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Quarter final Preview of the Copa America 2007

The attention in the Copa America now turns to the quarter finals which are due to take place over the weekend. First up are the hosts Venezuela as they come up against Uruguay. Having already ‘fought’ out a 0-0 draw against each other neither team has given much away in the run up to this game. The return of Alvaro Recoba who missed the first match through injury could be important and he may fill in down the right side of attack. Cristian Rodriguez who was thrown into attack more in hope than conviction during the 2nd half against Peru and made an immediate impact has been a star for the Uruguayans. Venezuela will be cheered on by an enthusiastic crowd in San Cristobal, the site of their only win in the tournament so far against Peru. The question is can they turn in another high tempo performance and bring Uruguay’s tournament to a premature end?

Saturday’s second quarter final will also be a repeat from the group stage (why couldn’t the winners of group A have played the third place team from Group B so that Venzuela would have met Brazil and Chile would have played Uruguay, or have I just answered my own question?) with Chile taking on Brazil. With the Selacco having already recorded a win despite not playing very well Chile will know they may just stand a chance of turning up a surprise. Having rested a number of key players in their final match against Mexico such as Gonzalez, Valdivia and Navia they will be fresh enough to cause an upset. Mati Fernandez should hopefully also be fit enough to take a place in the midfield and with him in the team Chile look like an accomplished team. Ironically Brazil played their best football in a loosing cause when they went down to Mexico in their first match. The team so far has relied on pieces on individual pieces of brilliance rather than any great team ethic. Will Chile find Brazil out or can another piece of magic from Diego or Robinho grant Dunga’s men another lifeline?

The winners of the two above games meet in the first semi final on the 10th, could it be Chile-Venzuela? Don’t be surprised if a shock occurs, we’ve seen a few already!

On Sunday Mexico meet Paraguay in what looks to be on paper the most evenly matched game of the 4 due to take place. Paraguay have probably surprised themselves with the number of goals they have notched up, 8 in total with Roque Santa Cruz getting in amongst the goals. The Manchester City target could be the main man against for Paraguay as he seems rejuvenated. Mexico started the tournament with a fine 2-0 win although the score did flatter them somewhat � nearly the full team were rested against Chile so they should be fresh. Mexico may be slight favourites for the game but if Paraguay can continue their fine group form they could cause the Mexicans trouble.

The final game will be tournament favourites Argentina against Peru. Peru have played well in patches during group A to finish in 2nd place � but they will have their work cut out against Argentina, who have put everyone on group C to the sword. Farfan has shown some wonderful touches in attack for Peru and he will be the man that Argentina have to watch. Argentina have more than justified their billing as pre-tournament favourites thus far playing some wonderful football and looking tough to break down defensively. The US through Eddie Johnson exposed a slight lack of pace if Ayala can be isolated, can the pace of Roberto Guerrero be exploited to full advantage? Argentina have held a high defensive line in the tournament thus far and this may prove a weakness. In truth Peru should not pose Argentina too many problems. The winners of the Sunday matches meet each other on the 11th in the other semi final.

Brazil and Argetina therefore are on a crash course to meet each other in the final. A lot more football needs to be played before the final next Sunday the 15th, but if Brazil can find some form and play themselves into this tournament and Argentina continue in the same vein, a most mouth-watering final could be on the cards.

Posted by Walter Townsend on Friday, 6th July 2007

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