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COPA AMERICA - QUARTER FINALS - DAY 2 .:. The Aftermath .:.

Monday, 09 July 07, 12:19 PM

Oh What a Great Soccer Weekend!!!

What a great Copa America this has been. I honestly have to say that this Copa America has been more interesting to watch than the 2006 World Cup.

It seems like all the teams wanted to win this title so bad and the ones with more passion and more desire are the ones going to the semi-finals.

 

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Game 1 - Mexico 6  x 0  Paraguay

Yesterday I was already surprise with the 4 x 1 win by Uruguay, and 6 x 1 win by Brazil. Not for the fact that those teams won their games but for the large goal difference.

Then today I wanted to see Mexico play a good game, and honestly I thought they would have a difficult time facing such a strong Paraguayan defense.

FORGET EVERYTHING I SAID!!!!

I WAS SOOOOOO NAIVE!!!!

I simply forgot that even though Paragauay's defense is pretty solid they are also slow. And playing against the speed and talent of Nery Castillo, Andres Guardado, Cacho & cia. they had no chace.

Yes, I know, Paraguay had to play with 10 players and their second goalkeeper since the 3rd minute of the game when their number 1, Bombadilla, got a red card. But that CANNOT be used as an excuse. We've all seen good teams playing with 10 players and still win, or at least lose by 1 or 2 goals, BUT 6???

Mexico simply played their best. They dominated the game, they controled, they suffocated Paraguay and when "los guaranis" tried to find some space to create with Cardozo or Roque Santa Cruz, "los aztecas" built a wall of good defenders to contain any attempt to jeopardize their clean sheet.

Paraguay didn't even disappoint me, they couldn't play. It's not their fault. It's all about Mexico's good qualities. And just a warning for Argentina.

GOALS:

FIRST HALF -> Castillo (4min) / Torrado (26min) / Castillo (38min)

SECOND HALF -> Arce (33min)  /  Blanco (41min)  /  Bravo (45min)      

  

Man of the match: will any defense be able to stop Nery Castillo???

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Game 2: Argentina  4  x  0  Peru

Great game for Peru, oh wait... there is a second half... so forget it...

But seriously, the first 45 minutes showed a perfect defensive strategy for Peru. So good that Argentina's players started to pass the ball as fast as possible to Riquelme and to Messi as if they wanted to say "here, you're the talented ones, so please do something now".  But Peru forgot that just defending is not enough to win games.

That's what Alfio Basile thought too. During the half time break I don't know what he told his players but it worked. Also he found out that Tevez and Messi NEED to play together. They understand each other, they know each other's style.

And what else could we explect of a team like Argentina when they finally find out their way to the goal: "KILLER BEE ATTACK"!!!  And it really stings bad, just ask a Peruvian player.

GOALS

SECOND HALF -> Riquelme (1min) / Messi (15min) / Mascherano (29min) / Riquelme (40min)

 

 

 Man of the match: Alfio "coco" Basile - for realizing Tevez should play with Messi and whatever he said to motivate his players in the locker room

 

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TOMORROW:  A DEEP ANALYSIS ON THE 4 SEMIFINALISTS

URUGUAY  x  BRAZIL

MEXICO  x  ARGENTINA

 

IN TIME: Thanks for all  constant visits and comments. Special thanks to Mijito and ANTIMADRISTA

 

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Posted by ManoGil | Comments (1)

1 Comments

Gerardo
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Gerardo Wrote: | 05.57PDT | Jul 9, 2007

This is where we separate the men from the boys, gentlemen..!! My hope is that we(Mexico) get our revenge against mighty Argentina and then beat the titan that is Brazil(again) in the final..not
overlooking Uruguay but those victories would just be the greates truimph for Los Aztecas..!! Dear Quetzalcoatl, Please give the Mexican team the strength to be victorious and emerge with their first
Copa America..!!! Vamos Campeones...VIVA MEXICO CABRONES..!!!

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