Copa America

eirebhoy

I might aswell open a thread for this. Results so far:

Group A
Venezuela 0 - 1 Colombia - Moreno (pen)

Peru 2 - 2 Bolivia - Botero (Bol), Alvarez (Bol), Bossio (Per), Palacios (Per)

Group B
Mexico 2 - 2 Uruguay - Beuno (Uru), Osorno (Mex), Pardo (Mex), Montero (Uru)

Argentina 6 - 1 Ecuador - Gonzalez (Arg, pen), Delgado (Ecu), Saviola, Saviola, Saviola, D'Alessandro, Gonzalez (Arg)

Tonights fixtures:

Costa Rica -v- Paraguay
Brazil -v- Chile

I can't see anyone beating Argentina and the bookie's odds' of 5/2 before the tournament started is proof that they are a force to be reckoned with. Most teams have weakened squad's, especially Brazil. The two 2-2 draws have been the best matches so far. Diego Forlan is also a different player for Uruguay.

I've put €10 on a Paraguay - Brazil double tonight at odds of 3/1.

KdjaCL

Watched some of the mexico game alst night ,anyone see the 3rd goal keeper kinda let it in. Very strange and the camera angle is weird.

Oh well its football.

kdjac

_blank_

Did anyone see that goal, I think Peru got it, the fella took it outside the box, solo-ed it into the box, then solo-ed it again, and hit it on the volley. Great goal.

About Forlan being better for Uruguay, yeah I'd have to agree. He couldn't be much worse than he is for United

cruiserweight

Originally posted by eirebhoy
I've put €10 on a Paraguay - Brazil double tonight at odds of 3/1.

Good bet just about, last night results were

Paraguay 1 - 0 Costa Rica Julio Dos Santos 86 (pen)

Brazil 1 - 0 Chile Luis Fabiano 90

I think that Peru will do well in this tournament, given that they are at home. However Argentina are a good bet, as the coach is under tremendous pressure as if he does not win he is sacked. Also they do not have Crespo with them.

One interesting to note is that Brazil have not won this tournament to many times, in fact I think that they have only one more Copa America title than World Cup

The list reads

Argentina 14
Uruguay 14
Brazil 6
Paraguay 2
Peru 2
Bolivia 1
Colombia 1

This is mainly due to the fact that the competition started in 1916!

eirebhoy

It's the last time I'm staying up when I have a bet on the matches. I expected to watch the Paraguay match and then head to bed but I ended up watching both games, the Brazil match finished at 03.40. The ref in the Brazil game was giving freekicks for every single tackle and the Chilean's were time wasting as soon as the clock hit 80mins. That lad Diego, who had an agreement with Spurs, came on for the last half hour and he looks a very good player, pity about his diving though. Also, the Chilean's had a penalty, they scored but players ran into the box before it was taken, it was retaken and missed.:D

In the other match. Paraguay and Costa Rica were poor. Paraguay had 7 debutants in the team and the keeper had only made 6 previous appearances at club level so they had an excuse. Brazil and Chile are by far the best teams in the group and i can't see either been beaten by the other two. Therefore Brazil are nearly certain to win the group and at 4/11 I'm sticking big money on them.

Tonights matches are really hard to call. Venezula are a decent team and Bolivia got a draw with Peru so its no bet for me tonight.
Colombia v Bolivia
Peru v Venezula

Big Nelly

Stayed up to watch some of the games!! watch only bits cause they where dire to say the least! have only been impressed with Argentina so far but they where playing a very poor team!

Big Ears

I only saw the second half of the Costa Rica , Paraguay game , but I was impressed by the Paraguayans U 23 team(for the olympics) .

redspider

Question: does anyone have any opinions as to why the squads are so poor?

I suppose I'm taking the obvious thought here that because Europe attracts all the top players who will be back training soon at their clubs, they are skipping the tournament in favour of a holiday or rest or indeed to start some club training. This is resulting in a much poorer tournament, as it should be an equivalent of Euro2004. Why wasnt the tournament played at the same time as Euro2004, or does that clash with club football in South America, etc?

Its ironic how money at one side of the globe affects sport at the other side!

Harry2001

Yeah I was amazed looking at the Brazil squad and how lightly they take this competition.

It's the World Cup qualifiers they really care about I suppose

Big Ears

Well I get the feeling they rate the Olyimpics more .

for instance Brazil send what was ment to be they're squad for the Olyimpics with a few exceptions (Edu to name 1 ) , unfourtunately for them they didnt qualify .

Argentina and that young Paraguay team that we've seen did .

redspider

Why would countries and fans rate the Olympics higher than their own Copa America?

The European countries certainly dont. I know that the African countries did at one time such as Nigeria. I have no idea who is going to play in this years Olympics for the European teams, but after Euro2004 and with the preparation starting for the new season, surely none of the top professionals will be there. I haven't looked into it but that would make sense to me.

Big Nelly

Talk of Utd's Ronaldo been made to play in Olmypics because he played in the qualifiers!! means he would miss the start of the season for Utd

cruiserweight

In the olympics we have

Group A :
Greece (GRE)
Korea Republic (KOR)
Mali (MLI)
Mexico (MEX)

Group B :
Ghana (GHA)
Italy (ITA)
Japan (JPN)
Paraguay (PAR)

Group C :
Argentina (ARG)
Australia (AUS)
Serbia and Montenegro (SCG)
Tunisia (TUN)

Group D :
Costa Rica (CRC)
Iraq (IRQ)
Morocco (MAR)
Portugal (POR)

So Brazil did not qualify!It makes sense for Argentine, Paraguay and Mexico to bring young squads to Copa America as the Olympics tournament is Under 23, although I think teams may be allowed one or two over age players. So the olympics is almost like a youth tournament!

cruiserweight

The quarter finals for Copa America were decided last night and are


Peru v Argentina, 23:00, Saturday

Brazil v Mexico, 1:45, Sunday

Paraguay v Uruguay, 21:00, Sunday

Colombia v Costa Rica, 2:00, Monday