Another supremely entertaining night in the Copa America: tons of goals, the US wasting chances on their way to the exit door, Roque Santa Cruz and Riquelme leading Paraguay and Argentina into the next round, Colombia showing they can actually play football, goalies injuring themselves at goal kicks, strikers injuring themselves at PKs, a red card, lots of camera shots of scantily dressed ladies in the crowd, and behind the scenes alleged scullduggery involving President SHugo Chavez. What more could you ask for?
A short round-up here for those of you in a rush and more detailed reports further below:
Argentina, Paraguay keep the goals flowing
The finishing was poor, but at least the US carved out some chances, which is promising. But at the back they were a joke, with the usual exception of Casey Keller. Moreover, Johnson seemed determined to maintain the poor standard he set against Argentina.
Paraguay Beat Wasteful USA, Into Last Eight
Argentina dazzled again, though their weakness in letting teams back into games resurfaced, while Colombia were hard to recognize from the spineless team that lost 5-0 to Paragauy. In fact they could have drawn level had an audacious effort by the left back from within his own half sneaked under the crossbar. One negative for Argentina will be the loss of Crespo, though somehow I think they'll find a replacement.
Riquelme Inspires Argentina To Victory Over Colombia
No worries, compañero
Crespo likely to miss rest of tournament
Copa America standings:
Group C P W D L F A PTS
1. Paraguay 2 2 0 0 8 1 6
2. Argentina 2 2 0 0 8 3 6
3. United States 2 0 0 2 2 7 0
4. Colombia 2 0 0 2 2 9 0
- - - -
Group A
1. Venezuela 2 1 1 0 4 2 4
2. Peru 2 1 0 1 3 2 3
3. Uruguay 2 1 0 1 1 3 3
4. Bolivia 2 0 1 1 2 3 1
Group B
1. Mexico 2 2 0 0 4 1 6
2. Chile 2 1 0 1 3 4 3
3. Brazil 2 1 0 1 2 3 3
4. Ecuador 2 0 0 2 3 5 0
2 comments:
Good Grief! We finally have show some composure and maintain possession and then fall apart completely in front of goal. It was incredibly simple to create chances but so difficult to finish. Why? And don't get me started about the "pass" that set up Paraguay's second. You simply cannot perform like that at this level. I think it was Bornstein. He otherwise played well, but that lack of concentration changed the whole match. And once again Johnson was ass. All flicks and no substance. Why is he so weak?
There's like a kryptonite force field with in the 18...Johnson slows down and freezes. Did you see the silly chicken on the field running in circles? It's name is Twellman. i don't think he touched the ball once other than his weak ass shot near the end. They passed back to Keller about 13 times the first half...they were asking for it. I hope those players watch those games and think about their tragic performance. Sacha missed that header, Johnson + Twellman = dookie on the field, Mapp missed and hogged the ball when he came in, Bornstein seriously "f'd" up. Poor Keller and Feilhaber...they try so hard and their whole team lets them down.
We've seen some good play on American soil, but it's as though these guys check their nuts at customs when travelling for international competition. They might get very overwhelmed and intimidated by the energy of disapproval from local venezuelan spectators, bigger stadiums, i'd be a little freaked out too.
Let's just say for hypothetical circumstance...US wins Copa America in Venezuela against Venezuela...they're aint no American fans there to celebrate...and the US team knows it. If the US won, it's highly possible that all hell could break loose, afterall...anyone who follows international futbol leagues knows that the south american fans can go off at any minute.
To round up my tangent...they played like ass and they should know it, 2 tough blows in a row like that hurts...even the supporters...
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