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Yeah, I get that...but why Jamaica? Did they win something to get the invite? They just aren't a very good team on the road, such a step down from the rest.
As far as I know, there was no defined criteria for inviting Jamaica, they tried Japan and China first but they declined, so they went after Jamaica. Don't ask me why Asian teams should even be considered for a Copa America.
As far as I know, there was no defined criteria for inviting Jamaica, they tried Japan and China first but they declined, so they went after Jamaica. Don't ask me why Asian teams should even be considered for a Copa America.
True.
Altough, Japan has played CA a couple of times (maybe more) already.
Costa Rica, Honduras, USA participated in the past as well, this, to get more experience at international level and see where they stand against better rivals.
Same argument for the Gold Cup / Copa Oro that takes place within CONCACAF.
Brasil, Colombia, Ecuador, Perú are the ones I remember were invited to participate in the past.
Yeah, overconfidence in football is always a dangerous thing. The Germans were clear favorites to win the WC and they did, but boy, that final was a struggle for them, that extra-time goal could have happened on either side.
I do think Argentina is the best team overall in the Copa America but there is a fundamental and recurrent problem with them; they don't have a good defense. I find any of their defenders right now average at best. That is exactly the reason Sabella opted to play a more defensive conservative game in the WC that relied a lot in the help of Mascherano supporting the defenders as a third defender. He was the reason Argentina passed Belgium.
Yeah, overconfidence in football is always a dangerous thing. The Germans were clear favorites to win the WC and they did, but boy, that final was a struggle for them, that extra-time goal could have happened on either side.
I do think Argentina is the best team overall in the Copa America but there is a fundamental and recurrent problem with them; they don't have a good defense. I find any of their defenders right now average at best. That is exactly the reason Sabella opted to play a more defensive conservative game in the WC that relied a lot in the help of Mascherano supporting the defenders as a third defender. He was the reason Argentina passed Belgium.
Huh? In 7 games at the 2014 World Cup, Argentina gave up only 4 goals!
Meanwhile, the tepid Argentina offense scored only 8 goals total and a pathetic 2 goals in 4 elimination games.
Huh? In 7 games at the 2014 World Cup, Argentina gave up only 4 goals!
Meanwhile, the tepid Argentina offense scored only 8 goals total and a pathetic 2 goals in 4 elimination games.
Why do you think that a team loaded with offensive power like Argentina scored so few goals during the WC?
Did you follow the South America qualifiers?
Like I said, Sabella had to build a defensive team because of the many flaws in Argentina's defense before the WC. Everybody that understand football tactics and followed them knows that. As a result, the midfielders were playing in a more defensive line, with Di Maria far more contended helping to defend and Mascherano playing as a third defender most of the time. That worked, the defense was good but at the expense of midfield creation, hence the paucity of goals. In most games, they had to rely on Messi's talent to create his way into the goal.
Now, Tata is different. He likes his teams to hold possession in the midfield but playing in a line a lot more advanced into the attacking midfield and lots more opportunities for the strikers. That was a problem in the friendly match against Brazil because it created space for counter-attacks, especially on the back of the midfielders. On the flip side, with Tata, Argentina is poised to score more goals and if he fixes the defense the way he likes, it's gonna be a very good team indeed, but I just don't think he has the quality he needs back there.
Why do you think that a team loaded with offensive power like Argentina scored so few goals during the WC?
Did you follow the South America qualifiers?
Like I said, Sabella had to build a defensive team because of the many flaws in Argentina's defense before the WC. Everybody that understand football tactics and followed them knows that. As a result, the midfielders were playing in a more defensive line, with Di Maria far more contended helping to defend and Mascherano playing as a third defender most of the time. That worked, the defense was good but at the expense of midfield creation, hence the paucity of goals. In most games, they had to rely on Messi's talent to create his way into the goal.
Now, Tata is different. He likes his teams to hold possession in the midfield but playing in a line a lot more advanced into the attacking midfield and lots more opportunities for the strikers. That was a problem in the friendly match against Brazil because it created space for counter-attacks, especially on the back of the midfielders. On the flip side, with Tata, Argentina is poised to score more goals and if he fixes the defense the way he likes, it's gonna be a very good team indeed, but I just don't think he has the quality he needs back there.
Please, Rojo and Zabaleta bombed up the wings all world cup. Messi and his attacking friends had free reign as always. They had the luxury of Masherano and Biglia protecting the back 4 like champs. They have no excuses. Aguero was the worst I ever saw from him, Higuain and Palacio were well under form, de Maria was a solid winger till he got hurt, and Tevez should have been selected. Messi was fighting but ultimately easily contained and ineffective (2 team goals in 4 elimination matches is poor, even Maradona said as much). Garay and Campagnaro were very good in central defense as well.
But it should be/could be different in Copa America.
Why the hell is Mexico and Jamaica doing on this competition? Isn't this a South American cup?
Conmebol has been inviting 2 outsiders for a while now to join the 10 existing affiliations of South America, so they can create 3 groups of 4 teams competing for 8 spots to advance to playoffs
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