spectators.

Hour: 18.35 (22,35 GMT).

Peru and Bolivia define their classification in a party of reserved prognosis




Venezuela VS Uruguay

The Pachencho gets dressed celebration for the Argentina-Colombia duel
efe - sea 03 jul - 03h51

Maracaibo (Venezuela), 2 jul (EFE). - The stage Jose Incarnation Pachencho Romero de Maracaibo got dressed celebration for the Argentina-Colombia duel today and the organizers contributed from very early to rumba with music, predominantly Colombian, although in a while also they let hear the compasses of a tango.

The Colombian fans were first who began to arrive at the stage and already lacking three hours so that it began the party first had arrived at their seats, adorned with the t-shirt of their selection and some of them with the faces painted with the colors of the national flag.

Of the Argentine side, at heart North of the stage the maradonianos complied very early from the members of a self-appointed bar "".

Nevertheless, peculiarly behind the placard that identified the followers of Maradona there was also a good number of people dressed in yellow t-shirts.

The Colombian fans came trying to animate back to their selection from days with songs that they tried to make forget the undergone made goals one before Paraguayan in whom a refrain stood out that that said "that game was a test nothing else".

From the beginning it was clear that in the stage she was going to have more Colombian followers than Argentine by the proximity of the border and in addition by the numerous Colombian colony in Maracaibo.

Nevertheless, the Argentineans - or "so maracuchos" fans of Argentina, selection to which much in the city is admitted little by little also began to be made notice.

Meanwhile, by the loudspeakers of the stage, a man and a woman alternated themselves to animate to the followers of both side and they were also in charge to be changing music although in it it seemed to have certain parcialidad because there was clear predominance of tropical rates that, although some of them were Venezuelan, could perfectly seem Colombian.

The Colombian players, the whole group, went first in leaving to warm up to the field and were received first with cumbia and soon with vallenatos in the voice of Carlos You live.

When the equipment jumped to the field the joy was joint and were received with ovaciones, confeti and fireworks.

Confeti was sent at heart South and crossed the Pachencho towards a the north like remembering to the equipment the existence to him of the traicionero wind of the stage.

Finally the hymns were sung, which once again allowed to feel that there were more Colombians than Argentine in estadio.EFE

The Pachencho gets dressed celebration for the Argentina-Colombia duel







PUERTO LA CRUZ, Venezuela (Reuters) - Uruguay and hosts Venezuela registered their first victories in the Copa America on Saturday, although both victories were marred by foul play and refereeing problems.

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On a wet, windy day in the Andean city of San Cristobal, a bruising Uruguay beat Bolivia 1-0 in a Group A double bill while Venezuela overcame Peru 2-0 after their opponents had a player sent off in the 14th minute.

Mexican referee Benito Armando Archundia, caught up in a storm last week for his handling of the United States v Canada Gold Cup semi-final, also angered Peru by not awarding a second-half penalty.

The game, which produced Venezuela's first Copa win for three decades, ended in ugly scenes after Alejandro Cichero played keepy-uppy near his own penalty area and was booked, apparently for ungentlemanly conduct.

Cichero's behavior incensed Peru, leading to a scuffle on the edge of the area and pushing and shoving as the players left the pitch.

Venezuela went top of the group with four points, followed by Peru and Uruguay with three apiece and Bolivia with one.

"Venezuela did very little, we created five or six clear scoring chances in the second half," said Peru coach Julio Cesar Uribe.

"The sending-off influenced (the outcome) but we have to accept it as part of football."

Peru, fresh from a 3-0 win over Uruguay on the opening day, began brightly but the game changed in the 14th minute.

Pedro Garcia was involved in a fierce tussle with Venezuela's Giancarlo Maldonado, but the Peruvian was sent off for elbowing while Maldonado, who appeared to start the incident, received a yellow card.

PLAY-ACTING

Television replays showed contact was made on the chin, but Maldonado fell over backwards.

He laid on the ground, clutching his face in agony before returning to his feet as soon as Garcia was dismissed.

Peru held out until halftime but four minutes after the break, Cichero outjumped the defense to head in from a corner.

The visitors were protesting again in the 62nd minute. Paulo Guerrero won a loose ball and crossed to Pizarro, who appeared to be tripped by Hector Gonzalez as he tried to tap the ball in.

Referee Archunda, who last week infuriated Canada by disallowing what would have been a stoppage-time equalizer in their 2-1 Gold Cup defeat to the U.S., waved play on.

Venezuela midfielder Richard Paez was sent off in the 78th minute, picking up a second yellow card for petulantly kicking the ball away after an offside decision.

But a minute later, substitute Daniel Arismendi burst down the left, cut inside and scored with a low shot which crept inside the post.

Vicente Sanchez's 58th minute goal was enough to give Uruguay the points in the first match.

However, Bolivia were also angry as U.S. referee Baldomero Toledo failed to punish some wild Uruguay challenges, especially a scything tackle from behind by Carlos Diogo on Jaime Moreno.

Toledo appeared uncomfortable in the pressure-cooker atmosphere of South American soccer and struggled to control the game.

(Additional reporting by Luis Jaime Acosta in San Cristobal)

Mexico VS Chile


Brazil routs Chile; Mexico gains Copa quarterfinals

July 1, 2007
MATURIN, Venezuela (Ticker) - Robinho scored a hat trick as Brazil kept their Copa America hopes alive with a 3-0 victory over Chile in Group B play on Sunday evening.

After losing their opening game to Mexico, Dunga's side bounced thanks to the Real Madrid star, but only made sure of the points late in the game.

Mexico, meanwhile, qualified for the quarterfinals with a 2-1 victory over Ecuador. Nery Castillo and Omar Bravo scored goals for the Mexicans.

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The Brazilians took the lead after 35 minutes when Miguel Riffo was adjudged to have fouled Robinho in the box and the striker dispatched the resulting penalty past Claudio Bravo despite the goalkeeper's best efforts.

Chile wasted opportunities to equalize and was not helped by the fact coach Nelson Acosta was forced to replace injured duo Rodrigo Melendez and Riffo, while Brazil midfielder Elano was also forced out of the contest.

However, Brazil wrapped up the game on 83 minutes when Vagner Love fed Robinho and the 23-year-old clinically beat Bravo.

"I know I played a crucial role but the whole team played very well," Robinho said.

Four minutes later, Robinho eluded three Chile defenders to complete his treble and draw level with Paraguay's Roque Santa Cruz as the tournament's top scorer.

"We hadn't expected a defeat to start with but we are improving day by day and I hope we can play even better against Ecuador," Brazilian defender Juan said. "Our finishing was better today, we had more luck and Robinho was inspired."

After Mexico opened Group B play with an unexpected 2-0 victory over Brazil, Hugo Sanchez's side proved too strong for the Ecuadorians and booked their place in the last eight.

Castillo took advantage of some ordinary defending to open the scoring after 21 minutes with his second of the tournament.

Ecuador went in search of an equalizer but found it hard to break down a determined Mexican rear guard despite controlling the majority of possession.

And they paid the price 10 minutes from time as a swift Mexico counter-attack saw substitute Cuauhtemoc Blanco cross for Bravo to plant a header past goalkeeper Cristian Mora.

Ecuador ensured a nervy final five minutes for Sanchez's side as a long-range strike by Edison Mendez reduced the deficit but they could not conjure an equalizer.

"I want to apologize all the country because this is a failure," Ecuador coach Luis Fernando Suarez said. "I'm not thinking about resigning. However, my fate is in the hands of the Federation president (Luis Chiriboga)."

Ecuador can still make the quarterfinals if it defeats Brazil on Wednesday in Puerto La Cruz, where Mexico will also play Chile.

Castillo insisted Mexico is keeping its feet on the ground despite qualifying for the quarterfinals.

"We cannot say we are good enough to be champions because we have to be humble and calm," Castillo said. "But I think I'm living the best moment in my football career.





Copa-Chile coach unimpressed by Robinho hat-trick

By Brian Homewood

MATURIN, Venezuela, July 1 (Reuters) - Chile coach Nelson Acosta appeared unimpressed by Robinho's hat-trick in Brazil's 3-0 win over his team at the Copa America on Sunday.

Robinho converted a controversial penalty in the




America: Chile turned a hospital
AP - sea 03 jul - 18h48

PORT the CROSS, Venezuela (AP) - At least four losses by injuries will in front of have Chile in the shock of Wednesday Mexico, in which its permanence in the America Glass will gamble.

Trainer Nelson Acosta will have to make jugglings then will not be able to have the steering wheel Rodrigo Meléndez, the forward Reinaldo Navia, the defense Miguel Riffo and the mediocampista and captain Jorge Valdivia.

The doctor of the Chilean selection, Carlos Mounts, said that Meléndez has esguince medial in its ankle and is very inflamed.

"It is very little probable that he arrives in good conditions for the party with Mexico. I do not believe that it arrives, by the seriousness of esguince ", assured to the press.

Meléndez suffered that injury in the shock before Brazil in the first time.

As far as Navia, galen explained that he undergoes a muscular contractura that requires several days of recovery.

The loss of the forward of the Atlas of Mexico makes difficult the work to him to Acosta technician, who now is left just by two forwards, Humberto Suazo and Juan Lorca available.

Riffo presents/displays a muscular ailment and Valdivia undergoes a contusion in high the cervical zone that will disable them to play in the closing of the round, according to confirmed Mounts.

Acosta either does not want to risk more to those players, in order to protect them in the case that Chile advances to the following phase.

But the physical problems do not finish there. There are other exhausted players who arrived at the match and to which Acosta has tried to recover days in the last, like the Matías midfield player Fernandez, of the Spanish Villarreal. Fernandez did not play before the Brazilians.

"We are with a selection diminished by the exhaustion and the injuries", recognized the eve the strategist of the Red one. But "the confidence we have it".

"we have made two good parties. Pitifully before Brazil we lost several opportunities clear to write down ", indicated.

The "Chupete" Suazo, that made a doublet in the victory on Ecuador by 3-2, ate at least one propitious occasion forehead to verdeamarelha, whereas Valdivia captain also let pass an opportunity of gold, doing to them a great favor to the Brazilians.

To the Chilean strategist it would enchant to him at this moment to have to the youthful Alexis forward Sanchez, one of the great promises of the soccer of the austral country. Acosta gave green light him to the attacker of the Colo Colo so that it participated with the Sub20 equipment in the world-wide one of the category that is disputed in Canada.

America: Chile turned a hospital





Without desperation festejo of goal in America Glass waits for Piece
notimex - sea 03 jul - 15h53


By Jose Luis Simón. Envoy Port the Cross, Sees, 3 Jul (Notimex). - Although one has gone away in target before Brazil and Ecuador, the forward Juan Carlos Piece is not hopeless because it knows that at any time it is going to arrive festejo in the Glass America Venezuela 2007, where dreams about arriving at the end with the Mexican selection from futbol.

"It is necessary to have patience and calm, the goal at any time is going to arrive", said the attacker, who, in his first call to "Tricolor", is one of the unquestionable holders of Hugo technician Sanchez and more when the owner of the position, Jared Borgetti, injured itself.

"I have felt either physically, we have played or, compact, defending us or and those that we have had we have put them", said in reference to the triumphs on Brazil, by 2-0, and Ecuador, by 2-1.

It declared that "yes it waited for this participation, giving everything to me in the field, running all and then trying to gain all the parties. Lack and we go much step by step ".

After the triumphs, it spoke of the future of "Tricolor" in this competition. "the reality, I create, is much in our aspirations, these victories give more confidence you and security, motivates more and is sólamente to demonstrate and to respond to the confidence that gives the technician you to follow in the field".

It added that "if together and all helping itself we have thought us about arriving at the end". Of the latest, it said, "she is what more platica between us".

Although it was called for the first time to the greater selection, the also front one of Pachuca said to feel well, because "this group is very united and we took bien".Sin desperation very waits for Piece festejo of goal in America Glass

Colombia VS United States

Colombia, Americans need great deal of help to advance

July 4, 2007
BARQUISIMETO, Venezuela (Ticker) - Colombia and the United States head into their final Copa America Group C game relying heavily on results elsewhere going in their favor if they are to have any hope of making the quarterfinals.

Neither side has collected any points from their opening games and will be hoping to scrape through as a third-placed team.

In Group A, Uruguay has already secured one of two third-placed spots available with four points.

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Group B, which concludes on Wednesday, has Brazil and Chile on three points each, while Ecuador are point-less. Therefore, if Chile loses to Mexico and Ecuador is beaten by Brazil, the winner of the Colombia-USA match would still have a chance of progressing provided it scores plenty of goals.

The Colombian press have already called for the head of Jorge Luis Pinto, and the coach is clearly worried.

"If I was a bit worried about some aspects before the Copa America, I must confess that now I am even more worried than before ahead of the World Cup qualifiers," Pinto said.

"We'll see if we make some changes to play the United States. I want to field at least three players who haven't played before in the tournament."

The United States came into the tournament on the back of its CONCACAF Gold Cup success on home soil, but coach Bob Bradley decided to travel to Venezuela with a virtual second-string team.

Despite coming in for criticism, the coach still believes his troops are gaining valuable experience.

"I think it's going to help us in the long run," Bradley said. "We have to learn how to manage a game. That's the most important thing as a whole."

"I think the Argentina game was a wake up call," midfielder Ricardo Clark said. "Against Paraguay, we came out with more intensity and we created a lot more chances.

"I think we put in a good effort, which is positive, but at the end of the day, soccer is a results-oriented business and we haven't got one. ... All we can do now is get better and try to get a win against Colombia."



Argentina VS Paraguay


The Metropolitan, a pretty stage that strives to be finished tomorrow
efe - mié 04 jul - 20h34

Barquisimeto (Venezuela), 4 jul (EFE). - The Metropolitan stage of Barquisimeto, that is released tomorrow like seat of the America Glass with the parties Colombia-Estados Unidos and Argentina-Paraguay, is a precious and modern installation but to which still it has left much to be completely finished.

The stage, sight of its land of game, is spectacular with its launching slips populated with near 40,000 red seats that surround a well-taken care of turf perfectly.

Another thing is to see it from its corridors of access or exteriors, where multitude of workers of all type strives so that to less than twenty-four hours so that it gives to beginning the first party (18,30 local time) everything it is best the possible thing.

Not yet some visors have concluded that must cover the launching slips, paint facades, mount railings in the access stairs, undertake gardening workings or the electrical assemblies are completed, I enter other assignments that are developed by the perimeter and interiors of the stage.

The Metropolitan, who is one of the three new ones constructed in the occasion of the Glass America Venezuela 07, is to the outskirts of Barquisimeto and for their access also the railcar that arrives from downtown and other routes which they encircle the new enclosure, as well as the acierated one for the transit of the fans are fixed to these hours who go.

Between these incessant workings, they follow one another afternoon throughout the arrival of the four selections that tomorrow will play the parties and that fulfill the mandatory recognition of the eves, in addition to the journalists, who go to take possession from their jobs, which accentuates plus the control of security in the interior and outside and the incomodidades to circulate as well.

The work will extend tonight during everything and everything at some future date so that when the fans begin to approach all it is most comfortable possible to be present at the encounter.

The Metropolitan, a pretty stage that strives to be finished tomorrow






Argentina, Paraguay keep the goals flowing
By Brian Homewood

PUERTO LA CRUZ, Venezuela (Reuters) - Argentina, helped by a brace from Juan Roman Riquelme, beat Colombia 4-2 to reach the Copa America quarter-finals on Monday and Paraguay joined with a 3-1 win over United States.

Both teams have six points from two games in Group C and the impressive tally of eight goals apiece.

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The U.S. and Colombia are both without points and depend on a complex combination of results to have any chance of qualifying.

The tournament produced yet another refereeing row as Colombia, who scored first, were furious with the penalty from which Argentina equalized.

The ticketing chaos continued as thousands of fans queued in vain in Merida, where hosts Venezuela play Uruguay on Tuesday.

Some said they had paid in advance for their tickets but had not received them.

A Reuters reporter saw touts freely selling black market tickets at up to twice their face value.

Fans accused the government of President Hugo Chavez of buying-up tickets and filling stadiums with their supporters to avert possible protests and anti-government chanting during games.

The government has denied the allegations.

Argentina's match in Maracaibo ended amid chants of "the government's going to fall" and "freedom" echoing around the 42,000-seat stadium.

COLOMBIA FIGHTBACK

On the field, Colombia, beaten 5-0 by Paraguay in their opener, took a shock 10th minute lead with a crafty Edixon Perea backheel.

Argentina leveled 10 minutes later when Lionel Messi went down in what appeared to be a simple 50-50 challenge, but the referee gave a penalty and Hernan Crespo converted.

Crespo, who took his tally to three goals in two games, pulled up as he kicked the ball and was substituted by Diego Milito.

Afterwards, the 31-year-old said he was unlikely to play in the tournament again.

Riquelme then sprang into action, scoring from a nonchalant header and a trademark free kick 11 minutes before halftime.

Although Jaime Castrillon pulled one back for Colombia, Milito ended their fightback with a fourth Argentine goal in stoppage time.

"I think we clearly dominated the win and we deserved our win," said Riquelme.

Colombia midfielder Fabian Vargas, sent off in injury-time, said: "There was no reason for the referee to give a penalty and it made Argentina's life easier."

Earlier, Edgar Barreto gave Paraguay a 30th minute lead in Barinas before Ricardo Clark scored from the edge of the area to make it 1-1 at halftime.

Second-half goals from Oscar Cardozo and Salvador Cabanas, who took his tally to three despite making only two second-half substitute appearances, won the game for Paraguay.

The U.S. created plenty of chances and substitute goalkeeper Aldo Bobadilla, who replaced the injured Justo Villar in the second half, made three important saves to keep Paraguay ahead.

Colombia and the U.S. still have an outside chance, with the two best third-placed teams in the three groups also qualifying for the last eight.

Brazil, Uruguay head into semis at Copa America

By JOSHUA GOODMAN, Associated Press Writer
July 9, 2007

AP - Jul 9, 6:38 pm EDT
More Photos



MARACAIBO, Venezuela (AP) -- One-sided victories in the quarterfinals of the Copa America helped Brazil and Uruguay negate any damage to their reputations from first-round losses.

After Uruguay opened with a 3-0 loss to Peru, and Brazil fell to Mexico 2-0, both teams have found their stride.

The continental heavyweights redeemed themselves with high-scoring blowouts over the weekend and face off against one another on Tuesday for a berth in the final.

With two goals by Robinho, Brazil thumped Chile 6-1 on Saturday and received praise for rediscovering their "jogo bonito," or beautiful play, expected of the defending and five-time World Cup champion.

Uruguay was less flashy, but equally effective in its 4-1 romp of host Venezuela.

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Now in the semis, both teams need to prove their resurrection was no accident.

A victory sends the winner to Sunday's final in Maracaibo against either Argentina or Mexico, who play Wednesday in Puerto Ordaz.

Uruguay hasn't defeated the Brazilians in the Copa America since the 1995 final at home in Montevideo. Since then, Brazil won the 1999 final, and on penalties three years ago in the semifinals in Peru.

Historically, the Charruas have fared better at the South American championship, having won a tournament-best 14 titles -- the same number as Argentina. Brazil is a distant third with seven titles.

Although less celebrated than the classic between Brazil and Argentina, the Selecao's rivalry with Uruguay has its own lore. Uruguay's biggest victory was a 2-1 shocker to win the 1950 World Cup, played in Rio de Janeiro's Maracana stadium before a crowed estimated to be over 200,000.

The upset known as the Maracanazo still haunts Brazilians, who hosted the 1950 tournament as the outright favorite.

"For Uruguay, it's something special to play against Brazil," manager Oscar Tabarez said Monday at the team's training site in Maracaibo. "But that doesn't mean we don't have the utmost respect for their capabilities."

Both teams will be at full strength, though Tabarez said Inter Milan forward Alvaro Recoba, who missed Uruguay's first two matches due to a leg injury, is not yet in peak form.

For Brazil, the 2006 Copa is shaping up to be the breakout tournament for Robinho, who took over the leadership role with more established regulars like Ronaldinho and Kaka having asked to be exempted.

The Real Madrid striker scored all of Brazil's four goals in its first round and added two more in the quarterfinal against Chile, in which the Brazilian midfield also finally gelled.

With six goals, he leads the tournament's and is within two of Pele's eight goals at the 1959 Copa. The record of nine is held by Brazil Jair Rosa Pinto in 1949 and by Argentina's Humberto Maschio and Uruguay's Javier Ambrois in 1957.

Diego Forlan, who scored two of Uruguay's goals against Chile, also seems to be finding his form after a scoreless first round.

Uruguay advanced to the quarterfinals despite scoring only one goal, the fewest of anybody in the 12-nation tournament. But its rout over Chile put Brazil on notice.

"Uruguay always plays better in the decisive games," Brazilian manager Dunga said Monday. "Not only do they have history and tradition on their side, but they've got great players."





Copa-Basile says what Brazilian fans want to hear
Brazil

By Brian Homewood

BARQUISIMETO, Venezuela (Reuters) - It was exactly what Brazilian fans, frustrated by their team's emphasis on efficiency and winning at all costs, had been longing to hear from their national team coach.

"It's not just about winning. You can simply win a game, but to win the way we are doing makes me proud."

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Unfortunately for Brazil, those words were uttered not by Dunga but Alfio Basile, coach of arch-rivals Argentina.

Argentina and Brazil both enjoyed big wins in their Copa America quarter-finals at the weekend to keep alive the chances of meeting in the final.

Argentina, who face Mexico in the semi-finals, routed Peru 4-0 and Brazil, who meet Uruguay, hammered a demoralized Chile 6-1.

Yet, although Brazil scored more goals, it was Argentina who turned on the style as they pulled Peru apart in a memorable last 45 minutes.

Peru coach Julio Cesar Uribe was full of admiration for his team's conquerors.

"Argentina are a fantastic team," he said. "Argentina had the variations and superior talent.

"We gave it our best effort but we were well and truly beaten. It's part of football."

PHYSICAL POWER

There is nobody in the Brazil line-up who can play with the nonchalant elegance of Juan Roman Riquelme, or who shares the enigmatic midfielder's ability to see and execute a defensive-splitting pass.

Nor do Brazil have forwards with the speed and guile of Lionel Messi and Carlos Tevez or a midfielder with the all-round ability of Juan Sebastian Veron.

Even allowing for the absence of Kaka and Ronaldinho, who said they were too tired to play, Brazil have come nowhere near to matching Argentina for flair.

Instead, the defending Copa America champions have reached the last four thanks to their raw physical power and ruthless finishing, coupled with isolated bursts of talent from Robinho and a few slices of luck.

While Basile has repeated throughout the Copa that he cares about how his team wins, Dunga's discourse has been of efficiency, compactness and team work.

"The reality is the pitch," he said last week.

It is a complete reversal from the past when Brazil were associated with panache and Argentina, particularly under former coach Carlos Bilardo, were ruthless and uncompromising.

But since Carlos Alberto Parreira took them to a fourth world title in 1994, Brazil have been led by a succession of coaches who have preferred a more European style.

Argentina changed direction when Basile, who is in charge for the second time, replaced Bilardo following the 1990 World Cup.

Sadly from the purists' point of view, Argentina appear to have lost their killer instinct and have not won a major trophy since 1993, when Basile led them to victory in the Copa America.

In the last few years, Argentina have repeatedly arrived at tournaments as favorites, played the best football but gone home early.

The Copa America is an ideal chance to put the record straight.

11/07/07
America: Argentina would make business if Mexico attacks
AP - lun 09 jul - 13h36

BARQUISIMETO, Venezuela (AP) - a Mexico to the attack is what hopes Argentina to respond to him with the heavy ammunition, in the duel of Wednesday in Ordaz Port by happens to the end of the America Glass.

Robert Ayala and Gabriel Heinze, spine of the defense, agreed Monday in which Argentina feels more comfortable before rivals than they go to the front.

"Argentina is more dangerous when they attack it", Ayala in a meeting of joint press with Heinze in a hotel in the outskirts of this city said.

Ayala, captain of the equipment and defender of the Villarreal, considered that to Argentina they complican the life to him when the rival remains well back, as it happened before Peru in a party that left without goals at the end of the first time. Later the made goals one arrived 4-0.

"They had shutdowns two lines of four and thus it was impossible to find the hollow", said Ayala. "Just we obtained it by the individual capacity of our players".

Heinze, of the Manchester English United, does not think that Mexico is going to leave to speculate.

"I consider that it will be an opened party, in which they are going to leave to win", expressed Heinze.

"Although with different systems (since the technicians were others), I imagine a party similar to the one of world-wide, the very hard one and disputed", the defender added.

He alluded to the shock that Argentina gained 2-1 to him to Mexico, with goal of Maxi Rodriguez in extends, by the eighth of end of the World-wide Glass of Germany of 2006. Then, the technicians of Argentina and Mexico were Jose Pekerman and Ricardo the Volpe, respectively.

Ayala and Heinze did not want to enter greater details on Mexico, since they agreed not yet in that spoke of the subject with present helmsman Alfio Basile.

"We depend on us and are going to watch for inside", said Ayala.

"To the margin of the turn rival, the proposal of Argentina is always the same one, that is to be offensive", it affirmed Heinze, that later praised the virtues of the Mexican forward Nery Castle.

"he surprises his speed to Me", he said Heinze on the attacker of the Olympiakos of Greece, and which he remembered to have faced in a recent party the Manchester.

Argentina will travel just Tuesday to Ordaz Port for the party with Mexico, that in quarterfinals destroyed 6-0 to Paraguay.

In the Argentine plans it appeared in the beginning to return to the headquarters of Maracaibo, where it played two of the three parties of the first round.

But in the end, the technical body chose to long ago remain in Barquisimeto, because less heat than in Maracaibo.

The winner of Argentina-Mexico will dispute the end against which he leaves windy the Brazil-Uruguay shock, Tuesday in Maracaibo.

America: Argentina would make business if Mexico attacks





Nery Castle in doubt before Argentina by injury in the left knee
efe - lun 09 jul - 18h18
Port the Cross (Venezuela), 9 jul (EFE). - The Mexican forward Nery Castle has an inflammation in the ligaments of the left knee and it will only be possible to be known if he plays moments before the party before Argentina, today said to the doctor of the equipment Robert Rodriguez.

Castle left the party before hurt Paraguay and this Monday made a special work in the swimming pool of the hotel where Mexico is stayed and during the practical one the Cross went to medical revision to a clinic of Port.

"He is esguince of first degree. There is an inflammation in the ligament, there is no weave damage, luckyly "showed the doctor of the Mexican set when finalizing the practice in annexed of the stage of Port the Cross.

The doctor explained that the meniscos, the previous ligament and the collateral ones are well "is inflamed the collateral means" with a prognosis of evolution of one to seven days, depending of the magnitude.

He indicated that the player will be put under a treatment of anti inflammatory and that he cannot anticipate if he will be ready to play until not observing that he has improved completely.

"I need that desinflame and before the party I say it (if can play)", it pointed the doctor of the Mexican equipment. EFE.

Nery Castle in doubt before Argentina by injury in the left knee



Argentina v Peru Teams Copa America 2007: West Ham's Tevez Out, Liverpool's Mascherano In - Chelsea's Pizarro Plays For Peru

Submitted by Scott Harkness on Sun, 08/07/2007 - 23:53.
Full team-sheets for Argentina v Peru in Sunday's second quarter final of the Copa América 2007 at the Stadio Metropolitano in Barquisimeto on Sunday, with the winner due to meet Mexico in the Semi-Finals of the tournament.

Argentina head coach Alfio ‘Coco’ Basile makes one change in attack from the last match, with Manchester United target Carlos Tevez making way for Gabriel Milito for the Albiceleste, with Barcelona winger Lionel Andrés Messi likely to join him in attack.

Hernán Crespo, who was injured in Argentina’s match against Colombia, is still unfit to start the match and joins fellow strikers Rodrigo Palacio and Carlos Tevez on the bench.

Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano, Juan Roman Riquelme and Inter Milan midfielder Juan Sebastian Verón - who has been on-loan with Estudiantes in Argentina for the past season – are also all start after having been rested for the last Group C match.

Peru start with three main attckers in the tough quarter-final encounter, with Chelsea striker and Peru captain Claudio Pizarro, who has scored two goals in the tournament so far, being joined by Juan Carlos Mariño and José Paolo Guerrero in attack for Peru.

Mexico
Marquez Returns To Barca, Misses Copa America Play-Off

Barcelona's defender Rafael Marquez has left the Mexico camp early and will miss out on his country's third place playoff against Uruguay...



zoom - galleria In the wake of Mexico's semi final defeat to Argentina, Rafael Marquez has left the squad in order to return to his club, FC Barcelona.

The defender claimed that his departure was amicable and the decision made for physical reasons.

He said, "I have spoken with the coach and the director and have decided to leave the group now.

"I want to be one hundred percent [fit], as last season I wasn't perfect, and this worries me. The squad competition this year is going to be greater," he added

Both points seem prescient. Rafael was dogged by injury for much of the campaign, but failed to impress in fleeting appearances. The 2006-07 season was perhaps his worst yet since joining Barcelona from Monaco in 2003.

Rumours have emerged linking Rafa with a move away from the Nou Camp, particularly in light of the signing of fellow centre-back, Argentinian Gabi Milito. However, Marquez is under contract until 2010 and last month stated that his future lay in Catalonia.



Brazil
Brazil Through To Copa America 2007 Finals After Beating Uruguay On Penalties - Diego Lugano Misses Final Penalty For UruguaySubmitted by Scott Harkness on Wed, 11/07/2007 - 04:19.

Brazil have beaten Uruguay 5-4 in a penalty-shootout in the Copa América 2007 Semi Final at the Stadio José Pachencho Romero, Maracaibo, after the game finished 2-2 after normal time, with Brazil now in the final against either Mexico or Argentina.

Brazil and Inter Milan defender Maicon opened the scoring, with former Man Utd striker Diego Forlan levelling, but Brazil going into half-time with a 2-1 lead with a strike from former Arsenal forward Julio Baptista. Uruguay took the game to penalties after substitute Sebastián Abreu levelled in the second half.

Both teams came out in the early stages with huge intent, but with Brazil shading the possession in the opening minutes.

Brazil took an early lead when Brazil defender Maicon broke the deadlock in the 13th minute after continuing his run from defence and latching on to a save from Robinho's shot by Uruguay keeper Fabián Carini, volleying home his first-ever goal for his country.

One bank of floodlights in the Stadio José Pachencho Romero failed minutes later, with the referee deciding to stop play and wait for the floodlights to be fixed before recommencing the match, which took thirteen minutes, by which time Uruguay had reformed.

Diego Forlan almost equalised in the 28th minute after breaking through the Brazilian defence and smashing his shot from 20-yards into the top-corner, with Doni leaping brilliantly to deny Uruguay the leveller.

Uruguay had a string of set-pieces as the half went on, giving Brazil a host of problems in defence, with Alvaro Recoba forcing Doni into another fine diving-save as the equilibrium was recovered.

Maicon and Robinho were working very well together, with virtually every Seleçao move coming from the right-flank with, inevitably, Maicon at the heart of the build-up.

Brazil had a vague penalty call in the 34th minute after Maicon squared the ball to Vagner Love, who went down in front of the goal, but the referee waved the call away.

Recoba’s set-pieces were beginning to find their way through the Brazil defence, and finally the scores were levelled with a wonderful volley from Villarreal CF forward Diego Forlan 15-yards out from goal which flew into Doni’s right corner.

Brazil, against the run of play, re-took the lead in the 40th minute after capitalising on one of their few free-kicks, with the excellent Maicon yet again involved.

His free-kick from wide was directed into the Uruguay penalty area, with former Arsenal striker Julio Baptista breaking the offside trap to volley the ball home past Carini to make it 2-0.

Despite Uruguay having dominated since the re-start after the light failure, Brazil went into half-time in better spirits, but with Uruguay having bossed the match for equal periods of the half.

The second-half saw Uruguay make two changes. Ignacio María González came on for Alvaro Recoba and Sebastián Abreu for Dario Rodríguez, which took some time for the team to settle to, but still Uruguay’s La Celeste had the upper-hand in the match, although it was in no way one-way traffic.

Substitute Sebastián Abreu levelled in the 71st minute, scoring his 16th goal in 31 appearances for Uruguay as the fifteen-time champions took the game to the current Copa América holders in the second-half.

Jorge Ciro Fucile played the ball to Cristian Gabriel Rodríguez on the goal-line, who managed to keep the ball in play and passed it to Abreu, who struck at close range, deflecting off Doni to make it 2-2.

There was another contentious penalty call from Brazil after substitute Afonso, who came on for Vagner Love in the 80th minute, was brought down by Diego Alfredo Lugano, but yet again the call was waved away by the Colombian referee.

Both sides continued to press as the second-half came to a close, with a penalty shootout looming, both sides became nervous, with Brazil’s Gilberto Silva receiving a booking which means that he is suspended for the final.

The match finished 2-2 with penalties to decide on the finalists.

Brazil’s star striker Robinho took the first penalty, despatching it easily past Carini, Forlan missed Uruguay's first, Doni saving with his legs, with Juan scoring Brazil's second to give them the advantage.

Uruguay’s Andrés Scotti scored Uruguay’s second penalty, with Gilberto Silva, who is suspended for the final, blasting his penalty home past the Uruguay keeper to give Dunga's team the advantage.

After a miss from Brazil, Cristian Gabriel Rodríguez levelled at 3-3 to increase the pressure on the Copa América holders, with Diego scoring his for Brazil and then Sebastian Abreu scoring his spot-kick for Uruguay.

Fernando then missed for Brazil to give Pablo Gabriel Garcia a chance to seal it for Uruguay, but his shot came off the post to open things up yet again.

It was the Uruguay skipper Diego Lugano who was the unfortunate player to miss first when it came to sudden death, with his miss giving Brazil, who were lacklustre for large parts of the match, a vital semi-final win over their South American counterparts.

Uruguay, who performed magnificently to come back twice in the match, now have a chance to redeem themselves in the third-place play-off, to be played in Caracas on Saturday, with the loser of the other semi-final facing them.



Dunga Happy With Brazil’s Attitude

“To reach the final, first we have to know how to suffer”, said Brazil manager Dunga, during the press conference after Brazil defeated Uruguay on penalties to reach the final of the 2007 Copa America.



zoom - galleria Brazil, who reached their fifth final from the last six editions, suffered during large periods of the match due to Uruguay’s domination, but ended up winning on penalties after both teams tied 2-2 in regulation time.

“First of all I have to thank the players from this national team for what they have done”, said Dunga at the beginning of the press conference.

“They are players that have come to this tournament with lots of satisfaction after a tough season, and they have left family and friends to be here, and I give them my thanks. Today we saw that it is a great group that is maturing”, he added.

Dunga avoided the critical questions about his team’s performance, but made note of the fact that they still have to improve. Brazil was put under heavy pressure from Uruguay, who was the superior side over the ninety minutes.

“Every match has its history and they are made from details. If we had made it 2-0 after we were 1-0 up, it would have been a different story. In any case, to reach the final a team has to be in the right form to do what they have to in the more difficult moments, and today we were able to do this”.

Brazil will be looking to win their second consecutive Copa America against the winner of Mexico and Argentina who clash on Wednesday.



Uruguay
Uruguay’s Players Comment On Defeat
Uruguay’s players commented on their Copa America semifinal elimination on Tuesday night against Brazil. The Uruguayans were unlucky not to have reached the final, after outplaying the Brazilians for large periods of the match.



zoom - galleria Andres Scotti, who converted a penalty in the shoot-out that they went on to lose 5-4 said: “Football is like that. We shouldn’t be sad and should leave with our heads up. We improved as the tournament went on, and we weren’t as bad as everyone thought and we left giving a good image”.

Uruguay dominated the nervous Brazilians, but as has happened so often in the past lost out on penalty kicks.

“We couldn’t continue our good ending to the match in the penalties. We knew that any team could win the shoot-out. At the end we were unlucky and now we have to fight for third place”, said Jorge Fucile, who played a good match.

“I think the attitude of the team changed in the second half and I think we came closest to winning the match. Now what we have left is to play for honour in the third place”, concluded the F.C. Porto midfielder.

Uruguay captain Diego Lugano, who failed to convert their last penalty said: “We are angry about having been eliminated on penalties. Once again we lost on penalties. We will always leave with our heads up, but you leave dead, you leave sad”.

Uruguay, who have won the Copa America 14 times in the past, will face the loser of the other semifinal between Mexico and Argentina for third place on Saturday.

GS



Argentina

Argentina blanks Mexico, advances to Copa America final

July 12, 2007
PUERTO ORDAZ, VENEZUELA (TICKER) -- Lionel Messi's exquisite goal and an inspirational display from Carlos Tevez helped Argentina set up a mouth-watering Copa America final with Brazil courtesy of a 3-0 win over Mexico on Wednesday.

Messi, Gabriel Heinze and Juan Roman Riquelme all got on the scoresheet as Alfio Basile's side outgunned the Mexicans to book its place in Sunday's showpiece encounter at the Jose Pachencho Romero Stadium in Maracaibo.

"They pressed well, did not let us to play and were better than us at times," Basile said of the Mexicans. "But then Heinze scored. In the second half, Mexico suffered physically. The spaces appeared, and that wore them down them psychologically."

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Argentina looked the most threatening in the early stages, but it was Mexico that had the first clear chance when Juan Carlos Cacho took advantage of a defensive mistake but fired over the crossbar.

Javier Zanetti responded for the South Americans, but the Internazionale midfielder shot weakly after creating an opening for himself. West Ham striker Tevez went close minutes later after escaping the attention of two defenders.

Mexico almost took the lead in the 35th minute, when Andres Guardado hit the right post before Tevezshot straight at goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez after combining well with Riquelme.

Argentina broke the deadlock on the stroke of halftime, however, as Riquelme floated a free kick into the box and Manchester United defender Gabriel Heinze acrobatically volleyed home at the back post.

Mexico coach Hugo Sanchez brought on Omar Bravo and Alberto Medina during the interval in search of an equalizer, and his team very nearly found it 10 minutes into the second period. But Nery Castillo was unlucky to see his shot come back off the bar.

It took a moment of magic from the masterful Messi on 61 minutes to finally break Mexico's spirit as the Barcelona star collected Tevez's pass on the right side of the area and produced a majestic chip over a floundering Oswaldo Sanchez.

"Only 'stars' can do that kind of thing," Basile said. "It was extraordinary. Everyone was amazed. Messi is following in Maradona's footsteps, but his career has just begun and so he cannot be compared to Diego."

"It was a beautiful goal," Riquelme added. "Lionel is playing superb football and we are trying to help him show all his potential."

It got worse for the Central Americans four minutes later as Rafael Marquez obstructed Tevez in the box and Riquelme produced an audacious chip from the resulting penalty to put the result beyond doubt.

"It leaves a bad taste in the mouth to not get to the final, but we came up against a strong side and have to recognize that they were better," Hugo Sanchez said. "But being among the top four is very important as it enhances our reputation. I'm happy that we have improved Mexico's image."

Substitute Rodrigo Palacio fired over when well placed and Messi saw an effort drift wide of the left post late on as Argentina threatened a fourth goal.

Argentina now will bid for a record 15th title against rival Brazil. Tevez is anxious avenge a loss to the Brazilians three years ago.

"I haven't forgotten that they rubbed it in my face," he said. "Today, football has given me an opportunity for revenge. But it's going to be a hard game."

Mexico vies for third place when it takes on Uruguay.

Uruguay VSMexico

Copa America Match For Third Place Preview: Uruguay-Mexico
What: Copa America Match For Third Place. When: 14/07/2007 (Saturday). Time: 17:05 (Local). Where: Estadio Olimpico, Venezuela. Who: Uruguay-Mexico.



zoom - galleria PREVIOUS ENCOUNTERS

Both teams have had very close encounters in the past, with the Mexicans having a slight advantage over the Uruguayans. In their first meeting in 1995 they tied 1-1 in the group stage in Montevideo, Uruguay. In 2004 they fought out a 2-2 draw in Peru, also in the group stage, while in 2001 Mexico won 2-1 in Colombia in the semifinals. Every time both teams clash the match is very well disputed and Saturday’s clash is unlikely to be any different. Although the match will only be played for national honour, both teams have a lot to prove. Uruguay will be trying to demonstrate why they deserved to reach the grand final, while Mexico will be looking to rebound from an unexpected flogging against Argentina.

SO CLOSE…

Uruguay have come so close to reaching the final of the Copa America on several of the last editions, but have always failed to win in the semifinals. For that exact reason they are very experienced when it comes to playing the match for third place. Uruguay will play this match for the third successive time, as previously they played it in 2004 in Peru, and in 2001 in Colombia. In 1999 they reached the final, where they lost out 3-0 against Brazil in Asuncion, Paraguay. Mexico have also played for third place in 1997 in Bolivia and in1999 in Paraguay. In truth both have been of the most consistent teams in the competition, that haven’t lifted the title in recent years. Uruguay last won the title in 1995, while Mexico are still yet to win it.

LETHAL STRIKERS

Despite only scoring once in their first three matches, in the knockout rounds Uruguay proved their efficiency in front of goal, scoring six times. Uruguay’s attack includes players with the calibre of Diego Forlan, Vicente Sanchez, Gonzalo Vargas, Sebastian Abreu, and an injured Alvaro Recoba. Over the years they have changed their attack many times, but it still looks like they get best results with their Forlan-Recoba partnership. While Recoba sets them up, Forlan puts them away. Mexico aren’t bad in attack either. Their strikers may be less renowned around the world, but have demonstrated their quality in the competition. Leading scorer Nery Castillo, who is more Uruguayan than Mexican, leads their attack. Other players that have had an impact are Juan Carlos Cacho, Andres Guardado, Omar Bravo and the great Cuauhtemoc Blanco. These players were unable to make a difference against Argentina in the semifinals, but have helped Mexico score ten times in the competition.

WORLD CUP PREPARATION

Uruguay

The Copa America was excellent preparation for both teams as they change their attention to the upcoming World Cup Qualifiers later on in the year. This time Uruguay will look to avoid the play-off, and from what we have seen in the competition, they have the potential to qualify automatically. Team manager Oscar Washington Tabarez will base his side on his Copa America squad, but there could be some cuts and additions. Alvaro Recoba’s time with the national team looks to have ended, while Carlos Diogo’s immediate future is uncertain. Fabian Carini could be replaced in goal by Villarreal’s Sebastian Viera, while defensive midfielder Pablo Garcia could call it quits. Tabarez will be looking to give more match time to players like Ignacio Gonzalez and Walter Gargano, who were recently crowned Uruguayan champions with Danubio. Edison Cavani, striker of Uruguay’s WYC side, could also be taken into consideration in the future.

Mexico

Mexico’s qualifying campaign is likely to have a mixture between those players that participated in the CONCACAF Gold Cup and the Copa America. Hugo Sanchez should be impressed with his Copa America side, but particularly with Nery Castillo and Andres Guardado. Cuauhtemoc Blanco and Adolfo Bautista were rarely called upon and their futures look uncertain with the national team. No matter the players they use the Mexicans will have little difficulty in obtaining qualification for the 2010 World Cup. The same can’t be said for Uruguay, who will have to be at their best to stand a chance.

PROBABLE STARTING XI

Uruguay

Fabian Carini, Diego Lugano, Andres Scotti, Diego Godin, Maximiliano Pereira, Walter Gargano, Pablo Garcia, Jorge Fucile, Cristian Rodriguez, Ignacio Gonzalez and Diego Forlan. Manager: Oscar Washington Tabarez.

Mexico

Oswaldo Sanchez, Israel Castro, Francisco Rodriguez, Jonny Magallon, Fausto Pinto, Fernando Arce, Gerardo Torrado, Jaime Correa, Andres Guardado, Juan Carlos Cacho and Nery Castillo. Manager: Hugo Sanchez.

KEY PLAYERS

Uruguay: Diego Forlan

Forlan finally found his touch in the competition in the knockout rounds with three goals, and proved that he is lethal in front of goal when provided with the right service. There’s no question Uruguay rely on his enthusiasm in the attack, and he will certainly trouble a Mexican defense that showed their weak side against Argentina. Forlan has been Uruguay’s most consistent striker over the years, and will be looking to finish the Copa America on a high.

Mexico: Nery Castillo

This will be a very important match for Castillo, and he will be looking to get on the score-sheet to prove a point. Although he always wanted to play for the Uruguayan national team, he was never taken into consideration, so took revenge on his country by opting for Mexico, the country of his birth. During the Copa America he has demonstrated his huge talent so much that the envious Uruguayans are regretting their decision.

PREDICTION

From both teams’ displays in the semifinals there’s no question Uruguay come into the clash as the favourites. The Uruguayans dominated Brazil, and are likely to do the same to Mexico. Taking into account the playing styles of both teams the result is likely to be very even, and a draw in normal time wouldn’t be a surprise. If they reach the penalty shoot-out Uruguay should at least have more luck this time around.

Score: Mexico 1-1 Uruguay (Uruguay win on penalties).

Gregory Sica

Argentina
Copa-Argentina name unchanged team for final

MARACAIBO, Venezuela, July 14 (Reuters) - Argentina coach Alfio Basile has named unchanged team for Sunday's Copa America final against arch-rivals Brazil.

Basile said Saturday that Carlos Tevez would partner Lionel Messi in attack while Hernan Crespo, who has recovered from a sprained thigh muscle, would start on the bench.

"It was an easy decision, Tevez has been playing and he has done well while Crespo has not played for 12 days," said Basile.

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Crespo, who has scored three goals in the tournament, sprained a muscle as he converted a penalty in a 4-2 win over Colombia in Argentina's second game.

"Crespo has done a fantastic job to recover and so has the medical team," added Basile.

Team: Roberto Abbondanzieri; Javier Zanetti, Roberto Ayala, Gabriel Milito, Gabriel Heinze; Javier Mascherano, Juan Sebastian Veron, Esteban Cambiasso, Juan Roman Riquelme; Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez


Brazil
Brazil are Copa underdogs, says Dunga

July 14, 2007
MARACAIBO, VENEZUELA (TICKER) -- Brazil coach Dunga has named Argentina as favorites to win Sunday's Copa America final.

Dunga, who was widely criticized during the group stage, is conscious his inexperience at the team's helm is being analyzed and has turned the pressure up on his opponents.

"Argentina are favorites to win the title, but Brazil is going to play with humility," Dunga said.

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Six-goal tournament top scorer Robinho disagrees. "Our objective is to repeat the 2004 final," said the Real Madrid forward. "There are no advantages between the teams, only rivalry. This is a final and I hope we return to Brazil as champions."

Argentina, 14-times champions, has not won the tournament since 1993.

Brazil has played in every final in the last 12 years apart from 2001 and has won seven of those.

Key Brazil midfielder Gilberto Silva is suspended, but his Argentina counterpart, Esteban Cambiasso, said the Arsenal star's absence will not be decisive.

"He is an important player, but Brazil has a lot of great players and will not miss him," Cambiasso said. "I don't think it will be crucial.

"This is not revenge. This is a final and against Brazil that makes the game much more exciting."

Coach Alfio Basile led Argentina to the Copa America title in 1991 and 1993 and former Manchester United and Chelsea midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron does not care how it wins the game.

"Playing well or bad, the final must be won," said Veron. "It's going to be hard and in a situation like this the opinion polls don't matter."