The Losers
Of the four, perhaps only Bolivia in Group A, traditionally alongside Venezuela as one of South America’s weakest sides, can hold their heads high. While they were drawn in the arguably the easiest group against hosts Venezuela, Peru and Uruguay, they were lost only one game and drew their other two and were painfully unlucky not to qualify as a best third place. Of special note should be Jaime Moreno’s delightfully chipped goal versus Peru.
Ecuador, having qualified for the previous two World Cups were hoping to take confident steps forward and build on their admirable reputation as a team to be respected from South America. Alas 2007 was not to be their year to make a significant mark on the competition and with three losses go home smarting and have still yet to register any great success in this tournament, twice reaching fourth place.
Colombian coach Jorge Luis Pinto will have his work cut out in trying to keep his job. Despite demonstrations and internal politics in Colombia drawing interest away from the Copa, Colombians are going to be unforgiving at this seemingly spineless performance. A wonderful headed goal from Jaime Castrillon in their final game versus the USA will allow him some breathing space, but shipping 5 goals in their opening game against Paraguay and a further 4 against Argentina will not be fondly remembered.
Quite simply the USA looked well out of their depth in Venezuela. Scoring two goals in their three matches and conceding 8 is never going to bear fruit. They do have the excuse of being fatigued, many of their players performing in the long European season and then being called up for the Gold Cup in which they were victorious against a bullish Mexico. As invitees to the Copa, Coach Bob Bradley will most likely have seen these games in Venezuela as ideal for squad bonding and preparation for the qualifying games for South Africa 2010.
The Quarter Finals
July 7
San Cristóbal – Venezuela vs. Uruguay
Puerto la Cruz – Chile vs. Brazil
July 8
Maturín – Mexico vs. Paraguay
Barquisimeto – Argentina vs. Peru
Football fans will be relishing these quarter final games. Venezuela qualified top of Group A drawing with Uruguay in the process. Since Uruguay went through as second best third placed team the draw finds them again facing the hosts. Despite promise and restructuring Uruguay have yet to really find their feet in the Copa and the Richard Paez’s players will be looking to exploit this and use the home support as an extra player.
Chile and Brazil have already met in the group phase in a decidedly one-sided affair with Robinho netting all three. However, there is a feeling of optimism surrounding the Chilean team of late. They have precociously talented youngsters and believe that on their day they can be world beaters. Coach Nelson Acosta will be pouring over replays of the Brazil – Mexico game to see how the Mexicans managed a 2-0 win.
Arguably the Mexico – Paraguay match could be the pick of all games to watch. Hugo Sanchez is eager to take his team to the semi finals at least but the Paraguayans will be no pushover. The Guarani scored all five goals against Colombia in counter attacks and Rafael Marquez will need to marshal his defence to quell the terrifying skills of Roque Santa Cruz. Veteran striker Cuauhtemoc Blanco is back in the side and the Paraguayans will be wary of his continual threat as he lurks behind the front two.
Having not won a trophy in 14 years, Alfio Basile has brought a full strength team to Venezuela and their authority and ability is being stamped all over the competition. Despite going a goal behind in their first two games in the group phase the team with Juan Roman Riquelme, Boca Junior’s Copa Libertadores winner, Hernan Crespo, Carlos Tevez and Lionel Messi, has reacted like a wounded beast and thumped in the goals. Peru will be very aware that Argentina have scored 9 goals in three games. But that said, Peru, for once, appear to be gelling as a team and Claudio Pizarro and Jefferson Farfan are playing with renewed vigour.
See the original Copa America 2007 article
See the write up for the Final here
