June 25, 2007
Brazil, Argentina Face Off in Copa America
Buenos Aires/Caracas
Defending champions Brazil and arch-rivals Argentina will again
measure up against each other in the Copa America that starts
Tuesday in Venezuela.
Both football giants are in need of good showings after their
respective disappointments in last year's World Cup in Germany.
In search for a title, Argentina travelled to Venezuela Thursday
with its full force, led by talented teenager Lionel Messi and by
the ever-unpredictable but undeniably gifted Juan Roman Riquelme.
Brazil, however, suffered serious setbacks in its quest for the
trophy in Venezuela.
The team is going through a transitional stage without national team
legends like Cafu, Roberto Carlos and Ronaldo, and its brightest
contemporary stars - Kaka and Ronaldinho - asked to be exempt from
the tournament in order to rest following a long season in Europe.
However, even Brazil's "second team" cannot be underestimated. The
team coached by Carlos Dunga will be led by Real Madrid's Robinho,
Werder Bremen star Diego and Olympique Lyon's Fred.
"I know there will be very great pressure on this Brazilian national
team, but our will is very great too. I hope this new generation can
come out as the winner too," Robinho said.
At the rival camp, a similar will to win is backed up with more
international experience, and Argentina travelled to Venezuela with
its full strength.
Riquelme (who had opted out of the national team in September 2006)
returned to the Argentine fold one day after majestically leading
Boca Juniors to the Copa Libertadores title, the South American
cousin of the Champions League.
The talent of Messi and Riquelme will be backed by a mix of
experience and quality with the likes of Carlos Tevez, Hernan Crespo,
Roberto Ayala, Gabriel Heinze, Javier Zanetti, Javier Mascherano and
Fernando Gago, to name a few.
However, the regional giants will not be the only ones seeking to
perform well in Venezuela.
Mexico will be led by Barcelona's Rafael Marquez, Uruguay will star
Villarreal's Diego Forlan, Peru will base its efforts on PSV
Eindhoven's Jefferson Farfan and Chelsea's Claudio Pizarro and
Paraguay will have Bayern Munich's Roque Santa Cruz.
One characteristic of the upcoming Copa America is that it will be
played in the only South American nation where football is not the
most popular sport and actually ranks third behind baseball and
basketball.
"I am convinced that we can do a good Copa. This is the opportunity
we have before us to do things as well as possible," said
Venezuela's undisputed leader, Mallorca midfielder Juan Arango.
"At the very least we have to get through to the second round. It is
an obligation."
As host, Venezuela adds a potential for conflict. The country led by
left-wing populist and outspoken US-critic Hugo Chavez has for weeks
been the stage of street protests over the government's refusal to
renew the broadcasting licence of a popular TV channel.
However, demonstrations have been forbidden for the duration of the
Copa America, and Interior Minister Pedro Carreno stressed that the
authorities are ready to combat violence more directly related to
football, and in particular "clashes between fans".
Ten South American teams plus northern guests Mexico and the US are
to fight for the title June 26-July 15, in nine Venezuelan cities.
Copa America host Venezuela is set to play the first round of the
tournament in Group A with Uruguay, Peru and Bolivia.
Group B is apparently the toughest and will pit Brazil against
Ecuador, Chile and Mexico, while Argentina will have to deal with
Paraguay, Colombia and the US in Group C.
Argentina and Uruguay have each won 14 editions of the oldest
national teams tournament in the world (played since 1916 at varying
time intervals).
Brazil has stepped up the pace by lifting three of the last four
trophies, for a total of seven.
Neither Brazilian Pele nor Argentine Diego Maradona - widely
regarded as the best two players in world football history - ever
won the Copa America, although they both played the prestigious
tournament.
It remains to be seen whether their latest successors, such as
Robinho and Messi, can do any better.
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