Uruguay chase record 15th Copa crown
Reuters - Friday 22 July 2011, 19:04
BUENOS AIRES - Uruguay will bid to claim
a record 15th Copa America, eclipsing the 14 titles won by host
nation Argentina, by beating Paraguay in Sunday's final at the
Monumental.
The Uruguayans cannot compete with the success of their
countrymen who won two World Cup and two Olympic crowns in the
first half of the last century but, in an era when tactics are
much more refined, their recent achievements are remarkable.
Having eliminated favourites Argentina in the
quarter-finals, Uruguay can go one better than their old rivals
as far as Copa titles are concerned.
"I think we face a great moment. After a long process of [2010] World Cup qualifiers, the [2010] finals and the Copa
America it would be good to crown it with the cup," holding
midfielder Egidio Arevalo Rios told reporters.
"The effort we made against Argentina was enormous but for
this [final] it will be double."
The Uruguayans, fourth at the World Cup a year ago, do not
want to be considered favourites even if the odds are stacked
against Paraguay who are looking for their third Copa title
having won their last in 1979 in Buenos Aires.
"Lots of teams started out as favourites and today they are
out. It's not a question of being favourites, you've got to show
it on the pitch," said Arevalo Rios.
"No one started well but from the third match [in the group
phase] all began to show their best form and will to win the
cup. It's been a very hard fought, even cup."
FIVE DRAWS
Paraguay, who have reached the final after five draws, have
had a day less to prepare, featured in two lots of extra-time
including Wednesday's semi-final win over Venezuela in a second
successive shootout and seem certain to lose players to injury
and suspension.
Uruguay beat Peru 2-0 in normal-time in Tuesday's
semi-final, striker Luis Suarez notching twice to join
Argentina's Sergio Aguero as joint top scorer on three goals.
"To have one more day's rest is fundamental. We've been
playing lots of matches and an extra day is key to recovering,"
said striker Diego Forlan who was voted the World Cup's best
player but is looking for his first international goal for a
year.
Uruguay have been without Edinson Cavani, a key component of
their World Cup attack, since their second group match but have
been boosted by his return to training and he will at least be
on the bench for the final.
Paraguay look set to be without striker Roque Santa Cruz and
left back Aureliano Torres through injury and banned midfielder
Jonathan Santana but central defender Antolin Alcaraz returns
from suspension.
Peru and Venezuela, who began the tournament as rank
outsiders, meet for third place in La Plata on Saturday.