So after the round of the Copa America (which I have been eagerly waiting for), the tournament has not disappointed and has already been A LOT more entertaining than the 2011 one. Yeah, that was the one where Paraguay reached the final without actually winning a game in ninety minutes. This has been full of excitement, iffy calls, dribbles, and proper displays of football.
The one team that has really impressed me has been Venezuela. Colombia were actually one of my favorites and I assumed that it would be a pretty straightforward victory for them. But this is why the Copa America is such a great tournament. There are no easy games, and Venezuela brought their own brand of attacking football to combat Colombia which shocked them. It made for a great football match instead of the standard one-sided beatdown. With that victory, Venezuela have already livened up the group and the assumption it would be between Colombia and Brazil to win the group does not seem to be the case right now....WHICH I LOVE!
Messi looked impressive, and got more involved in the team. And if he had finished off that solo run he had, it would have been game over. As for my man Martino, he flopped. To not put in defenders when your team is winning, is very bad management. Perhaps it was arrogance, but fact is, you should always focus on the win rather than trying to blow out your opposition. Now, they are in a tricky situation where they have to beat Uruguay, to try and get themselves in position to finish top of the group and have a nice path to the semis.
Chile have also looked like how they always do. Amazing passing and chemistry, but not sure if you can bet on them in a semi-final against Argentina or Brazil where you need to play big-boy football. With my man Alexis though, anything is possible, and for them to even come close winning it, they will need their superstar to show up. The crowd will be behind them, and that will be a very important factor as they go deeper into the tournament. They have the quality to win it, as this tournament has shown, there are no walkovers looking to lay down and get beat. Which has what has made the first round so good to watch.
It's unfortunate that Mexico did not take their best team as I think they could have done pretty well from what I have seen. Even Jamaica, who people thought would be the guys for people to suck goals away from have looked good and should have taken a draw. All in all though, my eyes are still on Brazil because of one man....Neymar.
This boy's record is one thing, but it's his performances that have been the most impressive. Just like Mboma for Cameroon back in the day, Neymar raises his game when he puts on the famous yellow and blue jersey. Also, that captain's armband has not detracted from his display. He is demanding the ball, setting plays up, dribbling, passing, and is pretty much the heart and soul of every attack that Brazil launch. Don't think for one second that I approve of this counter-attacking defensive Brazil that Dunga has created. I never will. But it's amazing seeing such a young player live up to the hype every time he plays for his country and as long as Neymar is fit and on that pitch, my pick is now firmly Brazil to take home the cup.
PS It's great not to see bricks like Borriello in this tournament...I am thankful.
HH
