The 2011 Copa America has just kicked off in Argentina and it promises to be an exciting with plenty of attacking talent on display and no clear-cut favourite too.
Group A
Argentina
Fifa Ranking 10
Coach: Sergio Batista
Star Player: Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona)
2010 World Cup performance: Eliminated in Quarter-finals, Lost 4-0 to Germany
2007 Copa America performance: Runners-up, Lost final 3-0 to Brazil
Previous titles: 14 (1921, 1925, 1927, 1929, 1937, 1941, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1955, 1957, 1959, 1991, 1993)
Following Diego Maradona’s stint in charge, which ended in an underwhelming World Cup campaign, new boss Sergio Batista has given Argentina reason for optimism after wins over Spain and Brazil. However, key man Lionel Messi appears below his best at international level and Batista needs to find a solution. As hosts in 2011, this is a great chance for Argentina to re-claim the Copa America for the first time in 18 years and with attacking talent such as Sergio Aguero and Carlos Tevez, they should reach the final.
Bolivia
Fifa Ranking 93
Coach: Gustavo Quinteros
Star Player: Edivaldo Rojas (Naval)
2010 World Cup performance: 9th in CONMEBOL Qualifying
2007 Copa America performance: Eliminated in group stage, 4th in Group A
Previous titles: 1 (1963)
Away from altitude, Bolivia head into this tournament with few expectations. The reality is in a group such as this, they would be happy to get through to the quarter-finals. Edivaldo Rojas is a real talent, while Marcello Moreno offers plenty up front but they don’t have the overall quality and depth needed to do much damage.
Colombia
Fifa Ranking 54
Coach: Hernan Dario Gomez
Star Player: Radamel Falcao (FC Porto)
2010 World Cup performance: 7th in CONMEBOL Qualifying
2007 Copa America performance: Eliminated in group stage, 3rd in Group C
Previous titles: 1 (2001)
Coach Gomez has done plenty of miles in the South American game, guiding Ecuador to the World Cup finals in 2002, and this is his second stint in charge of Colombia. He’ll know a trick or two and with a squad boasting talent such as FC Porto’s Radamel Falcao and Fredy Guarin there’s plenty of reason to believe Colombia can go further than the quarters. An improvement on 2007’s effort is a necessity but they should be good enough.
Costa Rica
Fifa Ranking 55
Coach: Ricardo La Volpe
Star Player: Josue Martinez (Saprissa)
2010 World Cup performance: Lost Inter-Confederation Playoff 2-1 to Uruguay on aggregate
2007 Copa America performance: Did not compete
Previous titles: none
The Ticos come into this tournament shortly after the 2011 Gold Cup, having been invited to the Copa America following the late withdrawal of Japan. Costa Rica were knocked out in the quarter-finals at the Gold Cup and head into this tournament without their European-based stars and under-strength, suggesting they will battle. The Ticos will field a youthful side so look out for Saprissa teenager Joel Campbell.
Group B
Brazil
Fifa Ranking 5
Coach: Mano Menezes
Star Player: Thiago Silva (AC Milan)
2010 World Cup performance: Eliminated in Quarter-Finals, Lost 2-1 to Netherlands
2007 Copa America performance: Winners, Won final 3-0 over Argentina
Previous titles: 8 (1919, 1922, 1949, 1989, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2007)
The reigning champions have some players in some fine form, including Thiago Silva, Alexandre Pato and Robinho who won the Scudetto with AC Milan, while Brazilian-based youngsters Ganso and Neymar have been winning many admirers lately too. Mano Menezes has done a good job since taking over following their disappointing 2010 World Cup campaign under Dunga. Menezes’ current Brazil side are youthful, but they have good experienced leaders in Maicon, Lucio, Dani Alves and Julio Cesar to guide them to the final.
Ecuador
Fifa Ranking 18
Coach: Reinaldo Rueda
Star Player: Antonio Valencia (Manchester United)
2010 World Cup performance: 6th in CONMEBOL Qualifying
2007 Copa America performance: Eliminated in group stage, 4th in Group B
Previous titles: none
Rueda guided Honduras to the 2010 World Cup finals last year but was sacked and came into this job where he has managed few wins and lots of draws, son the jury is out on him. Ecuador have a difficult group alongside Brazil and Paraguay, so they’ll need to be plucky. They have some wily players including skipper Walter Ayovi and Christian Noboa.
Paraguay
Fifa Ranking 32
Coach: Gerardo Martino
Star Player: Lucas Barrios (Borussia Dortmund)
2010 World Cup performance: Eliminated in Quarter-Finals, Lost 1-0 to Spain
2007 Copa America performance: Eliminated in Quarter-finals, Lost 6-0 to Mexico
Previous titles: 2 (1953, 1979)
Gerardo Martino has done a fine job in charge of the Paraguayans, including a solid 2010 World Cup where they reached the quarter-finals. So this side comes into the Copa America with some belief they belong on the international stage but doubts remain on if they are a serious contender. Martino has built a solid and stable side, but with stars such as Roque Santa Cruz ageing, you fancy they can get through this group but not much further.
Venezuela
Fifa Ranking 69
Coach: Cesar Farias
Star Player: Juan Arango (Borussia Moenchengladbach)
2010 World Cup performance: 8th in CONMEBOL Qualifying
2007 Copa America performance: Eliminated in Quarter-finals, lost 4-1 to Uruguay
Previous titles: none
The 2007 hosts aren’t expected to do too much damage in Argentina, particularly after recent poor form. Venezuela’s 38-year-old boss Cesar Farias will look for disciplined performances from his side in a difficult group. The flair will come from Juan Arango and Giancarlo Maldonado.
Group C
Chile
Fifa Ranking 27
Coach: Claudio Borghi
Star Player: Alexis Sanchez (Udinese)
2010 World Cup performance: Eliminated in Round of 16, Lost 3-0 to Brazil
2007 Copa America performance: Eliminated in Quarter-finals, lost 6-1 to Brazil
Previous titles: none
The Chileans impressed many around the world in South Africa last year and it’s the positive approach they displayed at the 2010 World Cup which offers optimism ahead of the Copa America. However, coach Marcelo Bielsa is no longer at the helm after good recent progress under his rein but new boss Claudio Borghi continues to utilise a similar formation to his predecessor with an emphasis on width and with players like Barcelona-bound Alexis Sanchez buzzing around, they should progress to the quarters.
Mexico
Fifa Ranking 9
Coach: Jose Manuel de la Torre
Star Player: Giovani dos Santos (Tottenham)
2010 World Cup performance: Eliminated in Round of 16, Lost 3-1 to Argentina
2007 Copa America performance: Third place, Won third-place playoff 3-1 over Mexico
Previous titles: none
El Tri won the 2011 Gold Cup last week but the side which will compete in Argentina is vastly different. However, 2010 World Cup star and Gold Cup final goalscorer Giovani dos Santos is included for a tournament he hopes to impress in to boost his career. The reality, though, is Mexico are under-strength, with plenty of youngsters in this squad and progressing in this tough group may be difficult.
Peru
Fifa Ranking 49
Coach: Sergio Markarian
Star Player: Juan Manuel Vargas (Fiorentina)
2010 World Cup performance: 10th in CONMEBOL Qualifying
2007 Copa America performance: Eliminated in Quarter-finals, lost 4-0 to Argentina
Previous titles: 2 (1939, 1975)
Peru are two-time champions but have struggled on the international scene in recent years due to internal troubles. They head for Argentina without key pair Claudio Pizarro and Jefferson Farfan, but do possess a good balance of talent, including Paolo Guerrero and Juan Manuel Vargas, who could get them out of this group.
Uruguay
Fifa Ranking 18
Coach: Oscar Tabarez
Star Player: Luis Suarez (Liverpool)
2010 World Cup performance: Fourth place, Lost third-place playoff 3-2 to Germany
2007 Copa America performance: Fourth place, Lost third-place playoff 3-1 to Mexico
Previous titles: 14 (1916, 1917, 1920, 1923, 1924, 1926, 1935, 1942, 1956, 1959, 1967, 1983, 1987, 1995)
Uruguay’s fourth-place finish at last year’s World Cup was no fluke, considering the talent at Oscar Tabarez’s disposal. The likes of Luis Suarez, Edinson Cavani and Diego Forlan are genuine top-class attacking talents and with Tabarez’s tactical acumen ensuring they have their defence organised, this side can be a serious contender in Argentina. La Celeste supporters would love nothing more than becoming the most successful team in Copa America in the turf of their old rivals Argentina.