Copa America 2007 preview

Written by Joe Kent , 24.06.2007

The 2007 Copa America, which kicks off in Venezuela this week, is set to be one of the most exciting of recent times. The Brazilian team will be hoping to turn their backs on a disappointing World Cup campaign and, as he faces his first competitive matches in charge, Dunga will be hoping to prove his worth.

The 2007 Copa America, which kicks off in Venezuela this week, is set to be one of the most exciting of recent times. The Brazilian team will be hoping to turn their backs on a disappointing World Cup campaign and, as he faces his first competitive matches in charge, Dunga will be hoping to prove his worth.

Recent competitions have been devalued as they coincided with World Cup qualifiers and other important fixtures but this year is free of such clashes (aside from the U20 Cup). 2007 should see the Copa return to its status as 'must win trophy' rather than merely a useful chance to experiment.

Aside from the notable absence of Kaká and Ronaldinho , each pleading exhaustion after strenuous seasons, most of the 12 participating countries will be fielding full strength teams. The return of Riquelme, who had announced his retirement from the international stage in September, will be of particular concern to Dunga. Argentina are already being tipped as favourites by many despite not having won the cup since 1993.

Brazil begin as reigning champions, and have won three of the last four competitions, but have failed to convince critics they have fully recovered from their failure to impress at the World Cup. Under Dunga they have won seven out of eleven, drawing there; an impressive statistic perhaps until one digs a little deeper.

Victory against Kuwait counts for a little and a one-nil triumph over Ghana is hardly to be celebrated. Brazil sparkled against Chile, beating them four-nil, but their best performance since the World Cup came almost ten months ago against Argentina. Portugal were probably their toughest opponents so far and that was reflected in the score line - they lost two nil.

Their is little to criticise Dunga for, he took over a dejected team and had the guts to replace big names with youth, but the Copa will serve as our first real chance to see what he is capable of.

The tournament comes at interesting conjecture in South American football. Aside from Dunga it will mark the first competitive football for five coaches (those of Bolivia, Colombia, Paraguay, Mexico and the USA) and the first in the current spells for the Argentine, Uruguayan and Peruvian bosses.

Dunga's is a side built on youth rather experience but one he hope will prosper nevertheless. After arriving in Venezuela on the shirt number assigned to each player were revelaed, and with it Dunga's preferred starting line-up. Helton clinched the number 1 shirt ahead of Doni while numbers 9, 10 and 11 go to Wagner Love, Diego and Robinho respectively.

Julio Baptista, who was called in as a last minute replacement for Zé Roberto, will don the number 19 and Manchester United's new signing Anderson will have to make do with 20. See the full list here.

Gilberto Silva has been named as captain.

The Copa, which kicks off on Tuesday, sees twelve teams compete for the crown of South America (Mexico and the US qualify as guests). The group stage continues until July 5th when the top two of each of the three groups, and the two third-place teams with the best record, progress to the quarter finals. The semis will be held on July 10th/11th and the final on the 15th.

Brazil have been drawn in Group B alongside Ecuador, Chile and Mexico, who they play on Thursday. Full fixtures can be found here.