MATCH 14 PREVIEW : PERU AND COLOMBIA DO BATTLE FOR LEAD IN GROUP A

Peru and Colombia meet in a crunch match in Group A, this Monday, in Trujillo (north of Peru), at 7:45 pm. With 6 points, the Colombians can afford to draw. Peru have to win, but will also secure their spot with a tie. If they lose, the hosts could be overcome by Bolivia, who face Venezuela in the previous match, and will depend on the results of the other groups to make it to the quarterfinals.
Moreover, the leaders of the group enjoy two advantages: they will remain in Trujillo for the quarterfinal match and will take on the second best third-placed team. The runners-up in Group A will travel 200km to Chiclayo and will clash with the runners-up in the very tight Group B.

Although he enjoys a comfortable situation, Colombian coach Reinaldo Rueda has shrouded his team in mystery. On Sunday, he held recreational training sessions and refused to reveal his lineup - he might put some of his first-choice players to rest. For instance, keeper Henao, who was booked with a yellow card, might be left out in order to avoid a ban.

If he does play, Henao will defend a 745-minute clean sheet of the Colombian national squad in a Copa America. The last goal he conceded as keeper of the current cup holders was in 1999, when Chilean Ivan Zamorano scored on 65 minutes of the quarterfinal match that ended 3-2 in favor of the Chileans. Calero was the goalie in that occasion. In 2001, Colombia were crowned champions of the Copa America with 6 wins in as many matches, with 11 goals scored and none allowed. Oscar Cordoba was the unbeaten keeper.

Brazilian-born manager for Peru, Paulo Autuori, also decided to conceal his lineup. We won¿t be counting on striker Pizarro, who suffered a brain injury after being elbowed by defender Cichero and is sidelined for the rest of the Copa America. Pizarro didn´t make the trip to Trujillo, since he´s been committed to a hospital in Lima.

His most probable substitute will be Flavio Maestri, who plays for Brazilian Vitoria and started the opening match. This way, Jefferson Farfan will play behind, in midfield. Another option is midfielder Carlos Zegarra - with Farfan playing more offensively, alongside Andrés Mendoza.

Peru: Oscar Ibáñez - Guillermo Salas, Santiago Acasiete, Miguel Rebosio, Walter Vílchez - Juan Jayo, Nolberto Solano, Roberto Palacios, Jefferson Farfán - Flavio Maestri (Carlos Zegarra) and Andres Mendoza. Coach: Paulo Autuori.

Colombia: Juan Carlos Henao - Gonzalo Martínez, Andrés González, Andrés Orozco, Gustavo Victoria - Oscar Díaz, Jhon Viáfara, Jairo Patiño, David Ferreira - Tressor Moreno and Sergio Herrera. Coach: Reinaldo Rueda.

Venue: Mansiche Stadium, em Trujillo (PER)

Referee: William Mattus (CRC)

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