Venezuela, Peru, Paraguay and Uruguay give Copa America semi-finals an odd look
Is this the beginning of a new era in the history of American football? It looked like Argentina and Brazil were about to take off after a superb performance in the last game of the group stage, but the candidates could not live up to the expectations and faced elimination after 120 minutes of football.
Who could have expected Colombia and Chile -the best teams in the first stage- eliminated by allegedly weak rivals as Venezuela and Peru? I don't think the outcome of the quarter-finals is beyond all logic. The last four survivors won their game tactically, and turned from underdogs into candidates.
They must now keep their form to capitalize their effort with the American title. It won't be easy for Venezuela, the less experienced team of the competition (the other three contenders have already lifted the American title at least twice).
I believe the determination they've shown in the first four games, and the experience they've gained from such tough games, is likely to take them to the grand finale.
Uruguayans know their game, they know Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez are likely to wreak havoc in their own in the opposing area and they take full advantage of this fact. Unlike the first few games of the competition, Peru and Venezuela have grown into two highly aggressive teams with a strong presence on the wings, will this be enough to deliver another surprise and reach the final?
I believe the elimination of Argentina, Chile, Brazil and Colombia confirms their playing style -based on exploiting the individualities of their fittest players instead of following an organic, collective strategy- may have been rendered obsolete, at least when facing teams with a defensive approach and a clear focus on aerial play and long crosses.
And what will happen from now on? Perhaps we will witness a more dynamic football now the powerhou
Who could have expected Colombia and Chile -the best teams in the first stage- eliminated by allegedly weak rivals as Venezuela and Peru? I don't think the outcome of the quarter-finals is beyond all logic. The last four survivors won their game tactically, and turned from underdogs into candidates.
They must now keep their form to capitalize their effort with the American title. It won't be easy for Venezuela, the less experienced team of the competition (the other three contenders have already lifted the American title at least twice).
I believe the determination they've shown in the first four games, and the experience they've gained from such tough games, is likely to take them to the grand finale.
Uruguayans know their game, they know Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez are likely to wreak havoc in their own in the opposing area and they take full advantage of this fact. Unlike the first few games of the competition, Peru and Venezuela have grown into two highly aggressive teams with a strong presence on the wings, will this be enough to deliver another surprise and reach the final?
I believe the elimination of Argentina, Chile, Brazil and Colombia confirms their playing style -based on exploiting the individualities of their fittest players instead of following an organic, collective strategy- may have been rendered obsolete, at least when facing teams with a defensive approach and a clear focus on aerial play and long crosses.
And what will happen from now on? Perhaps we will witness a more dynamic football now the powerhou
