Copa América

[joew2005]

The 2011 Copa América shall be held in Argentina 2011,fr July 1 till July 24.
Tis will be the 43rd edition of the Copa América, which is the main international football tournament 4 the national teams in South America.
The competition was organized by CONMEBOL, South America's football governing body.

Both Japan & Mexico were invited 2 join the 10 CONMEBOL nations in the tournament,following a proposal by UEFA regarding national teams competing in tournaments organised by confederations different than their own.
On March 31 2010, CONCACAF confirmed tat Mexico will be allowed 2 send their 2012 U-23 Olympic Team, supplemented with 5 over-age players.
Japan participation was in doubt aft the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake & tsunami, but its football association has confirmed they will participate.

The draw 4 the tournament was held in La Plata,Argentina on November 11, 2010. The 12 nations were divided in2 4 different pots:
Pot 1 - Argentina, Brazil & Uruguay.
Pot 2 - Chile, Colombia & Paraguay.
Pot 3 - Bolivia, Peru & Venezuela.
Pot 4 - Ecuador, Japan & Mexico.

The 1st round(Group Stage) will see the 12 teams divided in2 3 groups of 4 teams.
Group A : Argentina, Colombia, Japan & Bolivia.
Group B : Brazil, Paraguay, Ecuador & Venezuela.
Group C : Uruguay, Chile, Mexico & Peru.

The teams finishing 1st, 2nd & the 2 best-placed 3rd teams among the 3 groups will qualified for the quarterfinals.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Copa_Am%C3%A9rica

[joew2005]

Past Winner -

1916 Uruguay
1917 Uruguay
1919 Brazil
1920 Uruguay
1921 Argentina
1922 Brazil
1923 Uruguay
1924 Uruguay
1925 Argentina
1926 Uruguay
1927 Argentina
1929 Argentina
1935 Uruguay
1937 Argentina
1939 Peru
1941 Argentina
1942 Uruguay
1945 Argentina
1946 Argentina
1947 Argentina
1949 Brazil
1953 Paraguay
1955 Argentina
1956 Uruguay
1957 Argentina
1959 Argentina
1963 Bolivia
1967 Uruguay
1975 Peru
1979 Paraguay
1983 Uruguay
1987 Uruguay
1989 Brazil
1991 Argentina
1993 Argentina
1995 Uruguay
1997 Brazil
1999 Brazil
2001 Colombia
2004 Brazil
2007 Brazil

[joew2005]

Fixture schedule for 2011 Copa -

Group Phase
1 July Group A - Argentina vs Bolivia
2 July Group A - Colombia vs Japan
3 July Group B - Brazil vs Venezuela / Paraguay vs Ecuador
4 July Group C - Uruguay vs Peru / Chile vs Mexico
6 July Group A - Argentina vs Colombia
7 July Group A - Bolivia vs Japan
8 July Group C - Peru vs Mexico / Uruguay vs Chile
9 july Group B - Brazil vs Paraguay / Venezuela vs Ecuador
10 July Group A - Colombia vs Bolivia
11 July Group A - Argentina vs Japan
12 July Group C - Chile vs Peru / Uruguay vs Mexico
13 July Group B - Paraguay vs Venezuela / Brazil vs Ecuador

Quarter Finals
16 July - Group A Winner vs Best 3rd Place 1 (Q1) / Group A Runner Up vs Group C Runner Up (Q2)
17 July - Group B Winner vs Best 3rd Plac 2 (Q3) / Group C Winner vs Group B Runner Up (Q4)

Semi Finals
19 July - Q1 Winner vs Q2 Winner
20 July - Q3 Winner vs Q4 Winner

3rd Place Place Off
23 July -

Final
24 July -

[joew2005]

Latest Conmebol/Fifa ranking update on 9 March 2011.
Next update on 13 April 2011.

http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/ranking/lastranking/gender=m/fullranking.html#confederation=23915&rank=202

1. Argentina (Fifa 4)
2. Brazil (Fifa 5)
3. Uruguay (Fifa 7)
4. Chile (Fifa 14)
5. Paraguay (Fifa 24)
6. Ecuador (Fifa 49)
7. Colombia (Fifa 50)
8. Peru (Fifa 59)
9. Venezuela (Fifa 63)
10. Bolivia (Fifa 97)


Japan is currently ranked AFC 1st & Fifa 15th, while Mexico is 2nd in CONCACAF & Fifa 19th.

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/902829/japan-withdraw-from-copa-america,-spain-invited?cc=4716

Japan withdraw from Copa America

Japan have pulled out of tis summer's Copa America tournament, as the country continues 2 deal with the fallout fr the devastating March 11 earthquake & subsequent tsunami.

The Asian side had been invited 2 play as a guest national team in the South America, along with CONCACAF's Mexico, 4 the competition which begins on July 1 in Argentina. However, they hv been forced 2 withdraw 2 deal with the the huge problems caused by the natural disaster.

"The priority @ tis moment is 2 continue saving lives & rebuilding the country," Japanese Football Association president Junji Ogura said on the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) website. "We r sorry 2 be pulling out."

CONMEBOL President Nicolas Leoz said in a statement tat he "deeply lamented" Japan's decision, while a spokesman said tat the organisation ''will make a final decision relying on the consensus of its members" over who should replace them.

Costa Rica & Canada hv been rumoured 2 be interested, while WC winners Spain hv revealed they hv received an invitation.

President of the Spanish football federation (RFEF) Angel Maria Villar told the press: "Spain has received a proposal 2 participate in the Copa America. We hv been asked many times & it's something tat Spanish football owes 2 South America 4 the great players who hv come 2 play here.

"I am in favour of Spain participating in the tournament. It is something tat must be evaluated with care. I consider it a great honour & I will take the proposal 2 the board.''

[joew2005]

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/fifa-rule-change-may-bring-japan-back-copa-20110408-225942-525.html

FIFA rule change may bring Japan back to Copa

FIFA is considering bending the rules 2 help Japan take part in the Copa America 2011 aft a quake-tsunami disaster forced them 2 withdraw fr the event, the country's football chief says.

The March 11 catastrophe has thrown Japan's J-League in2 disarray & 5 rounds of matches which were suspended r now due 2 be played around the same time as the the July 1-24 Copa America in Argentina.

Under the current rules of world football's governing body, clubs r not obligated 2 free up Japanese players 4 the South American championship becos Japan hv been invited only as guests.

But FIFA president Sepp Blatter is considering a 1-off exceptional measure asking clubs 2 free up players, Japan Football Association (JFA) president Junji Ogura told Japanese media on Friday aft visiting South America.

The measure would apply 2 Japanese clubs as well as teams in Europe & elsewhere who hv Japanese players.

Ogura said tat Argentina Football Association president Julio Grondona, who is also a senior FIFA vice president, had asked Japan 2 reconsider pulling out when they met on Tuesday.

"Grondona knows tat European clubs don't hv 2 release their players, but he called Blatter tis morning & Blatter said he would consider changing the rules," Ogura said, according 2 Kyodo news agency.

"Grondona knows how many Japanese players r playing in Europe & says if they r needed 4 the Copa America, then CONMEBOL (South American Football Confederation) would take responsibility & negotiate their release.

The JFA board is expected 2 make a decision on the matter @ a board meeting next Thursday, he said.

The J-League is opposed 2 releasing players in July becos of its revamped calendar. European clubs may be reluctant 2 free up players 4 fear of injury as the summer break is important 4 them 2 tune up 4 the new season.

The JFA has submitted 2 the CONMEBOL a list of 28 Japanese playing in 14 countries in Europe's 1st or 2nd divisions, who may make up the core of the Blue Samurai bound 4 Argentina, Ogura said.

He added tat the JFA would also make a fresh plea 2 J-League teams 2 release their best players.

[valkyria]

For the good of Japanese football, it's in their interest to participate, since it's not very often that they play against the likes of ARG, BRA on a competitive basis, and also since ARG lost in a friendly to then last year, they may play much more serious then they did.
Fixture congestion in the J-League can be dealt with.

[joew2005]

Latest Conmebol/Fifa ranking update on 13 April 2011.
Next update on 18 May 2011.

http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/ranking/lastranking/gender=m/fullranking.html#confederation=23915&rank=203

1. Brazil (Fifa 3)
2. Argentina (Fifa 5)
3. Uruguay (Fifa 7)
4. Chile (Fifa 14)
5. Paraguay (Fifa 23)
6. Colombia (Fifa 49)
7. Peru (Fifa 54)
8. Ecuador (Fifa 56)
9. Venezuela (Fifa 67)
10. Bolivia (Fifa 102)

Japan is currently ranked AFC 1st & Fifa 13th, while Mexico is 2nd in CONCACAF & Fifa 26th.


http://sg.news.yahoo.com/japan-part-copa-america-football-clash-20110414-010412-040.html

Japan to take part in Copa America football clash

Japan's FA said 2day it would take part in the Copa America, reversing an earlier decision 2 withdraw fr the event in the aftermath of a massive earthquake & tsunami.

Japan FA vice president Kozo Tashima told a news conference: "We as the Japan FA reached the conclusion 2day tat we will take part in the Copa America."

"We r preparing 2 send a letter 2 the South American Football Confederation abt our participation."

The March 11 twin disasters severely damaged a nuclear power plant in the country's northeast, causing widespread electricity cuts tat forced the temporary suspension of the J-League.

The league has rescheduled its backlogged fixtures 2 be played during a break in July, which clashes with the South American championship, where Asian champions Japan r invited as non-member guests along with Mexico.

J-League clubs hv said they r opposed 2 sending top players 2 the July 1-24 Copa America in Argentina.

But the Japan FA decided @ an executive meeting 2day tat it would send a squad mostly made up of Europe-based players who will be having a pre-season break in July, an association official said.

JFA president Junji Ogura said earlier he had been given assurances tat world football's governing body FIFA was considering an exceptional measure 2 require European clubs 2 free up Japanese players 4 the Copa, despite their guest status.

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/914805/conmebol-to-back-sepp-blatter-in-fifa-campaign?cc=4716

CONMEBOL to back Blatter

South America's confederation (CONMEBOL) will back Sepp Blatter in the upcoming FIFA Presidential campaign against rival Mohamed Bin Hammam.

Blatter's recent criticism of the organisation of WC 2014 to be held in Brazil saw suggestions tat he would not be a popular choice in South America, but Argentina football chief Julio Grondona told the CONMEBOL executive board he was in no doubt as 2 who he would be voting 4 next month.

"South America is unanimously & resoundingly committed 2 supporting the candidacy of Joseph Blatter 4 another period as president of FIFA, there's no doubt in tis regard," he told Reuters. "Tat's how we started in 1998 & tat's how we 1 2 continue 4 the good of world football."

Blatter, who was 1st elected 2 the position in 1998, said he was counting on support fr CONMEBOL.

"It was CONMEBOL tat already in January or February 1998 made a declaration tat the 10 countries of CONMEBOL were fully behind Sepp Blatter,'' he said. "Therefore, I'm fully confident tat they r still in the same mood. I don't know why they shouldn't be."

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/917813/injured-ganso-could-miss-brazil's-copa-america?cc=4716

Injured Ganso could miss Copa America

Brazil starlet Ganso could miss tis summer's Copa America aft it was revealed tat he will be out of action 4 around 6 weeks with a thigh injury.

Ganso, 21, suffered the injury while playing 4 club side Santos in the Sao Paulo state championship final against Corinthians on Sunday, although Brazil coach Mano Menezes claimed he would wait until the last minute 4 the playmaker 2 prove his fitness.

"We're going 2 wait a little longer. Maybe it won't be so much (time he is out), let's wait a bit 2 see how his recovery goes," Menezes said. "Look how capricious football is. He only managed 2 play 1 match against the U.S [a 2-0 friendly win]. With the ligaments injury he was out for 199 days, he came back & had a few games, not enough 2 be called up, & now he's had another muscle injury.''

Menezes' side play Netherlands on June 4 & Romania on June 7 in friendlies @ home b4 the Copa America begins on July 1 & the coach is keen 2 hv Ganso involved.

"Ganso is an organiser who reads the game 4 the team, he puts the pass thru on goal, he sets the rhythm. Tis player is harder 2 find,'' he added.

The Santos player will move 2 Italy tis summer, but has yet 2 decide whether he will join Milan or Inter.

[joew2005]

http://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/news?slug=ap-copaamerica-japan

Japan pulls out of Copa America for 2nd time

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP)—The Argentine football association says Japan has pulled out of July’s Copa America 4 the 2nd time due 2 problems forming a team following March’s earthquake & tsunami.

The AFA, the Copa America host, quoted Japanese football association president Junji Ogura on its website Monday saying “the majority” of European clubs with Japanese players hv refused 2 release them 4 the July 1-24 tournament.

Ogura was quoted as saying it would be difficult 2 call up Japan-based players becos delays caused by the natural disasters had forced changes 2 the domestic football schedule.

Japan pulled out of the tournament 4 the 1st time in April, but reversed its decision 2 weeks later. The JFA has refused 2 confirm the latest withdrawal & says a press conference will be held later Tuesday.

South American confederation spokesman Nestor Benitez told The AP a replacement 4 Japan will be decided shortly.

“I can’t 4ward names of possible candidates 2 take up the vacancy becos tat would start speculation,” Benitez said. “We will wait 4 the final decision, which won’t take long.”

The AFA website says an invitation 2 compete would be sent Monday on behalf of CONMEBOL to Central American nation Costa Rica.

Costa Rica had already requested a place in the competition aft it became clear tat Japan was struggling 2 form a team.

Since 1993, CONMEBOL has invited at least 2 nations 2 join the 10 South American teams tat contest the Copa America. As usual, Mexico was also invited 2 tis year’s tournament.

Other countries tat hv taken part in the past include the US & Canada.

Japan was due 2 play in the tournament’s Group 1 alongside Argentina, Colombia & Bolivia.

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/920919/sergio-batista-announces-argentina-squad?cc=4716

Batista announces experimental squad

Argentina coach Sergio Batista has recalled ManC's Pablo Zabaleta & Real Madrid's Ezequiel Garay 2 play against Nigeria & Poland next month.

The vast majority of Batista's squad r under the age of 25 & the Argentina boss has elected 2 give an international debut 2 Villarreal defender Mateo Musacchio as he runs the rule over his fringe players.

The squad will be under close scrutiny during the 2 friendly matches & will be hoping 2 make the final cut 4 the Copa America, which begins in Argentina on the July 1.

Batista's hopefuls face Nigeria in Abuja on June 1 b4 travelling 2 Warsaw 2 meet Poland 4 days later.

Squad:
Oscar Ustari (Getafe), Adrian Gabbarini (Independiente); Nicolas Otamendi (Porto), Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City), Ezequiel Garay (Real Madrid), Federico Fazio (Sevilla), Emiliano Insua (Galatasaray), Marcos Angeleri (Sunderland), Mateo Musacchio (Villarreal); Fernando Belluschi (Porto), Alejandro Cabral (Legia Warsaw), Mario Bolatti (Internacional), Nicolas Bertolo (Zaragoza), Diego Perotti (Sevilla), Mauro Formica (Blackburn), Nicolas Gaitan (Benfica), Alberto Costa (Valencia); Jonathan Cristaldo (Metalist), Pablo Piatti (Almeria), Marco Ruben (Villarreal), Franco Jara (Benfica), Mauro Boselli (Genoa).

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/921471/robinho-back-in-brazil-squad-for-friendlies?cc=4716

Robinho back in Brazil squad

AC Milan 4ward Robinho has been recalled 2 the Brazil squad 4 next month's friendlies against Holland & Romania.

Brazil face the Dutch in Goiania on June 4 & take on Romania 3 days later in Sao Paulo in a match tat will include 2-time World Cup winner Ronaldo's retirement celebration.

Coach Mano Menezes will pick his 22-man squad 4 the Copa America, which begins in Argentina on July 1, fr the 28-man party - with the possible addition of injured Santos midfielder Paulo Henrique Ganso.

Fabio, Fred & Thiago Neves were among the notable home-based players in the 28-man group.

Cruzeiro goalkeeper Fabio & Flamengo midfielder Thiago Neves hv just won the Minas Gerais & Rio de Janeiro state tournaments respectively, while Fluminense 4ward Fred was the top scorer in the latter competition.

Veteran striker Ronaldo will play the 1st half of the match against Romania, & will receive a tribute at half-time 2 mark the end of his professional career.

Brazil squad: Fabio (Cruzeiro), Vitor (Gremio), Jefferson (Botafogo), Julio Cesar (Inter Milan); David Luiz (Chelsea), Lucio (Inter Milan), Luizao (Benfica), Thiago Silva (Milan), Adriano (Barcelona), Andre Santos (Fenerbahce), Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Maicon (Inter Milan); Elias (Atletico Madrid), Henrique (Cruzeiro), Lucas Leiva (Liverpool), Ramires (Chelsea), Sandro (Tottenham), Anderson (Manchester United), Elano (Santos), Jadson (Shakhtar Donetsk), Lucas (Sao Paulo), Thiago Neves (Flamengo); Alexandre Pato (AC Milan), Fred (Fluminense), Leandro Damiao (Internacional), Neymar (Santos), Nilmar (Villarreal), Robinho (AC Milan).

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/921673/juan-roman-riquelme-eyes-copa-america-call-up-for-argentina?cc=4716

Riquelme eyes Copa America call-up

Boca Juniors star Juan Roman Riquelme is hoping 2 end his 3-year international exile & receive a call-up 2 Sergio Batista's Argentina squad 4 tis summer's Copa America.

Riquelme, 32, has not played 4 the Albiceleste since falling out with Diego Maradona in 2008 but aft scoring 4 goals in his past 7 games 4 Boca, the former Villarreal playmaker believes he has done enough 2 earn an international recall.

"There's 5 matches left in the championship (Clausura) & I 1 2 do well 2 see if I can be in the Copa America," Riquelme told ESPN+.

A player whose inclusion in the squad is in doubt is Carlos Tevez aft Batista revealed the ManC captain is unlikely 2 feature in his starting line-up @ the tournament in July, which is being hosted by Argentina.

"I know Carlos is a great player - he's played in 2 World Cups, he is experienced - but right now my No. 9 is Messi," Batista said. "Messi is going 2 play in tat position & I hv Gonzalo Higuain 2 give me options."

Batista's recent revelation tat ManC captain Carlos Tevez is unlikely 2 feature in his starting XI @ the tournament, which Argentina is hosting.

Riquelme expressed his surprise @ Batista's comments, but admitted tat with such a talented group of players there is always likely 2 be some1 left disappointed.

"I believe tat Carlos has had a very good year & he can give alot 2 the team," Riquelme said. "[Though] It's understood tat being the national team manager is complicated.

"There's always 1 left out. The World Cup is a clear example. Lisandro Lopez was named the best player in France & no 1 said anything. We r fortunate 2 hv many good players & there's always 1 left out."

[joew2005]

Latest Conmebol/Fifa ranking update on 18 May 2011.
Next update on 29 June 2011.

http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/ranking/lastranking/gender=m/fullranking.html#confederation=23915&rank=204

1. Brazil (Fifa 3)
2. Argentina (Fifa 5)
3. Uruguay (Fifa 7)
4. Chile (Fifa 13)
5. Paraguay (Fifa 23)
6. Colombia (Fifa 50)
7. Peru (Fifa 54)
8. Ecuador (Fifa 64)
9. Venezuela (Fifa 68)
10. Bolivia (Fifa 102)

Mexico is 2nd in CONCACAF & Fifa 28th.

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/922699/alexandre-pato-in-battle-for-copa-america?cc=4716

Pato in doubt for Copa America

Alexandre Pato is in serious doubt 4 Brazil's Copa America campaign aft picking up a shoulder injury whilst playing 4 his club side, AC Milan.

Pato dislocated his right shoulder during Sunday's final Serie A game of the season @ Udinese. His 14 goals tis season helped Milan 2 the Scudetto, & will undergo further tests on Monday, but the 21-year-old is expected 2 be out of action 4 @ least 4 weeks, leaving him in a race against time 4 the Copa America which begins on July 1.

"Fortunately Pato has not suffered a fractured bone,'' said Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani. "Hence, he will not need 2 undergo surgery. However, he will need to wear a cast for 3 or 4 weeks. I am not a doctor but I think he will not be able 2 play @ the Copa America.''

Brazil take on Holland & Romania in friendlies next month prior 2 the continental showpiece in Argentina.

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/923976/sanchez-named-in-chile-squad-for-copa-warm-up?cc=4716

Sanchez named in Chile squad

In-demand winger Alexi Sanchez has been named in the Chile squad 4 warm-up internationals ahead of the Copa America.

Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti confirmed the club r in talks with Serie A rivals Udinese 2 sign Sanchez, who is a reported target of several other top European sides.

Coach Claudio Borghi has named a squad of 28 for matches against Estonia on June 19 & Paraguay 5 days later, ahead of the Copa America - which starts on July 1 & sees Chile take on Mexico, Peru & Uruguay in Group C.

Squad: Bravo (Real Sociedad), Pinto (Atlas), Garces (Universidad Catolica), Olivares (Colo Colo); Jara (West Brom), Contreras (PAOK), Ponce (Cruz Azul), Vidal (Bayer Leverkusen); Estrada (Montpellier), Romo (Palestino), Medel (Sevilla), Millar (Colo Colo), Carmona (Atalanta), Seymour (Universidad de Chile), Silva (Universidad Catolica), Isla (Udinese), Fierro (Flamengo), Meneses (Universidad Catolica), Fernandez (Sporting Lisbon), Valdivia (Palmeiras), Jimenez (Cesena), Gutierrez (Universidad Catolica); Beausejour (Birmingham), Sanchez (Udinese), Pinilla (Palermo), Paredes (Colo Colo), Suazo (Monterrey), Munoz (Santiago).


http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story/_/id/923720/carlos-tevez-vs-sergio-batista?cc=4716

Carlos Tevez vs Sergio Batista

The Copa America in Argentina is a little over a month away, & whilst Buenos Aires will only play host 2 the final, the city's media - which is also the country's media - r gearing up 4 the tournament. Having not won anything since the 1993 Copa in Ecuador, Argentines r desperate 2 end their trophy drought, even though manager Sergio Batista insists preparation 4 the 2014 World Cup is the main priority. The will-they, won't-they saga surrounding Japan's inclusion (they won't, it was finally announced last week; Costa Rica will take part instead) has been the cause of many headlines, but an individual exclusion might also hv a huge bearing on how the tournament pans out.

20 goals & six assists meant tat during 2010-2011, Carlos Tevez was directly involved in nearly 45% of ManC's goals in the Premier League. Tat's even w/o including the others in which he played a part in the build-up w/o playing the final pass. As well as tis, he's added the FA Cup 2 his medal haul & can now boast tat he's won everything there is 2 win in England (he & Pablo Zabaleta having become the 1st Argentine pair 2 win the FA Cup since Ossie Ardiles & Ricky Villa). But barring a miracle of near Biblical scope, he won't be turning out 4 Argentina in the tournament. Why not?

In September, Tevez starred in a 4-1 thrashing of newly-crowned world champions Spain, a win which secured Sergio Batista's place as permanent manager of the seleccion. The problem, 4 Batista, was tat there were frequent mutterings behind the scenes tat 1 or 2 senior players were agitating 4 Diego Maradona 2 be reinstated as manager aft the AFA forced him out in the wake of the catastrophic exit fr the World Cup. Subsequent friendlies against Japan & Brazil saw Tevez included in Batista's 1st squads since being confirmed as permanent manager. Then in late January he named a squad 2 face Portugal in another friendly, & Tevez was dropped.

At the time Batista insisted tat the players who'd been dropped (Gabriel Heinze & Martin Demichelis also didn't get called up 4 the Portugal game) were still very much in contention 4 a place in the squad 4 the Copa America. Those mutterings abt players unhappy with the identity of the new boss were getting louder, though. Tevez had always been a fav of Maradona, even when not playing especially well 4 Argentina under his stewardship, & another absentee was Sergio Aguero - Maradona's son-in-law.

Whilst Batista has since patched things up with Aguero - if indeed they ever were genuinely broken - Tevez has seemed further fr being selected even as his end of season form 4 City has been so brilliant. When Batista recently travelled 2 various cities in Europe, meeting his players 2 discuss their roles in the side, he only sent an assistant 2 Manchester, with instructions 2 only talk 2 Pablo Zabaleta. Tevez, increasingly frustrated (kissing the Argentine flag printed on his shinpad in celebration aft his free kick goal in the penultimate league game against Stoke was a message 2 fans & Batista back in Argentina), broke his silence last week. 'I've tried calling Batista,' he said, 'but he never picks up. And he's never spoken 2 me.'

Batista has since admitted tat he hasn't dealt with Tevez the way he perhaps should hv done, accepting he should hv gone 2 Manchester himself 2 talk 2 the player. He's insisted, however, tat his strike force is already decided; Lionel Messi in the 'false 9' role he's enjoyed 4 Barcelona, with support fr the wings in a 4-3-3, & Gonzalo Higuain as backup or a plan B should the approach need changing. There is, says Batista, simply no place 4 Tevez in tat tactical plan, even though Ezequiel Lavezzi & Angel Di Maria as the wide men in the front 3 hv looked less than impressive. With Aguero now expected 2 be part of the Copa America squad, Tevez seems the only exile, & although Batista insists no-1's discounted fr plans 4 the World Cup qualifying campaign, it's hard 2 see those as more than token words.

Into tis intrigue, of course, we must add the figure who towers over issues affecting the Argentine national team like a man riding an elephant thru a field of dormice. Diego Maradona has waded in2 the debate with all the subtlety & forethought he's known 4, telling journalists shortly aft accepting his multi-million dollar offer 2 manage Al-Wasl in UAE tat a manager, 'would hv 2 be drunk or high not 2 pick Tevez.' In case there's any doubt, yes, we r talking of the same Diego Maradona who didn't call up Javier Zanetti or Esteban Cambiasso 4 last year's World Cup, & thought Jonas Gutierrez would be just fine @ right back.

Tevez, aft expressing his frustration as mentioned abv, has been largely silent on the issue, preferring 2 keep his head down & concentrate on playing. The fact tat he took 2 the Argentine media 4 his dialogue with Batista is probably only becos, as he said, he was unable 2 speak with him 1-on-1. Tevez's form 4 Argentina over the last few years has frequently failed 2 live up 2 wat he's done @ club level (although he was superb in tat demolition of Spain), but 1 thing Maradona had right b4 the World Cup was his popularity, calling Carlitos, 'the player of the people.'

In not calling him up, Batista might be playing a dangerous game, whether or not it's due 2 politics. Win the Copa America & all will be forgiven, but fail 2 win it without Tevez in the team, & pressure fr media & fans will only increase ahead of a 'home continent' World Cup. He may or may not be still with City next season, but in his homeland Tevez's relationship with the national team causes more concern.

[joew2005]

Fixture schedule for 2011 Copa - Costa Rica replaces Japan.

Group Phase
1 July Group A - Argentina vs Bolivia
2 July Group A - Colombia vs Costa Rica
3 July Group B - Brazil vs Venezuela / Paraguay vs Ecuador
4 July Group C - Uruguay vs Peru / Chile vs Mexico
6 July Group A - Argentina vs Colombia
7 July Group A - Bolivia vs Costa Rica
8 July Group C - Peru vs Mexico / Uruguay vs Chile
9 july Group B - Brazil vs Paraguay / Venezuela vs Ecuador
10 July Group A - Colombia vs Bolivia
11 July Group A - Argentina vs Costa Rica
12 July Group C - Chile vs Peru / Uruguay vs Mexico
13 July Group B - Paraguay vs Venezuela / Brazil vs Ecuador

Quarter Finals
16 July - Group A Winner vs Best 3rd Place 1 (Q1) / Group A Runner Up vs Group C Runner Up (Q2)
17 July - Group B Winner vs Best 3rd Plac 2 (Q3) / Group C Winner vs Group B Runner Up (Q4)

Semi Finals
19 July - Q1 Winner vs Q2 Winner
20 July - Q3 Winner vs Q4 Winner

3rd Place Place Off
23 July -

Final
24 July -

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/926717/fred-ousts-nilmar-in-brazil-copa-america-squad?cc=4716

Fred ousts Nilmar in Brazil Copa squad

Brazil coach Mano Menezes has surprisingly selected Fluminense captain Fred in his Copa America squad, with Villarreal striker Nilmar missing the cut @ his expense.

Fred, 27, scored Brazil's winner in 1 -0 victory over Romania on Tuesday night, a game tat saw Ronaldo's final appearance 4 the Selecao.

The former Lyon forward was withdrawn aft half an hour, with O Fenomeno coming on in his place, but Fred's goal appeared 2 do enough 2 convince Menezes tat he was worthy of a place in the Brazil squad 4 the continental showpiece in Argentina next month.

Fred is 1 of 4 strikers, alongside Robinho, Alexandre Pato & Neymar, & he also pipped Internacional striker Leandro Damiao, who has impressed recently with his displays in the Gaucho State Championship.

Brazil r defending champions & Menezes side r looking 2 win the tournament 4 the 3rd time in a row & 5th time in 6 editions.

Santos star Ganso has also made the cut 4 the Selecao's campaign in Argentina, despite missing the last 2 matches thru injury; he is expected 2 return 4 his club in their Copa Libertadores semi-final 2nd leg against Penarol on June 22.

Brazil squad 4 Copa America:

GK - Victor (Gremio) & Julio Cesar (Inter)

Df - Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Maicon (Inter), Andre Santos (Fenerbahce), Adriano (Barcelona), Lucio (Inter), Thiago Silva (Milan), David Luiz (Chelsea) & Luisao (Benfica)

Mf - Lucas Leiva (Liverpool), Ramires (Chelsea), Sandro (Tottenham), Jadson (Shakhtar Donetsk), Elias (Atletico Madrid), Elano (Santos), Paulo Henrique Ganso (Santos) & Lucas Silva (Sao Paulo)

Fw - Robinho (Milan), Alexandre Pato (Milan), Fred (Fluminense) & Neymar (Santos)

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/league/_/id/conmebol.america/conmebol-copa-america?cc=4716

[joew2005]

Group A consist of Argentina(2/Fifa 5), Colombia(6/Fifa 50), Costa Rica(Concacaf 5/Fifa 56) & Bolivia(10/Fifa 102).

Argentina current squad - following 26 players were selected 4 the preliminary list 4 the 2011 Copa América.

GK - Mariano Andújar / age 27 / 6 caps / Italian club Calcio Catania.
GK - Juan Pablo Carrizo / age 27 / 12 caps / Argentine club River Plate.
GK - Sergio Romero / age 24 / 17 caps / Dutch club Alkmaar Zaanstreek.
DF - Nicolás Burdisso / age 30 / 40 caps / Italian club Roma.
DF - Ezequiel Garay / age 24 / 3 caps / Spanish club Real Madrid
DF - Gabriel Milito / age 30 / 38 caps / Spanish club Barcelona
DF - Luciano Monzón / age 24 / 7 caps / Argentina club Boca Juniors
DF - Nicolás Pareja / age 27 / 1 cap / Russian club Spartak Moscow
DF - Marcos Rojo / age 21 / 4 caps / Russian club Spartak Moscow
DF - Pablo Zabaleta / age 26 / 12 caps / English club ManC
DF - Javier Zanetti / age 37 / 141 caps / Italian club Inter
MF - Éver Banega / age 22 / 9 caps / Spanish club Valencia
MF - Lucas Biglia / age 25 / 4 caps / Belgian club Anderlecht
MF - Esteban Cambiasso / age 30 / 50 caps / Italian club Inter
MF - Ángel di María / age 23 / 20 caps / Spanish club Real Madrid
MF - Fernando Gago / age 25 / 31 caps / Spanish club Real Madrid
MF - Javier Mascherano / age 27 / 69 caps / Spanish club Barcelona
MF - Javier Pastore / age 22 / 8 caps / Italian club Palermo
MF - Enzo Pérez / age 25 / 5 caps / Portuguese club Benfica
MF - Diego Valeri / age 25 / 3 caps / Argentina club Lanús
FW - Sergio Agüero / age 23 / 26 caps / Spanish club Atlético Madrid
FW - Gonzalo Higuaín / age 23 / 13 caps / Spanish club Real Madrid
FW - Lionel Messi / age 23 / 56 caps / Spanish club Barcelona
FW - Diego Milito / age 32 / 24 caps / Italian club Inter
FW - Carlos Tévez / age 27 / 59 caps / English club ManC
FW - Ezequiel Lavezzi / age 26 / 12 caps / Italian club Napoli


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Copa_Am%C3%A9rica

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argentina_national_football_team

[joew2005]

Group A consist of Argentina(2/Fifa 5), Colombia(6/Fifa 50), Costa Rica(Concacaf 5/Fifa 56) & Bolivia(10/Fifa 102).

Colombia current squad - following 23 players were selected 4 the 2011 Copa América.

GK - David Ospina / age 22 / 17 caps / French club Nice
GK - Neco Martínez / age 28 / 10 caps / Colombian club Once Caldas
GK - Bréiner Castillo / age 33 / 4 caps / Colombian club Independiente Medellín
DF - Mario Yepes / age 35 / 77 caps / Italian club AC Milan
DF - Cristián Zapata / age 24 / 13 caps / Italian club Udinese
DF - Aquivaldo Mosquera / age 29 / 18 caps / Mexican club América
DF - Yulian Anchico / age 27 / 29 caps / Mexican club Pachuca
DF - Pablo Armero / age 24 / 21 caps / Italian club Udinese
DF - Luis Amaranto Perea / age 32 / 53 caps / Spanish club Atlético Madrid
DF - Juan Zúñiga / age 25 / 28 caps / Italian club Napoli
DF - Juan David Valencia / age 25 / 5 caps / Colombian club Junior
MF - Juan Guillermo Cuadrado / age 23 / 7 caps / Italian club Udinese
MF - Fredy Guarín / age 24 / 28 caps / Portuguese club Porto
MF - Abel Aguilar / age 26 / 23 caps / Spanish club Hércules
MF - Carlos Sánchez / age 25 / 18 caps / French club Valenciennes
MF - Elkin Soto / age 30 / 17 caps / German club Mainz 05
MF - Gustavo Bolívar / age 26 / 0 caps / Colombian club Deportes Tolima
FW - Radamel Falcao / age 25 / 28 caps / Portuguese club Porto
FW - Dayro Moreno / age 25 / 15 caps / Mexican club Tijuana
FW - Hugo Rodallega / age 25 / 37 caps / English club Wigan Athletic
FW - Adrián Ramos / age 23 / 14 caps / German club Hertha Berlin
FW - Jackson Martínez / age 24 / 6 caps / Mexican club Chiapas
FW - Teófilo Gutiérrez / age 26 / 6 caps / Argentina club Racing


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Copa_Am%C3%A9rica

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colombia_national_football_team

[joew2005]

Group A consist of Argentina(2/Fifa 5), Colombia(6/Fifa 50), Costa Rica(Concacaf 5/Fifa 56) & Bolivia(10/Fifa 102).

Costa Rica current squad - following 23 players were selected 4 the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

GK - Keylor Navas / age 24 / 27 caps / Spanish club Albacete Balompié
GK - Donny Grant / age 35 / 6 caps / Costa Rican club San Carlos
GK - Leonel Moreira / age 21 / 0 caps / Costa Rican club Herediano
DF - Cristian Gamboa / age 21 / 8 caps / Norwegian club Fredrikstad
DF - Jhonny Acosta / age 27 / 5 caps / Costa Rican club Alajuelense
DF - José Salvatierra / age 21 / 3 caps / Costa Rican club Alajuelense
DF - Heiner Mora / age 27 / 13 caps / Costa Rican club Saprissa
DF - Bryan Oviedo / age 21 / 8 caps / Danish club København
DF - Júnior Díaz / age 27 / 46 caps / Belgium Club Brugge
DF - Óscar Duarte / age 22 / 3 caps / Costa Rican club Saprissa
DF - Dennis Marshall / age 25 / 19 caps / Danish club AaB
MF - Celso Borges / age 23 / 35 caps / Norwegian club Fredrikstad
MF - David Guzmán / age 21 / 8 caps / Costa Rican club Saprissa
MF - Christian Bolaños / age 27 / 38 caps / Danish club København
MF - Randall Brenes / age 27 / 11 caps / Costa Rican club Cartaginés
MF - José Miguel Cubero / age 24 / 8 caps / Costa Rican club Herediano
MF - Allen Guevara / age 22 / 6 caps / Costa Rican club Alajuelense
FW - Marco Ureña / age 21 / 16 caps / Russian club Kuban Krasnodar
FW - Álvaro Saborío / age 29 / 68 caps / American club Real Salt Lake
FW - Bryan Ruiz / age 25 / 36 caps / Dutch club Twente
FW - Diego Madrigal / age 22 / 9 caps / Paraguayan club Cerro Porteño
FW - Joel Campbell / age 19 / 3 caps / Costa Rican club Saprissa
FW - Josué Martínez / age 21 / 12 caps / Costa Rican club Saprissa


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Copa_Am%C3%A9rica

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Costa_Rica_national_football_team

[joew2005]

Group A consist of Argentina(2/Fifa 5), Colombia(6/Fifa 50), Costa Rica(Concacaf 5/Fifa 56) & Bolivia(10/Fifa 102).

Bolivia current squad - following 25 players were the preliminary squad.

GK - Carlos Erwin Arias / age 29 / 33 caps / Israeli club Maccabi Netanya
GK - Sergio Galarza / age 35 / 14 caps / Bolivian club Blooming
GK - Daniel Vaca / age 32 / 3 caps / Bolivian club The Strongest
DF - Lorgio Álvarez / age 33 / 35 caps / Bolivian club Bolívar
DF - Santos Amador / age 29 / 4 caps / Bolivian club Nacional Potosí
DF - Luis Gutiérrez / age 26 / 18 caps / Bolivian club Oriente Petrolero
DF - Miguel Hoyos / age 30 / 28 caps / Bolivian club Oriente Petrolero
DF - Ronald Raldes / age 30 / 55 caps / Argentina club Colón
DF - Ronald Rivero / age 31 / 19 caps / Bolivian club Bolívar
DF - Edemir Rodríguez / age 26 / 10 caps / Bolivian club Bolívar
MF - Jhasmani Campos / age 23 / 14 caps / Bolivian club Oriente Petrolero
MF - Rudy Cardozo / age 21 / 6 caps / Bolivian club Bolívar
MF - José Luis Chávez / age 25 / 4 caps / Bolivian club Blooming
MF - Wálter Flores / age 32 / 20 caps / Bolivian club Bolívar
MF - Ronald García / age 30 / 34 caps / Bolivian club Bolívar
MF - Alejandro Gómez / age 31 / 8 caps / Bolivian club Blooming
MF - Edvaldo Hermoza / age 25 / 2 caps / Portuguese club Naval
MF - Jaime Robles / age 33 / 16 caps / Bolivian club Aurora
MF - Joselito Vaca / age 28 / 44 caps / Bolivian club Oriente Petrolero
MF - Christian Vargas / age 27 / 3 caps / Bolivian club San José
MF - Mauricio Saucedo / age 25 / 12 caps / Bolivian club Oriente Petrolero
FW - Juan Carlos Arce / age 26 / 20 caps / Bolivian club Oriente Petrolero
FW - Marcelo Martins / age 24 / 22 caps / Ukrainian club Shakhtar Donetsk
FW - Ricardo Pedriel / age 24 / 12 caps / Turkish club Sivasspor
FW - Alcides Peña / age 22 / 3 caps / Bolivian club Oriente Petrolero

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Copa_Am%C3%A9rica

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bolivia_national_football_team

[joew2005]

Group B consist of Brazil(1/Fifa 3), Paraguay(5/Fifa 23), Ecuador(8/Fifa 64) & Venezuela (9/Fifa 68).

Brazil current squad - following 23 players were called up 4 tis tournament.

GK - Júlio César / age 31 / 56 caps / Italian club Internazionale
GK - Victor / age 28 / 5 caps / Brazilian club Grêmio
GK - Jefferson / age 27 / 0 caps / Brazilian club Botafogo
DF - Lúcio / age 33 / 99 caps / Italian club Internazionale
DF - Maicon / age 29 / 64 caps / Italian club Internazionale
DF - Daniel Alves / age 28 / 47 caps / Spanish club Barcelona
DF - Luisão / age 30 / 43 caps / Portuguese club Benfica
DF - André Santos / age 28 / 17 caps / Turkish club Fenerbahçe
DF - Thiago Silva / age 26 / 14 caps / Italian club Milan
DF - Adriano / age 26 / 10 caps / Spanish club Barcelona
DF - David Luiz / age 24 / 6 caps / English club Chelsea
MF - Elano / age 30 / 47 caps / Brazilian club Santos
MF - Ramires / age 24 / 22 caps / English club Chelsea
MF - Lucas Leiva / age 24 / 12 caps / English club Liverpool
MF - Elias / age 26 / 7 caps / Spanish club Atlético Madrid
MF - Sandro / age 22 / 7 caps / English club Tottenham Hotspur
MF - Jádson / age 27 / 3 caps / Ukrainian club Shakhtar Donetsk
MF - Lucas Moura / age 18 / 3 caps / Brazilian club São Paulo
MF - Ganso / age 21 / 1 caps / Brazilian club Santos
FW - Robinho / age 27 / 86 caps / Italian club Milan
FW - Alexandre Pato / age 21 / 12 caps / Italian club Milan
FW - Fred / age 27 / 11 caps / Brazilian club Fluminense
FW - Neymar / age 19 / 5 caps / Brazilian club Santos


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Copa_Am%C3%A9rica

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazil_national_football_team

[joew2005]

Group B consist of Brazil(1/Fifa 3), Paraguay(5/Fifa 23), Ecuador(8/Fifa 64) & Venezuela (9/Fifa 68).

Paraguay current squad - following 31 players were selected 4 the preliminary list 4 2011 Copa América.

GK - Diego Barreto / age 29 / 6 caps / Paraguayan club Cerro Porteño
GK - Roberto Junior Fernández / age 23 / 0 caps / Argentina club Racing
GK - Joel Silva / age 22 / 1 caps / Paraguayan club Guaraní
GK - Justo Villar / age 33 / 89 caps / Spanish club Real Valladolid
DF - Antolín Alcaraz / age 28 / 14 caps / English club Wigan Athletic
DF - Ismael Benegas / age 23 / 2 caps / Paraguayan club Rubio Ñu
DF - Marcos Cáceres / age 25 / 11 caps / Argentina club Racing
DF - Luis Cardozo / age 22 / 1 caps / Paraguayan club Cerro Porteño
DF - Paulo da Silva / age 31 / 88 caps / Real Zaragoza
DF - Elvis Marecos / age 31 / 4 caps / Paraguayan club Guaraní
DF - Iván Piris / age 22 / 0 caps / Paraguayan club Cerro Porteño
DF - Miguel Samudio / age 24 / 5 caps / Paraguayan club Libertad
DF - Aureliano Torres / age 29 / 39 caps / Argentina club San Lorenzo
DF - Darío Verón / age 31 / 37 caps / Mexican club UNAM
MF - Édgar Barreto / age 26 / 54 caps / Italian club Atalanta
MF - Víctor Cáceres / age 26 / 35 caps / Paraguayan club Libertad
MF - Osmar Molinas / age 26 / 7 caps / Paraguayan club Olimpia
MF - Néstor Ortigoza / age 26 / 11 caps / Argentina club San Lorenzo
MF - Hernán Pérez / age 22 / 9 caps / Spanish club Villarreal B
MF - Cristian Riveros / age 28 / 63 caps / English club Sunderland
MF - Jonathan Santana / age 29 / 27 caps / Turkish club Kayserispor
MF - Enrique Vera / age 32 / 45 caps / Ecuadorian club LDU Quito
FW - Julián Benítez / age 24 / 2 caps / Paraguayan club Guaraní
FW - Pablo Zeballos / age 25 / 3 caps / Paraguayan club Olimpia
FW - Lucas Barrios / age 26 / 15 caps / German club Borussia Dortmund
FW - Marcelo Estigarribia / age 23 / 16 caps / Argentina club Newell's Old Boys
FW - Orlando Gaona Lugo / age 20 / 3 caps / Argentina club Boca Juniors
FW - Osvaldo Martínez / age 25 / 22 caps / Mexican club Atlante
FW - Roque Santa Cruz / age 29 / 82 caps / English club Blackburn Rovers
FW - Federico Santander / age 20 / 5 caps / French club Toulouse
FW - Nelson Haedo Valdez / age 27 / 47 caps / Spanish club Hércules


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Copa_Am%C3%A9rica

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paraguay_national_football_team

[joew2005]

Group B consist of Brazil(1/Fifa 3), Paraguay(5/Fifa 23), Ecuador(8/Fifa 64) & Venezuela (9/Fifa 68).

Ecuador current squad - following 23 players were selected 4 2011 Copa América.

GK - Máximo Banguera / age 25 / 11 caps / Ecuadorian club Barcelona
GK - Alexander Domínguez / age 24 / 1 cap / Ecuadorian club LDU Quito
GK - Marcelo Elizaga / age 39 / 19 caps / Ecuadorian club Deportivo Quito
DF - Gabriel Achilier / age 26 / 1 cap / Ecuadorian club Emelec
DF - Norberto Araujo / age 32 / 0 cap / Ecuadorian club LDU Quito
DF - Walter Ayoví / age 31 / 58 caps / Mexican club Monterrey
DF - Geovanny Caicedo / age 30 / 6 caps / Ecuadorian club LDU Quito
DF - Diego Calderón / age 24 / 2 caps / Ecuadorian club LDU Quito
DF - Luis Checa / age 27 / 9 caps / Ecuadorian club Deportivo Quito
DF - Frickson Erazo / age 23 / 4 caps / Ecuadorian club El Nacional
DF - Néicer Reasco / age 33 / 52 caps / Ecuadorian club LDU Quito
MF - Michael Arroyo / age 24 / 11 caps / Mexican club San Luis
MF - Segundo Castillo / age 29 / 52 caps / Mexican club Pachuca
MF - Édison Méndez / age 32 / 93 caps / Ecuadorian club Emelec
MF - Oswaldo Minda / age 27 / 11 caps / Ecuadorian club Deportivo Quito
MF - Geovanny Nazareno / age 23 / 8 caps / Ecuadorian club Barcelona
MF - Christian Noboa / age 26 / 16 caps / Russian club Rubin Kazan
MF - David Quiroz / age 28 / 23 caps / Ecuadorian club Emelec
MF - Antonio Valencia / age 25 / 45 caps / English club Manchester United
FW - Jaime Ayoví / age 23 / 10 caps / Mexican club Pachuca
FW - Christian Benítez / age 25 / 37 caps / Mexican club América
FW - Felipe Caicedo / age 22 / 28 caps / Spanish club Levante
FW - Narciso Mina / age 28 / 6 caps / Ecuadorian club Independiente José Terán


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Copa_Am%C3%A9rica

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecuador_national_football_team

[joew2005]

Group B consist of Brazil(1/Fifa 3), Paraguay(5/Fifa 23), Ecuador(8/Fifa 64) & Venezuela (9/Fifa 68).

Venezuela current squad

GK - Renny Vega / age 31 / 47 caps / Venezuelan club Caracas
GK - José Leonardo Morales / age 32 / 23 caps / Venezuelan club Deportivo Anzoátegui
GK - Dani Hernández / age 25 / 4 caps / Spanish club Real Murcia
DF - José Manuel Rey / age 36 / 111 caps / Venezuelan club Mineros de Guayana
DF - Oswaldo Vizcarrondo / age 27 / 31 caps / Venezuelan club Deportivo Anzoátegui
DF - Gabriel Cichero / age 27 / 25 caps / Argentina club Newell's Old Boys
DF - Juan Fuenmayor / age 31 / 24 caps / Venezuelan club Deportivo Anzoátegui
DF - Roberto Rosales / age 22 / 24 caps / Dutch club Twente
DF - Grenddy Perozo / age 26 / 18 caps / Colombian club Boyacá Chicó
DF - William Díaz / age 26 / 1 cap / Venezuelan club Zamora
DF - Alexander González / age 18 / 4 caps / Venezuelan club Caracas
DF - Jose Luis Granados / age 24 / 15 caps / Venezuelan club Real Esppor
MF - Giácomo Di Giorgi / age 30 / 27 caps / Venezuelan club Deportivo Anzoátegui
MF - Francisco Flores / age 21 / 17 caps / Venezuelan club Deportivo Anzoategui
MF - Tomás Rincón / age 23 / 34 caps / German club Hamburger SV
MF - Louis Angelo Peña / age 21 / 7 caps / Venezuelan club Caracas
MF - César Eduardo González / age 29 / 35 caps / Argentina club Gimnasia
MF - Luis Manuel Seijas / age 25 / 32 caps / Colombian club Santa Fe
MF - Franklin Lucena / age 30 / 31 caps / Venezuelan club Caracas
MF - Alejandro Guerra / age 25 / 35 caps / Venezuelan club Mineros de Guayana
MF - Juan Arango / age 31 / 94 caps / German club Borussia Mönchengladbach
MF - Édgar Jiménez / age 26 / 2 caps / Venezuelan club Caracas
MF - Yohandry Orozco / age 20 / 10 caps / German club VfL Wolfsburg
MF - Jesús Meza / age 25 / 3 caps / Belgian club Lierse
FW - Nicolás Fedor / age 25 / 26 caps / Spanish club Getafe
FW - Giancarlo Maldonado / age 28 / 55 caps / Mexican club Atlante
FW - Alejandro Moreno / age 31 / 31 caps / US club Chivas USA
FW - José Salomón Rondón / age 21 / 11 caps / Spanish club Málaga
FW - Daniel Arismendi / age 28 / 30 caps / Venezuelan club Deportivo Anzoategui
FW - Ángel Chourio / age 26 / 15 caps / Venezuelan club Real Esppor


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Copa_Am%C3%A9rica

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venezuela_national_football_team

[joew2005]

Group C consist of Uruguay(3/Fifa 7), Chile(4/Fifa 13), Mexico(2/Fifa 28) & Peru (7/Fifa 54).

Uruguay current squad

GK - Fernando Muslera / age 25 / 19 caps / Italian club Lazio
GK - Juan Castillo / age 33 / 13 caps / Chilean club Colo-Colo
GK - Martín Silva / age 28 / 1 cap / Uruguay club Defensor Sporting
DF - Diego Lugano / age 30 / 56 caps / Turkish club Fenerbahçe
DF - Jorge Fucile / age 26 / 33 caps / Portuguese club Porto
DF - Mauricio Victorino / age 28 / 16 caps / Brazilian club Cruzeiro
DF - Maxi Pereira / age 27 / 52 caps / Portuguese club Benfica
DF - Andrés Scotti / age 35 / 33 caps / Chilean club Colo-Colo
DF - Martín Cáceres / age 24 / 27 caps / Spanish club Sevilla
DF - Sebastián Coates / age 20 / 0 cap / Uruguayan club Nacional
MF - Walter Gargano / age 26 / 37 caps / Italian club Napoli
MF - Cristian Rodríguez / age 25 / 40 caps / Portuguese club Porto
MF - Sebastián Eguren / age 30 / 36 caps / Spanish club Sporting de Gijón
MF - Álvaro Pereira / age 26 / 28 caps / Portuguese club Porto
MF - Nicolás Lodeiro / age 22 / 7 caps / Dutch club Ajax
MF - Diego Pérez / age 31 / 63 caps / Italian club Bologna
MF - Gastón Ramírez / age 20 / 6 caps / Italian club Bologna
MF - Álvaro González / age 26 / 12 caps / Italian club Lazio
MF - Egidio Arévalo Ríos / age 28 / 19 caps / Brazilian club Botafogo
FW - Luis Suárez / age 24 / 41 caps / English club Liverpool
FW - Diego Forlán / age 32 / 75 caps / Spanish club Atlético Madrid
FW - Sebastián Abreu / age 34 / 64 caps / Brazilian club Botafogo
FW - Edinson Cavani / age 24 / 27 caps / Italian club Napoli
FW - Sebastián Fernández / age 26 / 13 caps / Spanish club Málaga
FW - Abel Hernández / age 20 / 4 caps / Italian club Palermo


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Copa_Am%C3%A9rica

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uruguay_national_football_team

[joew2005]

Group C consist of Uruguay(3/Fifa 7), Chile(4/Fifa 13), Mexico(2/Fifa 28) & Peru (7/Fifa 54).

Chile current squad

GK - Claudio Bravo / age 28 / 51 caps / Spanish club Real Sociedad
GK - Paulo Garcés / age 26 / 1 cap / Chilean club Universidad Católica
GK - Miguel Pinto / age 27 / 15 caps / Mexican club Atlas
GK - Raúl Olivares / age 23 / 0 cap / Chilean club Colo Colo
DF - Pablo Contreras / age 32 / 56 caps / Greek club PAOK
DF - Gonzalo Jara / age 25 / 42 caps / English club West Bromwich Albion
DF - Mauricio Isla / age 23 / 21 caps / Italian club Udinese
DF - Gary Medel / age 23 / 30 caps / Spanish club Sevilla
DF - Waldo Ponce / age 28 / 32 caps / Mexican club Cruz Azul
DF - Bruno Romo / age 22 / 0 cap / Chilean club Palestino
DF - Arturo Vidal / age 24 / 30 caps / German club Bayer Leverkusen
MF - Carlos Carmona / age 24 / 26 caps / Italian club Atalanta
MF - Marco Estrada / age 28 / 27 caps / French club Montpellier
MF - Matías Fernández / age 25 / 42 caps / Portuguese club Sporting
MF - Gonzalo Fierro / age 28 / 20 caps / Brazilian club Flamengo
MF - Felipe Gutiérrez / age 20 / 3 caps / Chilean club Universidad Católica
MF - Luis Jiménez / age 27 / 21 caps / Italian club Cesena
MF - Rodrigo Millar / age 29 / 28 caps / Chilean club Colo Colo
MF - Fernando Meneses / age 25 / 9 caps / Chilean club Universidad Católica
MF - Francisco Silva / age 25 / 2 caps / Chilean club Universidad Católica
MF - Jorge Valdivia / age 27 / 44 caps / Brazilian club Palmeiras
FW - Jean Beausejour / age 27 / 34 caps / English club Birmingham City
FW - Carlos Muñoz / age 22 / 1 cap / Chilean club Santiago Wanderers
FW - Esteban Paredes / age 30 / 21 caps / Chilean club Colo Colo
FW - Diego Rubio / age 18 / 0 cap / Chilean club Colo Colo
FW - Alexis Sánchez / age 22 / 36 caps / Italian club Udinese
FW - Humberto Suazo / age 30 / 46 caps / Mexican club Monterrey


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Copa_Am%C3%A9rica

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chile_national_football_team

[joew2005]

Group C consist of Uruguay(3/Fifa 7), Chile(4/Fifa 13), Mexico(2/Fifa 28) & Peru (7/Fifa 54).

Mexico current squad selected for the 2011 Gold Cup in USA.

GK - Alfredo Talavera / age 28 / 5 caps / Mexican club Toluca
GK - Jonathan Orozco / age 25 / 1 cap / Mexican club Monterrey
GK - Luis Ernesto Michel / age 31 / 6 caps / Mexican club Guadalajara
DF - Héctor Reynoso / age 30 / 0 cap / Mexican club Guadalajara
DF - Carlos Salcido / age 31 / 90 caps / English club Fulham
DF - Rafael Márquez / age 32 / 105 caps / USA club New York Red Bulls
DF - Ricardo Osorio / age 31 / 82 caps / Mexican club Monterrey
DF - Héctor Moreno / age 23 / 24 caps / Spanish club Espanyol
DF - Paul Aguilar / age 25 / 16 caps / Mexican club América
DF - Jorge Torres Nilo / age 23 / 14 caps / Mexican club UANL
DF - Hiram Mier / age 21 / 1 cap / Mexican club Monterrey
MF - Gerardo Torrado / age 32 / 131 caps / Mexican club Cruz Azul
MF - Israel Castro / age 31 / 41 caps / Mexican club Cruz Azul
MF - Jesús Zavala / age 23 / 3 caps / Mexican club Monterrey
MF - Efraín Juárez / age 23 / 33 caps / Scottish club Celtic
MF - Andrés Guardado / age 24 / 71 caps / Spanish club Deportivo La Coruña
MF - Marco Fabián / age 21 / 2 caps / Mexican club Guadalajara
FW - Pablo Barrera / age 24 / 37 caps / English club West Ham United
FW - Aldo de Nigris / age 27 / 12 caps / Mexican club Monterrey
FW - Giovani dos Santos / age 22 / 44 caps / English club Tottenham Hotspur
FW - Ángel Reyna / age 26 / 8 caps / Mexican club América
FW - Javier Hernández / age 23 / 28 caps / English club ManU
FW - Elías Hernández / age 23 / 7 caps / Mexican club Pachuca

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Copa_Am%C3%A9rica

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexico_national_football_team

[joew2005]

Group C consist of Uruguay(3/Fifa 7), Chile(4/Fifa 13), Mexico(2/Fifa 28) & Peru (7/Fifa 54).

Peru current preliminary 33 players selected.

GK - Salomón Libman / age 27 / 4 caps / Peruvian club Alianza Lima
GK - Raúl Fernández / age 25 / 7 caps / French club Nice
GK - Erick Delgado / age 28 / 14 caps / Peruvian club Sporting Cristal
GK - Leao Butrón / age 34 / 36 caps / Peruvian club Universidad San Martín
DF - Santiago Acasiete / age 33 / 32 caps / Spanish club Almería
DF - Walter Vílchez / age 29 / 54 caps / Peruvian club Sporting Cristal
DF - Renzo Revoredo / age 25 / 6 caps / Peruvian club Universitario de Deportes
DF - Christian Ramos / age 22 / 9 caps / Peruvian club Alianza Lima
DF - Giancarlo Carmona / age 25 / 2 caps / Argentina club San Lorenzo
DF - Jesús Rabanal / age 26 / 6 caps / Peruvian club Universitario de Deportes
DF - Yoshimar Yotún / age 21 / 3 caps / Peruvian club Sporting Cristal
DF - Alberto Rodríguez / age 27 / 31 caps / Portuguese club Sporting
DF - Carlos Zambrano / age 21 / 15 caps / German club St. Pauli
DF - Aldo Corzo / age 22 / 3 caps / Peruvian club Universidad San Martín
DF - Orlando Contreras / age 29 / 6 caps / Peruvian club Universidad San Martín
MF - Antonio Gonzales / age 25 / 4 caps / Peruvian club Universitario de Deportes
MF - Jean Tragodara / age 25 / 7 caps / Peruvian club Alianza Lima
MF - Juan Manuel Vargas / age 27 / 31 caps / Italian club Fiorentina
MF - Adán Balbín / age 24 / 4 caps / Peruvian club Universidad San Martín
MF - Carlos Lobatón / age 31 / 8 caps / Peruvian club Sporting Cristal
MF - Michael Guevara / age 27 / 3 caps / Peruvian club Sport Boys
MF - Rinaldo Cruzado / age 26 / 16 caps / Peruvian club Juan Aurich
MF - Josepmir Ballón / age 23 / 13 caps / Argentina club River Plate
MF - Luis Ramírez / age 26 / 14 caps / Brazilian club Corinthians
MF - Christian Cueva / age 19 / 2 caps / Peruvian club Universidad San Martín
FW - Paolo Guerrero / age 27 / 28 caps / German club Hamburger SV
FW - Claudio Pizarro / age 32 / 56 caps / Werder BremenGerman club
FW - Raúl Ruidíaz / age 20 / 2 caps / Peruvian club Universitario de Deportes
FW - William Chiroque / age 31 / 8 caps / Peruvian club Juan Aurich
FW - Luis Advíncula / age 21 / 9 caps / Peruvian club Sporting Cristal
FW - Jefferson Farfán / age 26 / 40 caps / German club Schalke 04
FW - André Carrillo / age 20 / 0 cap / Portuguese club Sporting
FW - Irven Ávila / age 20 / 2 caps / Peruvian club Sport Huancayo


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Copa_Am%C3%A9rica

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peru_national_football_team

[joew2005]

Current Fifa Rankings:
Next update on 29 June 2011.

http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/ranking/lastranking/gender=m/fullranking.html#confederation=23915&rank=204

Group A
FIFA 5 / CONMEBOL 2 - Argentina
FIFA 50 / CONMEBOL 6 - Colombia
FIFA 56 / CONCACAF 5 - Costa Rica
FIFA 102 / CONMEBOL 10 - Bolivia

Group B
FIFA 3 / CONMEBOL 1 - Brazil
FIFA 23 / CONMEBOL 5 - Paraguay
FIFA 64 / CONMEBOL 8 - Ecuador
FIFA 68 / CONMEBOL 9 - Venezuela

Group C
FIFA 7 / CONMEBOL 3 - Uruguay
FIFA 13 / CONMEBOL 4 - Chile
FIFA 28 / CONCACAF 2 - Mexico
FIFA 54 / CONMEBOL 7 - Peru

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/930318/lionel-messi:-winning-copa-america-my-'greatest-dream'?cc=4716

Copa America my 'greatest dream'

Argentina's World Player of the Year, Lionel Messi, says tat lifting the Copa America would be a dream come true & is aiming 2 put the country's long trophy drought behind them in tis year's competition.

The Albiceleste hv failed 2 produce on the biggest stage in recent years & last won a major international tournament @ senior level @ the Copa America in 1993.

However, Messi is confident tat he can lead his side 2 victory & admitted he was pleased 2 hv the support of his native fans.

"I hv never felt so loved by the Argentine people. It was the only place where b4 I was not treated with the same affection as in Barcelona," Messi told TyC Sports. "I was always discussed in Argentina becos, unfortunately, we could not win anything. I get 2 win everything @ my club & ppl would recognise it. Hopefully, I can keep tis going now [4 Argentina]."

Messi also delivered a snub 2 the WC when he claimed tat the Copa America represents his biggest desire.

"My greatest dream is 2 win the Copa America. We know wat it means 4 me & 4 Argentina," he said. "It is the 1st objective as we r a very good group of players.

"We always said we lacked the time 2 iron out details, but now we hv it. The game of ours is having the ball & taking the game 2 the opponent. We're growing [in stature]."

Hosts Argentina begin their Copa America campaign on July 1 against Bolivia.

[joew2005]

Group A - Argentina's 23 players selected 4 the 2011 Copa América.

GK - Juan Pablo Carrizo / age 27 / 12 caps / Argentine club River Plate.
GK - Mariano Andújar / age 27 / 6 caps / Italian club Calcio Catania.
GK - Sergio Romero / age 24 / 17 caps / Dutch club Alkmaar Zaanstreek.
DF - Ezequiel Garay / age 24 / 3 caps / Spanish club Real Madrid
DF - Pablo Zabaleta / age 26 / 12 caps / English club ManC
DF - Nicolás Burdisso / age 30 / 40 caps / Italian club Roma.
DF - Gabriel Milito / age 30 / 38 caps / Spanish club Barcelona
DF - Javier Zanetti / age 37 / 141 caps / Italian club Inter
DF - Nicolás Pareja / age 27 / 1 cap / Russian club Spartak Moscow
DF - Marcos Rojo / age 21 / 4 caps / Russian club Spartak Moscow
MF - Esteban Cambiasso / age 30 / 50 caps / Italian club Inter
MF - Ángel di María / age 23 / 20 caps / Spanish club Real Madrid
MF - Javier Mascherano / age 27 / 69 caps / Spanish club Barcelona
MF - Lucas Biglia / age 25 / 4 caps / Belgian club Anderlecht
MF - Javier Pastore / age 22 / 8 caps / Italian club Palermo
MF - Éver Banega / age 22 / 9 caps / Spanish club Valencia
MF - Fernando Gago / age 25 / 31 caps / Spanish club Real Madrid
FW - Gonzalo Higuaín / age 23 / 13 caps / Spanish club Real Madrid
FW - Lionel Messi / age 23 / 56 caps / Spanish club Barcelona
FW - Carlos Tévez / age 27 / 59 caps / English club ManC
FW - Sergio Agüero / age 23 / 26 caps / Spanish club Atlético Madrid
FW - Ezequiel Lavezzi / age 26 / 12 caps / Italian club Napoli
FW - Diego Milito / age 32 / 24 caps / Italian club Inter

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Copa_Am%C3%A9rica

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argentina_national_football_team

The following 3 players were omitted fr the preliminary list of 26 players -
DF - Luciano Monzón / age 24 / 7 caps / Argentina club Boca Juniors
MF - Enzo Pérez / age 25 / 5 caps / Portuguese club Benfica
MF - Diego Valeri / age 25 / 3 caps / Argentina club Lanús

[joew2005]

Group B - Paraguay's 23 players selected 4 the 2011 Copa América.

GK - Diego Barreto / age 29 / 6 caps / Paraguayan club Cerro Porteño
GK - Roberto Junior Fernández / age 23 / 0 caps / Argentina club Racing
GK - Justo Villar / age 33 / 89 caps / Spanish club Real Valladolid
DF - Antolín Alcaraz / age 28 / 14 caps / English club Wigan Athletic
DF - Marcos Cáceres / age 25 / 11 caps / Argentina club Racing
DF - Paulo da Silva / age 31 / 88 caps / Real Zaragoza
DF - Elvis Marecos / age 31 / 4 caps / Paraguayan club Guaraní
DF - Iván Piris / age 22 / 0 caps / Paraguayan club Cerro Porteño
DF - Aureliano Torres / age 29 / 39 caps / Argentina club San Lorenzo
DF - Darío Verón / age 31 / 37 caps / Mexican club UNAM
MF - Édgar Barreto / age 26 / 54 caps / Italian club Atalanta
MF - Víctor Cáceres / age 26 / 35 caps / Paraguayan club Libertad
MF - Néstor Ortigoza / age 26 / 11 caps / Argentina club San Lorenzo
MF - Hernán Pérez / age 22 / 9 caps / Spanish club Villarreal B
MF - Cristian Riveros / age 28 / 63 caps / English club Sunderland
MF - Jonathan Santana / age 29 / 27 caps / Turkish club Kayserispor
MF - Enrique Vera / age 32 / 45 caps / Ecuadorian club LDU Quito
FW - Pablo Zeballos / age 25 / 3 caps / Paraguayan club Olimpia
FW - Lucas Barrios / age 26 / 15 caps / German club Borussia Dortmund
FW - Marcelo Estigarribia / age 23 / 16 caps / Argentina club Newell's Old Boys
FW - Osvaldo Martínez / age 25 / 22 caps / Mexican club Atlante
FW - Roque Santa Cruz / age 29 / 82 caps / English club Blackburn Rovers
FW - Nelson Haedo Valdez / age 27 / 47 caps / Spanish club Hércules


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Copa_Am%C3%A9rica

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paraguay_national_football_team


The following 8 players were omitted fr the preliminary list of 31 players -
GK - Joel Silva / age 22 / 1 caps / Paraguayan club Guaraní
DF - Ismael Benegas / age 23 / 2 caps / Paraguayan club Rubio Ñu
DF - Luis Cardozo / age 22 / 1 caps / Paraguayan club Cerro Porteño
DF - Miguel Samudio / age 24 / 5 caps / Paraguayan club Libertad
MF - Osmar Molinas / age 26 / 7 caps / Paraguayan club Olimpia
FW - Julián Benítez / age 24 / 2 caps / Paraguayan club Guaraní
FW - Orlando Gaona Lugo / age 20 / 3 caps / Argentina club Boca Juniors
FW - Federico Santander / age 20 / 5 caps / French club Toulouse

[joew2005]

Group A - Bolivia's 23 players selected 4 the 2011 Copa América.

GK - Carlos Erwin Arias / age 29 / 33 caps / Israeli club Maccabi Netanya
GK - Sergio Galarza / age 35 / 14 caps / Bolivian club Blooming
GK - Daniel Vaca / age 32 / 3 caps / Bolivian club The Strongest
DF - Lorgio Álvarez / age 33 / 35 caps / Bolivian club Bolívar
DF - Santos Amador / age 29 / 4 caps / Bolivian club Nacional Potosí
DF - Luis Gutiérrez / age 26 / 18 caps / Bolivian club Oriente Petrolero
DF - Miguel Hoyos / age 30 / 28 caps / Bolivian club Oriente Petrolero
DF - Ronald Raldes / age 30 / 55 caps / Argentina club Colón
DF - Ronald Rivero / age 31 / 19 caps / Bolivian club Bolívar
MF - Jhasmani Campos / age 23 / 14 caps / Bolivian club Oriente Petrolero
MF - Rudy Cardozo / age 21 / 6 caps / Bolivian club Bolívar
MF - José Luis Chávez / age 25 / 4 caps / Bolivian club Blooming
MF - Wálter Flores / age 32 / 20 caps / Bolivian club Bolívar
MF - Ronald García / age 30 / 34 caps / Bolivian club Bolívar
MF - Edvaldo Hermoza / age 25 / 2 caps / Portuguese club Naval
MF - Jaime Robles / age 33 / 16 caps / Bolivian club Aurora
MF - Joselito Vaca / age 28 / 44 caps / Bolivian club Oriente Petrolero
MF - Christian Vargas / age 27 / 3 caps / Bolivian club San José
MF - Mauricio Saucedo / age 25 / 12 caps / Bolivian club Oriente Petrolero
FW - Juan Carlos Arce / age 26 / 20 caps / Bolivian club Oriente Petrolero
FW - Marcelo Martins / age 24 / 22 caps / Ukrainian club Shakhtar Donetsk
FW - Ricardo Pedriel / age 24 / 12 caps / Turkish club Sivasspor
FW - Alcides Peña / age 22 / 3 caps / Bolivian club Oriente Petrolero

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Copa_Am%C3%A9rica

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bolivia_national_football_team


The following 2 players were omitted fr the preliminary list of 25 players -
DF - Edemir Rodríguez / age 26 / 10 caps / Bolivian club Bolívar
MF - Alejandro Gómez / age 31 / 8 caps / Bolivian club Blooming

[joew2005]

Group B - Venezuela's 23 players selected 4 the 2011 Copa América.

GK - Renny Vega / age 31 / 47 caps / Venezuelan club Caracas
GK - José Leonardo Morales / age 32 / 23 caps / Venezuelan club Deportivo Anzoátegui
GK - Dani Hernández / age 25 / 4 caps / Spanish club Real Murcia
DF - José Manuel Rey / age 36 / 111 caps / Venezuelan club Mineros de Guayana
DF - Oswaldo Vizcarrondo / age 27 / 31 caps / Venezuelan club Deportivo Anzoátegui
DF - Gabriel Cichero / age 27 / 25 caps / Argentina club Newell's Old Boys
DF - Roberto Rosales / age 22 / 24 caps / Dutch club Twente
DF - Grenddy Perozo / age 26 / 18 caps / Colombian club Boyacá Chicó
DF - Alexander González / age 18 / 4 caps / Venezuelan club Caracas
DF - Jose Luis Granados / age 24 / 15 caps / Venezuelan club Real Esppor
MF - Giácomo Di Giorgi / age 30 / 27 caps / Venezuelan club Deportivo Anzoátegui
MF - Tomás Rincón / age 23 / 34 caps / German club Hamburger SV
MF - César Eduardo González / age 29 / 35 caps / Argentina club Gimnasia
MF - Luis Manuel Seijas / age 25 / 32 caps / Colombian club Santa Fe
MF - Franklin Lucena / age 30 / 31 caps / Venezuelan club Caracas
MF - Juan Arango / age 31 / 94 caps / German club Borussia Mönchengladbach
MF - Yohandry Orozco / age 20 / 10 caps / German club VfL Wolfsburg
MF - Jesús Meza / age 25 / 3 caps / Belgian club Lierse
FW - Nicolás Fedor / age 25 / 26 caps / Spanish club Getafe
FW - Giancarlo Maldonado / age 28 / 55 caps / Mexican club Atlante
FW - Alejandro Moreno / age 31 / 31 caps / US club Chivas USA
FW - José Salomón Rondón / age 21 / 11 caps / Spanish club Málaga
FW - Daniel Arismendi / age 28 / 30 caps / Venezuelan club Deportivo Anzoategui


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Copa_Am%C3%A9rica

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venezuela_national_football_team


The following 7 players were omitted fr the preliminary list of 30 players -
DF - Juan Fuenmayor / age 31 / 24 caps / Venezuelan club Deportivo Anzoátegui
DF - William Díaz / age 26 / 1 cap / Venezuelan club Zamora
MF - Francisco Flores / age 21 / 17 caps / Venezuelan club Deportivo Anzoategui
MF - Louis Angelo Peña / age 21 / 7 caps / Venezuelan club Caracas
MF - Alejandro Guerra / age 25 / 35 caps / Venezuelan club Mineros de Guayana
MF - Édgar Jiménez / age 26 / 2 caps / Venezuelan club Caracas
FW - Ángel Chourio / age 26 / 15 caps / Venezuelan club Real Esppor

[joew2005]

Group C - Uruguay's 23 players selected 4 the 2011 Copa América.

GK - Fernando Muslera / age 25 / 19 caps / Italian club Lazio
GK - Juan Castillo / age 33 / 13 caps / Chilean club Colo-Colo
GK - Martín Silva / age 28 / 1 cap / Uruguay club Defensor Sporting
DF - Diego Lugano / age 30 / 56 caps / Turkish club Fenerbahçe
DF - Diego Godín / age 25 / 46 caps / Spanish club Diego Godín
DF - Sebastián Coates / age 20 / 0 cap / Uruguayan club Nacional
DF - Mauricio Victorino / age 28 / 16 caps / Brazilian club Cruzeiro
DF - Maxi Pereira / age 27 / 52 caps / Portuguese club Benfica
DF - Andrés Scotti / age 35 / 33 caps / Chilean club Colo-Colo
DF - Martín Cáceres / age 24 / 27 caps / Spanish club Sevilla
MF - Walter Gargano / age 26 / 37 caps / Italian club Napoli
MF - Cristian Rodríguez / age 25 / 40 caps / Portuguese club Porto
MF - Sebastián Eguren / age 30 / 36 caps / Spanish club Sporting de Gijón
MF - Álvaro Pereira / age 26 / 28 caps / Portuguese club Porto
MF - Nicolás Lodeiro / age 22 / 7 caps / Dutch club Ajax
MF - Diego Pérez / age 31 / 63 caps / Italian club Bologna
MF - Egidio Arévalo Ríos / age 28 / 19 caps / Brazilian club Botafogo
MF - Álvaro González / age 26 / 12 caps / Italian club Lazio
FW - Luis Suárez / age 24 / 41 caps / English club Liverpool
FW - Diego Forlán / age 32 / 75 caps / Spanish club Atlético Madrid
FW - Sebastián Abreu / age 34 / 64 caps / Brazilian club Botafogo
FW - Edinson Cavani / age 24 / 27 caps / Italian club Napoli
FW - Abel Hernández / age 20 / 4 caps / Italian club Palermo


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Copa_Am%C3%A9rica

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uruguay_national_football_team


The following 2 players were omitted fr the preliminary list of 25 players -
MF - Gastón Ramírez / age 20 / 6 caps / Italian club Bologna
FW - Sebastián Fernández / age 26 / 13 caps / Spanish club Málaga

[joew2005]

Group C - Chile's 23 players selected 4 the 2011 Copa América.

GK - Claudio Bravo / age 28 / 51 caps / Spanish club Real Sociedad
GK - Paulo Garcés / age 26 / 1 cap / Chilean club Universidad Católica
GK - Miguel Pinto / age 27 / 15 caps / Mexican club Atlas
DF - Pablo Contreras / age 32 / 56 caps / Greek club PAOK
DF - Mauricio Isla / age 23 / 21 caps / Italian club Udinese
DF - Gonzalo Jara / age 25 / 42 caps / English club West Bromwich Albion
DF - Gary Medel / age 23 / 30 caps / Spanish club Sevilla
DF - Waldo Ponce / age 28 / 32 caps / Mexican club Cruz Azul
MF - Carlos Carmona / age 24 / 26 caps / Italian club Atalanta
MF - Marco Estrada / age 28 / 27 caps / French club Montpellier
MF - Matías Fernández / age 25 / 42 caps / Portuguese club Sporting
MF - Gonzalo Fierro / age 28 / 20 caps / Brazilian club Flamengo
MF - Felipe Gutiérrez / age 20 / 3 caps / Chilean club Universidad Católica
MF - Luis Jiménez / age 27 / 21 caps / Italian club Cesena
MF - Rodrigo Millar / age 29 / 28 caps / Chilean club Colo Colo
MF - Francisco Silva / age 25 / 2 caps / Chilean club Universidad Católica
MF - Jorge Valdivia / age 27 / 44 caps / Brazilian club Palmeiras
MF - Arturo Vidal / age 24 / 30 caps / German club Bayer Leverkusen
FW - Jean Beausejour / age 27 / 34 caps / English club Birmingham City
FW - Carlos Muñoz / age 22 / 1 cap / Chilean club Santiago Wanderers
FW - Esteban Paredes / age 30 / 21 caps / Chilean club Colo Colo
FW - Alexis Sánchez / age 22 / 36 caps / Italian club Udinese
FW - Humberto Suazo / age 30 / 46 caps / Mexican club Monterrey


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Copa_Am%C3%A9rica

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chile_national_football_team

The following 4 players were omitted fr the preliminary list of 27 players -
GK - Raúl Olivares / age 23 / 0 cap / Chilean club Colo Colo
DF - Bruno Romo / age 22 / 0 cap / Chilean club Palestino
MF - Fernando Meneses / age 25 / 9 caps / Chilean club Universidad Católica
FW - Diego Rubio / age 18 / 0 cap / Chilean club Colo Colo

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/930903/mexico-players-sent-home-following-scandal?cc=4716

Mexico players sent home after scandal

8 Mexico internationals hv been sent home just days b4 the start of the Copa America aft being caught up in an alleged sex scandal @ the team's training camp.

The Mexican Football Federation (FMF) confirmed tat Jonathan dos Santos, Nestor Vidrio, Javier Cortes, David Cabrera, Nestor Claderon, Israel Jimenez, Jorge Hernandez & Marco Fabian had all been sent home 4 violating team rules but would not go in2 further detail.

Mexico team director Hector Gonzalez Inarritu said: "The rules were broken, the code of discipline was broken & I hv 2 act."

Although FMF officials would not be pressed on the intricacies, news reports in Mexico said the incidents involved players having female guests in their rooms.

The misdemeanours came 2 light aft other members of the squad reported tat some personal items, including laptops, iPads, mobile phones & cash, had been stolen fr their rooms.

Hotel staff denied they had taken the items & blamed the robberies on girls taken back 2 hotel rooms who worked in the sex industry.

Aft an investigation, CCTV footage provided by the hotel subsequently showed a member of the Mexican side's staff chaperoning women in2 the players' rooms.

"We hv videos of the women going in2 the rooms, brought in by a team manager of the Mexican national side," hotel manager Robert Ramia said.

The ejected players hv been banned for 6 months & fined £3,000 each. The octet r expected 2 be quickly replaced with the Copa America due 2 start on July 1 in La Plata, Argentina, where the hosts play Bolivia.

Mexico opted 2 send an Under-22 side 2 the tournament in order to rest the star players who won the Gold Cup with a 4-2 win over the USA tis weekend.

El Tri beat Ecuador 1-0 on Saturday in their final warm-up match b4 the Copa America & the incidents r reported 2 hv taken place in Quito aft the match.

"The players confessed," Gonzalez said. "They r very hurt, very sorry & they hv said they r sorry 2 their fans...They are assuming the consequences."

Mexico's 1st game is on July 4 against Chile in Group C, which also includes Peru & Uruguay.

[joew2005]

Latest Conmebol/Fifa ranking update on 29 June 2011.
Next update on 27 July 2011.

1. Brazil (Fifa 5)
2. Argentina (Fifa 10)
3. Uruguay (Fifa 18)
4. Chile (Fifa 27)
5. Paraguay (Fifa 32)
6. Peru (Fifa 49)
7. Colombia (Fifa 54)
8. Ecuador (Fifa 68)
9. Venezuela (Fifa 69)
10. Bolivia (Fifa 93)

Mexico is 1st in CONCACAF & 9th in Fifa, while Costa Rica is 6th in CONCACAF & 55th in Fifa.

[joew2005]

Group C - Peru's 23 players selected 4 the 2011 Copa América.

GK - Salomón Libman / age 27 / 4 caps / Peruvian club Alianza Lima
GK - Raúl Fernández / age 25 / 7 caps / French club Nice
GK - Leao Butrón / age 34 / 36 caps / Peruvian club Universidad San Martín
DF - Santiago Acasiete / age 33 / 32 caps / Spanish club Almería
DF - Walter Vílchez / age 29 / 54 caps / Peruvian club Sporting Cristal
DF - Renzo Revoredo / age 25 / 6 caps / Peruvian club Universitario de Deportes
DF - Christian Ramos / age 22 / 9 caps / Peruvian club Alianza Lima
DF - Giancarlo Carmona / age 25 / 2 caps / Argentina club San Lorenzo
DF - Yoshimar Yotún / age 21 / 3 caps / Peruvian club Sporting Cristal
DF - Alberto Rodríguez / age 27 / 31 caps / Portuguese club Sporting
DF - Aldo Corzo / age 22 / 3 caps / Peruvian club Universidad San Martín
DF - Orlando Contreras / age 29 / 6 caps / Peruvian club Universidad San Martín
MF - Antonio Gonzales / age 25 / 4 caps / Peruvian club Universitario de Deportes
MF - Juan Manuel Vargas / age 27 / 31 caps / Italian club Fiorentina
MF - Adán Balbín / age 24 / 4 caps / Peruvian club Universidad San Martín
MF - Carlos Lobatón / age 31 / 8 caps / Peruvian club Sporting Cristal
MF - Michael Guevara / age 27 / 3 caps / Peruvian club Sport Boys
MF - Rinaldo Cruzado / age 26 / 16 caps / Peruvian club Juan Aurich
MF - Josepmir Ballón / age 23 / 13 caps / Argentina club River Plate
FW - Paolo Guerrero / age 27 / 28 caps / German club Hamburger SV
FW - Raúl Ruidíaz / age 20 / 2 caps / Peruvian club Universitario de Deportes
FW - Luis Advíncula / age 21 / 9 caps / Peruvian club Sporting Cristal
FW - André Carrillo / age 20 / 0 cap / Portuguese club Sporting

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Copa_Am%C3%A9rica

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peru_national_football_team

The following 10 players were omitted fr the preliminary list of 33 players -
GK - Erick Delgado / age 28 / 14 caps / Peruvian club Sporting Cristal
DF - Jesús Rabanal / age 26 / 6 caps / Peruvian club Universitario de Deportes
DF - Carlos Zambrano / age 21 / 15 caps / German club St. Pauli
MF - Jean Tragodara / age 25 / 7 caps / Peruvian club Alianza Lima
MF - Luis Ramírez / age 26 / 14 caps / Brazilian club Corinthians
MF - Christian Cueva / age 19 / 2 caps / Peruvian club Universidad San Martín
FW - Claudio Pizarro / age 32 / 56 caps / Werder BremenGerman club
FW - William Chiroque / age 31 / 8 caps / Peruvian club Juan Aurich
FW - Jefferson Farfán / age 26 / 40 caps / German club Schalke 04
FW - Irven Ávila / age 20 / 2 caps / Peruvian club Sport Huancayo

[joew2005]

Mexico current 23 men squad selected for the 2011 Copa America.

GK - Luis Ernesto Michel / age 31 / 6 caps / Mexican club Guadalajara
GK - Carlos Felipe Rodríguez / age 22 / 0 cap / Mexican club Morelia
GK - Liborio Sánchez / age 21 / 0 cap / Mexican club Querétaro
DF - Paul Aguilar / age 25 / 16 caps / Mexican club América
DF - Oswaldo Alanís / age 22 / 0 cap / Mexican club Estudiantes Tecos
DF - Kristian Álvarez / age 19 / 0 cap / Mexican club Guadalajara
DF - Nestor Araujo / age 19 / 2 caps / Mexican club Cruz Azul
DF - Dárvin Chávez / age 21 / 3 caps / Mexican club Monterrey
DF - Hiram Mier / age 21 / 1 cap / Mexican club Monterrey
DF - Miguel Ángel Ponce / age 22 / 0 cap / Mexican club Guadalajara
DF - Diego Reyes / age 18 / 2 caps / Mexican club América
DF - Héctor Reynoso / age 30 / 1 cap / Mexican club Guadalajara
MF - Javier Aquino / age 21 / 2 caps / Mexican club Cruz Azul
MF - Diego De Buen / age 19 / 0 cap / Mexican club UNAM
MF - Jorge Enríquez / age 20 / 2 caps / Mexican club Guadalajara
MF - Antonio Gallardo / age 22 / 0 cap / Mexican club Guadalajara
MF - Emilio Orrantía / age 20 / 0 cap / Mexican club UNAM
MF - Édgar Pacheco / age / caps / Mexican club UANL
FW - Ulises Dávila / age 19 / 0 cap / Mexican club Guadalajara
FW - Giovani dos Santos / age 22 / 45 caps / English club Tottenham Hotspur
FW - Rafael Márquez Lugo / age 29 / 9 caps / Mexican club Morelia
FW - Oribe Peralta / age 27 / 5 caps / Mexican club Santos Laguna
FW - Alan Pulido / age 20 / 0 cap / Mexican club UANL

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Copa_Am%C3%A9rica

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexico_national_football_team

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story/_/id/931006/copa-america-preview:-copa-comes-home?cc=4716#quotesA

Copa comes home

In 1910, Argentina invited Uruguay & Chile 2 compete in a 3-team tournament called the Copa Centenario Revolucion de Mayo. The seeds were sown 4 a larger continental competition & in 1916 Argentina hosted wat is considered 2 be the inaugural South American Championship of Nations.

Aft a name change 2 'Copa America' in 1975 & the inclusion of all 10 CONMEBOL nations, football's oldest continental tournament is now in its 43rd year & returns 2 Argentina tis year with Brazil looking 2 lift the trophy 4 the 3rd time in succession - a feat only ever achieved by Argentina themselves between 1945 & 1947.


GROUP A
Argentina (Coach: Sergio Batista / Cpt: Javier Mascherano)
Copa America best: Winners (14)

It has been a long time since Argentina last lifted a major title - 18 years 2 be precise. Now given the chance 2 break their duck on home soil, La Albiceleste would become the outright leaders in Copa America history if they were 2 pick up the title again. With Maradona's efforts @ the WC behind them, Batista intends 2 get his side 2 play like Barca 2 get the best out of World Player of the Year Lionel Messi & he has 1 of the competition's most talented squads at his disposal.

1 2 Watch: Sergio Aguero.
With Messi hogging the limelight, Aguero may not get much of a chance 2 shine, however as he is currently seeking a move away fr Atletico Madrid, he will be keen 2 impress.

Prediction: Winners.


GROUP A
Bolivia(Coach: Gustavo Quinteros / Cpt: Ronald Raldes)
Copa America best: Winners (1)

Their ultimately unsuccessful 2010 WC qualifying campaign saw Bolivia dominate @ home, but when outside the heights of La Paz, the team struggle. They hv only advanced fr the group stage twice in the past 30 years although there r hopes that Quinteros' flexible 4-2-3-1 formation will provide them with an edge when they take on Costa Rica in what will surely be the battle 2 avoid last place in Group A.

1 2 Watch: Marcelo Martins:
A tireless work ethic, coupled with a good eye 4 goal, has endeared the Shakhtar striker 2 the fans & he is seen as a replacement 4 the recently retired Joaquin Botero.

Prediction: Group Stage


GROUP A
Colombia(Coach: Hernan Dario Gomez / Cpt: Mario Yepes)
Copa America best: Winners (1)

While FC Porto's pair of Falcao & Freddy Guarin provide hope, Colombia r not the force of old & did not impress in the 2007 version of the Copa, when they went out in the group stage. A 4-1-4-1 formation hints tat defence will be the priority & tat will limit their ability 2 win games, esp as they r still searching 4 a creative midfielder in the mould of Carlos Valderrama 2 help unlock an opposition backline.

1 2 Watch: Cristian Zapata:
While Falcao takes the headlines up front, the powerful Zapata keeps things tight at the back & is reportedly close 2 a move 2 Liverpool.

Prediction: Quarter-finals


GROUP A
Costa Rica(Coach: Ricardo La Volpe / Cpt: Randall Brenes)
Copa America best: Quarter-finals (2)

Replacing Japan @ the last minute as special guests 4 the tournament, Costa Rica r keen 2 banish the memory of their disappointing Gold Cup campaign last month. The side lost 2 Uruguay over a 2-legged play-off 4 the final spot @ the 2010 WC, but hv had little 2 shout abt on the international scene & will be under pressure as they hv brought wat is in essentially an Under-23 team 2 Argentina. In need of a lift, La Volpe's skills as a man-manager will be tested 2 the limit.

1 2 Watch: Cesar Elizondo:
Bryan Ruiz's absence means a lot of the focus has shifted on 2 the young Elizondo, who needs 2 improve his decision making, but provided a glimpse of his talent with a loan spell @ Perez Zeledon last season.

Prediction: Group Stage

[joew2005]

GROUP B
Brazil(Coach: Mano Menezes / Cpt: Lucio)
Copa America best: Winners (8)

With the chance 2 win their 5th Copa America in 6 editions, Brazil r keen 2 tighten their stranglehold on the competition, but hv never won it on Argentine soil. With defensive football proving unpopular under Dunga, Menezes promised 2 attack when put in charge aft the WC but the counter-attacking style has failed 2 win over the fans thus far. In Neymar, they hv potentially the best player in the competition, but Brazil may suffer fr the enormous expectation tat is (& always has been) upon them.

1 2 Watch: Ganso:
The Santos midfielder has been likened 2 fellow countryman Kaka & is set 2 move 2 Italy tis summer, but his price may rise with a commanding performance in the tournament if he can step out fr the shadow of club team-mate Neymar.

Prediction: Finalists


GROUP B
Ecuador(Coach: Reinaldo Rueda / Cpt: Walter Ayoví)
Copa America best: Semi-finals (1)

Impressive performances in getting 2 both the 2002 & 2006 WCs hv ensured Ecuador r back in the spotlight, however, their inability 2 get past the group stage of the Copa America in their previous 4 attempts proves they hv alot left 2 do. Rueda's 4-4-2 formation is solid, but the fans in Ecuador hv labelled him the 'King of Draws' & he was booed aft the friendly match with Mexico. The Venezuela match may be the key 2 progression 4 them.

1 2 Watch: Antonio Valencia:
The only Ecuadorian 2 win the Premier League & play in a Champions League final, Valencia has been on top of his game since returning fr a bad leg break against Rangers & will be key down the wings with his pace & trickery.

Prediction: Quarter-finals


GROUP B
Paraguay(Coach: Gerardo Martino / Cpt: Justo Villar)
Copa America best: Winners (2)

A nation on the rise aft an impressive showing @ the 2010 WC finals, it has still been 20 years since they featured in the semi-finals of the Copa America. Coach Martino will leave his role aft the competition, but will detail his players with bringing a high-tempo, aggressive game 2 their opponents, while the generation of players nearing the end of their international careers r motivated by the prospect of building on their recent successes in Argentina.

1 2 Watch: Roque Santa Cruz:
The striker, who has not impressed either @ Man City or on loan @ Blackburn of late, still finds himself in a central role 4 his country & he is just 1 short of Paraguay's all-time leading scorer Jose Cardozo.

Prediction: Quarter-finals


GROUP B
Venezuela(Coach: Cesar Farias / Cpt: Juan Arango)
Copa America best: Quarter-finals (2)

The side hv only ever won 2 games @ the Copa America, but there has been a recent upturn in their fortunes on the continent as they were within touching distance of the WC aft a decent qualifying campaign. No longer the whipping boys, Venezuela hv something 2 prove & on the back of Farías' combination of open passing & tireless work ethic - with Borussia Mönchengladbach's Arango as the creative hub - there is a lot of optimism in the country tat the young squad could impress.

1 2 Watch: Yohandry Orozco:
The Wolfsburg midfielder was 1 of the best players @ the South American Under-20 Championships earlier tis year & is a born leader who looks comfortable in the spotlight; more is expected fr him.

Prediction: Group Stage


GROUP C
Chile(Coach: Claudio Borghi / Cpt: Claudio Bravo)
Copa America best: Finalists (4)

Despite Marcelo Bielsa's resignation, Chile's fortunes r on the up aft a WC campaign tat saw them win over a lot of neutral supporters. Playing attractive, attacking football with the pace & skills of Alexis Sanchez & Matias Fernandez on show in a high-tempo approach, Borghi could bring something different with a 3-4-1-2 or 3-5-2. He will also hv 2 do something abt the defensive issues surrounding the side if they r 2 repeat their successes in South Africa.

1 2 Watch: Alexis Sanchez:
The man @ the centre of a bidding war betw Europe's elite clubs must justify the enormous price tag placed upon him, but with pace, dribbling skills & a good finishing touch, he may well do so.

Prediction: Semi-finals.


GROUP C
Mexico(Coach: Jose Manuel de la Torre / Cpt: Giovani dos Santos)
Copa America best: Finalists (2)

Much like their Gold Cup campaign was disrupted aft 5 players were sent home 4 failing drugs tests, Mexico's Copa could not hv started worse as 8 players were withdrawn fr the squad aft an alleged sex scandal 3 days b4 the competition started. The Mexican fans can take heart tat their side overcame the odds 2 beat the USA in the Gold Cup final, but without some of their big named stars such as Javier Hernandez & Rafael Marquez, De la Torre's side could struggle.

1 2 Watch: Giovani dos Santos.
With the rest of his senior team-mates suspended, the Tottenham winger will take centre-stage in the Copa aft a starring role in the Gold Cup; perhaps 2 earn himself a move elsewhere.

Prediction: Quarter-finals.


GROUP C
Peru(Coach: Sergio Markarian / Cpt: Walter Vilchez)
Copa America best: Winners (2)

The worst team on the continent in 2010 WC qualifying, Peru's fall has not been graceful as a host of internal problems hv provided the side with an unwelcome distraction fr their on-pitch focus. 2 make matters worse ahead of their Copa campaign, injuries hv robbed the squad of key strike duo captain Claudio Pizarro & Jefferson Farfan. New coach Markarian has made them hard 2 beat - as they hv conceded just 3 goals in the 9 games of his reign - but there r still some demons 2 lay 2 rest.

1 2 Watch: Paolo Guerrero:
With some of the star players watching fr the stands, Guerrero must step in2 the breach &, aft a 6-match ban in 2008, he has alot 2 prove.

Prediction: Group Stage.


GROUP C
Uruguay(Coach: Oscar Tabarez / Cpt: Diego Lugano)
Copa America best: Winners (14)

4 years ago in the opening game of the last Copa America, Uruguay lost 3-0 to Peru, although they regrouped 2 make it 2 the semi-finals. Aft sealing their progress 2 the 2010 WC via a play-off, Tabárez's underdogs went on 2 become 1 of the most memorable teams in South Africa as they went all the way to the last 4 - albeit with the help of Luis Suarez's hand against Ghana. They hv not won the Copa since 1995 but, with players like Diego Forlan, Luis Suarez & Diego Godin, r now in a position 2 challenge @ the very top again & bring back memories of a time when they were champions in 6 of the 1st 9 editions.

1 2 Watch: Edison Cavani:
Valued by his club, Napoli, at €100 million, the striker is 1 of the Europe's most in-form players. Tall & strong, he has a commanding presence & defenders will need 2 pay him alot of respect.

Prediction: Semi-finals.

[joew2005]

2011 Copa América

Group Phase
Group A : Argentina 1-1 Bolivia
2 July Group A - Colombia vs Costa Rica
3 July Group B - Brazil vs Venezuela / Paraguay vs Ecuador
4 July Group C - Uruguay vs Peru / Chile vs Mexico
6 July Group A - Argentina vs Colombia
7 July Group A - Bolivia vs Costa Rica
8 July Group C - Peru vs Mexico / Uruguay vs Chile
9 july Group B - Brazil vs Paraguay / Venezuela vs Ecuador
10 July Group A - Colombia vs Bolivia
11 July Group A - Argentina vs Costa Rica
12 July Group C - Chile vs Peru / Uruguay vs Mexico
13 July Group B - Paraguay vs Venezuela / Brazil vs Ecuador

Group A
Argentina Played1 Win0 Draw1 Lose0 GS1 GA1 GD0 Pts1
Bolivia Played1 Win0 Draw1 Lose0 GS1 GA1 GD0 Pts1
Colombia Played0 Win0 Draw0 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts0
Costa Rica Played0 Win0 Draw0 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts0

Group B
Brazil Played0 Win0 Draw0 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts0
Paraguay Played0 Win0 Draw0 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts0
Ecuador Played0 Win0 Draw0 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts0
Venezuela Played0 Win0 Draw0 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts0

Group C
Uruguay Played0 Win0 Draw0 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts0
Chile Played0 Win0 Draw0 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts0
Peru Played0 Win0 Draw0 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts0
Mexico Played0 Win0 Draw0 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts0

Quarter Finals
16 July - Group A Winner vs Best 3rd Place 1 (Q1) / Group A Runner Up vs Group C Runner Up (Q2)
17 July - Group B Winner vs Best 3rd Plac 2 (Q3) / Group C Winner vs Group B Runner Up (Q4)

Semi Finals
19 July - Q1 Winner vs Q2 Winner
20 July - Q3 Winner vs Q4 Winner

3rd Place Place Off
23 July -

Final
24 July -


Goal Scorers
1 goal -
Argentina(Sergio Agüero)
Bolivia(Edivaldo Rojas Her)


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Copa_Am%C3%A9rica

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/931711/sergio-aguero-salvages-draw-for-argentina?cc=4716

Aguero salvages draw for Argentina
July 2, 2011

Sergio Aguero spared the blushes of host nation Argentina aft scoring an equaliser with 15 mins remaining 2 come away with a 1-1 draw in their opening Copa America clash against Bolivia.

Aguero came on as a substitute in La Plata aft Argentina signalled their attacking intent by starting Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez & Ezequiel Lavezzi up front. Bolivia, meanwhile, forced Shakhtar Donetsk front-man Marcelo Moreno 2 play as a lone striker in order 2 shore up the midfield.

Tevez looked 2 get Argentina off 2 a dream start, producing a glancing header fr Messi free-kick inside the opening mins, only 2 see his effort flash wide of the target. But tat would arguably be the hosts' best chance of the opening stanza, as they struggled 2 break down a resolute Bolivian defence.

The visitors then stunned the home faithful jz aft the half-time break when Edivaldo Rojas back-heeled a Jhasmany Campos corner over the line, despite the scrambling attempt of goalkeeper Sergio Romero 2 keep the ball out.

Moreno had the chance 2 double Bolivia's advantage in the 65th-min, but Romero was up the challenge on tat occasion 2 keep the home side in the contest.

Aguero then scored a soaring volley on 75 mins 2 restore parity aft Nicolas Burdisso chested down Angel Di Maria's cross fr the left flank. The Atletico Madrid striker made no mistake in front of goal, but Argentina were unable 2 secure a late winner as they pushed men 4ward in the closing stages.

Colombia & Costa Rica r the other teams in Group A & meet in the 2nd game of the tournament 2nite.


2 me,Argentina didn't do well.
Argentina is ranked 2nd in Conmebol & 10th in FIFA, while Bolivia is 10th in Conmebol & 93th in FIFA.
Moreover Argentina is the host nation.
The boys wearing the famous blue or blue/white jerseys need 2 do more if they 1 2 win tis tournament.

[joew2005]

2011 Copa América

Group Phase
Group A : Argentina 1-1 Bolivia / Colombia 1-0 Costa Rica
3 July Group B - Brazil vs Venezuela / Paraguay vs Ecuador
4 July Group C - Uruguay vs Peru / Chile vs Mexico
6 July Group A - Argentina vs Colombia
7 July Group A - Bolivia vs Costa Rica
8 July Group C - Peru vs Mexico / Uruguay vs Chile
9 july Group B - Brazil vs Paraguay / Venezuela vs Ecuador
10 July Group A - Colombia vs Bolivia
11 July Group A - Argentina vs Costa Rica
12 July Group C - Chile vs Peru / Uruguay vs Mexico
13 July Group B - Paraguay vs Venezuela / Brazil vs Ecuador

Group A
Colombia Played1 Win1 Draw0 Lose0 GS1 GA0 GD+1 Pts3
Argentina Played1 Win0 Draw1 Lose0 GS1 GA1 GD0 Pts1
Bolivia Played1 Win0 Draw1 Lose0 GS1 GA1 GD0 Pts1
Costa Rica Played1 Win0 Draw0 Lose1 GS0 GA1 GD-1 Pts0

Group B
Brazil Played0 Win0 Draw0 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts0
Paraguay Played0 Win0 Draw0 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts0
Ecuador Played0 Win0 Draw0 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts0
Venezuela Played0 Win0 Draw0 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts0

Group C
Uruguay Played0 Win0 Draw0 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts0
Chile Played0 Win0 Draw0 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts0
Peru Played0 Win0 Draw0 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts0
Mexico Played0 Win0 Draw0 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts0

Quarter Finals
16 July - Group A Winner vs Best 3rd Place 1 (Q1) / Group A Runner Up vs Group C Runner Up (Q2)
17 July - Group B Winner vs Best 3rd Plac 2 (Q3) / Group C Winner vs Group B Runner Up (Q4)

Semi Finals
19 July - Q1 Winner vs Q2 Winner
20 July - Q3 Winner vs Q4 Winner

3rd Place Place Off
23 July -

Final
24 July -


Goal Scorers
1 goal -
Argentina(Sergio Agüero)
Bolivia(Edivaldo Rojas Hermoza)
Colobia(Gustavo Adrián Ramos Vásquez)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Copa_Am%C3%A9rica

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=314578&cc=4716

Ramos goal sees off ten-man Costa Rica

Colombia laboured 2 a narrow win over the 10 men of Costa Rica in their opening Copa America match.

The youthful Costa Ricans played a man down 4 over an hour aft the 28th-minute dismissal of Randall Brenes, but a goal fr Adrian Ramos seconds b4 half-time was all tat separated the sides.

Colombia @ least showed flashes of the talent tat has them well fancied in tis competition, @ times stringing 2gether some wonderful moves, only 2 fail 2 deliver a shot tat could truly test Leonel Moreira in the Costa Rica goal.

They struggled in the early stages, with the best chance coming fr a surging run down the left fr Ramos only 4 the Hertha Berlin man 2 send a tame shot goalwards.

The game changed when Brenes crudely slid thru the back of Luis Perea 2 earn a straight red - Costa Rica's 1st @ a Copa America.

The next chance fell 2 Costa Rica, with Francisco Calvo close 2 heading in Joel Campbell's corner, but opportunities 4 the team in red were a rarity thereafter.

Instead, Colombia attacked @ will as Hugo Rodallega was brought on 4 Abel Aguilar 2 make the most of the extra space.

A long chip in2 the Costa Rica box caused a mix-up which Falcao almost capitalised on, b4 Ramos' header @ the far post was gathered by the goalkeeper.

The breakthru came in the 45th minute when a long ball Fredy Guarin found a superb run fr Ramos who rounded the goalkeeper 2 finish.

The 2nd half was a more subdued affair as Costa Rica sought 2 contain the game & snatch something on the break.

Dayro Moreno flashed a low shot across goal 4 Colombia b4 Falcao was unlucky 2 see a header come back off the crossbar.

Just b4 the hour mark, David Guzman curled a low free-kick in2 the side-netting 4 Costa Rica, while @ the other end, Guarin's disappointing free-kick was dragged wide.

Costa Rica began 2 show dangerous signs thanks 2 the running of Diego Madrigal, & Colombia took the hint as they shut up shop in the closing stages.

The win moved Colombia 2 the top of the Group A standings aft Argentina's opening draw with Bolivia.

[joew2005]

2011 Copa América

Group Phase
Group A : Argentina 1-1 Bolivia / Colombia 1-0 Costa Rica
3 July Group B - Brazil 0-0 Venezuela / Paraguay vs Ecuador
4 July Group C - Uruguay vs Peru / Chile vs Mexico
6 July Group A - Argentina vs Colombia
7 July Group A - Bolivia vs Costa Rica
8 July Group C - Peru vs Mexico / Uruguay vs Chile
9 july Group B - Brazil vs Paraguay / Venezuela vs Ecuador
10 July Group A - Colombia vs Bolivia
11 July Group A - Argentina vs Costa Rica
12 July Group C - Chile vs Peru / Uruguay vs Mexico
13 July Group B - Paraguay vs Venezuela / Brazil vs Ecuador

Group A
Colombia Played1 Win1 Draw0 Lose0 GS1 GA0 GD+1 Pts3
Argentina Played1 Win0 Draw1 Lose0 GS1 GA1 GD0 Pts1
Bolivia Played1 Win0 Draw1 Lose0 GS1 GA1 GD0 Pts1
Costa Rica Played1 Win0 Draw0 Lose1 GS0 GA1 GD-1 Pts0

Group B
Brazil Played1 Win0 Draw1 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts1
Venezuela Played1 Win0 Draw1 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts1
Paraguay Played0 Win0 Draw0 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts0
Ecuador Played0 Win0 Draw0 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts0

Group C
Uruguay Played0 Win0 Draw0 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts0
Chile Played0 Win0 Draw0 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts0
Peru Played0 Win0 Draw0 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts0
Mexico Played0 Win0 Draw0 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts0

Quarter Finals
16 July - Group A Winner vs Best 3rd Place 1 (Q1) / Group A Runner Up vs Group C Runner Up (Q2)
17 July - Group B Winner vs Best 3rd Plac 2 (Q3) / Group C Winner vs Group B Runner Up (Q4)

Semi Finals
19 July - Q1 Winner vs Q2 Winner
20 July - Q3 Winner vs Q4 Winner

3rd Place Place Off
23 July -

Final
24 July -


Goal Scorers
1 goal -
Argentina(Sergio Agüero)
Bolivia(Edivaldo Rojas Hermoza)
Colobia(Gustavo Adrián Ramos Vásquez)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Copa_Am%C3%A9rica

[machoman]

2011 Copa América

Goal Scorers
1 goal -
Argentina(Sergio Agüero)
Bolivia(Edivaldo Rojas Hermoza)
Colobia(Gustavo Adrián Ramos Vásquez)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Copa_Am%C3%A9rica

So far, there are 4 matches played- 2 in Group A & 2 in Group B & only 3 goals scored with 3 draws & only Columbia winning a 1-goal victory over Costa Rica.

Seems that the opening blues got to the teams who are more concerned about not losing & securing 1 point rather than going all out to attack & get 3 points.

Hoping that we will see more goals in the 2 matches in Group C tomorrow morning.

What do you think, bro?

[joew2005]

So far, there are 4 matches played- 2 in Group A & 2 in Group B & only 3 goals scored with 3 draws & only Columbia winning a 1-goal victory over Costa Rica.

Seems that the opening blues got to the teams who are more concerned about not losing & securing 1 point rather than going all out to attack & get 3 points.

Hoping that we will see more goals in the 2 matches in Group C tomorrow morning.

What do you think, bro?

ya bro ..... opening game BLUES 4 the top teams in big tournaments r veri common.
@ least they didn't lose the 1st group game.
a win follow by a draw by both Argentina & Brazil could even see them top their respective groups.
i would think that bothe Argentina & Brazil would score a couple of goals 2 win their 2nd group games.

[joew2005]

2011 Copa América

Group Phase
Group A : Argentina 1-1 Bolivia / Colombia 1-0 Costa Rica
Group B - Brazil 0-0 Venezuela / Paraguay 0-0 Ecuador
4 July Group C - Uruguay vs Peru / Chile vs Mexico
6 July Group A - Argentina vs Colombia
7 July Group A - Bolivia vs Costa Rica
8 July Group C - Peru vs Mexico / Uruguay vs Chile
9 july Group B - Brazil vs Paraguay / Venezuela vs Ecuador
10 July Group A - Colombia vs Bolivia
11 July Group A - Argentina vs Costa Rica
12 July Group C - Chile vs Peru / Uruguay vs Mexico
13 July Group B - Paraguay vs Venezuela / Brazil vs Ecuador

Group A
Colombia Played1 Win1 Draw0 Lose0 GS1 GA0 GD+1 Pts3
Argentina Played1 Win0 Draw1 Lose0 GS1 GA1 GD0 Pts1
Bolivia Played1 Win0 Draw1 Lose0 GS1 GA1 GD0 Pts1
Costa Rica Played1 Win0 Draw0 Lose1 GS0 GA1 GD-1 Pts0

Group B
Brazil Played1 Win0 Draw1 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts1
Venezuela Played1 Win0 Draw1 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts1
Paraguay Played1 Win0 Draw1 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts1
Ecuador Played1 Win0 Draw1 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts1

Group C
Uruguay Played0 Win0 Draw0 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts0
Chile Played0 Win0 Draw0 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts0
Peru Played0 Win0 Draw0 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts0
Mexico Played0 Win0 Draw0 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts0

Quarter Finals
16 July - Group A Winner vs Best 3rd Place 1 (Q1) / Group A Runner Up vs Group C Runner Up (Q2)
17 July - Group B Winner vs Best 3rd Plac 2 (Q3) / Group C Winner vs Group B Runner Up (Q4)

Semi Finals
19 July - Q1 Winner vs Q2 Winner
20 July - Q3 Winner vs Q4 Winner

3rd Place Place Off
23 July -

Final
24 July -


Goal Scorers
1 goal -
Argentina(Sergio Agüero)
Bolivia(Edivaldo Rojas Hermoza)
Colobia(Gustavo Adrián Ramos Vásquez)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Copa_Am%C3%A9rica

[machoman]

At long last, we got to see some goals in the 2 matches in Group C- 2 in the Uruguay-Peru 1-1 draw & 3 goals in the 2-1 win of Chile against Mexico.....5 in all after 3 goalless draws in Groups A & B.

Should see some more goals in the tournament in the 2nd Group games onwards.

[HokkienPeng]

Who you think will go to the final? I hope to see Argentina as host and maybe Uruguay as best place SA team from the world cup.

[machoman]

Who you think will go to the final? I hope to see Argentina as host and maybe Uruguay as best place SA team from the world cup.

My dream final will be Brazil vs Argentina, the top 2 teams in South America with their stars of Messi, Neymar, etc.

[joew2005]

2011 Copa América

Group Phase
Group A : Argentina 1-1 Bolivia / Colombia 1-0 Costa Rica
Group B - Brazil 0-0 Venezuela / Paraguay 0-0 Ecuador
Group C - Uruguay 1-1 Peru / Chile 2-1 Mexico
6 July Group A - Argentina vs Colombia
7 July Group A - Bolivia vs Costa Rica
8 July Group C - Peru vs Mexico / Uruguay vs Chile
9 july Group B - Brazil vs Paraguay / Venezuela vs Ecuador
10 July Group A - Colombia vs Bolivia
11 July Group A - Argentina vs Costa Rica
12 July Group C - Chile vs Peru / Uruguay vs Mexico
13 July Group B - Paraguay vs Venezuela / Brazil vs Ecuador

Group A
Colombia Played1 Win1 Draw0 Lose0 GS1 GA0 GD+1 Pts3
Argentina Played1 Win0 Draw1 Lose0 GS1 GA1 GD0 Pts1
Bolivia Played1 Win0 Draw1 Lose0 GS1 GA1 GD0 Pts1
Costa Rica Played1 Win0 Draw0 Lose1 GS0 GA1 GD-1 Pts0

Group B
Brazil Played1 Win0 Draw1 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts1
Venezuela Played1 Win0 Draw1 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts1
Paraguay Played1 Win0 Draw1 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts1
Ecuador Played1 Win0 Draw1 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts1

Group C
Chile Played1 Win1 Draw0 Lose0 GS2 GA1 GD+1 Pts3
Peru Played1 Win0 Draw1 Lose0 GS1 GA1 GD0 Pts1
Uruguay Played1 Win0 Draw1 Lose0 GS1 GA1 GD0 Pts1
Mexico Played1 Win0 Draw0 Lose1 GS1 GA2 GD-1 Pts0

Quarter Finals
16 July - Group A Winner vs Best 3rd Place 1 (Q1) / Group A Runner Up vs Group C Runner Up (Q2)
17 July - Group B Winner vs Best 3rd Plac 2 (Q3) / Group C Winner vs Group B Runner Up (Q4)

Semi Finals
19 July - Q1 Winner vs Q2 Winner
20 July - Q3 Winner vs Q4 Winner

3rd Place Place Off
23 July -

Final
24 July -


Goal Scorers
1 goal -
Argentina(Sergio Agüero)
Bolivia(Edivaldo Rojas Hermoza)
Chile(Esteban Paredes & Arturo Vidal)
Colombia(Adrián Ramos)
Mexico(Néstor Araujo)
Peru(José Guerrero)
Uruguay(Luis Suárez)


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Copa_Am%C3%A9rica

[machoman]

Highlights of the opening match between Argentina & Bolivia:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKVbbA5wZQQ&feature=player_embedded

[joew2005]

bro machoman, Sergio Aguero's volley in the 75 mins of the opening match was a beauty. Bolívia's Edivaldo Rojas was also veri trickery with that back-heeled goal.

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story/_/id/932236/minnows-impress-as-the-copa-america-gets-underway?cc=4716

Minnows impress as Copa begins
July 5, 2011

As predicted in the pre-tournament preview tis was going 2 be the most even tournament 4 a while. We've now seen all the sides in action in the 2011 Copa America, & it has, if nothing else, been an incredibly closely-matched event thus far. Argentina failed 2 get revenge on Bolivia 4 the 6-1 defeat in La Paz last time the sides met; Group B didn't see a single goal in 2 matches on Sunday, & most people's 3rd favs Uruguay couldn't beat Peru on Monday night.

It's the 1st time in 43 editions tat both Argentina & Brazil hv failed 2 win their opening games. Needless 2 say, very little credit has gone 2 their opponents. It's also a mark of the media obsession with the giants tat performances elsewhere - Colombia's loose but eventually good-enough 1-0 win over Costa Rica in Argentina's Group A; Chile's 2nd half comeback in their 2-1 win over Mexico on Monday night - haven't had anywhere near as much attention in the host country's press as the big boys' slip-ups.

Credit aft tis opening to the tournament should go 2 the less heralded opponents, though. Bolivia on the opening night could hv been forgiven 4 freezing initially against the hosts & favs (although it's the 3rd tournament in a row in which they've been charged with playing the hosts on the opening day), or, aft realising most of their opponents were playing without much heed 4 their team-mates, 4 getting a bit cocky. But they kept their focus & discipline throughout, capitalised fr poor marking 2 score wat Lionel Messi afterwards (frustratedly) called 'a sloppy goal', & held out in the face of the late onslaught 2 restrict them 2 just Sergio Agüero's equaliser.

On Sunday, @ the Estadio Unico de La Plata saw the holders' debut in tis year's tournament against Venezuela, & found the performance of the 2007 hosts perhaps even more impressive than Bolivia's had been 2 days previously. I'd go so far, with an honourable nod 2 Nicolas Lodeiro's 1st half performance 4 Uruguay on Monday evening, as 2 say Tomas Rincon, Venezuela's deep-lying midfielder, has been my player of the opening matches. 1 eminent journalistic colleague commented b4 the game tat, 'he plays 4 Hamburg, so he can't be crap,' & indeed he wasn't.

Much has been written (some of it by me) pre-tournament abt Neymar & Ganso, Brazil's Copa Libertadores-winning Santos duo, but the latter was comprehensively strangled out of the game by Rincon & his partner Franklin Lucena, who anticipated the tactic I suggested in my preview might be Argentina's best bet against Brazil; cut off supply 2 the 4wards. By so doing, Brazil were forced 2 bypass Ganso constantly (though he was in the game more @ the start of the 2nd half, b4 fading again), & apart fr Alexandre Pato's shot crashing back off the crossbar, it wasn't a strategy tat looked like making a breakthrough.

Argentina simply looked 2 individualistic, with Lionel Messi the only 4ward player looking 4 team-mates, & other than Ever Banega & Javier Zanetti, he wasn't really able 2 link with any other Argentine players 2 any great degree; Ezequiel Lavezzi, on receiving 1 pass fr Messi which would hv seen a Barcelona player in a similar position lay it back & look 2 support the attack, hared off 2wards the Bolivian goal line with the ball instead, b4 wasting the chance 2 cross (not tat there was any1 there 2 cross 2; he'd outrun them all). Messi has 1s again been jumped on 4 not playing 4 Argentina the way he does 4 Barcelona, but for tat 2 happen Argentina hv 2 play 4 him the way Barcelona do as well.

The only victors so far, then, r Colombia - who got a 1-0 win over Costa Rica in a frustrating game on Saturday - & Chile. Colombia looked like they should hv scored more than they managed, but were ineffective up front, which considering some of the 4wards they've got 2 call on was surprising. Tat said, they showed some of their quality with Adrian Ramos' goal, set up with a sublimely weighted thru ball fr Fredy Guarín (whose name, b4 any1 writes in, seems 2 be spelt with either 1 or 2 'd's depending wat side of the bed he's woken up on).

It was Monday tat finally saw the tournament liven up a bit though, aft the weekend had largely been interesting rather than enthralling. Uruguay were expected 2 comfortably beat Peru, but fell behind in the 1st half b4 another brilliant thru ball - tis one fr Nicolas Lodeiro, who's been out injured 4 virtually the whole of 2010-11 for Ajax - allowed Luis Suarez 2 equalise.

Chile were also favs against Mexico (who like Costa Rica field an almost entirely under-23 side in tis competition, 8 of whom only joined the squad late last week aft a scandal involving prostitutes @ the team hotel in Ecuador), but also fell behind, b4 rallying 2 give us the competition's 1st turnaround with a 2-1 win.

Both those matches were played back-2-back in the same stadium, in San Juan. Uruguay versus Peru was therefore played 2 a backing of around 10,000 Chilean fans, who had travelled over the border tat same day. It's said 2 be the highest number of people ever 2 cross the border @ 1s, & it's a record tat will surely be beaten when Chile play Uruguay in Mendoza, in a larger stadium even closer 2 the border crossing, on Friday.

4 now though, the Copa's main record is tat stat I mentioned abt Argentina & Brazil both failing 2 win. There's a distance 2 go yet, but the 1st games hv @ least lived up the billing as the most even Copa in a long time. As the Argentine journalist behind me on Sunday remarked approvingly during 1 maroon-shirted attack, 'Venezuela aren't showing [Brazil] any respect!' Long may tat continue.

[eRicKz]

wah, this copa america till now, all eat win like hell.. haha.. wish all bros gd 6.. huat arh.. :D

[machoman]

wah, this copa america till now, all eat win like hell.. haha.. wish all bros gd 6.. huat arh.. :D

Yup, another goalless draw this morning between Argentina & Colombia.

[joew2005]

2011 Copa América

Group Phase
Group A : Argentina 1-1 Bolivia / Colombia 1-0 Costa Rica
Group B : Brazil 0-0 Venezuela / Paraguay 0-0 Ecuador
Group C : Uruguay 1-1 Peru / Chile 2-1 Mexico
Group A : Argentina 0-0 Colombia
7 July Group A : Bolivia vs Costa Rica
8 July Group C : Peru vs Mexico / Uruguay vs Chile
9 july Group B : Brazil vs Paraguay / Venezuela vs Ecuador
10 July Group A : Colombia vs Bolivia
11 July Group A : Argentina vs Costa Rica
12 July Group C : Chile vs Peru / Uruguay vs Mexico
13 July Group B : Paraguay vs Venezuela / Brazil vs Ecuador

Group A
Colombia Played2 Win1 Draw1 Lose0 GS1 GA0 GD+1 Pts4
Argentina Played2 Win0 Draw2 Lose0 GS1 GA1 GD0 Pts2
Bolivia Played1 Win0 Draw1 Lose0 GS1 GA1 GD0 Pts1
Costa Rica Played1 Win0 Draw0 Lose1 GS0 GA1 GD-1 Pts0

Group B
Brazil Played1 Win0 Draw1 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts1
Venezuela Played1 Win0 Draw1 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts1
Paraguay Played1 Win0 Draw1 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts1
Ecuador Played1 Win0 Draw1 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts1

Group C
Chile Played1 Win1 Draw0 Lose0 GS2 GA1 GD+1 Pts3
Peru Played1 Win0 Draw1 Lose0 GS1 GA1 GD0 Pts1
Uruguay Played1 Win0 Draw1 Lose0 GS1 GA1 GD0 Pts1
Mexico Played1 Win0 Draw0 Lose1 GS1 GA2 GD-1 Pts0

Quarter Finals
16 July - Group A Winner vs Best 3rd Place 1 (Q1) / Group A Runner Up vs Group C Runner Up (Q2)
17 July - Group B Winner vs Best 3rd Plac 2 (Q3) / Group C Winner vs Group B Runner Up (Q4)

Semi Finals
19 July - Q1 Winner vs Q2 Winner
20 July - Q3 Winner vs Q4 Winner

3rd Place Place Off
23 July -

Final
24 July -


Goal Scorers
1 goal -
Argentina(Sergio Agüero)
Bolivia(Edivaldo Rojas Hermoza)
Chile(Esteban Paredes & Arturo Vidal)
Colombia(Adrián Ramos)
Mexico(Néstor Araujo)
Peru(José Guerrero)
Uruguay(Luis Suárez)


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Copa_Am%C3%A9rica

[joew2005]

so far,Argentina has been veri disappointing in tis tournament.

after playing 2 games,Argentina only managed 2 collect 2 points fr 2 draws & only scored a single goal.
Not 4getting tat they r the current tournament's host country ... they r playing in their own backyard.

They r ranked 44 places above Colombia & 83 places above Bolivia in the latest FIFA rankings. Yet they could not get a win against both.

This tournament could realli belong 2 the Minnows .....
or perhaps the Minnows would become the "King Makers"!

[SP2010]

Really hope one of those unfancied teams can upset the odds & progress far .
It wud be interesting to see if Chile, Colombia or even Peru can give the big boys a run for their money.

[machoman]

so far,Argentina has been veri disappointing in tis tournament.

after playing 2 games,Argentina only managed 2 collect 2 points fr 2 draws & only scored a single goal.
Not 4getting tat they r the current tournament's host country ... they r playing in their own backyard.

They r ranked 44 places above Colombia & 83 places above Bolivia in the latest FIFA rankings. Yet they could not get a win against both.

This tournament could realli belong 2 the Minnows .....
or perhaps the Minnows would become the "King Makers"!

Absolutely agreed about Argentina, bro joew2005.

I sense that the format of the tournament in which 8 of the 12 teams participating will get through to the knock-out round means that they do not have to try too hard in order to proceed to the next round is a major factor for the low scores & draws.

Latest update: another upset this morning as Costa Rica beat 10-men Bolivia by 2 goals.

[joew2005]

2011 Copa América

Group Phase
Group A : Argentina 1-1 Bolivia / Colombia 1-0 Costa Rica
Group B : Brazil 0-0 Venezuela / Paraguay 0-0 Ecuador
Group C : Uruguay 1-1 Peru / Chile 2-1 Mexico
Group A : Argentina 0-0 Colombia / Bolivia 0-2 Costa Rica
8 July Group C : Peru vs Mexico / Uruguay vs Chile
9 july Group B : Brazil vs Paraguay / Venezuela vs Ecuador
10 July Group A : Colombia vs Bolivia
11 July Group A : Argentina vs Costa Rica
12 July Group C : Chile vs Peru / Uruguay vs Mexico
13 July Group B : Paraguay vs Venezuela / Brazil vs Ecuador

Group A
Colombia Played2 Win1 Draw1 Lose0 GS1 GA0 GD+1 Pts4
Costa Rica Played2 Win1 Draw0 Lose1 GS2 GA1 GD+1 Pts3
Argentina Played2 Win0 Draw2 Lose0 GS1 GA1 GD0 Pts2
Bolivia Played2 Win0 Draw1 Lose1 GS1 GA3 GD-2 Pts1

Group B
Brazil Played1 Win0 Draw1 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts1
Venezuela Played1 Win0 Draw1 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts1
Paraguay Played1 Win0 Draw1 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts1
Ecuador Played1 Win0 Draw1 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts1

Group C
Chile Played1 Win1 Draw0 Lose0 GS2 GA1 GD+1 Pts3
Peru Played1 Win0 Draw1 Lose0 GS1 GA1 GD0 Pts1
Uruguay Played1 Win0 Draw1 Lose0 GS1 GA1 GD0 Pts1
Mexico Played1 Win0 Draw0 Lose1 GS1 GA2 GD-1 Pts0

Quarter Finals
16 July - Group A Winner vs Best 3rd Place 1 (Q1) / Group A Runner Up vs Group C Runner Up (Q2)
17 July - Group B Winner vs Best 3rd Plac 2 (Q3) / Group C Winner vs Group B Runner Up (Q4)

Semi Finals
19 July - Q1 Winner vs Q2 Winner
20 July - Q3 Winner vs Q4 Winner

3rd Place Place Off
23 July -

Final
24 July -


Goal Scorers
1 goal -
Argentina(Sergio Agüero)
Bolivia(Edivaldo Rojas Hermoza)
Chile(Esteban Paredes & Arturo Vidal)
Colombia(Adrián Ramos)
Costa Rica(Josué Martínez & Josué Martínez)
Mexico(Néstor Araujo)
Peru(José Guerrero)
Uruguay(Luis Suárez)


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Copa_Am%C3%A9rica

[joew2005]

2011 Copa América

Group Phase
Group A : Argentina 1-1 Bolivia / Colombia 1-0 Costa Rica
Group B : Brazil 0-0 Venezuela / Paraguay 0-0 Ecuador
Group C : Uruguay 1-1 Peru / Chile 2-1 Mexico
Group A : Argentina 0-0 Colombia / Bolivia 0-2 Costa Rica
Group C : Peru vs Mexico / Uruguay 1-1 Chile
9 july Group B : Brazil vs Paraguay / Venezuela vs Ecuador
10 July Group A : Colombia vs Bolivia
11 July Group A : Argentina vs Costa Rica
12 July Group C : Chile vs Peru / Uruguay vs Mexico
13 July Group B : Paraguay vs Venezuela / Brazil vs Ecuador

Group A
Colombia Played2 Win1 Draw1 Lose0 GS1 GA0 GD+1 Pts4
Costa Rica Played2 Win1 Draw0 Lose1 GS2 GA1 GD+1 Pts3
Argentina Played2 Win0 Draw2 Lose0 GS1 GA1 GD0 Pts2
Bolivia Played2 Win0 Draw1 Lose1 GS1 GA3 GD-2 Pts1

Group B
Brazil Played1 Win0 Draw1 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts1
Venezuela Played1 Win0 Draw1 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts1
Paraguay Played1 Win0 Draw1 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts1
Ecuador Played1 Win0 Draw1 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts1

Group C
Chile Played2 Win1 Draw1 Lose0 GS3 GA2 GD+1 Pts4
Uruguay Played2 Win0 Draw2 Lose0 GS2 GA2 GD0 Pts2
Peru Played1 Win0 Draw1 Lose0 GS1 GA1 GD0 Pts1
Mexico Played1 Win0 Draw0 Lose1 GS1 GA2 GD-1 Pts0

Quarter Finals
16 July - Group A Winner vs Best 3rd Place 1 (Q1) / Group A Runner Up vs Group C Runner Up (Q2)
17 July - Group B Winner vs Best 3rd Plac 2 (Q3) / Group C Winner vs Group B Runner Up (Q4)

Semi Finals
19 July - Q1 Winner vs Q2 Winner
20 July - Q3 Winner vs Q4 Winner

3rd Place Place Off
23 July -

Final
24 July -


Goal Scorers
1 goal -
Argentina(Sergio Agüero)
Bolivia(Edivaldo Rojas Hermoza)
Chile(Alexis Sánchez,Esteban Paredes & Arturo Vidal)
Colombia(Adrián Ramos)
Costa Rica(Josué Martínez & Josué Martínez)
Mexico(Néstor Araujo)
Peru(José Guerrero)
Uruguay(Luis Suárez & Álvaro Pereira)


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Copa_Am%C3%A9rica

[joew2005]

2011 Copa América

Group Phase
Group A : Argentina 1-1 Bolivia / Colombia 1-0 Costa Rica
Group B : Brazil 0-0 Venezuela / Paraguay 0-0 Ecuador
Group C : Uruguay 1-1 Peru / Chile 2-1 Mexico
Group A : Argentina 0-0 Colombia / Bolivia 0-2 Costa Rica
Group C : Peru 1-0 Mexico / Uruguay 1-1 Chile
9 july Group B : Brazil vs Paraguay / Venezuela vs Ecuador
10 July Group A : Colombia vs Bolivia
11 July Group A : Argentina vs Costa Rica
12 July Group C : Chile vs Peru / Uruguay vs Mexico
13 July Group B : Paraguay vs Venezuela / Brazil vs Ecuador

Group A
Colombia Played2 Win1 Draw1 Lose0 GS1 GA0 GD+1 Pts4
Costa Rica Played2 Win1 Draw0 Lose1 GS2 GA1 GD+1 Pts3
Argentina Played2 Win0 Draw2 Lose0 GS1 GA1 GD0 Pts2
Bolivia Played2 Win0 Draw1 Lose1 GS1 GA3 GD-2 Pts1

Group B
Brazil Played1 Win0 Draw1 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts1
Venezuela Played1 Win0 Draw1 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts1
Paraguay Played1 Win0 Draw1 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts1
Ecuador Played1 Win0 Draw1 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts1

Group C
Chile Played2 Win1 Draw1 Lose0 GS3 GA2 GD+1 Pts4
Peru Played2 Win1 Draw1 Lose0 GS2 GA1 GD+1 Pts4
Uruguay Played2 Win0 Draw2 Lose0 GS2 GA2 GD0 Pts2
Mexico Played2 Win0 Draw0 Lose2 GS1 GA3 GD-2 Pts0

Quarter Finals
16 July - Group A Winner vs Best 3rd Place 1 (Q1) / Group A Runner Up vs Group C Runner Up (Q2)
17 July - Group B Winner vs Best 3rd Plac 2 (Q3) / Group C Winner vs Group B Runner Up (Q4)

Semi Finals
19 July - Q1 Winner vs Q2 Winner
20 July - Q3 Winner vs Q4 Winner

3rd Place Place Off
23 July -

Final
24 July -


Goal Scorers
1 goal -
Argentina(Sergio Agüero)
Bolivia(Edivaldo Rojas Hermoza)
Chile(Alexis Sánchez,Esteban Paredes & Arturo Vidal)
Colombia(Adrián Ramos)
Costa Rica(Josué Martínez & Josué Martínez)
Mexico(Néstor Araujo)
Uruguay(Luis Suárez & Álvaro Pereira)

2 goals -
Peru(José Guerrero)


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Copa_Am%C3%A9rica

[vader8847]

Another Flop from World Cup No 4: Uruguay 1-1 Chile..:(

Can't even beat Chile..:mad:

The star players from Big Guns in Copa America teams seemed in "Holiday mood".

Maybe the players are too tired...especially those players in the Europe Leagues.

Now..It's Brazil Turn. Can they do wonder to win against Paraguay..

Or Another "Draw" again.

Good Offer from Spool.

Draw Odds: S$ 3.45

[joew2005]

2011 Copa América

Group A
Colombia Played2 Win1 Draw1 Lose0 GS1 GA0 GD+1 Pts4
Costa Rica Played2 Win1 Draw0 Lose1 GS2 GA1 GD+1 Pts3
Argentina Played2 Win0 Draw2 Lose0 GS1 GA1 GD0 Pts2
Bolivia Played2 Win0 Draw1 Lose1 GS1 GA3 GD-2 Pts1

10 July:Colombia vs Bolivia / 11 July:Argentina vs Costa Rica

Colombia will advance 2 the QF if they defeat or draw with Bolivia or if they lose by only 1 goal.
Costa Rica will advance 2 the QF if they do not lose 2 Argentina.
Argentina will advance 2 the QF if they defeat Costa Rica.
Bolivia will advance 2 the QF if they defeat Colombia by 2+ goals.
Bolivia will be eliminated if they lose 2 Colombia.


Group B
Brazil Played1 Win0 Draw1 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts1
Venezuela Played1 Win0 Draw1 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts1
Paraguay Played1 Win0 Draw1 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts1
Ecuador Played1 Win0 Draw1 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts1

9 July Group B:Brazil vs Paraguay / Venezuela vs Ecuador
13 July Group B:Paraguay vs Venezuela / Brazil vs Ecuador


Group C
Chile Played2 Win1 Draw1 Lose0 GS3 GA2 GD+1 Pts4
Peru Played2 Win1 Draw1 Lose0 GS2 GA1 GD+1 Pts4
Uruguay Played2 Win0 Draw2 Lose0 GS2 GA2 GD0 Pts2
Mexico Played2 Win0 Draw0 Lose2 GS1 GA3 GD-2 Pts0

12 July:Chile vs Peru / Uruguay vs Mexico
Chile will advance 2 the QF if they do not lose 2 Peru, if they lose 2 Peru & Uruguay do not beat Mexico, or if Colombia ties or beats Bolivia.
Peru will advance 2 the QF if they do not lose 2 Chile, if they lose 2 Chile & Uruguay do not beat Mexico, or if Colombia ties or beats Bolivia.
Uruguay will advance 2 the QF if they defeat Mexico.
Uruguay will be eliminated if they lose 2 Mexico.
Mexico will be eliminated unless they defeat Uruguay.

[joew2005]

2011 Copa América

Group Phase
Group A : Argentina 1-1 Bolivia / Colombia 1-0 Costa Rica
Group B : Brazil 0-0 Venezuela / Paraguay 0-0 Ecuador
Group C : Uruguay 1-1 Peru / Chile 2-1 Mexico
Group A : Argentina 0-0 Colombia / Bolivia 0-2 Costa Rica
Group C : Peru 1-0 Mexico / Uruguay 1-1 Chile
Group B : Brazil 2-2 Paraguay / Venezuela vs Ecuador
10 July Group A : Colombia vs Bolivia
11 July Group A : Argentina vs Costa Rica
12 July Group C : Chile vs Peru / Uruguay vs Mexico
13 July Group B : Paraguay vs Venezuela / Brazil vs Ecuador

Group A
Colombia Played2 Win1 Draw1 Lose0 GS1 GA0 GD+1 Pts4
Costa Rica Played2 Win1 Draw0 Lose1 GS2 GA1 GD+1 Pts3
Argentina Played2 Win0 Draw2 Lose0 GS1 GA1 GD0 Pts2
Bolivia Played2 Win0 Draw1 Lose1 GS1 GA3 GD-2 Pts1

Group B
Brazil Played2 Win0 Draw2 Lose0 GS2 GA2 GD0 Pts2
Paraguay Played2 Win0 Draw2 Lose0 GS2 GA2 GD0 Pts2
Venezuela Played1 Win0 Draw1 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts1
Ecuador Played1 Win0 Draw1 Lose0 GS0 GA0 GD0 Pts1

Group C
Chile Played2 Win1 Draw1 Lose0 GS3 GA2 GD+1 Pts4
Peru Played2 Win1 Draw1 Lose0 GS2 GA1 GD+1 Pts4
Uruguay Played2 Win0 Draw2 Lose0 GS2 GA2 GD0 Pts2
Mexico Played2 Win0 Draw0 Lose2 GS1 GA3 GD-2 Pts0

Quarter Finals
16 July - Group A Winner vs Best 3rd Place 1 (Q1) / Group A Runner Up vs Group C Runner Up (Q2)
17 July - Group B Winner vs Best 3rd Plac 2 (Q3) / Group C Winner vs Group B Runner Up (Q4)

Semi Finals
19 July - Q1 Winner vs Q2 Winner
20 July - Q3 Winner vs Q4 Winner

3rd Place Place Off
23 July -

Final
24 July -


Goal Scorers
1 goal -
Argentina(Sergio Agüero)
Bolivia(Edivaldo Rojas Hermoza)
Brazil(Jádson da Silva & Frederico Chaves Guedes)
Chile(Alexis Sánchez,Esteban Paredes & Arturo Vidal)
Colombia(Adrián Ramos)
Costa Rica(Josué Martínez & Josué Martínez)
Mexico(Néstor Araujo)
Paraguay(Roque Santa Cruz & Nelson Haedo Valdez)
Uruguay(Luis Suárez & Álvaro Pereira)

2 goals -
Peru(José Guerrero)


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Copa_Am%C3%A9rica

[joew2005]

2011 Copa América

Group Phase
Group A : Argentina 1-1 Bolivia / Colombia 1-0 Costa Rica
Group B : Brazil 0-0 Venezuela / Paraguay 0-0 Ecuador
Group C : Uruguay 1-1 Peru / Chile 2-1 Mexico
Group A : Argentina 0-0 Colombia / Bolivia 0-2 Costa Rica
Group C : Peru 1-0 Mexico / Uruguay 1-1 Chile
Group B : Brazil 2-2 Paraguay / Venezuela 1-0 Ecuador
10 July Group A : Colombia vs Bolivia
11 July Group A : Argentina vs Costa Rica
12 July Group C : Chile vs Peru / Uruguay vs Mexico
13 July Group B : Paraguay vs Venezuela / Brazil vs Ecuador

Group A
Colombia Played2 Win1 Draw1 Lose0 GS1 GA0 GD+1 Pts4
Costa Rica Played2 Win1 Draw0 Lose1 GS2 GA1 GD+1 Pts3
Argentina Played2 Win0 Draw2 Lose0 GS1 GA1 GD0 Pts2
Bolivia Played2 Win0 Draw1 Lose1 GS1 GA3 GD-2 Pts1

Group B
Venezuela Played2 Win1 Draw1 Lose0 GS1 GA0 GD+1 Pts4
Brazil Played2 Win0 Draw2 Lose0 GS2 GA2 GD0 Pts2
Paraguay Played2 Win0 Draw2 Lose0 GS2 GA2 GD0 Pts2
Ecuador Played2 Win0 Draw1 Lose1 GS0 GA1 GD-1 Pts1

Group C
Chile Played2 Win1 Draw1 Lose0 GS3 GA2 GD+1 Pts4
Peru Played2 Win1 Draw1 Lose0 GS2 GA1 GD+1 Pts4
Uruguay Played2 Win0 Draw2 Lose0 GS2 GA2 GD0 Pts2
Mexico Played2 Win0 Draw0 Lose2 GS1 GA3 GD-2 Pts0

Quarter Finals
16 July - Group A Winner vs Best 3rd Place 1 (Q1) / Group A Runner Up vs Group C Runner Up (Q2)
17 July - Group B Winner vs Best 3rd Plac 2 (Q3) / Group C Winner vs Group B Runner Up (Q4)

Semi Finals
19 July - Q1 Winner vs Q2 Winner
20 July - Q3 Winner vs Q4 Winner

3rd Place Place Off
23 July -

Final
24 July -


Goal Scorers
1 goal -
Argentina(Sergio Agüero)
Bolivia(Edivaldo Rojas Hermoza)
Brazil(Jádson da Silva & Frederico Chaves Guedes)
Chile(Alexis Sánchez,Esteban Paredes & Arturo Vidal)
Colombia(Adrián Ramos)
Costa Rica(Josué Martínez & Josué Martínez)
Mexico(Néstor Araujo)
Paraguay(Roque Santa Cruz & Nelson Haedo Valdez)
Uruguay(Luis Suárez & Álvaro Pereira)
Venezuela(César Eduardo González)

2 goals -
Peru(José Guerrero)


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Copa_Am%C3%A9rica

[joew2005]

2011 Copa América

Group A
Colombia Played2 Win1 Draw1 Lose0 GS1 GA0 GD+1 Pts4
Costa Rica Played2 Win1 Draw0 Lose1 GS2 GA1 GD+1 Pts3
Argentina Played2 Win0 Draw2 Lose0 GS1 GA1 GD0 Pts2
Bolivia Played2 Win0 Draw1 Lose1 GS1 GA3 GD-2 Pts1

When Colombia take on Bolivia 2nite(3am sg time),they jz need a draw 2 confirm their place in the QF(@ least a best 3rd placed).
Bolivia die-die hv 2 win against Colombia,& hope that the result of the other remaining group match go their way. A win for Bolivia could also cement their place in the QF as 1 of the best 3rd placed.

The other remaining Group A betwe Argentina & Costa Rica shall be played on Tues morning (0845am sg time).
Argentina die-die hv 2 get a win 2 grab that QF berth.
A draw could be good enough 4 Costa Rica 2 go thru 2 the QF.

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story/_/id/933430/unexpected-twists-at-the-copa-america?cc=4716

Unexpected twists
July 10, 2011

It wasn't supposed 2 be tis way. Every1's now played 2 matches in the 2011 Copa América, & still none of the 3 pre-tournament favs, Brazil, Argentina & Uruguay, has managed 2 win.

All r third in their groups, with 2 draws. Brazil only even hv tat record thanks 2 a late equaliser in their Saturday match against Paraguay in Córdoba. And top of Brazil's group r the side who as recently as the last Copa América - albeit less & less during the last WC qualifying campaign tat followed - were described as the continent's eternal whipping boys.

The old order is being riotously overturned so far in tis Copa América, & whilst the goals hv sometimes been lacking, they seem 2 be starting 2 arrive now: the only team yet 2 score r Ecuador, & Brazil's 2-2 draw with Paraguay was perhaps the most thrilling match of the competition so far. The intrigue as we approach the last set of group fixtures is as strong as ever.

1 thing tat was easy 2 predict b4 the tournament, & which has come 2 pass, @ least, is tat the Group C match in Mendoza betw Uruguay & Chile was 1 of the most closely-fought affairs so far in the tournament, with Uruguay looking hugely improved fr a very patchy opening showing against Peru, while Chile continued 2 impress going 4ward. A 1-1 draw leaves Chile on the brink of qualification on 4 points - the same total Peru hv following their own decent 1-0 win over Mexico.

Saturday's Group B games improbably ended with Venezuela topping the group with 4 points, ahead of Paraguay & Brazil both on 2, & Ecuador on 1. Venezuela's game against Ecuador wasn't as much of an end-2-end thriller as Brazil's with Paraguay had been slightly earlier but it was settled with a goal worthy of winning any game, smashed in from 30 yards by César González, who plays his football here in Argentina 4 recently-relegated Gimnasia. He hit it so hard Ecuadorian goalkeeper Marcelo Elizaga didn't even hv time 2 dive 4 it.

Venezuela ended the day overjoyed, then, but the defending champions were in a mixed mood aft their late equaliser. Brazil manager Mano Menezes told the press conference tat "it would hv been very cruel if we'd left the pitch with a defeat", which was an interesting interpretation of a match in which Paraguay, although they had less of the ball & slightly fewer shots, looked almost visibly annoyed @ not having got the win. Paraguay hadn't come fr behind 2 beat Brazil since 1949, & tat stretch was extended by Fred's 89th-minute goal.

If the Brazilian press might start losing patience with Menezes b4 long, then 1 man who's certainly not going 2 be popular in his homeland on Sunday morning in Daniel Alves. The Barcelona full back was directly @ fault 4 Paraguay's 2nd goal, & admitted as much. "I've asked my team-mates' forgiveness," he said.

He's not the only Barcelona player enduring a frustrating tournament so far, of course. Argentina's 0-0 draw with Colombia on Thursday was almost painful 2 watch 4 fans of the hosts, & Lionel Messi 1s again looked lost without team-mates who understood how 2 play with him properly (1s again, he's the 1 who's had most of the blame 4 tat here). Whilst Brazil will be looking 2 make changes in training in the coming days, Argentina hv already started.

Manager Sergio Batista seems 2 hv taken on board - albeit a little late - the clamour 2 provide more of a link betw his midfield & attack, & will dump his 4-3-3, which may as well hv been a 4-3-1, for all the interest Carlos Tevez & Ezequiel Lavezzi were showing in their roles. Esteban Cambiasso will drop 2 the bench & some tweaks will be made which r expected 2 see Argentina line up on Monday against Costa Rica in their must-win last group game in a 4-2-1-3.

Messi will be the '1' in tat formation, behind a front 3 of Tevez, Ángel Di María & - @ last - a player who resembles a target man, Gonzalo Higuaín. Javier Mascherano & Ever Banega will retain their places in the midfield. It's not quite wat most would like 2 see, & I suspect plenty of others would drop Di María, push Messi further up & hv Javier Pastore in tat playmaker's role. All the same, it's a formation tat should give the attack more focus, esp if Higuaín is told 2 stick somewhere near his starting, centre 4ward, position.

Whatever happens, it doesn't look like the surprises r over in tis Copa. The entire draw, 4 starters, is worked out on the assumption - never an unreasonable 1 until tis year - tat Brazil & Argentina will top their groups. In such an event, they're invariably kept apart until the final. But tis time round, although both sides still can, it's looking unlikely tat both will. If Colombia beat Bolivia on Sunday, in fact, it will be impossible 4 Argentina 2 finish top of Group A. Even a draw 4 Colombia would leave Argentina needing a minimum 2-goal win 2 top the group.

The fact tat there's only 1 match on Sunday is another way in which the competition is nudged in favour of the hosts: Argentina will of course know wat they need 2 do 2 finish in which position by the time they finish their group campaign against Costa Rica on Monday. Likewise, Brazil's match with Ecuador will be just aft Paraguay & Venezuela finish up.

No-1's yet qualified, then, & no-1's been eliminated yet thanks 2 the fact that 2 of the 3 3rd-placed sides will progress. Venezuela, Colombia, Chile & Peru r all already on 4 points, & all will be hopeful of making the last 8. But 4 every1 involved, although the quarter-finals r 6 days away, the knockout stages effectively begin now.

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/933458/diego-maradona-defends-lionel-messi-over-copa-america-showings?cc=4716

Maradona defends Messi
July 10, 2011

Argentina legend Diego Maradona has defended under-fire 4ward Lionel Messi aft criticism of his below-par performances @ the Copa America.

Messi has struggled 2 match his Barcelona form @ international level in disappointing draws against Bolivia & Colombia, but Maradona says the whole Argentina team has been poor.

"I 1 2 defend Messi," he told Ole. "The national team didn't attack @ all [in the 0-0 draw with Colombia] & u blame him. We r being very unfair 2 Messi when I hear all those idiots slamming him."

Maradona revealed he had spoken 2 the 24-year-old & also compared the situation 2 his own problems prior 2 the 1986 WC.

"I spoke 2 him during the week & I told him 2 remain calm," he said. "B4 the 1986 WC, I was a disaster & I was criticised by 80% of the journalists [in Argentina]. Later, there wasn't 1 who didn't ask me 4 a story, so I can understand wat's going on."

Maradona also took the opportunity 2 send a message of support 2 Argentina's players, but not 2 the team's coaching staff or officials.

"I wish the best in the world 2 all of the boys who were with me @ the WC & all of the other players," he said, "but not 2 the others."

[joew2005]

2011 Copa América

Group Phase
Group A : Argentina 1-1 Bolivia / Colombia 1-0 Costa Rica
Group B : Brazil 0-0 Venezuela / Paraguay 0-0 Ecuador
Group C : Uruguay 1-1 Peru / Chile 2-1 Mexico
Group A : Argentina 0-0 Colombia / Bolivia 0-2 Costa Rica
Group C : Peru 1-0 Mexico / Uruguay 1-1 Chile
Group B : Brazil 2-2 Paraguay / Venezuela 1-0 Ecuador
Group A : Colombia 2-0 Bolivia
11 July Group A : Argentina vs Costa Rica
12 July Group C : Chile vs Peru / Uruguay vs Mexico
13 July Group B : Paraguay vs Venezuela / Brazil vs Ecuador

Group A
1)Colombia Played3 Win2 Draw1 Lose0 GS3 GA0 GD+3 Pts7
Costa Rica Played2 Win1 Draw0 Lose1 GS2 GA1 GD+1 Pts3
Argentina Played2 Win0 Draw2 Lose0 GS1 GA1 GD0 Pts2
4)Bolivia Played3 Win0 Draw1 Lose2 GS1 GA5 GD-4 Pts1

Group B
Venezuela Played2 Win1 Draw1 Lose0 GS1 GA0 GD+1 Pts4
Brazil Played2 Win0 Draw2 Lose0 GS2 GA2 GD0 Pts2
Paraguay Played2 Win0 Draw2 Lose0 GS2 GA2 GD0 Pts2
Ecuador Played2 Win0 Draw1 Lose1 GS0 GA1 GD-1 Pts1

Group C
Chile Played2 Win1 Draw1 Lose0 GS3 GA2 GD+1 Pts4
Peru Played2 Win1 Draw1 Lose0 GS2 GA1 GD+1 Pts4
Uruguay Played2 Win0 Draw2 Lose0 GS2 GA2 GD0 Pts2
Mexico Played2 Win0 Draw0 Lose2 GS1 GA3 GD-2 Pts0

Quarter Finals
16 July - Colombia vs Best 3rd Place 1 (Q1) / Group A Runner Up vs Group C Runner Up (Q2)
17 July - Group B Winner vs Best 3rd Plac 2 (Q3) / Group C Winner vs Group B Runner Up (Q4)

Semi Finals
19 July - Q1 Winner vs Q2 Winner
20 July - Q3 Winner vs Q4 Winner

3rd Place Place Off
23 July -

Final
24 July -


Goal Scorers
1 goal -
Argentina(Sergio Agüero)
Bolivia(Edivaldo Rojas Hermoza)
Brazil(Jádson da Silva & Frederico Chaves Guedes)
Chile(Alexis Sánchez,Esteban Paredes & Arturo Vidal)
Colombia(Adrián Ramos)
Costa Rica(Josué Martínez & Josué Martínez)
Mexico(Néstor Araujo)
Paraguay(Roque Santa Cruz & Nelson Haedo Valdez)
Uruguay(Luis Suárez & Álvaro Pereira)
Venezuela(César Eduardo González)

2 goals -
Colombia(Radamel Falcao)
Peru(José Guerrero)


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Copa_Am%C3%A9rica

[yevvon]

brazil will win

[joew2005]

2011 Copa América

Group Phase
Group A : Argentina 1-1 Bolivia / Colombia 1-0 Costa Rica
Group B : Brazil 0-0 Venezuela / Paraguay 0-0 Ecuador
Group C : Uruguay 1-1 Peru / Chile 2-1 Mexico
Group A : Argentina 0-0 Colombia / Bolivia 0-2 Costa Rica
Group C : Peru 1-0 Mexico / Uruguay 1-1 Chile
Group B : Brazil 2-2 Paraguay / Venezuela 1-0 Ecuador
Group A : Colombia 2-0 Bolivia / Argentina 3-0 Costa Rica
12 July Group C : Chile vs Peru / Uruguay vs Mexico
13 July Group B : Paraguay vs Venezuela / Brazil vs Ecuador

Group A
1) Colombia Played3 Win2 Draw1 Lose0 GS3 GA0 GD+3 Pts7
2) Argentina Played3 Win1 Draw2 Lose0 GS4 GA1 GD+3 Pts5
3) Costa Rica Played3 Win1 Draw0 Lose2 GS2 GA4 GD-2 Pts3
4) Bolivia Played3 Win0 Draw1 Lose2 GS1 GA5 GD-4 Pts1

Group B
Venezuela Played2 Win1 Draw1 Lose0 GS1 GA0 GD+1 Pts4
Brazil Played2 Win0 Draw2 Lose0 GS2 GA2 GD0 Pts2
Paraguay Played2 Win0 Draw2 Lose0 GS2 GA2 GD0 Pts2
Ecuador Played2 Win0 Draw1 Lose1 GS0 GA1 GD-1 Pts1

Group C
Chile Played2 Win1 Draw1 Lose0 GS3 GA2 GD+1 Pts4
Peru Played2 Win1 Draw1 Lose0 GS2 GA1 GD+1 Pts4
Uruguay Played2 Win0 Draw2 Lose0 GS2 GA2 GD0 Pts2
Mexico Played2 Win0 Draw0 Lose2 GS1 GA3 GD-2 Pts0

Quarter Finals
16 July - Colombia vs Best 3rd Place 1 (Q1) / Argentina vs Group C Runner Up (Q2)
17 July - Group B Winner vs Best 3rd Plac 2 (Q3) / Group C Winner vs Group B Runner Up (Q4)

Semi Finals
19 July - Q1 Winner vs Q2 Winner
20 July - Q3 Winner vs Q4 Winner

3rd Place Place Off
23 July -

Final
24 July -


Goal Scorers
1 goal -
Argentina(Ángel di María)
Bolivia(Edivaldo Rojas Hermoza)
Brazil(Jádson da Silva & Frederico Chaves Guedes)
Chile(Alexis Sánchez,Esteban Paredes & Arturo Vidal)
Colombia(Adrián Ramos)
Costa Rica(Josué Martínez & Josué Martínez)
Mexico(Néstor Araujo)
Paraguay(Roque Santa Cruz & Nelson Haedo Valdez)
Uruguay(Luis Suárez & Álvaro Pereira)
Venezuela(César Eduardo González)

2 goals -
Colombia(Radamel Falcao)
Peru(José Guerrero)

3 goals -
Argentina(Sergio Agüero)


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Copa_Am%C3%A9rica

[joew2005]

2011 Copa América

Group Phase
Group A : Argentina 1-1 Bolivia / Colombia 1-0 Costa Rica
Group B : Brazil 0-0 Venezuela / Paraguay 0-0 Ecuador
Group C : Uruguay 1-1 Peru / Chile 2-1 Mexico
Group A : Argentina 0-0 Colombia / Bolivia 0-2 Costa Rica
Group C : Peru 1-0 Mexico / Uruguay 1-1 Chile
Group B : Brazil 2-2 Paraguay / Venezuela 1-0 Ecuador
Group A : Colombia 2-0 Bolivia / Argentina 3-0 Costa Rica
Group C : Chile 1-0 Peru / Uruguay 1-0 Mexico
13 July Group B : Paraguay vs Venezuela / Brazil vs Ecuador

Group A
1) Colombia Played3 Win2 Draw1 Lose0 GS3 GA0 GD+3 Pts7
2) Argentina Played3 Win1 Draw2 Lose0 GS4 GA1 GD+3 Pts5
3) Costa Rica Played3 Win1 Draw0 Lose2 GS2 GA4 GD-2 Pts3
4) Bolivia Played3 Win0 Draw1 Lose2 GS1 GA5 GD-4 Pts1

Group B
Venezuela Played2 Win1 Draw1 Lose0 GS1 GA0 GD+1 Pts4
Brazil Played2 Win0 Draw2 Lose0 GS2 GA2 GD0 Pts2
Paraguay Played2 Win0 Draw2 Lose0 GS2 GA2 GD0 Pts2
Ecuador Played2 Win0 Draw1 Lose1 GS0 GA1 GD-1 Pts1

Group C
Chile Played3 Win2 Draw1 Lose0 GS4 GA2 GD+2 Pts7
Uruguay Played3 Win1 Draw2 Lose0 GS3 GA2 GD+1 Pts5
Peru Played3 Win1 Draw1 Lose1 GS2 GA2 GD0 Pts4
Mexico Played3 Win0 Draw0 Lose3 GS1 GA4 GD-3 Pts0

Quarter Finals
16 July - Colombia vs Best 3rd Place 1 (Q1) / Argentina vs Uruguay (Q2)
17 July - Group B Winner vs Best 3rd Plac 2 (Q3) / Chile vs Group B Runner Up (Q4)

Semi Finals
19 July - Q1 Winner vs Q2 Winner
20 July - Q3 Winner vs Q4 Winner

3rd Place Place Off
23 July -

Final
24 July -


Goal Scorers
1 goal -
Argentina(Ángel di María)
Bolivia(Edivaldo Rojas Hermoza)
Brazil(Jádson da Silva & Frederico Chaves Guedes)
Chile(Alexis Sánchez,Esteban Paredes & Arturo Vidal)
Colombia(Adrián Ramos)
Costa Rica(Josué Martínez & Josué Martínez)
Mexico(Néstor Araujo)
Paraguay(Roque Santa Cruz & Nelson Haedo Valdez)
Uruguay(Luis Suárez)
Venezuela(César Eduardo González)

2 goals -
Colombia(Radamel Falcao)
Peru(José Guerrero)
Uruguay(Álvaro Pereira)

3 goals -
Argentina(Sergio Agüero)


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Copa_Am%C3%A9rica

[joew2005]

2011 Copa América

Group Phase
Group A : Argentina 1-1 Bolivia / Colombia 1-0 Costa Rica
Group B : Brazil 0-0 Venezuela / Paraguay 0-0 Ecuador
Group C : Uruguay 1-1 Peru / Chile 2-1 Mexico
Group A : Argentina 0-0 Colombia / Bolivia 0-2 Costa Rica
Group C : Peru 1-0 Mexico / Uruguay 1-1 Chile
Group B : Brazil 2-2 Paraguay / Venezuela 1-0 Ecuador
Group A : Colombia 2-0 Bolivia / Argentina 3-0 Costa Rica
Group C : Chile 1-0 Peru / Uruguay 1-0 Mexico
Group B : Paraguay 3-3 Venezuela / Brazil 4-2 Ecuador

Group A
1) Colombia Played3 Win2 Draw1 Lose0 GS3 GA0 GD+3 Pts7
2) Argentina Played3 Win1 Draw2 Lose0 GS4 GA1 GD+3 Pts5
3) Costa Rica Played3 Win1 Draw0 Lose2 GS2 GA4 GD-2 Pts3
4) Bolivia Played3 Win0 Draw1 Lose2 GS1 GA5 GD-4 Pts1

Group B
Brazil Played3 Win1 Draw2 Lose0 GS6 GA4 GD+2 Pts5
Venezuela Played3 Win1 Draw2 Lose0 GS4 GA3 GD+1 Pts5
Paraguay Played3 Win0 Draw3 Lose0 GS5 GA5 GD0 Pts3
Ecuador Played3 Win0 Draw1 Lose2 GS2 GA5 GD-3 Pts1

Group C
Chile Played3 Win2 Draw1 Lose0 GS4 GA2 GD+2 Pts7
Uruguay Played3 Win1 Draw2 Lose0 GS3 GA2 GD+1 Pts5
Peru Played3 Win1 Draw1 Lose1 GS2 GA2 GD0 Pts4
Mexico Played3 Win0 Draw0 Lose3 GS1 GA4 GD-3 Pts0

Quarter Finals
16 July - Colombia vs Peru (Q1) / Argentina vs Uruguay (Q2)
17 July - Brazil vs Paraguay (Q3) / Chile vs Venezuela (Q4)

Semi Finals
19 July - Colombia/Peru vs Argentina/Uruguay
20 July - Brazil/Paraguay vs Chile/Venezuela

3rd Place Place Off
23 July -

Final
24 July -


Goal Scorers
1 goal -
Argentina(Ángel di María)
Bolivia(Edivaldo Rojas Hermoza)
Brazil(Jádson da Silva & Frederico Chaves Guedes)
Chile(Alexis Sánchez,Esteban Paredes & Arturo Vidal)
Colombia(Adrián Ramos)
Costa Rica(Josué Martínez & Josué Martínez)
Mexico(Néstor Araujo)
Paraguay(Roque Santa Cruz,Nelson Haedo Valdez,Antolín Alcaraz,Lucas Barrios & Cristian Riveros)
Uruguay(Luis Suárez)
Venezuela(César Eduardo González,José Salomón Rondón,Nicolás Fedor & Grenddy Perozo)

2 goals -
Brazil(Alexandre Pato & Neymar)
Colombia(Radamel Falcao)
Ecuador(Felipe Caicedo)
Peru(José Guerrero)
Uruguay(Álvaro Pereira)

3 goals -
Argentina(Sergio Agüero)


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Copa_Am%C3%A9rica


Final Position
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7) Costa Rica Played3 Won1 Draw0 Lose2 GS2 GA4 GD−2 Pts=3
8) Ecuador Played3 Won0 Draw1 Lose2 GS2 GA5 GD−3 Pts=1
9) Bolivia Played3 Won0 Draw1 Lose2 GS1 GA5 GD−4 Pts=1
10) Mexico Played3 Won0 Draw0 Lose3 GS1 GA4 −3 Pts=0

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story/_/id/934438/sam-kelly:-the-copa-america-comes-alive-at-last?cc=4716

The Copa comes alive at last
July 14, 2011

They've taken a while 2 arrive, but @ long last the goals started coming in the Copa América as the group stages drew 2 a close. Argentina, on Monday, became the 1st side 2 score more than twice in a match as they finally changed system & started 2 look like a team. On Wednesday night in Group B, there were 6 goals in each of the matches, with holders Brazil winning @ the 3rd time of asking & just pipping traditional whipping boys Venezuela 2 the top spot in the group.

Even Group C, whose 2 games were 1s again played out binary - a 1-0 win each 4 Chile & Uruguay, over Peru & Mexico respectively - saw some drama, with Uruguay missing a hatful of great chances & Peru's Uruguayan manager Sergio Markarián exploding in the press conference aft the match (not literally).

The tirade fr Markarián - who's been manager @ 16 clubs, some more than 1s, as well the national teams of both Paraguay & Peru in his 35-year managerial career - came aft his side's loss 2 Chile. He had numerous positives - his side qualified in spite of the defeat - & started politely. "Chile r the best team so far in tis Copa" was 1 of his pronouncements. Then he got stuck in. Upset @ wat he saw as an unjustified red card 4 Giancarlo Carmona, who'd been sent off along with Chile's Jean Beausejour, he claimed: "Things hv 2 start getting fairer [4 the teams fr less powerful nations] in the refereeing."

He then decided 2 press home tat he knew abt unfair reffing, & practically yelled in2 the microphone: "I won a title [in Peru with Universitario] when every1 was against us. And mark my words, hey - when I say every1 was against us, I do mean every1 was against us." He then calmed himself & moved on 2 the next questions, adding: "Sorry. I talk 2 much sometimes." It was quite a remarkable sight.

4 the hosts, a 3-0 win inspired by a brilliant 2nd-half performance including 2 assists fr Lionel Messi was just wat the doctor ordered, even if it was 'only' against Costa Rica's Under-23 side. Gonzalo Higuaín had a dreadful evening in front of goal but, crucially, he gave the centre-backs something 2 concentrate on, thus pulling space open 4 Messi 2 operate in. Sergio Agüero's 2nd goal, & Ángel Di María's effort tat finished the scoring off, were both fr Messi's passes. The mood has lifted & there's a real feeling of expectation looking 2 the knockout stage now. It's a feeling tat's heightened by Tuesday's results, which mean Argentina will play their great rivals Uruguay in Santa Fe.

Uruguay's 1-0 win over Mexico was the 2nd match in the tournament I've been 2 in the Estadio Único de La Plata, & I feel it would be remiss of me not 2 mention again the absolutely dreadful state of the pitch. It was evident on the TV, fr wat I've seen on replays, but up close it's even more obvious. Luis Suárez brought up a divot the size of a human head on turning with the ball near the corner flag, & when he took a shot a little later on a clod of earth came up along with the ball. Those were only 2 examples of hw the pitch affected the game, & it looked even worse than it had 4 Brazil's 0-0 draw with Venezuela the previous week.

Uruguay themselves got a deserved win, though, albeit against a poor Mexico side, & given the all-round strength & well-balanced nature of their side, they'll be optimistic of overturning the hosts on Saturday. They've been slow thru the group stage but so, frankly, has pretty much every1 bar Chile, who finished just ahead of them in winning Group C.

Probably the shock of the 1st stage, though - apart fr the pitch in La Plata - r Venezuela. We all knew they'd come on leaps & bounds since the last Copa, but even though I said in my preview piece tat tis looked like being the most closely-contested Copa in ages, I don't think any1 would hv predicted tat Venezuela would finish level on points with Brazil in Group B, & only 1 goal behind on goal difference. I commented b4 on Tomás Rincón's performance @ the base of Venezuela's midfield, but since tat opening draw against Brazil, some of the Hamburg man's team-mates hv also really stepped it up, not least Miku & Salomón Rondón up front, & Argentine-based César González - recently relegated with Gimnasia La Plata - who scored a sensational long-range goal 2 win the game against Ecuador 1-0.

Venezuela played their part in the most dramatic game of the tournament so far on Wednesday, 1st taking the lead b4 falling behind 3-1 to Paraguay. They were still 2 goals down going in2 stoppage time, but rallied astonishingly 2 eventually cling 2 a 3-3 draw, with a last-minute equaliser fr Grenddy Perozo which was set up with a header fr Renny Vega - the team's goalkeeper, who'd come 4ward 4 the corner.

Venezuela will be distinct 2nd favs against arguably the team of the tournament so far, Chile, who having won their group remain near the Chilean border in San Juan 4 the quarter-finals, & thus will hv a virtual home game on Sunday. Tat's the only quarter-final featuring sides who r still yet 2 win the Copa: all the other 6 teams hv won it, a stat belying the fact tat it has genuinely been an incredibly even contest so far.

Next up, Colombia face Peru, Brazil take on Paraguay, & of course there's the big 1, the 'Battle of the River Plate' - Argentina vs Uruguay. The Copa América has sparked in2 life. Soon, it could be raging like Markarián in a press conference.

[joew2005]

2011 Copa América

Quarter Finals
16 July : Colombia 0-2 Peru (Q1) / Argentina vs Uruguay (Q2)
17 July : Brazil vs Paraguay (Q3) / Chile vs Venezuela (Q4)

Semi Finals
19 July - Peru vs Argentina/Uruguay
20 July - Brazil/Paraguay vs Chile/Venezuela

3rd Place Place Off
23 July -

Final
24 July -


Goal Scorers
1 goal -
Argentina(Ángel di María)
Bolivia(Edivaldo Rojas Hermoza)
Brazil(Jádson da Silva & Frederico Chaves Guedes)
Chile(Alexis Sánchez,Esteban Paredes & Arturo Vidal)
Colombia(Adrián Ramos)
Costa Rica(Josué Martínez & Josué Martínez)
Mexico(Néstor Araujo)
Paraguay(Roque Santa Cruz,Nelson Haedo Valdez,Antolín Alcaraz,Lucas Barrios & Cristian Riveros)
Peru(Carlos Lobatón & Juan Manuel Vargas)
Uruguay(Luis Suárez)
Venezuela(César Eduardo González,José Salomón Rondón,Nicolás Fedor & Grenddy Perozo)

2 goals -
Brazil(Alexandre Pato & Neymar)
Colombia(Radamel Falcao)
Ecuador(Felipe Caicedo)
Peru(José Guerrero)
Uruguay(Álvaro Pereira)

3 goals -
Argentina(Sergio Agüero)


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Copa_Am%C3%A9rica


Final Position
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6) Colombia Played4 Won2 Draw1 Lose1 GS3 GA2 +1 Pts=7
7) Costa Rica Played3 Won1 Draw0 Lose2 GS2 GA4 GD−2 Pts=3
8) Ecuador Played3 Won0 Draw1 Lose2 GS2 GA5 GD−3 Pts=1
9) Bolivia Played3 Won0 Draw1 Lose2 GS1 GA5 GD−4 Pts=1
10) Mexico Played3 Won0 Draw0 Lose3 GS1 GA4 −3 Pts=0

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=317557&cc=4716

Extra-time surprise takes Peru through

Carlos Lobaton & Juan Vargas were the heroes as Peru upset the odds 2 defeat Colombia in the Copa America quarter-finals in Cordoba.

Lobaton & Vargas both scored in extra time aft Colombia had failed 2 make their superiority pay in normal time as star striker Falcao missed a penalty & fellow forward Dayro Moreno, who had won the spot kick, saw a rasping drive rebound off the frame of the Peru goal.

Colombia had topped their group 2 reach the quarter-finals while Peru had finished only 3rd in theirs but the latter made the most of their chances in a cagey match which did not get going until the 2nd half.

Colombia's Pablo Almero saw a shot blocked & Vargas fired wide in the best of the early chances.

Vargas then saw his shot saved by Luis Martinez b4 Moreno had 2 shots blocked @ the other end.

Martinez turned a shot fr William Chiroque round the post b4 Moreno shot wide 4 Colombia.

On the hour Moreno won a penalty which saw Alberto Rodriguez booked 4 pulling him back but Falcao put the spot kick wide.

Moreno then saw his rising drive hit the angle of post & bar b4 Martinez kept out an effort fr Adan Balbin.

Fredy Guarin was denied in stoppage time as Raul Fernandez tipped his shot onto the bar.

Peru broke the deadlock 101st minute when Martinez collided with his defender Mario Yepes & failed 2 claim a high free-kick, Lobaton firing the loose ball high in2 the goal fr the edge of the area.

Peru sealed their semi-final spot in the 111th minute when Vargas scored aft Jose Guerrero had claimed a poor clearance fr Martinez.

[joew2005]

2011 Copa América

Quarter Finals
Q1: Colombia 0-2 Peru (aet)
Q2: Argentina 1-1 Uruguay (aet, Uruguay thru on 5-4 penalty kicks)
Q3: Brazil vs Paraguay
Q4: Chile vs Venezuela

Semi Finals
19 July - Peru vs Uruguay
20 July - Brazil/Paraguay vs Chile/Venezuela

3rd Place Place Off
23 July -

Final
24 July -


Goal Scorers
1 goal -
Argentina(Ángel di María & Gonzalo Higuaín)
Bolivia(Edivaldo Rojas Hermoza)
Brazil(Jádson da Silva & Frederico Chaves Guedes)
Chile(Alexis Sánchez,Esteban Paredes & Arturo Vidal)
Colombia(Adrián Ramos)
Costa Rica(Josué Martínez & Josué Martínez)
Mexico(Néstor Araujo)
Paraguay(Roque Santa Cruz,Nelson Haedo Valdez,Antolín Alcaraz,Lucas Barrios & Cristian Riveros)
Peru(Carlos Lobatón & Juan Manuel Vargas)
Uruguay(Luis Suárez & Diego Pérez)
Venezuela(César Eduardo González,José Salomón Rondón,Nicolás Fedor & Grenddy Perozo)

2 goals -
Brazil(Alexandre Pato & Neymar)
Colombia(Radamel Falcao)
Ecuador(Felipe Caicedo)
Peru(José Guerrero)
Uruguay(Álvaro Pereira)

3 goals -
Argentina(Sergio Agüero)


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Copa_Am%C3%A9rica


Final Position
1)
2)
3)
4)
5) Colombia Played4 Won2 Draw1 Lose1 GS3 GA2 GD+1 Pts=7
6) Argentina Played4 Won1 Draw3 Lose0 GS5 GA2 GD+3 Pts=6
7) Costa Rica Played3 Won1 Draw0 Lose2 GS2 GA4 GD−2 Pts=3
8) Ecuador Played3 Won0 Draw1 Lose2 GS2 GA5 GD−3 Pts=1
9) Bolivia Played3 Won0 Draw1 Lose2 GS1 GA5 GD−4 Pts=1
10) Mexico Played3 Won0 Draw0 Lose3 GS1 GA4 −3 Pts=0

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/935092/copa-america:-argentina-dumped-out-uruguay-progress?cc=4716

Argentina dumped out
July 17, 2011

In the biggest upset of the 2011 Copa America thus far, Uruguay hv defeated tournament hosts Argentina on penalties in their quarter-final in Santa Fe.

The match itself ended 1-1 as Argentina dominated large portions of the contest, but Uruguay showed their steel 2 win the shootout 5-4 & eliminate the favs. Carlos Tevez, the figure @ the centre of much transfer debate, had his spot-kick saved by Fernando Muslera while Uruguay converted all of their penalties in clinical fashion.

Uruguay got off 2 the ideal start against their South American rivals when Diego Perez prodded home fr close range inside the 1st 5 mins. Diego Forlan's free-kick was nodded down inside the area by Alvaro Pereira allowing Perez 2 move unmarked @ the far post 2 slide in the opening goal.

However, the Uruguayans' advantage would not last long as Argentina hit back thru striker Gonzalo Higuain. Aft a counter-attack fr Uruguay broke down in the 17th-minute, Argentine playmaker Lionel Messi cut inside fr the right flank & sent an inch-perfect delivery 4 Higuain 2 head home.

The hosts then gained the upper hand on 38 mins when Perez was shown his 2nd yellow card & sent-off fr the pitch. Messi, Angel Di Maria & Sergio Aguero looked 2 make the most of the extra space aft the half-time interval, but 4 all of their endeavour they were unable 2 make their dominance count on the scoreboard.

4 mins fr full-time & both sides were down 2 10-men, aft Javier Mascherano was also shown his 2nd yellow of the match 4 a foul on Luis Suarez.

Sergio Batista brought on Tevez 4 Aguero moments b4 the final whistle, & the substitution nearly paid off as Tevez launched a thunderous free-kick in the final minute of the game. But Muslera was up 2 the task, making a fine save with his foot as the free-kick deflected off the wall & reacting smartly 2 deny Higuain off the rebound.

Neither side could make the breakthru in extra-time, though, despite the persistent efforts of Higuain, Tevez & substitute Javier Pastore, as Uruguay were forced further on2 the back foot as time wore on.

However, WC semi-finalists Uruguay held their nerve better among the 2 sides in the penalty shootout 2 progress 2 the final 4 of the tournament.

In the semi-finals Uruguay will take on Peru, who scored twice in extra-time 2 defeat Colombia 2-0 in Cordoba on Saturday.

Carlos Lobaton & Juan Vargas were the heroes 4 Peru, but only aft Colombia spurned their chances 2 win the game during the 90 mins. Falcao missed a penalty just aft the hour-mark, while fellow striker Dayro Moreno hit the post with a stinging strike.

Indeed, Colombia looked the more likely of the 2 sides throughout the contest, but aft Falcao sent his spot-kick wide on 65 mins following Alberto Rodríguez's foul on Moreno, the momentum shifted 2ward the resilient Peruvians.

Peru broke the deadlock aft 101 minutes when Colombian goalkeeper Luis Martinez collided with his own defender Mario Yepes & failed 2 claim a high free-kick. Lobaton was on hand 2 fire home the loose ball fr the edge of the area.

The upset victory was then sealed 10 minutes later when Vargas scored 2 send Peru in2 the Copa America semi-finals 4 the 1st time since 1983.


Uruguay has won tis tournament 13 times(1916, 1917, 1920, 1923, 1924, 1926, 1935, 1942, 1956, 1967, 1983, 1987 & 1995), & the last time was in 1995(16 yrs ago).

Peru won tis tournament twice in 1939 & 1975.


Brazil won tis tournament 8 times(1919, 1922, 1949, 1989, 1997, 1999, 2004 & 2007), & they were the winner in the last 2.

Paraguay won tis tournament in 1953 & 1979.


Argentina has won tis tournament 14 time(1921, 1925, 1927, 1929, 1937, 1941, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1955, 1957, 1959, 1991 & 1993). The last time they won it was 1993, but they hv 2 try again in the next Copa instead.

Colombia won the tournament in 2001.

Bolivia won tis tournament in 1963.

[joew2005]

2011 Copa América

Quarter Finals
Q1: Colombia 0-2 Peru (aet)
Q2: Argentina 1-1 Uruguay (aet, Uruguay thru on 5-4 penalty kicks)
Q3: Brazil 0-0 Paraguay (aet, Paraguay thru on 2-0 penalty kicks)
Q4: Chile vs Venezuela

Semi Finals
19 July - Peru vs Uruguay
20 July - Paraguay vs Chile/Venezuela

3rd Place Place Off
23 July -

Final
24 July -


Goal Scorers
1 goal -
Argentina(Ángel di María & Gonzalo Higuaín)
Bolivia(Edivaldo Rojas Hermoza)
Brazil(Jádson da Silva & Frederico Chaves Guedes)
Chile(Alexis Sánchez,Esteban Paredes & Arturo Vidal)
Colombia(Adrián Ramos)
Costa Rica(Josué Martínez & Josué Martínez)
Mexico(Néstor Araujo)
Paraguay(Roque Santa Cruz,Nelson Haedo Valdez,Antolín Alcaraz,Lucas Barrios & Cristian Riveros)
Peru(Carlos Lobatón & Juan Manuel Vargas)
Uruguay(Luis Suárez & Diego Pérez)
Venezuela(César Eduardo González,José Salomón Rondón,Nicolás Fedor & Grenddy Perozo)

2 goals -
Brazil(Alexandre Pato & Neymar)
Colombia(Radamel Falcao)
Ecuador(Felipe Caicedo)
Peru(José Guerrero)
Uruguay(Álvaro Pereira)

3 goals -
Argentina(Sergio Agüero)


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Copa_Am%C3%A9rica


Final Position
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6) Colombia Played4 Won2 Draw1 Lose1 GS3 GA2 GD+1 Pts=7
7) Argentina Played4 Won1 Draw3 Lose0 GS5 GA2 GD+3 Pts=6
8) Brazil Played4 Won1 Draw3 Lose0 GS6 GA4 GD+2 Pts=6
9) Costa Rica Played3 Won1 Draw0 Lose2 GS2 GA4 GD−2 Pts=3
10) Ecuador Played3 Won0 Draw1 Lose2 GS2 GA5 GD−3 Pts=1
11) Bolivia Played3 Won0 Draw1 Lose2 GS1 GA5 GD−4 Pts=1
12) Mexico Played3 Won0 Draw0 Lose3 GS1 GA4 −3 Pts=0


Group A winner(Colombia) & runner-up(Argentina) couldn't progress 2 SF.
Group B winner(Brazil) is also out of the SF.
The 2 best 3rd placed team, Paraguay(Group B) & Peru(Group C), make the SF 2gether with Uruguay.

[joew2005]

Copa América 2011


Final Group Phase Standing

Group A
1) Colombia [Conmebol 7 / Fifa 54]
2) Argentina [Conmebol 2 / Fifa 10]
3) Costa Rica [CONCACAF 6 / Fifa 55]
4) Bolivia [Conmebol 10 / Fifa 93]

Group B
1) Brazil [Conmebol 1 / Fifa 5]
2) Venezuela [Conmebol 9 / Fifa 69]
3) Paraguay [Conmebol 5 / Fifa 32]
4) Ecuador [Conmebol 8 / Fifa 68]

Group C
1) Chile [Conmebol 4 / Fifa 27]
2) Uruguay [Conmebol 3 / Fifa 18]
3) Peru [Conmebol 6 / Fifa 49]
4) Mexico [CONCACAF 1 / Fifa 9]


Quarter Finals
Colombia[Conmebol 7 / Fifa 54] 0-2 Peru[Conmebol 6 / Fifa 49]
Argentina[Conmebol 2 / Fifa 10] 1-1 Uruguay[Conmebol 3 / Fifa 18] - (aet, Uruguay thru on 5-4 penalty kicks)
Brazil[Conmebol 1 / Fifa 5] 0-0 Paraguay[Conmebol 5 / Fifa 32] - (aet, Paraguay thru on 2-0 penalty kicks)
Chile[Conmebol 4 / Fifa 27] vs Venezuela[Conmebol 9 / Fifa 69]


Semi Finals
Peru[Conmebol 6 / Fifa 49] vs Uruguay[Conmebol 3 / Fifa 18]
Paraguay[Conmebol 5 / Fifa 32] vs Chile/Venezuela

[joew2005]

2011 Copa América

Quarter Finals
Q1: Colombia 0-2 Peru (aet)
Q2: Argentina 1-1 Uruguay (aet, Uruguay thru on 5-4 penalty kicks)
Q3: Brazil 0-0 Paraguay (aet, Paraguay thru on 2-0 penalty kicks)
Q4: Chile 1-2 Venezuela

Semi Finals
19 July - Peru vs Uruguay
20 July - Paraguay vs Venezuela

3rd Place Place Off
23 July -

Final
24 July -


Goal Scorers
1 goal -
Argentina(Ángel di María & Gonzalo Higuaín)
Bolivia(Edivaldo Rojas Hermoza)
Brazil(Jádson da Silva & Frederico Chaves Guedes)
Chile(Alexis Sánchez,Esteban Paredes,Arturo Vidal & Humberto Suazo)
Colombia(Adrián Ramos)
Costa Rica(Josué Martínez & Josué Martínez)
Mexico(Néstor Araujo)
Paraguay(Roque Santa Cruz,Nelson Haedo Valdez,Antolín Alcaraz,Lucas Barrios & Cristian Riveros)
Peru(Carlos Lobatón & Juan Manuel Vargas)
Uruguay(Luis Suárez & Diego Pérez)
Venezuela(César Eduardo González,José Salomón Rondón,Nicolás Fedor, Grenddy Perozo,Oswaldo Vizcarrondo & Gabriel Cichero)

2 goals -
Brazil(Alexandre Pato & Neymar)
Colombia(Radamel Falcao)
Ecuador(Felipe Caicedo)
Peru(José Guerrero)
Uruguay(Álvaro Pereira)

3 goals -
Argentina(Sergio Agüero)


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Copa_Am%C3%A9rica


Final Position
1)
2)
3)
4)
5) Chile Played4 Won2 Draw1 Lose1 GS5 GA4 GD+1 Pts=7
6) Colombia Played4 Won2 Draw1 Lose1 GS3 GA2 GD+1 Pts=7
7) Argentina Played4 Won1 Draw3 Lose0 GS5 GA2 GD+3 Pts=6
8) Brazil Played4 Won1 Draw3 Lose0 GS6 GA4 GD+2 Pts=6
9) Costa Rica Played3 Won1 Draw0 Lose2 GS2 GA4 GD−2 Pts=3
10) Ecuador Played3 Won0 Draw1 Lose2 GS2 GA5 GD−3 Pts=1
11) Bolivia Played3 Won0 Draw1 Lose2 GS1 GA5 GD−4 Pts=1
12) Mexico Played3 Won0 Draw0 Lose3 GS1 GA4 −3 Pts=0

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story/_/id/935315/tear-up-those-betting-slips?cc=4716

Tear up those betting slips
July 18, 2011

If you had a speculative fiver on tis semi-final line-up b4 the tournament started - or even on Saturday morning b4 the quarter-finals kicked off - then congratulations. A Copa America tat's already been full of surprises sprung more on us over the weekend. Not 1, not 2, not 3, but all 4 of the favs 2 go thru were eliminated, including both the holders & the hosts.

On Tuesday, Uruguay will play Peru; on Wednesday, Paraguay will take on Venezuela. There r 2 clear favs in historical terms in those matches, so it's a given, the way tis Copa has gone, tat we're in 4 a Peru v Venezuela final on Sunday. But if we've learned anything in the last few days, it's not 2 look 2 far in2 the future. I was cautious abt Argentina's status as favs b4 the competition started, but still stated tat I felt Argentina v Brazil was the most likely final. I could see strong challengers - probably Uruguay - putting 1 of them out, perhaps, but both of them exiting @ the quarter-finals?

It's almost a reverse of the situation I experienced during the WC last year. Then, there were street parties in Buenos Aires 1 day when Brazil were eliminated by Netherlands, & a distinct turn in the mood the following day when Argentina were humiliated by Germany. Tis time, there was grieving @ Argentina's exit, followed on Sunday night by a sense of relief all round tat @ least Brazil wouldn't win.

Tat means Brazil won't become only the 2nd team ever 2 win 3 consecutive Copa America titles, aft Argentina's run in the 1940s. There's still a chance Uruguay could claim it, 2 keep up the remarkable stat tat they & Argentina r the only 2 countries 2 hv ever won the Copa when it's been played here. But tis Copa belongs, well & truly, 2 the less-heralded nations.

Argentina's 1-1 draw with Uruguay, which was followed by an agonising 5-4 defeat in the penalty shootout, was probably the best match of the tournament 2 tat point. Argentina were good in attack, if wasteful, but woeful defending set-pieces & high balls. Uruguay, of course, took advantage, & fought thru 2 penalties in spite of playing most of the match a man down (Diego Perez arguably shouldn't even hv been on the pitch by the time he opened the scoring in the 5th minute, but was sent off anyway b4 half-time).

Peru seriously rode their luck against Colombia earlier on Saturday, seeing their opponents miss a host of chances including a penalty screwed wide by an uncharacteristically meek Radamel Falcao. All the same, when Peru's chances arrived they took them with aplomb, both substitute Carlos Lobaton & Juan Manuel Vargas smashing their shots in 2 leave Colombia, who'd been heavily touted as dark horses prior 2 the competition, licking their wounds.

Brazil's goalless draw with Paraguay was a largely dull match on - I warned you I'd keep saying tis - a woeful pitch in La Plata, & when the penalty shootout arrived we still didn't see the ball hit the net with any regularity: Paraguay won 2-0 aft 4 of the worst penalties I've ever seen fr Brazil. It's a good thing 4 me tat the Brazilian press pack took it so stoically becos, although surrounded by Brazilian journalists on all sides in the stands, I found it impossible not 2 let slip an astonished laugh when Elano - introduced in extra-time specifically 2 take the 1st kick - strolled up & coolly whacked it several feet over the crossbar.

Paraguay thus advance 2 the semis without having won a match, whilst Brazil go out without having lost. Paraguay relied @ times on luck - & a couple of great saves fr goalkeeper Justo Villar - 2 get thru, defending in numbers rather than strategically. It was very different fr how their semi-final opponents Venezuela had got their own 0-0 draw with Brazil in the same stadium in the group stage.

And I'll move on 2 Venezuela now, becos they're the other underdog 2 battle thru, in a match tat may well hv superseded Argentina v Uruguay as the most enjoyable in the tournament 2 date. Chile v Venezuela was a brilliant game. I actually missed it live - I was on the coach back fr La Plata - but type tis at 5.45am having just caught it replayed on TV. I normally can't focus on games I already know the score of, but tis was an exception.

Chile attacked & attacked, but Venezuela countered dangerously, took the lead just b4 half-time, & weathered a storm in the 2nd half; Chile then hit the crossbar twice b4 Humberto Suazo got an equaliser in the 70th minute. Gabriel Cichero, though, got the winner 4 Venezuela, who kept pushing 4 a 3rd even as Chile tried 2 flood 4wards themselves. It was tremendously entertaining, but 1 suspects Tomas Rincon's suspension will hurt them. He was sent off 4 a daft foul @ the very end, & the Hamburg man has been perhaps my player of the tournament since impressing so much against Brazil. He's part of a good team, though, which will give Venezuela hope.

For the teams departing the tournament, there is not such cause for optimism, and heads will roll in some quarters. There are already rumblings about Mano Menezes' future as Brazil manager, and although no decision seems imminent in Argentina over Sergio Batista, he'll come under more pressure than ever. Banners at Brazil v Paraguay from locals appealed for Diego Maradona to be brought back as manager - a depressing enough thought on its own.

Those pressures are for articles after the Copa, though. Plenty of journalists here are getting annoyed that they won't see Argentina v Brazil in the final. I'll admit I'd have loved that, but I'm enjoying it this way just as well. It's hard not to love a victorious underdog, and this weekend brought us four of them. I can't wait for the semis.

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/935267/copa-america:-brazil-pay-the-penalty,-chile-eliminated?cc=4716

Brazil pay the penalty
July 17, 2011

8-time Copa America winners Brazil were left stunned & eliminated as they failed 2 convert a single penalty in their shootout against Paraguay, losing it 2-0.

The Brazilians created the better chances throughout the 120 mins, but were unable 2 make the breakthrough as both sides remained scoreless 2 send the quarter-final in La Plata 2 penalties.

Paraguay, meanwhile, had goalkeeper Justo Villar 2 thank 4 their clean sheet as the Estudiantes shot-stopper kept out the likes of Alexandre Pato, Robinho & Neymar on numerous occasions. Indeed the attacking trio of Brazil looked dangerous throughout the encounter, with Neymar sending 2 strikes barely wide of the post either side of the half-time interval.

A goal was not forthcoming, though, & both sides were forced 2 play out the majority of extra-time with 10-men aft Lucas Leiva & Antolin Alcaraz were shown red following a touchline fracas.

Brazil were then made 2 pay 4 squandering their chances during the match as Elano, Andre Santos & Fred all blazed their penalties horribly off target, whilst Thiago Silva's spot-kick was saved by the impressive Villar.

Paraguay will face Venezuela in the semi-finals aft Cesar Farias' men overcame Chile 2-1 in San Juan.

Oswaldo Vizcarrondo opened the scoring 4 the Venezuelans in the 34th-min with a glancing header past goalkeeper Claudio Bravo fr a free-kick.

Star Chilean striker Humberto Suazo then restored parity on 69 mins b4 Gabriel Cichero gave Venezuela the lead 1s again 10mins b4 full-time 2 send Venezuela thru 2 the Copa America final 4 for the 1st time.

The Copa America semi-finals will begin on Tuesday with Uruguay facing Peru, while Paraguay will take on Venezuela on Wednesday aft many of the tournament favs were knocked out in the quarter-final stage.

[IloveBusty]

[$$$$$$$$$]Guarantee both GUAY will be in the Copa America final and i pick URUGUAY to win it, cheers!:)[/SIZE]

[Fireblade]

8-time Copa America winners Brazil were left stunned & eliminated as they failed 2 convert a single penalty in their shootout against Paraguay, losing it 2-0.


That is shocking, the least to say!

[joew2005]

2011 Copa América

Quarter Finals
Colombia 0-2 Peru (aet)
Argentina 1-1 Uruguay (aet, Uruguay thru on 5-4 penalty kicks)
Brazil 0-0 Paraguay (aet, Paraguay thru on 2-0 penalty kicks)
Chile 1-2 Venezuela

Semi Finals
Peru 0-2 Uruguay
20 July - Paraguay vs Venezuela

3rd Place Place Off
23 July - Peru vs _

Final
24 July - Uruguay vs _


Goal Scorers
1 goal -
Argentina(Ángel di María & Gonzalo Higuaín)
Bolivia(Edivaldo Rojas Hermoza)
Brazil(Jádson da Silva & Frederico Chaves Guedes)
Chile(Alexis Sánchez,Esteban Paredes,Arturo Vidal & Humberto Suazo)
Colombia(Adrián Ramos)
Costa Rica(Josué Martínez & Josué Martínez)
Mexico(Néstor Araujo)
Paraguay(Roque Santa Cruz,Nelson Haedo Valdez,Antolín Alcaraz,Lucas Barrios & Cristian Riveros)
Peru(Carlos Lobatón & Juan Manuel Vargas)
Uruguay(Diego Pérez)
Venezuela(César Eduardo González,José Salomón Rondón,Nicolás Fedor, Grenddy Perozo,Oswaldo Vizcarrondo & Gabriel Cichero)

2 goals -
Brazil(Alexandre Pato & Neymar)
Colombia(Radamel Falcao)
Ecuador(Felipe Caicedo)
Peru(José Guerrero)
Uruguay(Álvaro Pereira)

3 goals -
Argentina(Sergio Agüero)
Uruguay(Luis Suárez)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Copa_Am%C3%A9rica


Final Position
1)
2)
3)
4) Peru Played5 Won2 Draw1 Lose2 GS4 GA4 GD0 Pts=7
5) Chile Played4 Won2 Draw1 Lose1 GS5 GA4 GD+1 Pts=7
6) Colombia Played4 Won2 Draw1 Lose1 GS3 GA2 GD+1 Pts=7
7) Argentina Played4 Won1 Draw3 Lose0 GS5 GA2 GD+3 Pts=6
8) Brazil Played4 Won1 Draw3 Lose0 GS6 GA4 GD+2 Pts=6
9) Costa Rica Played3 Won1 Draw0 Lose2 GS2 GA4 GD−2 Pts=3
10) Ecuador Played3 Won0 Draw1 Lose2 GS2 GA5 GD−3 Pts=1
11) Bolivia Played3 Won0 Draw1 Lose2 GS1 GA5 GD−4 Pts=1
12) Mexico Played3 Won0 Draw0 Lose3 GS1 GA4 −3 Pts=0

[joew2005]

2011 Copa América

Quarter Finals
Colombia 0-2 Peru (aet)
Argentina 1-1 Uruguay (aet, Uruguay thru on 5-4 penalty kicks)
Brazil 0-0 Paraguay (aet, Paraguay thru on 2-0 penalty kicks)
Chile 1-2 Venezuela

Semi Finals
Peru 0-2 Uruguay
Paraguay 0-0 Venezuela (aet, Paraguay won 5-3 on penalties)

3rd Place Place Off
23 July - Peru vs Venezuela

Final
24 July - Uruguay vs Paraguay


Goal Scorers
1 goal -
Argentina(Ángel di María & Gonzalo Higuaín)
Bolivia(Edivaldo Rojas Hermoza)
Brazil(Jádson da Silva & Frederico Chaves Guedes)
Chile(Alexis Sánchez,Esteban Paredes,Arturo Vidal & Humberto Suazo)
Colombia(Adrián Ramos)
Costa Rica(Josué Martínez & Josué Martínez)
Mexico(Néstor Araujo)
Paraguay(Roque Santa Cruz,Nelson Haedo Valdez,Antolín Alcaraz,Lucas Barrios & Cristian Riveros)
Peru(Carlos Lobatón & Juan Manuel Vargas)
Uruguay(Diego Pérez)
Venezuela(César Eduardo González,José Salomón Rondón,Nicolás Fedor, Grenddy Perozo,Oswaldo Vizcarrondo & Gabriel Cichero)

2 goals -
Brazil(Alexandre Pato & Neymar)
Colombia(Radamel Falcao)
Ecuador(Felipe Caicedo)
Peru(José Guerrero)
Uruguay(Álvaro Pereira)

3 goals -
Argentina(Sergio Agüero)
Uruguay(Luis Suárez)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Copa_Am%C3%A9rica


Final Position
1)
2)
3) Played5 Won2 Draw3 Lose0 GS6 GA4 GD+2 Pts=9
4) Peru Played5 Won2 Draw1 Lose2 GS4 GA4 GD0 Pts=7
5) Chile Played4 Won2 Draw1 Lose1 GS5 GA4 GD+1 Pts=7
6) Colombia Played4 Won2 Draw1 Lose1 GS3 GA2 GD+1 Pts=7
7) Argentina Played4 Won1 Draw3 Lose0 GS5 GA2 GD+3 Pts=6
8) Brazil Played4 Won1 Draw3 Lose0 GS6 GA4 GD+2 Pts=6
9) Costa Rica Played3 Won1 Draw0 Lose2 GS2 GA4 GD−2 Pts=3
10) Ecuador Played3 Won0 Draw1 Lose2 GS2 GA5 GD−3 Pts=1
11) Bolivia Played3 Won0 Draw1 Lose2 GS1 GA5 GD−4 Pts=1
12) Mexico Played3 Won0 Draw0 Lose3 GS1 GA4 −3 Pts=0

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story/_/id/936095/hailing-the-underdogs?cc=4716

Hailing the underdogs
July 21, 2011

Aft all the surprises, aft the wailing & gnashing of teeth fr the big boys, & aft tat extraordinary quarter-final round when not 1 of the favs got thru, it was abt time tis Copa America settled a bit & gave us a couple of games tat turned out as expected. An unfussy win 4 Uruguay, & qualification with yet another draw 4 Paraguay; Tuesday's & Wednesday's semi-finals went rather more 2 form than alot of the tournament tat went b4 them.

It was almost refreshing, aft the spectacular table-turning in the quarters, 2 see both favs go thru. I say 'almost', becos I'm possibly the only journalist I know who's been covering tis tournament who honestly would hv loved a Peru v Venezuela final. All the same there was satisfaction in watching 2 semi-finals & knowing tat whoever won, we'd end up with a final line-up tat absolutely no-1 would hv predicted prior 2 the tournament kicking off.

Tat fact, it must be said, helped me get thru wat were in truth 2 fairly pedestrian matches. Okay, Uruguay's 2-0 win over Peru wasn't tat bad, but by the end of Paraguay's 5th successive draw (& 2nd successive penalty shootout win) in tis tournament on Wednesday night, the high points of the previous evening's match had been well & truly 4gotten. Paraguay hv decent 4wards, & don't play an especially defensive game, so the fact they so frequently struggle 2 outscore their opponents is a bit puzzling.

Venezuela, by contrast, hv no really heralded players, but press all over the pitch & counter-attack @ pace, & their reward has been a 1st ever Copa America semi-final, only 4 years aft their 1st ever quarter-final (& tat came in a tournament they hosted). With Tomas Rincon - suspended 4 the semi - acting as the cornerstone of their team, they've shown throughout tis competition tat they r emphatically no longer the whipping boys of South American football, casting off a tag they held as recently as a few years ago.

The match was marred afterwards by an ugly brawl as, in the midst of Paraguay's celebrations @ winning the penalty shootout, a few Venezuelan players took exception 2 the attitude shown by Paraguay's Argentinian-born midfielder Nestor Ortigoza, who'd had a few words with a number of his opponents during extra-time. It spoiled a match which had, by & large, been played in the right spirit in terms of respect 4 opponents, if not the quality of the football on offer.

All the same, both losing semi-finalists can be proud of their showings in tis Copa. Venezuela hv never hit any high points football-wise b4, while Peru's were decades ago. As recently as the last WC cycle, Peru were in danger of being thrown out of FIFA, & finished the 2010 World Cup qualifiers rock bottom of the continental table, winning only 3 matches. Both, however, picked up victories in reaching the semis - something finalists Paraguay, as I've mentioned, failed 2 do.

Uruguay's win over Peru on Tuesday still showed a gulf in class, all the same. Uruguay's style isn't as freewheeling as Group C rivals Chile, but they've kept 2gether the nucleus of the side tat did so well @ last year's WC, & the stability & team ethos tat has given them has proved crucial. Every1 knows wat every1 else is doing, & tat's why, 4 instance, a key figure such as Edinson Cavani was not ultimately missed when manager Oscar Tabarez - who also deserves enormous credit 4 having taken the team 2 such heights in the last couple of years - decided not 2 risk him in the semi aft a twisted knee in the quarter-final.

Peru put up spirited resistance, but Uruguay's patience, craft & experience ultimately showed, with Luis Suarez bagging 2 well-taken goals in quick succession early in the 2nd half 2 settle the match. Of all the 'shock' teams in tis Copa, Uruguay hv been the least surprising. Most predicted an Argentina v Brazil final, but if asked 2 name the team who stood the best chance of breaking the duopoly, would probably hv gone 4 the side tat reached the semi-finals in South Africa 2010. Aft travelling last year 2 Montevideo 2 watch tat semi 4 ESPNsoccernet, I wrote tat Uruguay's good WC could, if they kept the momentum, translate 2 an impressive Copa America a year on, & so it has proved.

Paraguay hv been more enigmatic, & although they've reached their 1st final since they won the title in 1979, it's impossible 2 escape the impression tat they're better @ frustrating opponents than they r @ taking the game 2 them. They might hv seemed unlucky @ times against Venezuela in attack, but don't 4get Venezuela had a perfectly legitimate goal chalked off 4 a frankly bizarre offside call in the 1st half. Other than tat moment of excitement, though, it was a match in stark contrast to the previous time these sides met, in their final group game, when 2 stoppage time goals 4 Venezuela allowed them 2 claim a 3-3 draw.

Uruguay v Paraguay will be Sunday's final in the Estadio Monumental then, & I'll be looking 4ward 2 tat here on ESPNsoccernet in a couple of days' time, but 4 now I 1 2 salute the achievements of the 2 vanquished semi-finalists, becos both deserve it. The Copa tis year hasn't had a surplus of great matches, but it has been an interesting 1, thanks in large part 2 the courage of the supposedly smaller nations.

Prior 2 tis tournament, Venezuela had won only 2 matches ever in the Copa America. They've now doubled tat total, & will hv a chance 2 claim a 5th win in the 3rd-place play-off on Saturday. Those matches r so often pointless, but tis time round 1 can't help feel tat both sides really hv earned it. They've given as much as any1 2 tis tournament.

[ibelieveindevil]

finally, i am eagerly waiting for the game, the ticket which i bought before the first game, 1:8 to uruguay winning the copa, is just a step away!

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/936385/paraguay-coach-gerardo-martino-banned-for-copa-america-final?cc=4716

Martino handed two-game ban
July 22, 2011

Paraguay coach Gerardo Martino has been handed a 2-game touchline ban following his part in the fracas which marred his side's Copa America semi-final win over Venezuela on Wednesday.

The sanction means Martino will hv 2 sit in the stands 4 Sunday's final against Uruguay in Buenos Aires.

Paraguay beat Venezuela 5-3 on penalties b4 police & security staff had 2 intervene as players & officials fr both teams brawled on the pitch. Martino had already been sent off 4 remonstrating with the referee.

Both sides were also fined US dollars 10,000 & were warned further punishments would follow if there was a repeat in the future.

[joew2005]

2011 Copa América

3rd Place Place Off
23 July - Peru vs Venezuela

Final
24 July - Uruguay vs Paraguay


Goal Scorers
1 goal -
Argentina(Ángel di María & Gonzalo Higuaín)
Bolivia(Edivaldo Rojas Hermoza)
Brazil(Jádson da Silva & Frederico Chaves Guedes)
Chile(Alexis Sánchez,Esteban Paredes,Arturo Vidal & Humberto Suazo)
Colombia(Adrián Ramos)
Costa Rica(Josué Martínez & Josué Martínez)
Mexico(Néstor Araujo)
Paraguay(Roque Santa Cruz,Nelson Haedo Valdez,Antolín Alcaraz,Lucas Barrios & Cristian Riveros)
Peru(Carlos Lobatón & Juan Manuel Vargas)
Uruguay(Diego Pérez)
Venezuela(César Eduardo González,José Salomón Rondón,Nicolás Fedor, Grenddy Perozo,Oswaldo Vizcarrondo & Gabriel Cichero)

2 goals -
Brazil(Alexandre Pato & Neymar)
Colombia(Radamel Falcao)
Ecuador(Felipe Caicedo)
Peru(José Guerrero)
Uruguay(Álvaro Pereira)

3 goals -
Argentina(Sergio Agüero)
Uruguay(Luis Suárez)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Copa_Am%C3%A9rica

Uruguay Played5 Won2 Draw3 Lose0 GS6 GA3 GD+3 Pts=9
Paraguay Played5 Won0 Draw5 Lose0 GS5 GA5 GD0 Pts=5
Venezuela Played5 Won2 Draw3 Lose0 GS6 GA4 GD+2 Pts=9
Peru Played5 Won2 Draw1 Lose2 GS4 GA4 GD0 Pts=7

Final Position
1)
2)
3)
4)
5) Chile Played4 Won2 Draw1 Lose1 GS5 GA4 GD+1 Pts=7
6) Colombia Played4 Won2 Draw1 Lose1 GS3 GA2 GD+1 Pts=7
7) Argentina Played4 Won1 Draw3 Lose0 GS5 GA2 GD+3 Pts=6
8) Brazil Played4 Won1 Draw3 Lose0 GS6 GA4 GD+2 Pts=6
9) Costa Rica Played3 Won1 Draw0 Lose2 GS2 GA4 GD−2 Pts=3
10) Ecuador Played3 Won0 Draw1 Lose2 GS2 GA5 GD−3 Pts=1
11) Bolivia Played3 Won0 Draw1 Lose2 GS1 GA5 GD−4 Pts=1
12) Mexico Played3 Won0 Draw0 Lose3 GS1 GA4 −3 Pts=0

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/preview/_/id/317560?cc=4716

Uruguay seeking 15th Copa America title

It has been a peculiar Copa America. South American giants Brazil & Argentina hv fallen with red-faced thuds as so-called underdogs hv arced their necks. Drama, meanwhile, has presented itself in spurts. Now 4 1 final twist as Paraguay lock horns with Uruguay in tis Sunday's final @ the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires. Uruguay r favourites 2 triumph, but their opponents hv tis tournament made a habit of squeezing out results, having not won a game in normal time.

Tat Paraguay r in tis weekend's showpiece courtesy of a winless path is worthy of dissection. Drawn in Group B alongside Brazil, Venezuela & Ecuador, Paraguay played out a goalless draw in their opening match versus the latter - tis outcome would prove a familiar feeling 4 Gerardo Martino & his players. The nation was then denied victory in the 89th minute against Brazil, the match ending 2-2, b4 2 late goals, tis time versus Venezuela, meant 3 group games played & as many stalemates accrued.

Despite being winless & finishing 3rd, Paraguay advanced 2 the next phase as their neutral goal difference proved the 2nd best of the teams tat finished 3rd. A repeat meeting with 5-time WC winners Brazil beckoned, tis time in the quarter-finals. No goals were scored over 120 minutes, so penalties awaited. Spectators were open-mouthed when Brazil missed all 4 of theirs, as Paraguay tucked home 2 of their 3 to reach the final 4. Almost inevitably, Paraguay's semi-final meeting with Venezuela finished square. And they again held their nerve 2 win another spot-kick shootout.

Uruguay, meanwhile, were hardly rampant in the group phase, winning just 1 of their 3 fixtures, but their return of 5 points proved enough 2 secure a runners-up berth. Oscar Tabarez's charges then faced the task of tackling hosts Argentina. The sides could not be split aft a goal apiece in the 1st half, so, like Paraguay @ the same stage, they headed 4 penalties. Uruguay were composed, scoring all 5 of their efforts as Carlos Tevez missed 4 Argentina. It was more routine in the semi-finals, a brace fr Luis Suarez disposing of Peru.

Now Uruguay r on the brink of making history. Should they emerge victorious against Paraguay then they will reach 15 South American titles, usurping heavyweights Argentina. Tis would be a remarkable feat tat would reiterate Uruguay's continued ability 2 punch abv their weight. Indeed, Uruguay, who boast 2 WC titles 2 their name, r the 2nd-smallest nation in South America. Tabarez is the current man @ the helm, & he has thoroughly impressed since his appointment in 2006, having led the team 2 the semi-finals of the WC last year.

Paraguay coach Gerardo Martino, however, will be forced 2 watch his side fr the stands aft receiving a 2-game touchline ban 4 his part in the fracas tat marred the semi-final win over Venezuela. Martino was fined $10,000, while his team were accused by Venezuela boss Cesar Farias of provoking the melee. Their penchant 4 penalties, meanwhile, appears habitual. Under Martino, Paraguay were beaten by eventual winners Spain @ the 2010 WC, having reached the last 8 by - yes, you guessed it - a victory on penalties. Uruguay would be advised not 2 let their fate be decided by shots fr 12 yards, though Ghana suffered @ their hands in South Africa in a shoot-out.

While La Albirroja hv been rather unconvincing during tis competition - although it is worth reiterating they came within a whisker of seeing off Brazil in the group stage - their supporters will unlikely care a jot, 4 they r playing in their 1st Copa America final for 32 years. Back in 1979, they beat Chile 3-1 on aggregate, claiming their 2nd South American title. Speaking ahead of tis weekend, Martino, said: "It feels like a miracle. But aft 2 lots of extra-time we arrive @ the final with almost no oxygen, with 5 or 6 injured & 1 suspended. Uruguay is in a different state. Their key players r rested, but we will fight 2 the utmost."

Paraguay r sweating on the fitness of Roque Santa Cruz aft the striker lasted just 6 mins against Venezuela b4 having 2 be taken off thru injury. Jonathan Santana will certainly miss out aft his sending-off in the semi-finals. Tabarez, meanwhile, will weigh up whether 2 gamble on Edinson Cavani's fitness, in particular aft Napoli president Antonio De Laurentiis stated: "I'll kill them if they've broken my Edinson."

Uruguay player 2 watch: Luis Suarez. The twinkle-toed attacker will finish as top goalscorer of the tournament should he net on Sunday. Suarez currently has 3 goals 2 his name, the same number as Argentina's Sergio Aguero. Liverpool's Suarez boasts much quality, & he could be the deciding factor when the 2 sides clash. His dovetailing with strike partner Diego Forlan will give Paraguay's defence much 2 consider.

Paraguay player to watch: Paulo da Silva. As the 'stats' section of this preview indicates, Paraguay r no strangers 2 playing without the ball, hence it is imperative they r switched on when not in possession. Da Silva, 1s of Sunderland, has been snarling in the tackle during the competition, managing 29 successful dispossessions 2 date. The Real Zaragoza centre-back looks set 4 a busy outing.

Key Battle: Diego Lugano v Santa Cruz (if fit). The latter's availability would act as a huge fillip 4 Paraguay, but even if the ManC flop proves available he faces a stern task against the impressive Lugano. The Fenerbahce defender has been imposing in the heart of Uruguay's defence, receiving plaudits fr sections of the press.

Trivia: Tis is only the 2nd Copa America final in 22 years when neither Brazil or Argentina will compete 4 the title.

Stats: Paraguay hv recorded the most unsuccessful passes in the tournament, with 223 going astray. But they hv managed the most successful tackles, @ 162.

Prediction: Fatigue will be an intriguing issue with Paraguay having endured some draining outings in their route 2 the final. Can their defence can hold out concentration for 90 plus mins against the buzzing Suarez? The bookmakers hv Uruguay down as weighty favs, & it is hard 2 look beyond La Celeste. Paraguay's pluck, demonstrated throughout, has been hard 2 ignore, & they r the unfashionable side 2 tip. Despite the temptation 2 be rogue, Uruguay should win.

[joew2005]

2011 Copa América

3rd Place Place Off
Peru 4-1 Venezuela

Final
24 July - Uruguay vs Paraguay


Goal Scorers
1 goal -
Argentina(Ángel di María & Gonzalo Higuaín)
Bolivia(Edivaldo Rojas Hermoza)
Brazil(Jádson da Silva & Frederico Chaves Guedes)
Chile(Alexis Sánchez,Esteban Paredes,Arturo Vidal & Humberto Suazo)
Colombia(Adrián Ramos)
Costa Rica(Josué Martínez & Josué Martínez)
Mexico(Néstor Araujo)
Paraguay(Roque Santa Cruz,Nelson Haedo Valdez,Antolín Alcaraz,Lucas Barrios & Cristian Riveros)
Peru(Carlos Lobatón, Juan Manuel Vargas & William Chiroque)
Uruguay(Diego Pérez)
Venezuela(César Eduardo González,José Salomón Rondón,Nicolás Fedor, Grenddy Perozo,Oswaldo Vizcarrondo, Gabriel Cichero & Juan Arango)

2 goals -
Brazil(Alexandre Pato & Neymar)
Colombia(Radamel Falcao)
Ecuador(Felipe Caicedo)
Uruguay(Álvaro Pereira)

3 goals -
Argentina(Sergio Agüero)
Uruguay(Luis Suárez)

5 goals -
Peru(José Paolo Guerrero)


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Copa_Am%C3%A9rica

Uruguay Played5 Won2 Draw3 Lose0 GS6 GA3 GD+3 Pts=9
Paraguay Played5 Won0 Draw5 Lose0 GS5 GA5 GD0 Pts=5

Final Position
1)
2)
3) Peru Played6 Won3 Draw1 Lose2 GS8 GA5 GD+3 Pts=10
4) Venezuela Played6 Won2 Draw3 Lose1 GS7 GA8 GD-1 Pts=9
5) Chile Played4 Won2 Draw1 Lose1 GS5 GA4 GD+1 Pts=7
6) Colombia Played4 Won2 Draw1 Lose1 GS3 GA2 GD+1 Pts=7
7) Argentina Played4 Won1 Draw3 Lose0 GS5 GA2 GD+3 Pts=6
8) Brazil Played4 Won1 Draw3 Lose0 GS6 GA4 GD+2 Pts=6
9) Costa Rica Played3 Won1 Draw0 Lose2 GS2 GA4 GD−2 Pts=3
10) Ecuador Played3 Won0 Draw1 Lose2 GS2 GA5 GD−3 Pts=1
11) Bolivia Played3 Won0 Draw1 Lose2 GS1 GA5 GD−4 Pts=1
12) Mexico Played3 Won0 Draw0 Lose3 GS1 GA4 −3 Pts=0

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=317559&cc=4716

Guerrero hat-trick powers Peru to third

Paolo Guerrero bagged an assured hat-trick as Peru clinched 3rd place in the Copa America with an entertaining victory over 10-man Venezuela in La Plata.

William Chiroque opened his international account 2 hand Peru a 1st-half lead b4 Venezuela were hit by the harsh dismissal of Tomas Rincon 13 mins in2 the 2nd half.

Guerrero bagged his 1st of the night on 63 minutes but Juan Fernando Arango put Venezuela back in the match 13 minutes fr time with a crisp finish.

Guerrero had the final say, however, completing his treble with 2 late strikes 2 move clear as the tournament's top scorer on 5 goals.

Peru had the better of the opening exchanges but could manage only 2 half-chances in the 1st 20 minutes, with Christian Ramos' downward header fr a corner & Carlos Lobaton's dangerously flicked on free-kick both picked off by Venezuela goalkeeper Renny Vega.

On 37 mins Peru went close again when Rinaldo Cruzado's cute 1-2 with Chiroque ended with the latter firing against the legs of the keeper.

Venezuela grew as the half wore on, & Giancarlos Maldonado had a goal correctly chalked off 4 offside on 29 mins, while 2 minutes later the same player saw his cheeky backheeled effort also ruled out aft he strayed beyond the last man in the build-up.

Maldonado was in the thick of the action again on 34 mins, nodding the ball down 4 Miku who turned his man b4 firing in a shot tat produced a smart save fr Raul Fernandez.

But 4 all Venezuela's increasing pressure, it was Peru who found themselves ahead on 42 mins.

A quick break did the damage, Chiroque running @ the last 2 defenders b4 picking out Guerrero, who squared the ball 4 Chiroque 2 bundle home.

Venezuelan hopes of drawing level were hit just b4 the hour when they were reduced to 10 men.

Rincon, who missed his side's semi-final defeat due 2 a red card in the quarter-final win over Chile, was harshly dismissed again on 58 mins when Carlos Lobaton made a meal of a challenge tat merited a yellow card @ most.

And within 5 mins Peru had made their man advantage tell, Guerrero combining well with Chiroque b4 the Hamburg striker lashed high in2 the net 2 register his 3rd goal of the tournament.

Venezuela got back in2 the match on 78 mins when Yoandry Orozco's superb 20-yard thru ball was taken down by Arango, who kept his cool 2 convert sweetly with the outside of his left boot.

Mins later Arango's free-kick was poorly dealt with by Fernandez, whose parry went back in2 the danger zone only 4 Gabriel Cichero 2 blaze wide with the goal gaping.

And Cichero's miss was punished 2 the full in the 90th min when Guerrero was played in, the striker taking a touch b4 burying the ball precisely in the opposite corner.

The man-light Venezuelan defence was by now run in2 the ground, & 3 mins in2 stoppage time Guerrero grabbed his 3rd aft being played in by Luis Advincula, the hitman again showing a cool head as he tucked the ball home low in2 the net.

[joew2005]

2011 Copa América

3rd Place Place Off
Peru 4-1 Venezuela

Final
Uruguay 3-0 Paraguay


Goal Scorers
1 goal -
Argentina(Ángel di María & Gonzalo Higuaín)
Bolivia(Edivaldo Rojas Hermoza)
Brazil(Jádson da Silva & Frederico Chaves Guedes)
Chile(Alexis Sánchez,Esteban Paredes,Arturo Vidal & Humberto Suazo)
Colombia(Adrián Ramos)
Costa Rica(Josué Martínez & Josué Martínez)
Mexico(Néstor Araujo)
Paraguay(Roque Santa Cruz,Nelson Haedo Valdez,Antolín Alcaraz,Lucas Barrios & Cristian Riveros)
Peru(Carlos Lobatón, Juan Manuel Vargas & William Chiroque)
Uruguay(Diego Pérez)
Venezuela(César Eduardo González,José Salomón Rondón,Nicolás Fedor, Grenddy Perozo,Oswaldo Vizcarrondo, Gabriel Cichero & Juan Arango)

2 goals -
Brazil(Alexandre Pato & Neymar)
Colombia(Radamel Falcao)
Ecuador(Felipe Caicedo)
Uruguay(Álvaro Pereira & Diego Forlán)

3 goals -
Argentina(Sergio Agüero)

4 goals -
Uruguay(Luis Suárez)

5 goals -
Peru(José Paolo Guerrero)


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Copa_Am%C3%A9rica


Final Position
1) Uruguay Played6 Won3 Draw3 Lose0 GS9 GA3 GD+6 Pts=12
2) Paraguay Played6 Won0 Draw5 Lose1 GS5 GA8 GD-3 Pts=5
3) Peru Played6 Won3 Draw1 Lose2 GS8 GA5 GD+3 Pts=10
4) Venezuela Played6 Won2 Draw3 Lose1 GS7 GA8 GD-1 Pts=9
5) Chile Played4 Won2 Draw1 Lose1 GS5 GA4 GD+1 Pts=7
6) Colombia Played4 Won2 Draw1 Lose1 GS3 GA2 GD+1 Pts=7
7) Argentina Played4 Won1 Draw3 Lose0 GS5 GA2 GD+3 Pts=6
8) Brazil Played4 Won1 Draw3 Lose0 GS6 GA4 GD+2 Pts=6
9) Costa Rica Played3 Won1 Draw0 Lose2 GS2 GA4 GD−2 Pts=3
10) Ecuador Played3 Won0 Draw1 Lose2 GS2 GA5 GD−3 Pts=1
11) Bolivia Played3 Won0 Draw1 Lose2 GS1 GA5 GD−4 Pts=1
12) Mexico Played3 Won0 Draw0 Lose3 GS1 GA4 −3 Pts=0

[machoman]

Uruguay 3-0 Paraguay
Suarez pays tribute to team-mates
July 24, 2011
Email Print
By ESPNsoccernet staff

Luis Suarez was named Player of the Tournament after helping Uruguay to a 3-0 victory over Paraguay but paid credit to his team-mates for the success.

http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/0724/luissuarezopenernewceleb20110724_275x155.jpg
Associated
Luis Suarez leaps in delight after putting Uruguay 1-0 ahead

• Uruguay 3-0 Paraguay
• Copa America gallery

Suarez scored the opening goal and set up Diego Forlan for the third to round off a hugely impressive tournament as Uruguay cruised to victory.

However, Suarez sought to play down his own role in the success as he played up the group effort.

"We played as a group," Suarez said. "I think when groups are united like this, everyone together and going for the same thing, you can get things done. We have a huge joy to give this title to our people. This is an indescribable feeling.

"The important thing was getting started well. With two goals in the first half, I think it was very difficult for them to come back."

Forlan said afterwards that he was delighted to follow in the footsteps of his father, Pablo Forlan, and grandfather, Juan Carlos Corazo, in winning the tournament.

"My grandfather won it, my father won it and now I have won it," he said. "It is a pride for the family."

He added: "It was a complicated match, we knew it, but the team played well. The goals and the way Uruguay started out helped us. We are happy, for all of Uruguay, for everyone, to celebrate."

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story/_/id/937291/uruguay-light-the-way?cc=4716

Uruguay light the way
July 25, 2011

In the end, it was only a slightly surprising result. The 2011 Copa America might not hv gone the way of holders Brazil or hosts & fav Argentina, but Uruguay were probably the next in line 2 win it. Sunday afternoon's 3-0 win over Paraguay was the result most expected aft the semi-finals, & sees the Celeste lift their 15th Copa, pulling clear of Argentina, who they'd previously been level with on 14 tournament wins.

The 1st Copa America (under a different name) took place in Argentina in 1916, & on its 95th anniversary the tournament returned 2 Argentina, & had the same winner. All the same, football has moved on alot in the intervening years, & the world's oldest international football tournament sees those winners claiming the trophy in very different circumstances 2 tat 1st tournament.

Aft so many shocks had come earlier in the Copa, the older order started 2 establish itself when former winners Peru beat Venezuela - whose status as South American also-rans was only definitively cast off during tis year's tournament - 4-1 in the 3rd-place playoff on Saturday. On Sunday, it was fully established in a game Paraguay never looked liked forcing their way in2.

Uruguay dominated the 1st half, & indeed the game. Just 1 min in, Paraguay's Argentine-born midfielder Nestor Ortigoza beat away a header fr Sebastian Coates on the goal-line with his hands, & tat just served 2 foreshadow Uruguay's dominance in the game. Luis Suarez's opener was deflected, but was richly deserved all the same, even only 11 mins in2 the match.

Aft tat 1st goal, Uruguay arguably dominated even more. B4 the goal the game had looked really promising fr a neutral point of view; Paraguay had countered dangerously & Ortigoza was key 2 their game, launching 1 superb ball in2 the Uruguayan half mins aft tat penalty line hand ball. With some of his challenges, Ortigoza was maybe a little lucky not 2 get booked, but all the same the deep-lying playmaker was crucial 2 Paraguay's game plan.

Of course, Paraguay were 2-0 down @ the interval, & tat rather heavily suggested tat Oscar Washington Tabarez's men had been the better-drilled. Gerardo Martino, the Argentine manager of Paraguay, appeared 2 hv put out a team 2 contain Uruguay's attacking threat. He failed, emphatically so. In Ortigoza & Cristian Riveros, Uruguay had the comfort of knowing their opponents weren't set up 2 counter rapidly - & I say tat with no disrespect intended 2 those 2 players.

Uruguay also managed their own space very well. Closing down collectively, they ensured Paraguay's 4wards remained isolated fr their midfield. Any danger there was, was comfortably nullified by Paraguay's general poor 4ward play.

Tat wasn't, of course, a problem Uruguay themselves suffered fr. Luis Suarez made as much as a nuisance of himself as ever, & Diego Forlan - who until now has had a fairly understated tournament - was superb on the big stage. His 2nd goal, in stoppage time, was brilliantly set up with a headed thru ball fr Suarez aft Edinson Cavani's pass (almost the 1st thing Cavani's done all tournament, incidentally), & brought Forlan level with 1920s great Hector Scarone as Uruguay's joint top goalscorer of all time.

Forlan's 2 goals were his 1st since last year's WC semi-final, & the 1st strike with abt 5 mins left of the 1st half sent Uruguay's fans in the Estadio Monumental in2 dreamland. Fr then until half time, the noise was incredible.

In the 2nd half Paraguay were obliged 2 come out & take the game by the scruff of the neck 4 the 1st time in the tournament. They nvr really managed it, although they had a spell 4 perhaps the 1st half of the half in which they looked a far better team than they had b4 the break. Their 4wards remained isolated, though, & although Nelson Haedo Valdez hit the crossbar, it became apparent tat the victory was assured 4 Uruguay when the red-and-white waves continued 2 crash against the wall of blue defenders.

Uruguay continued 2 counter well, & with just under half an hour 2 play Tabarez sent on Edinson Cavani. Until tat point Paraguay's left-back Elvis Marecos had been pressing on 2 add width 2 the attack, & Cavani was told 2 stick to the right wing, thus pushing back Marecos. The fact tat the Napoli 4ward was introduced just moments b4 Martino sent on Marcelo Estigarribia 2 partner Marecos on the left seemed like luck on Tabarez's part, but either way Cavani's introduction proved a masterstroke. Until then, Uruguay had virtually ignored the left flank in midfield, & his presence gave Marecos crucial food 4 thought initially, though Cavani drifted across 2 the left frequently on the counter.

Trying 2 pick out Uruguay's outstanding player fr the match is hard though, & tat's a credit 2 the reason they've won tis trophy; their team play. Egidio Arevalo Rios was superb, especially in the 1st half, @ combating Paraguay's midfield & starting Uruguayan attacks. Diego Lugano led the defence as well as ever. Sebastian Coates, who was awarded the gong 4 Best Young Player of the tournament aft the game, was also a rock. Coates is only 20, but slotted in effortlessly alongside Lugano, & is clearly a player with a big future.

Uruguay hv fantastic spirit, & alot of promise, then. They've also got a superb manager in Tabarez, whose return 2 the national team in 2006 is now looking like an inspired choice. I wrote just over a year ago 4 ESPNsoccernet tat Uruguay's WC semi-final was a demonstration tat their football was climbing out of a rut.

As the confetti settles, Uruguay's win is a win 4 tradition in some senses. But it's also a demonstration tat a country tat wasn't supposed 2 still be able 2 compete with powerhouses Brazil & Argentina can still do so, & can even show them how it's meant 2 be done.

[machoman]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story/_/id/937291/uruguay-light-the-way?cc=4716

Uruguay light the way
July 25, 2011

In the end, it was only a slightly surprising result. The 2011 Copa America might not hv gone the way of holders Brazil or hosts & fav Argentina, but Uruguay were probably the next in line 2 win it. Sunday afternoon's 3-0 win over Paraguay was the result most expected aft the semi-finals, & sees the Celeste lift their 15th Copa, pulling clear of Argentina, who they'd previously been level with on 14 tournament wins.



Absolutely agree that Uruguay deserved to win the the 2011 Copa America. :D

It would be a gross travesty of justice if Paraguay which played negative, defensive football had prevailed. :eek:

[machoman]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBxGAHY02ng&feature=player_profilepage

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/937382/argentina-sack-batista-after-poor-copa-showing?cc=4716

Argentina sack Batista after Copa exit
July 26, 2011

The Argentinian Football Association has terminated the contract of the Albicelestes' coach, Sergio Batista.

AFA spokesman Ernesto Cherquis Bialo announced the move in the wake of the team's disappointing campaign in the Copa America, @ which they were hosts.

Argentina were eliminated in quarter-finals by Uruguay, who went on 2 lift the trophy with a 3-0 win over Paraguay in Buenos Aires on Sunday evening.

Cherquis Bialo told reporters: ''The national teams committee has decided 2 rescind the contract tat attached Mr Batista with the Argentinian Football Association.

''In a very good natured, mature telephone conversation, Mr Batista & Mr Julio Grondona (the AFA president) talked & Batista left his situation in the hands of the AFA.

''Batista is a man who does not need any explanation. He talked 2 the AFA president & allowed him 2 decide whatever he considers the right thing.''

As Argentina start the 2014 WC qualifying campaign in October, the AFA hope 2 name Batista's successor within a week.

''In the upcoming 7 days, we hope we can reveal the name of the new coach,'' Cherquis Bialo said. ''The candidates' names will be evaluated by the national teams committee.''

Argentina were scheduled 2 play a friendly against Romania next month, but Cherquis Bialo announced it has been cancelled.

[joew2005]

Latest Conmebol/Fifa ranking update on 27 July 2011.
Next update on 24 Aug 2011.

1. Brazil (Fifa 4)
2. Uruguay (Fifa 5)
3. Argentina (Fifa 10)
4. Chile (Fifa 11)
5. Peru (Fifa 25)
6. Paraguay (Fifa 26)
7. Colombia (Fifa 35)
8. Venezuela (Fifa 40)
9. Ecuador (Fifa 67)
10. Bolivia (Fifa 80)

http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/ranking/lastranking/gender=m/fullranking.html#confederation=23915&rank=206

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/938341/alejandro-sabella-to-succeed-sergio-batista-as-argentina-coach?cc=4716

Sabella named new Argentina coach
July 29, 2011

Alejandro Sabella has been named Argentina's new coach 2 replace Sergio Batista.

Sabella, 56, coached Estudiantes 2 the Copa Libertadores & had been due 2 take charge of Al-Jazira in the UAE b4 Batista's exit, which was prompted by a disappointing Copa America showing.

Jose Luis Meiszner, the general secretary of the Argentine Football Association, told Telam: "The decision has been taken. Sabella is the choice."

Sabella will be instructed 2 make a success of 1 of world football's most talented squads, where he will be able 2 pick fr the likes of Lionel Messi, Javier Mascherano, Sergio Aguero, Carlos Tevez, Gonzalo Higuain & Angel Di Maria, amongst others.

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/938400/gerardo-martino-quits-paraguay?cc=4716

Martino quits Paraguay
July 31, 2011

Gerardo Martino stepped down as coach of Copa America runners-up Paraguay on Friday aft 4 years in charge.

Martino, whose side lost 3-0 to Uruguay in last weekend's Copa America final, also guided Paraguay 2 their 1st-ever WC quarter-final in South Africa last year, where they were beaten by eventual winners Spain.

The 48-year-old Argentinian had been linked with the top job in his home country, but the AFA opted instead 4 Alejandro Sabella. It is reported tat Martino is set 2 be replaced by Francisco Arce.

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/940778/ronaldinho-ready-for-brazil-return?cc=4716

Ronaldinho ready for Brazil return
August 6, 2011

Flamengo playmaker Ronaldinho has outlined his desire 2 become a permanent fixture of the Brazil squad again, insisting he k "make a + contribution 2 the national team".

Ronaldinho, 31, was omitted fr former coach Dunga's 2010 WC squad aft a season in which he failed 2 demonstrate his form & fitness on a regular basis with AC Milan.

But the 2-time World Player of the Year was given hope of reigniting his international career by current Selecao boss Mano Menezes, when he was selected 4 a friendly against Argentina last November & despite not featuring since, Ronaldinho believes he still has plenty 2 offer @ the highest level.

"My objective is 2 do my best with Flamengo & if the coach needs me I will be ready," Ronaldinho said. "It's the moment I've been dreaming of (2 return 2 the Brazil squad). Physically, I'm in top form.

"Fr now until the WC alot of things k happen, but I believe I k make a + contribution 2 the national team."

Ronadinho has been plying his trade back in Brazil since January aft returning 2 his homeland with Flamengo & he remains an extremely popular figure among the country's football fans.

Question marks remain over his off-field activities but a memorable hat-trick against Santos last month provided a reminder of wat he is capable of on the pitch.

Brazil's next game is against Germany in Stuttgart on August 10 as the 2014 WC hosts begin a 3-year run of friendlies in the lead up 2 the tournament.

[joew2005]

Latest Conmebol/Fifa ranking update on 24 Aug 2011.
Next update on 21 Sept 2011.

1. Uruguay (Fifa 5)
2. Brazil (Fifa 6)
3. Argentina (Fifa 9)
4. Chile (Fifa 11)
5. Paraguay (Fifa 25)
6. Peru (Fifa 26)
7. Colombia (Fifa 35)
8. Venezuela (Fifa 44)
9. Ecuador (Fifa 66)
10. Bolivia (Fifa 85)

http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/ranking/lastranking/gender=m/fullranking.html#confederation=23915&rank=207

[joew2005]

Latest Conmebol/Fifa ranking update on 21 Sep 2011.
Next update on 19 Oct 2011.

1. Uruguay (Fifa 4)
2. Brazil (Fifa 7)
3. Argentina (Fifa 10)
4. Chile (Fifa 14)
5. Paraguay (Fifa 24)
6. Colombia (Fifa 32)
7. Peru (Fifa 35)
8. Venezuela (Fifa 47)
9. Ecuador (Fifa 69)
10. Bolivia (Fifa 81)

http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/ranking/lastranking/gender=m/fullranking.html#confederation=23915&rank=208

[joew2005]

Latest Conmebol/Fifa ranking update on 19 Oct 2011.

1. Uruguay (Fifa 4)
2. Brazil (Fifa 5)
3. Argentina (Fifa 10)
4. Chile (Fifa 16)
5. Paraguay (Fifa 28)
6. Colombia (Fifa 30)
7. Peru (Fifa 32)
8. Venezuela (Fifa 40)
9. Ecuador (Fifa 52)
10. Bolivia (Fifa 115)

http://www.fifa.com/worldranking/rankingtable/index.html

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/996355/colombia-sack-leonel-alvarez-after-four-months?cc=4716

Colombia dismiss Alvarez
December 14, 2011

Leonel Alvarez has been sacked as Colombia coach aft 4 months @ the helm.

Alvarez, 46, took up the reins following the resignation of Hernan Dario Gomez in August, & won the 1st of his 3 WC qualifiers - 2-1 in Bolivia - b4 a 1-1 draw against Venezuela & a 2-1 defeat against Argentina.

Federacion Colombiana de Futbol president Luis Bedoya revealed the organisation's 7-man board had reached a unanimous decision 2 terminate Alvarez's contract.

A statement read: "With respect 2 the senior Colombia team, president Bedoya announces the unanimous decision of the federation's executive committee 2 terminate, as of tis date, the employment contract of Leonel Alvarez."

[joew2005]

Latest Conmebol/Fifa ranking update on Dec 2011.

1. Uruguay (Fifa 4)
2. Brazil (Fifa 6)
3. Argentina (Fifa 10)
4. Chile (Fifa 13)
5. Paraguay (Fifa 24)
6. Peru (Fifa 35)
7. Colombia (Fifa 36)
8. Venezuela (Fifa 39)
9. Ecuador (Fifa 42)
10. Bolivia (Fifa 108)


http://www.fifa.com/worldranking/rankingtable/index.html

[joew2005]

Latest Conmebol/Fifa ranking update on JAN 2012.

1. Uruguay (Fifa 4)
2. Brazil (Fifa 6)
3. Argentina (Fifa 10)
4. Chile (Fifa 12)
5. Paraguay (Fifa 27)
6. Peru (Fifa 34)
7. Colombia (Fifa 35)
8. Venezuela (Fifa 41)
9. Ecuador (Fifa 42)
10. Bolivia (Fifa 109)


http://www.fifa.com/worldranking/rankingtable/index.html