FINAL MATCH PREVIEW : ARGENTINA AND BRAZIL CLASH IN THE FINAL OF THE 41s
Today, at 3 pm local time (20h00 GMT), Argentina and Brazil meet in the grand final of the Copa America 2004. The match to be held at the Nacional Stadium, in Lima, capital of Peru, will see for the first time a clash between the two powerhouses of South American football in a final of a Copa America since the tournament began to be played in a league system, in 1975.
Argentina, who boast the best offensive record in the competition, are considered firm favorites for this final, since they count on the same side who are competing in the South American 2006 World Cup Qualifiers. On the other hand, Brazil didn´t bring along their superstars, the likes of Ronaldo, Ronaldinho Gaucho, Roberto Carlos, Dida, etc, however, they beat tough opposition en route to the grand final, such as Mexico and Uruguay, and count on their tradition to overcome their bitter rivals. For today´s clash, Argentinean coach Marcelo Bielsa will count on the return of skipper and defender Roberto Ayala, sent off in the quarterfinals against Peru. This was, the manager can field a side with three defenders, replacing striker Luciano Figueroa for Carlos Tevez. With 14 titles to their credit and a positive record against Brazil in the competition, Argentina will try to clinch a title they haven¿´ won since 1993.
Brazilian coach Carlos Alberto Parreira is calm and prefers to put the responsibility of winning on the Argentineans. For today´s crunch match, Parreira will field the same team who eliminated Uruguay in a penalty shootout, last Wednesday. Champions of Copa America in 1997 and 1999, and World Cup winners in 1994 and 2002, the Brazilians hope to repeat the fine performances of recent years to lift their seventh South American Cup.
Argentina and Brazil already have a 800 thousand dollar prize in the bag. For the title, the champions will receive an extra one million dollars, whilst the runners-up will earn 400 thousand dollars. Brazil and Argentina have met 30 times in the history of Copa América. Argentina won 15 matches to Brazil´s 8, with 7 draws. In their last encounter, Brazil came away with a 2-1 win, in 1999, in Paraguay, eliminating Argentina in the quarterfinals. In official matches, the last clash took place in June, when Brazil beat Argentina 3-1, in Belo Horizonte, in the World Cup Qualifiers. Seven first choice players of that Argentinean side will be playing today, whilst only Juan and Luis Fabiano will be on the Brazilian squad today.
Technical Info
Argentina: Roberto Abbondanzieri, Fabricio Coloccini, Roberto Ayala and Gabriel Heinze; Javier Zanetti, Javier Mascherano, Luis González, Cristian González and Juan Pablo Sorín; César Delgado and Carlos Tevez.
Coach: Marcelo Bielsa
Brazil: Júlio César, Maicon, Juan, Luisão and Gustavo Nery; Renato, Kléberson, Edu and Alex; Adriano and Luis Fabiano.
Coach: Carlos Alberto Parreira
Venue:Estádio Nacional, Lima (PER)
Referee:Carlos Amarilla (PAR)
Assistant Referees:Nelson Cano (PAR) e Juan Sulca (PER)
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Argentina, who boast the best offensive record in the competition, are considered firm favorites for this final, since they count on the same side who are competing in the South American 2006 World Cup Qualifiers. On the other hand, Brazil didn´t bring along their superstars, the likes of Ronaldo, Ronaldinho Gaucho, Roberto Carlos, Dida, etc, however, they beat tough opposition en route to the grand final, such as Mexico and Uruguay, and count on their tradition to overcome their bitter rivals. For today´s clash, Argentinean coach Marcelo Bielsa will count on the return of skipper and defender Roberto Ayala, sent off in the quarterfinals against Peru. This was, the manager can field a side with three defenders, replacing striker Luciano Figueroa for Carlos Tevez. With 14 titles to their credit and a positive record against Brazil in the competition, Argentina will try to clinch a title they haven¿´ won since 1993.
Brazilian coach Carlos Alberto Parreira is calm and prefers to put the responsibility of winning on the Argentineans. For today´s crunch match, Parreira will field the same team who eliminated Uruguay in a penalty shootout, last Wednesday. Champions of Copa America in 1997 and 1999, and World Cup winners in 1994 and 2002, the Brazilians hope to repeat the fine performances of recent years to lift their seventh South American Cup.
Argentina and Brazil already have a 800 thousand dollar prize in the bag. For the title, the champions will receive an extra one million dollars, whilst the runners-up will earn 400 thousand dollars. Brazil and Argentina have met 30 times in the history of Copa América. Argentina won 15 matches to Brazil´s 8, with 7 draws. In their last encounter, Brazil came away with a 2-1 win, in 1999, in Paraguay, eliminating Argentina in the quarterfinals. In official matches, the last clash took place in June, when Brazil beat Argentina 3-1, in Belo Horizonte, in the World Cup Qualifiers. Seven first choice players of that Argentinean side will be playing today, whilst only Juan and Luis Fabiano will be on the Brazilian squad today.
Technical Info
Argentina: Roberto Abbondanzieri, Fabricio Coloccini, Roberto Ayala and Gabriel Heinze; Javier Zanetti, Javier Mascherano, Luis González, Cristian González and Juan Pablo Sorín; César Delgado and Carlos Tevez.
Coach: Marcelo Bielsa
Brazil: Júlio César, Maicon, Juan, Luisão and Gustavo Nery; Renato, Kléberson, Edu and Alex; Adriano and Luis Fabiano.
Coach: Carlos Alberto Parreira
Venue:Estádio Nacional, Lima (PER)
Referee:Carlos Amarilla (PAR)
Assistant Referees:Nelson Cano (PAR) e Juan Sulca (PER)
copyright "Traffic Sports Marketing" - All rights reserved
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