Aboutaball :: About World Football

Football News, Articles, Statistics, Links and more…

Copa America Semi Final 1 Preview

Brazil and Uruguay meet each other in the first semi final tonight in the Copa America 2007. Both sides secured their place in this semi final with resounding wins against Venezuela and Chile respectively. Neither side until the quarter finals had indicated that such convincing wins would be feasible but both teams turned in easily their best performances of the tournament to go through to the semi finals in style.

On Saturday night Uruguay dispatched the hosts Venezuela in front of a passionate crowd in San Cristobal coping well with the hostile crowd. Despite being the lowest team to qualify and the lowest scoring team, with only 1 goal to their credit at that stage, to qualify for the knock out stage Uruguay, who scrapped through on 4 points after loosing their first game to Peru 3-0, turned on the form to disappoint the home side. After a strong start where they were unable to press home their early dominance the Venezuelans responded strongly with several good chances. It took until the mid way point of the first half for Forlan to open the scoring for Uruguay recording his first goal of the tournament. He added another one late on to take his tally to 2. Venezuela equalised before half time but were unable to seize the initiative and it was Uruguay who showed they had the greater cutting edge to ease themselves through to semi final. Of particular note was the goal of Pablo Garcia, the defensive midfielder placed a measured shot beyond the reach of the Venezuelan goalkeeper into the top left hand corner of the goal.

Later in the evening Brazil met Chile again, after playing each other in the group stage of the tournament in Group B, in Puerto Ordaz. Despite making life difficult for their more illustrious opponents the Brazilians wrapped up a 3-0 win late on in the first game. This time the Chileans were far less convincing and succumbed to three early goals to Brazil in effect loosing the match in the first 20 minutes. Occasional bouts of resistance were attempted by Chile but they slipped to a 6-1 defeat in the end, despite a peach of a finish from Lorca chipping the Brazilian keeper with a wonderfully judged effort.

Venezuela will be pleased to have avoided the dubious honour of being the first host nation not to make it through to the knock out stage. They will also be pleased to have doubled their number of wins in the Copa America; they now have 2 to their name! In the end their inability to make chances count and turn efforts at goal into goals cost them dear against Uruguay. However, in a baseball mad country the seed of football has no doubt been planted in the mind of their supporters. Taking the game to the provinces resisting the temptation to use a big ready-to-use stadium in the capital Caracas means that they have left a permanent footballing legacy that will last well beyond the memory of the current team.

Chile found themselves on a downward spiral after peaking far too early in a memorable comeback against Ecuador. They will be pleased to have qualified from the toughest group in the tournament although playing Mexico who had already qualified and knowing that a draw would secure them top place was also to Chileans advantage. The loss of Mati Fernandez to injury during their tournament was an obvious blow that Acosta failed to overcome. Valdivia and Gonzalez both failed to shine in his absence meaning that the attackers were often left to make their own chances. Lorca and Navia up front both scored some marvellous goals, and the latter could well be making a move away from Chilean football in the near future.

Both Brazil and Uruguay generated their best performances of the tournament in the last game. Should this be seen as a sign that the teams are beginning to find their feet in the Copa America or have they peaked too soon?

Uruguay officially were just looking to rebuild for the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers which start in the autumn but the strength of the team (coaxing Recoba out of retirement for instance) suggested that the semi finals were the minimum achievement expected. That has now been achieved and the tension that was clearly evident in the squad has dissipated. A change of formation from coach Washington Tabarez has also suited the team better, a 4-4-2 set-up gave Forlan more support and simply the presence of Recoba alongside the Atletico Madrid man last time out meant that more space was available for Forlan to exploit. Cristian Rodriquez, after coming on as a sub in the first game, has become a virtual ever present in the team, the PSG man has made a big difference to the Uruguayan effort with his direct running, nimble footwork and great range of passing. A defensive reshuffle also helped Uruguayan stability and meant that Pablo Garcia as the holding midfield player could concentrate on dictating the tempo rather than ‘fire fighting’ in the defence.

Brazil turned in a terrific performance in their last match against Chile who looked deflated after the first 20 minute rout. Brazil were at leisure to pick off the Chileans at will for the remainder of the match and some well crafted moves were finished off with ease. However, did the weakness of the opposition simply paper over the cracks? Dunga’s detractors, of which there are many in Brazil, would certainly suggest this, but the momentum generated by knocking Chile for 6 will supply much needed enthusiasm for the team. Perhaps by generating a siege mentality against the hostile sections of the Brazilian press Dunga has succeeded in generating a team spirit so sorely lacking in previous matches thus far in the tournament. Robinho will have to be closely watched as the Real Madrid striker has recorded 6 goals already in the tournament. Brazil still look suspect defensively, Alex in particular known as the Tank in Holland, has looked shaky. Perhaps his impending move to Chelsea is playing on his mind as that transfer is far from being completed (articles in the Dutch press indicate he may stay another year in Eindhoven).

The main battle will be fought in the midfield and the more influential between Gilberto Silva for Brazil and Palo Garcia of Uruguay in the holding roles may well have a decisive effect on the outcome of the game. If Uruguay can get enough of the ball out to Cristian Rodriguez who can drift out to both flanks and has shown himself to be an excellent player then he could cause trouble to Brazil’s full backs, Maicon on the right and Gilberto Silva on the left. Moving Lugano from the centre to the right in the Uruguayan defence gave the defence a more solid look against Venezuela, something that may give the Brazilians a bit more resistance than what they met in their previous match. However, the temptation to drop deep and sit off the Brazilians must be avoided as allowing Brazil to dominate possession will be a dangerous tactic. If Diego Perez and Pablo Garcia can press the ball in the midfield they may be able to starve the Brazilian attackers of service.

Posted by Walter Townsend on Tuesday, 10th July 2007

(Average rating 1 from 1 votes. Vote)
(0 Comments)

Want to write about Football? At About a ball we're always looking out for football writiers from every corner of the World, if you think you can write interesting original articles please contact:
editor @ aboutaball . co . uk (no spaces).

We look forward to hearing from you.

Other News Stories:

African Cup of Nations, Site News, World -

The African Cup of Nations is back on Aboutaball - your Number One source for news and views from Africa's premier competition

British -

Vieira over the hill?

African Cup of Nations, World -

Nigerian fans risk Nations Cup blackout

African Cup of Nations, Previews, Profiles, World -

African Cup of Nations 2010: Tunisia Team Guide

African Cup of Nations, Previews, Profiles, World -

African Cup of Nations 2010: Zambia Team Guide

African Cup of Nations, Previews, Profiles, World -

African Cup of Nations 2010: Gabon Team Guide

African Cup of Nations, Previews, Profiles, World -