It’s always tough to face the first game in any competition. Most of the times, the nerves get to you and they keep you from performing the way you should.
Not today, though!
Argentina defeated Paraguay 4-0 to send a statement to the rest of the teams in the competition.
The goals were scored by Damián MARTINEZ, Cristian GAITÁN, Eduardo SALVIO and Matías QUINTANA
With a lot of anticipation and several months to go for the Copa America Venezuela 2007, Argentina started training this morning with a group of players from the local league.
Out of the 21 players called up (see previous posts to check out the names), there were a few that couldn´t make for different reasons.
Boca Juniors forward Rodrigo PALACIO is injured (fractured toe) and José SOSA has flown to Germany to finalise the details of his contract with Bayern Munich (he´ll start playing for the Bavarian giants in June).
Apart from them, several players that are involved in Copa Libertadores matches this week in which River Plate will face Caracas FC (so CARRIZO, FERRARI, TUZZIO, PONZIO and BELLUSCHI were not part of the first training session).
Here are some comments from Coco BASILE at today´s press conference:
“As soon as the Clausura tournament is over, my players will come and stay with me here (at Ezeiza´s AFA head-quarters) until it´s time to go and play the Copa America.
“I’ve got 40 players in mind to face all the next challenges we’ve got in the next few months.
“I watch every game every player of the players I have into consideration. No matter where they play in the World.
“We’ll do everything we can to try and win the Copa America.
“RIQUELME is not in the list right now, but the doors are open for him and for every player who plays in a good and consistent level.”
He had to wait almost half a year for this moment to come, but Carlos TEVEZ have finally scored a goal for West Ham in an all-important London derby against Tottenham Hotspurs.
After Mark NOBLE opened up the scoring for the Hammers, Carlitos cooly flicked a free-kick past Paul ROBINSON to put his team 2-0 up.
But a late comeback, including two goals in the last two minutes, secured a 4-3 win for Spurs and left West Ham empty handed once more.
CARLITOS got a yellow card for a crazy goal celebration but I think it was worth it because of all the things he was living since he left Brazil and arrived to East London.
Hopefully he´ll start banging in more goals from now on!
To Spain now where we had 3 Argentine goals in the match in which Zaragoza defeated Real Sociedad. Germán HERRERA scored the first for Real Sociedad, Pablo AIMAR levelled the score before Diego MILITO, from the spot, gave Zaragoza a 2-1 lead with 15 minutes to go.
The draw for the Youth World Cup Canada 2007 (U-20) has been conducted and Argentina will share Group E with Czech Republic, North Korea and Panama.
It doesn’t look like a Group of Death or something like that. In fact, it was a kind draw for our boys who, however, will need to improve dramatically from what they shown in the South American tournament if we want to defend the title MESSI, KUN and company won in The Netherlands 2005.
Here’s the complete draw:
Group A (Toronto, Edmonton):
Canada
Chile
Congo
Austria
Group B (Burnaby, Victoria):
Spain
Uruguay
Jordan
Zambia
Group C (Toronto, Montreal, Edmonton):
Portugal
New Zealand
Gambia
Mexico
Group D (Montreal, Ottawa):
Poland
Brazil
Republic of Korea
United States
Group E (Ottawa, Montreal):
ARGENTINA
Czech Republic
Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
Panama
Group F (Victoria, Burnaby):
Japan
Scotland
Nigeria
Costa Rica
Olé, the only sports newspaper from Buenos Aires, is conducting a poll amongst its readers and the question is simple:
How would you like to see our national team formed to play in the Copa America?
A: Only with local players?
Votes: 9859 (26,9 %)
B: A mix between local players and players from Europe?
Votes: 24862 (67,9%)
C: Only players from Europe?
Votes: 1916 (5.2%)
It´s clear that the supporters believe that COCO´s got it right. At least the idea.
Now, what really surprises me is that only 5% of the people want the Albiceleste to be entirely represented by our stars playing in Europe.
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