Missing the weekly ritual of watching football’s finest, now that the UEFA Champions League has ended? Take heart. South America’s best, from Lionel Messi to Neymar, are all ready do battle for the 2015 Copa America title, which Chile are hosting. It’s time to get back to that delicious thrill of watching football while burning the midnight oil. The Copa has begun, with Chile defeating Equador 2-0 in the first match.
The format is quite straightforward. Twelve teams (ten from South America and two invited countries) are divided into three groups. The top two teams from each group progress to the quarter-finals where they’re joined by the top two third-placed teams. The most successful country in Copa America history is Uruguay, who have won the tournament a record 15 times and are the current defending champions. However, Brazil have enjoyed recent success of late, winning the title thrice in the last five editions.
Group A: Chile look to add spice
Forced to remain in the shadow of their big South American neighbours, Chile’s success at the 2014 World Cup won them plenty of admirers and they’ll be looking to build upon that goodwill. With Alexis Sanchez and Arturo Vidal in the team, there’s tremendous belief that they’ll be finally able to remove a major bogey from their Copa America history: they’ve never been able to win a title, despite finishing runners-up on four occasions.
Joining Chile in Group A are Mexico, Bolivia and Ecuador. Mexico are one of the teams that have been invited for the tournament but they’ve made it quite clear that they are more focused on the Gold Cup (the North American version of the Copa America). Quite a few players from their regular first team have missed out, including Guillermo Ochoa and Javier Hernandez. However, their 36-year old talisman, Rafael Marquez will continue shepherding the team from the heart of defence.
Looking at Mexico’s weakened team, Ecuador would have fancied their chances. But they fluffed their lines in the inaugural match, losing to Chile 1-0. They’re suffering from an injury crisis but will look to get back strongly. Bolivia, on the other hand, are the rank minnows in the group and would just look to put in a respectable performance.
Group B: Messidona
Once you’ve seen the name it’s enough. Group B has the Albiceleste (Argentina) and Lionel Messi will be back to try and win an international title, something that has eluded him in his long and magnificent career. Ranked first in South America, Argentina are favourites to win the title and end a 22-year long wait. For a side which has the likes of Angelo Di Maria, Carlos Tevez and Sergio Aguero in its ranks, besides Messi, it shouldn’t be anything more than a stroll in the park, but Argentina have made a habit of messing things up in international tournaments.
Uruguay, the defending champions and another South American football powerhouse, will make things difficult for Argentina. Uruguay will be missing the services of Diego Forlan, who’s retired from international football, as well as Luis Suarez, who's still serving his international ban for biting Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup. However, theirs is a solid team and won’t be easy to pick off.
Paraguay and Jamaica complete the set in Group B. Paraguay have a habit of punching above their weight and their evergreen captain Roque Santa Cruz will want more of the same. Jamaica are one of the two invited teams and, like Bolivia, will be looking to just gain some experience of playing a big tournament.
Group C: Redemption of the Samba kings?
The world watched with horror and disbelief as Brazil, the most successful team in World Cup history, were ripped apart 7-1 by the marauding Germans in the World Cup semi-finals. It was a disgrace of the sort few Brazilians had seen before.
Now finally at the Copa America, there is a chance for redemption. Dunga, the new Brazilian coach who is in his second term, has focused on creating a team which may be low on the traditional Selecao flair but far sturdier. Their 23-year old captain Neymar is the toast of the football world for his wizardry with the ball. With Philippe Coutinho and Thiago Silva providing a worthy supporting cast, this is Brazil’s chance to script a comeback.
Colombia were a tremendous success at the World Cup – their speedy attacking football delighted many. In James Rodriguez, Colombia possesses a striker who won the Golden Boot at the recent World Cup and also scored a wonder goal which left fans gasping. Having been knocked out of the World Cup at the quarter-final stages by Brazil, Colombia will be itching for revenge.
Venezuela and Peru may not possess the same level of quality as Brazil or Colombia but it would be unwise to write them off. Peru reached the semi-final stage at the 2011 Copa America, an indication that they are steadily improving. On the other hand, Venezuela almost qualified for the 2014 World Cup, finishing just one place below Uruguay.
This year’s Copa America started on June 11 and the final will be played on July 4.
The format is quite straightforward. Twelve teams (ten from South America and two invited countries) are divided into three groups. The top two teams from each group progress to the quarter-finals where they’re joined by the top two third-placed teams. The most successful country in Copa America history is Uruguay, who have won the tournament a record 15 times and are the current defending champions. However, Brazil have enjoyed recent success of late, winning the title thrice in the last five editions.
Group A: Chile look to add spice
Forced to remain in the shadow of their big South American neighbours, Chile’s success at the 2014 World Cup won them plenty of admirers and they’ll be looking to build upon that goodwill. With Alexis Sanchez and Arturo Vidal in the team, there’s tremendous belief that they’ll be finally able to remove a major bogey from their Copa America history: they’ve never been able to win a title, despite finishing runners-up on four occasions.
Joining Chile in Group A are Mexico, Bolivia and Ecuador. Mexico are one of the teams that have been invited for the tournament but they’ve made it quite clear that they are more focused on the Gold Cup (the North American version of the Copa America). Quite a few players from their regular first team have missed out, including Guillermo Ochoa and Javier Hernandez. However, their 36-year old talisman, Rafael Marquez will continue shepherding the team from the heart of defence.
Looking at Mexico’s weakened team, Ecuador would have fancied their chances. But they fluffed their lines in the inaugural match, losing to Chile 1-0. They’re suffering from an injury crisis but will look to get back strongly. Bolivia, on the other hand, are the rank minnows in the group and would just look to put in a respectable performance.
Group B: Messidona
Once you’ve seen the name it’s enough. Group B has the Albiceleste (Argentina) and Lionel Messi will be back to try and win an international title, something that has eluded him in his long and magnificent career. Ranked first in South America, Argentina are favourites to win the title and end a 22-year long wait. For a side which has the likes of Angelo Di Maria, Carlos Tevez and Sergio Aguero in its ranks, besides Messi, it shouldn’t be anything more than a stroll in the park, but Argentina have made a habit of messing things up in international tournaments.
Uruguay, the defending champions and another South American football powerhouse, will make things difficult for Argentina. Uruguay will be missing the services of Diego Forlan, who’s retired from international football, as well as Luis Suarez, who's still serving his international ban for biting Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup. However, theirs is a solid team and won’t be easy to pick off.
Paraguay and Jamaica complete the set in Group B. Paraguay have a habit of punching above their weight and their evergreen captain Roque Santa Cruz will want more of the same. Jamaica are one of the two invited teams and, like Bolivia, will be looking to just gain some experience of playing a big tournament.
Group C: Redemption of the Samba kings?
The world watched with horror and disbelief as Brazil, the most successful team in World Cup history, were ripped apart 7-1 by the marauding Germans in the World Cup semi-finals. It was a disgrace of the sort few Brazilians had seen before.
Now finally at the Copa America, there is a chance for redemption. Dunga, the new Brazilian coach who is in his second term, has focused on creating a team which may be low on the traditional Selecao flair but far sturdier. Their 23-year old captain Neymar is the toast of the football world for his wizardry with the ball. With Philippe Coutinho and Thiago Silva providing a worthy supporting cast, this is Brazil’s chance to script a comeback.
Colombia were a tremendous success at the World Cup – their speedy attacking football delighted many. In James Rodriguez, Colombia possesses a striker who won the Golden Boot at the recent World Cup and also scored a wonder goal which left fans gasping. Having been knocked out of the World Cup at the quarter-final stages by Brazil, Colombia will be itching for revenge.
Venezuela and Peru may not possess the same level of quality as Brazil or Colombia but it would be unwise to write them off. Peru reached the semi-final stage at the 2011 Copa America, an indication that they are steadily improving. On the other hand, Venezuela almost qualified for the 2014 World Cup, finishing just one place below Uruguay.
This year’s Copa America started on June 11 and the final will be played on July 4.
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