COPA AMÉRICA 2011
SEBASTIAN PÉREZ FERREIRO
June 16, 2011
WITH A TICKET TO THE 2013 CONFEDERATIONS CUP ON THE LINE AND A CHANCE TO SEE STARS SUCH AS LIONEL MESSI, DANI ALVES AND DIEGO FORLAN, THE COPA AMÉRICA (JULY 1--24) WILL BE THE BEST INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION OF THE YEAR
COSTA RICA
AS last-minute guest-nation invitees, the Ticos will make the most of their opportunity, sneaking into the knockout stage under the tutelage of manager Ricardo La Volpe, who once coached Mexico's national team, and the accuracy of target man Bryan Ruiz (FC Twente).
PREDICTION Advances as top third-place finisher
BOLIVIA
WITHOUT the high altitude that weakens opponents in La Paz, and with no player from the world's elite leagues, coach Gustavo Quinteros could do worse than to call up President Evo Morales, a soccer fanatic and dedicated player who last year kneed a rival in the groin during an exhibition match.
PREDICTION First-round exit
GROUP B