Friday, July 8, 2011

Argentina 0 Colombia 0: Messi misfires yet again as hosts battle to avoid early exit

Argentina's passage to the knock-out stage of the Copa America is in jeopardy after the hosts were held to a 0-0 draw by Colombia in another disappointing performance by Lionel Messi and his big-name teammates.

Coach Sergio Batista stuck with a similar side to the one that drew Argentina's opening game against Bolivia, and were again led by a misfiring Messi and Carlos Tevez.

Argentina's two star forwards were outplayed by Colombia strikers Radamel Falcao and Dayro Moreno, who had more chances and perhaps should have handed their team victory.

'We deserved three points,' Colombia defender Mario Alberto Yepes said. 'We had the chances to win. We had a lot of attacks we didn't finish.'

Argentina will need a victory in the final group match against Costa Rica, whose side is largely an Under 23 team - to guarantee passage to the second round. But even beating a second-string Costa Rica may be tough for Argentina, who have scored just one goal in 180 minutes in the tournament.

Costa Rica and Mexico are using inexperienced Olympic-style squads because they are not part of the South American confederation and are playing as guests. Their full-strength teams played in the just-completed Gold Cup for the CONCACAF region, which takes in North and Central America and the Caribbean.
Argentina players left the pitch to boos and whistles from frustrated fans after the game. 'One does not like to go off that way,' Batista said. 'People come to see the team win, and that's what we all want.'

Batista acknowledged that Colombia defended well against Messi. 'They shut down the open spots, they knew how to play. They knew our game.'

The Argentina boss will be under pressure to engineer a result for the hosts, who were tipped by many to win the tournament and face Brazil in the final.

Batista took over from Diego Maradona after a disappointing World Cup but has failed to produce results for a nation starved for any major titles in 18 years.

Argentina has two points from two games in Group A. Colombia leads the group with four from two games. Bolivia (1 point from 1 game) and Costa Rica (0 points from 1 game) will play on Thursday. The top two teams in the group advance automatically to the quarter-finals while the best two third-placed teams from the three groups also advance.

Colombia outplayed Argentina in the first half with Falcao and Moreno each coming up with several threatening chances. Moreno came close after 20 minutes with two shots sailing just wide.

Argentina again failed to get Messi into the match, although Ezequiel Lavezzi came close to scoring in the 34th minute, charging in off the right side with a shot that goalkeeper Luis Martinez saved with his right leg. Falcao forced Argentine keeper Sergio Romero into a diving save in the 42nd minute with a long shot, and Moreno made Romero stretch again two minutes later with another threatening attack.

The second half was much the same, and again Colombia looked more dangerous. Pablo Armero came close on a shot just across the face of goal in the 65th. Two minutes later Romero came up with a big save from Falcao.


Argentina finished with four forwards - Messi, Tevez, Gonzalo Higuain and Sergio Aguero - on the pitch in a desperate search for a goal, but still failed to create any genuine chances.
Messi had a good opportunity with a free kick just outside the penalty area in the 81st minute, but his attempt sailed high and wide, and the Barcelona star dropped his head onto his chest in disappointment.
He also fell to the ground in first-half stoppage time, twisting his right ankle when his boot caught in the pitch.
Messi has yet to produce his Barcelona form with Argentina, and each failed match adds more pressure on the 24-year-old, who left Argentina as a youth player and has spent his formative years in Spain.

Uruguay vs. Peru – Half Time Report – Copa America 2011

Uruguay vs. Peru – Half Time Report – Copa America 2011

After the two favourite teams in the Copa America 2011, Brazil and Argentina, drew their matches in the tournament, it was up to the second favourite team, Uruguay, to do wonders. With a star-studded attack consisting of the FIFA World Cup 2010’s golden ball winner, Diego Forlan and the World Cup hero Luis Suarez along with the Napoli star Edinson Cavani, Uruguay are considered to be one of the teams who can pull off an upset.

Uruguay faced Peru in San Juan. Both the teams fielded an attacking line-up and none of them settled deep during the first half as referee W. Roldan blew the whistle to start the game.

The Uruguayan coach, Oscar Tabarez had to change his formation to a 4-3-3. This system was different that what he played during the FIFA World Cup 2010. Since he has three strikers who are hungry for goals, he decided to field all of them on the pitch.

Fernando Muslera played between the two poles as the Uruguayan goal stopper. The Uruguayan goalkeeper was aided by four defenders. Mauricio Victorino played as a left full back while Maximiliano Pereira played on the right back position. Martin Caceres was partnered by Diego Lugano in the centre back position.

With a 4-3-3 formation, one of the players in the midfield played as a holding midfield; one as a central midfielder while the third one operated as an attacking midfielder. Egidio Arevalo played in the holding midfield position. He was assisted by Diego Perez in the central midfield role. Nicolas Lodeiro was the attacking midfielder for the Uruguayans.

The three man attack consisted of Edinson Cavani – Napoli’s last season’s goal scoring sensation; Diego Forlan – the Uruguayan captain and the man who singlehandedly took his country to the semi finals of the FIFA World Cup 2010; and Luis Suarez – the man who helped the team with his infamous handball against Ghana.

With such an extraordinary striking line-up, the Uruguayans were expected to win the game. However, the Peru coach, Sergio Apraham Markarian, also fielded a 4-3-3 formation and showed that his team wasn’t like other under-rated teams in the competition and he came forward and played an attacking line-up.

Raul Fernandez was the player who stood guard between the two poles as the goalkeeper for Peru. He was aided by four defenders – Enzo Revoredo, who played a right back; Walter Vilchez, who played as a left back; Alberto Rodriguez and Santiago Acasiete, who played as centre backs.

Michael Guevara played in the holding midfield position. Guevara was aided by two more midfielder; namely, Adan Alonso Balbin and Paulo Cruzado.

The three strikers playing for Peru were: the left winger, Jose Paulo Guerrero; the right winger, Luis Advincula; and the centre striker Victor Yotun.

The first half was all about Uruguay’s outstanding and star-studded strikers. However, Peru were the first ones to lead the game. Despite a bright start, Uruguayans were the first ones to lose the lead during the 24th minute when Guerrero was played clean through by Michael Guevara and the Uruguayan defence was caught sleeping. Guerrero received the ball clearly right in front of the goalkeeper, easily went around him and found the back of the net.

The match was quite even after the goal. Peru did not really sit back and allowed Uruguay to settle into the game. However, the team led by Diego Forlan finally found the back of the net at the edge of the first half.

It was the Liverpool hero Luis Suarez who given an exquisite through ball by Lodeiro. Suarez easily spun off the defender’s shoulder and coolly finished to find the back of the net.

With the score level in the first half, it clearly showed how both the teams were involved throughout the game. Both of them played outstanding football and even though Uruguay were the favourites to win the game, Peru did not really settle deep to allow the Uruguayans to come at them.
Uruguay vs. Peru

Uruguay vs. Peru

Uruguay vs. Peru

Uruguay vs. Peru

Uruguay vs. Peru

Top 10 Stars of Copa America 2011

Copa America is the main international football tournament for national teams in South America. In this season, the competition is organized by Conmebol, South America's football governing body, and is being held in Argentina from July 1 to July 24, 2011. Here is the list of top 10 stars of Copa America 2011 including Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez and Robinho.

Lionel Messi (Argentina)

Leo Messi is not only the most notable star of Copa America but also the brightest star in football. The goal of Leo Messi coincides with that of Argentina is to reach the Championship. The most famous footballer on the planet had a fabulous season with Barcelona scoring over 50 goals. Although he has not been displaying his club form for the national side, surely he will make something change by winning a Copa America medal this time. It is added that Argentina has not touched the title during 18 years and Copa America 2011 held at the home of the Tango team. There is no better opportunity to realize their championship dream.

Lionel MessiCopa America 2011 is a good chance for Lionel Messi showing his abilities and there is no better chance for Argentina to lead into the Copa America


Carlos Tevez (Argentina)

Carlos Tevez scored 20 goals and played an important role for Manchester City in getting the crucial Champions League spot and keeping the prestigious FA cup. Coach Sergio Batista gave the right decision when adding Tevez in the list of players joining the 2011 Copa America because Carlos Tevez is the Goal scorer in the 2010/11 Premier League.

Carlos TevezCarlos Tevez landed in top 10 famous stars in Copa America 2011

Edison Cavani (Uruguay)

Edison Cavani24-year-old Uruguay striker broke out last season with a total of 33 goals on all matches, in which more than 26 goals in Serie A. He is also known for scoring 26 league goals in Italy

Dani Alves (Brazil)

Dani AlvesDani Alves is one of the best attacking right defender at the present time. With what showed off, the Barca defender deserves the main player in this Copa America

Arturo Vidal (Chile)

Arturo Vidal24-year-old Arturo Vidal is a Chilean footballer who plays for Bayer Leverkusen and the Chilean national team as Defensive midfielder. Arturo Vidal is also one of the top stars in Copa America 2011

Robinho (Brazil)

Robinho had a rediscovery of himself last season with the Serie A title in AC Milan after a string of dull days in Manchester city. Robinho is not the first choice striker in the Milan but he plays a key role in Massimiliano Allegri’s plans. It is necessary to emphasize that Robinho will serve as a strong helper for Brazil in the 2011 Copa America.

RobinhoRobinho is said to be well prepared for the 2011 Copa America – a tournament in which he is expected to shine

Antonio Valencia (Ecuador)

Antonio ValenciaWhether the team of Reinaldo Rueda possibly passes the first round Copa America this year or not depends much on Valencia’s manner

Neymar (Brazil)

NeymarBrazil offers a great expectation on Neymar in Copa America. Moreover, Neymar is also considered as the future of Selecao in World Cup 2014

Radamel Falcao (Colombia)

Radamel Falcao

He is considered one of the best forwards in the world, having passed Jürgen Klinsmann's record of 15 goals in a single UEFA Cup/UEFA Europa League campaign. Radamel Falcao is the greatest hope of Colombia in Copa America 2011

Alexis Sanchez (Chile)

Alexis Sanchez
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