Copa America 2011, South American nations Cup 2011 Group A

!Por la Revolución de las Ideas!

Group A began its competition in Copa America 2011. The first game took place yesterday between Argentina and Bolivia. Many thought Argentina would pass over Bolivia, but Bolivia was a strong adversary. Bolivia began winning the game after a corner kick. Bolivia played an excellent defensive game making it almost impossible for Argentina to show its talent on the field. Messi was followed throughout the game by Bolivia’s defensive players, and practically took him out of the game. Once this was done Argentina was slow, lacking ideas, and with a lot of calls that made it a slow and boring game. 

Bolivia proved that it didn’t come to be just an observer; Bolivia came to prove that it has a great team and that no one should underestimate its capacity. Argentina on the other hand left its followers with an unwanted feeling of disappointment. Argentina by far has a great team with many stars, but on July 1^st 2011, Argentina did not show it’s ready to win this tournament. At the end of the game, one Argentinean player was interviewed, and he said that he was happy they hadn’t lost against Bolivia. The 1- 1 result was almost a victory for Argentina since losing was out of the question, especially if you are the host of the tournament as Argentina is. 

Argentina was able to tie the game in the second half in an excellent play, but it wasn’t enough to win the game. In the end, Argentina didn’t lose and Bolivia was able to make things difficult for the Argentineans. Bolivia played an excellent game and as a result Argentina did not win and its stars were almost wiped out from the game since none of them were able to shine and show their talent. Bolivia left a good impression; let’s hope it lasts so that it moves forward to the quarter finals. Argentina will have to do a lot more if it wants to win over Colombia. Wednesday’s game will be crucial for the Argentineans and Colombia will be a team to prove they are ready to win this tournament Copa America 2011.

Today July 2^nd 2011, the other game of group A was Colombia and Costa Rica. Colombia with a talented team was able defeat a Costa Rica. Colombia played a normal game, nothing extraordinary, but enough to win and get a result that makes Colombia the leader of Group A with 3 points. 1-0 was the final result. Colombia at the end of the first half scored the first and only goal in an extraordinary play the ended in Adrian Ramos’s goal. Ramos was able to cut in between the defensive line of Costa Rica and score Colombia’s first goal in this tournament.  Costa Rica lost a player in the first half and this should have given Colombia the upper hand in the game, but Costa Rica was able to maintain its lines and play an excellent defensive game. Colombia was practical and played with caution without underestimating Costa Rica. Colombia played well but I think Gomez’s decision to replace Falcao was wrong since Soto, who replaced Falcao was not in the game and did not give the team any advantage over the opposing team. Falcao is a player that cannot be replaced since he is the type that can score a goal at any given moment of the game. Let’s hope against Argentina he doesn’t make this move, unless falcao is tired and has already scored.

Colombia played well and won, didn’t shine but got the 3 points. This result will definitely give Colombia the advantage in group A. On Wednesday Argentina will play Colombia and it will be a game to see. These two teams have a lot of history and it will be a true classic or derby. Colombia has the upper hand coming into this game against Argentina, and Argentina has to win at all costs to avoid elimination. Argentina can’t tie or lose, they must win, but it won’t be easy since Colombia it’s a strong team. Wednesday’s game will have everyone expecting an awesome game between two strong South American teams, who have a history together, and that makes this game a true classic. Colombia will have to do a lot defensively to avoid any surprises from players like Messi and Tevez. Argentina will have to be on the lookout for Falcao and Ramos, who at any point can score and make Argentina’s participation in this tournament a short one, and a total disappointment.

All is set for an exciting tournament. Group A is underway and tomorrow Group B with Brazil VS Venezuela, and at a later time, Paraguay VS Ecuador. Surely many surprises are in stored in this Copa America 2011. May the ball run and may the best teams win.

Cristhian Mancera Mejia

Reporting

Copa America 2011

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