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Brazil, Argentina continue rivalry
Argentina has Brazil right where it wants it - in the final of the Copa America.
- Indo-Asian News Service
- Updated: July 15, 2007 03:22 PM IST
Read Time:3 min
Maracaibo, Venezuela:
Irked by the way in which it lost the Copa final to Brazil three years ago in Peru, Argentina was glad both teams set up a rematch in the final on Sunday.
Argentina was moments from winning the 2004 final in injury time until Adriano scored for 2-2 in the last act of regulation, forcing a penalty shootout in which Brazil prevailed 4-2.
"It's a thorn I still have nailed to my back and I want to take it out," Argentina's Carlos Tevez said upon arriving in Venezuela three weeks ago.
That defeat, the first by Argentina to Brazil in nine Copa finals, made it easier for coach Alfio Basile to convince some of his best players to keep their boots on after the long European season. They haven't disappointed, justifying their pre-tournament favoritism by sailing through the first South American championship hosted by Venezuela.
Inspired performances by Lionel Messi, Tevez and Juan Roman Riquelme have helped the Albiceleste to a perfect 5-0 record, racking up a tournament-best 16 goals.
Argentina dispatched Peru 4-0 in the quarterfinals and Gold Cup runner-up Mexico 3-0 in the semifinals, hijacking the jogo bonito (beautiful play) expected of its archrival.
However, since making the final, the Argentines have been determined to play down hype that it was out to pay back Brazil.
"To focus in on the word revenge generates an obsession that can have a negative impact on the team's psychological health," midfielder Esteban Cambiasso said. "For us, the game is great opportunity to be crowned champions, against a rival that we all want to play."
Stars on holiday
Unlike Argentina, Brazil was blown off by Ronaldinho and Kaka, who wanted a holiday. Robinho, whose six goals make him the tournament's top scorer, has filled in nicely but Brazil's younger team has still been inconsistent. It opened with a 2-0 loss to Mexico, edged Ecuador 1-0 in its last group match, crushed Chile 6-1 in the quarterfinals, and needed a penalty shootout to knock out Uruguay in the semifinals.
"A lot of people, they say 'Brazil doesn't play good, Brazil doesn't have the same team.' Of course, we are a new team that hasn't played together, with new players," Pele said this week. "But the most important thing is to represent your country in the finals and Brazil is doing that. It's something you have to respect."
The Argentines were the last people taking Brazil for granted, not only after what happened in 2004, but also because of games since in their storied rivalry.
Brazil won 4-1 to take the 2005 Confederations Cup, and 3-0 in London last September in Dunga's first match as coach. Midfielder Elano scored twice that day, and was expected to start on Sunday.
"There's no favorite when Argentina and Brazil play," said defender Javier Zanetti, one of six Argentine veterans of the 2004 loss who traveled to Venezuela.
Even stevens
Indeed, parity dominates the rivalry.
In 90 meetings since 1914 _ two years before the Copa America began _ Brazil has won 35 times to Argentina's 33, although Argentina has 146 goals to Brazil's 142.
Brazil has five World Cups to Argentina's two, but in the Copa America Argentina has ruled.
Argentina boasts a 15-8-8 overall record in the tournament against its much larger neighbor.
The Argentines are tied with Uruguay for the most South American titles at 14, while Brazil was a distant second with seven, though it's prevailed in three of the last four editions of soccer's oldest international tournament.
Argentina's bid for its first Copa title since 1993 was likely to be without striker Hernan Crespo, despite his hopes of returning for the final after injuring his leg on a penalty kick during Argentina's 4-2 win over Colombia in group play.
Brazil will miss midfielder Gilberto Silva, who was automatically suspended after picking up his second yellow card against Uruguay.
"It's the big match, the one every player reaching the national team wants to play," said Brazil winger Daniel Alves, who will play against Argentina for the first time.
Uruguay meets Mexico for third place on Saturday in Caracas.
Argentina has Brazil right where it wants it - in the final of the Copa America.Irked by the way in which it lost the Copa final to Brazil three years ago in Peru, Argentina was glad both teams set up a rematch in the final on Sunday.
Argentina was moments from winning the 2004 final in injury time until Adriano scored for 2-2 in the last act of regulation, forcing a penalty shootout in which Brazil prevailed 4-2.
"It's a thorn I still have nailed to my back and I want to take it out," Argentina's Carlos Tevez said upon arriving in Venezuela three weeks ago.
That defeat, the first by Argentina to Brazil in nine Copa finals, made it easier for coach Alfio Basile to convince some of his best players to keep their boots on after the long European season. They haven't disappointed, justifying their pre-tournament favoritism by sailing through the first South American championship hosted by Venezuela.
Inspired performances by Lionel Messi, Tevez and Juan Roman Riquelme have helped the Albiceleste to a perfect 5-0 record, racking up a tournament-best 16 goals.
Argentina dispatched Peru 4-0 in the quarterfinals and Gold Cup runner-up Mexico 3-0 in the semifinals, hijacking the jogo bonito (beautiful play) expected of its archrival.
However, since making the final, the Argentines have been determined to play down hype that it was out to pay back Brazil.
"To focus in on the word revenge generates an obsession that can have a negative impact on the team's psychological health," midfielder Esteban Cambiasso said. "For us, the game is great opportunity to be crowned champions, against a rival that we all want to play."
Stars on holiday
Unlike Argentina, Brazil was blown off by Ronaldinho and Kaka, who wanted a holiday. Robinho, whose six goals make him the tournament's top scorer, has filled in nicely but Brazil's younger team has still been inconsistent. It opened with a 2-0 loss to Mexico, edged Ecuador 1-0 in its last group match, crushed Chile 6-1 in the quarterfinals, and needed a penalty shootout to knock out Uruguay in the semifinals.
"A lot of people, they say 'Brazil doesn't play good, Brazil doesn't have the same team.' Of course, we are a new team that hasn't played together, with new players," Pele said this week. "But the most important thing is to represent your country in the finals and Brazil is doing that. It's something you have to respect."
The Argentines were the last people taking Brazil for granted, not only after what happened in 2004, but also because of games since in their storied rivalry.
Brazil won 4-1 to take the 2005 Confederations Cup, and 3-0 in London last September in Dunga's first match as coach. Midfielder Elano scored twice that day, and was expected to start on Sunday.
"There's no favorite when Argentina and Brazil play," said defender Javier Zanetti, one of six Argentine veterans of the 2004 loss who traveled to Venezuela.
Even stevens
Indeed, parity dominates the rivalry.
In 90 meetings since 1914 _ two years before the Copa America began _ Brazil has won 35 times to Argentina's 33, although Argentina has 146 goals to Brazil's 142.
Brazil has five World Cups to Argentina's two, but in the Copa America Argentina has ruled.
Argentina boasts a 15-8-8 overall record in the tournament against its much larger neighbor.
The Argentines are tied with Uruguay for the most South American titles at 14, while Brazil was a distant second with seven, though it's prevailed in three of the last four editions of soccer's oldest international tournament.
Argentina's bid for its first Copa title since 1993 was likely to be without striker Hernan Crespo, despite his hopes of returning for the final after injuring his leg on a penalty kick during Argentina's 4-2 win over Colombia in group play.
Brazil will miss midfielder Gilberto Silva, who was automatically suspended after picking up his second yellow card against Uruguay.
"It's the big match, the one every player reaching the national team wants to play," said Brazil winger Daniel Alves, who will play against Argentina for the first time.
Uruguay meets Mexico for third place on Saturday in Caracas.
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