Round 3 is always the most interesting round.  The underdogs have the chance to upset the big guns and rearrange the group order. 

In group A , I predict Uruguay over Venezuela in a tightly contested DIRTY match!   A confident Peru underestimates their traditionaly week Bolivian rival and they draw.

Uruguay 6 points, Venezuela 4 points , Peru 4 points.

 

Group B

Brasil comes off a decieving 3-0 scoreline over a strong but unfortunate Chile.  They take on Equador who has everything to prove and  a strong side to show.  Still FIFA's favourites will win or there will be 6 minutes of injury time.   Chile draws to Mexico placing a stronger Mexico through and a still stong Chile in a best 3rd place position.

Mexico 7 points , Brasil 6 points, Chile 4 points, Equador 0 points 

Group C

Argentina beats Paraguay, no contest.  neither side to concerned about the win and Argentina have much more of a skillful team. Colombia beats an unexperienced USA because they will practically be at home in regards to crowd support.

Argentina 9 points, Paraguay 6 points, Colombia 3 points , USA 0 points

   

3 brasilian stars recently requested to be dropped from this years copa america. 

Ronaldinho , Kaka and Lucio have all requested to be left out of their national sides in the biggest tournament in south america.  Brasil historicaly have not been the dominant figure in this tournament and some might think that these players may be concerned of critisism if they don't win after their dissapointing performance in the past world cup.

the tournament has been dominated by the river plate, with uruguay and argentina each hoisting 14 cups.  after the drop in these key figures Argentina must be concidered the favourites to take the cup in Venezuela this year. 

this could seriously damage the tournaments publicity as it is already ignored in europe where some argue that the euro is the most competitive tournament in the world.   My opinion is that its an embarrasment to be asked to be left out of your nations side. 

Kaka, Ronaldinho and Lucio, wheres the heart?

 

Look out!  Luis Suarez of the Uruguayan Under 20 team is on fire.

In the recent cup match between Dutch sides Groningen and Ultretch the 19 year old scored 2 more goals to lead his team to a 2-0 victory.  Suarez has impressed on the dutch side and earned a starting spot on the team early in the season.  Suarez has been nicknamed "the wizard"  by the groningen faithfull and is one of the teams scoring leaders.  

This kid will be a key figure for Uruguay in the Youth world cup and possibly one the top stars of the tournament.  He has been overlooked because of his abscence in the southamerican qualifying tournament, although he had impressed for the "celeste" in the under 17 tournament 2 years prior.  Groningen considered him to be to significant to their club and did not grant permission for his leave in the under 20 qualifier. 

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Luis Suarez del Groningen FC de Holanda esta goleando como estrella.  El uruguayo ha cido uno de las grandes figuras para su club y es en gran parte el motivo por la oportunidad para el club a conseguir una posision en la copa uefa.  

El groningen jugo su primer partido de ida contra el ultretch y suarez marco los unico dos goles para el club.

este botija va ser una gran figura para la celeste este julio en canada.   

This weeked in la Liga looked great for Uruguayans and Argentinians alike. 

Carlitos Tevez marked another goal this week, this time to be the loan goal to beat the Premiership Champions Manchester United just moments after lifting thier cup.   Tevez scored a wonderful goal pasing 2 defendrs in the box and just beating Van der Sar to the ball squeezing it by on a tight angle.  "Youtbue" this goal.   Tevez has been credited for almost single handedly saving WestHam from relegation.

In Villarreal Diego Forlan netted 3 goals to lead his team to a 4 one victory after Villarreals 1-1 score line with osasuna.  Their first goal converted only seventh minute of the match by Pires who has been one of the main figures in turning the team around.  Osasuna tied the match just before the 20 minute mark, then it was the Diego Show.  Forlan who had struggeled most of the season (as did the  rest of the team) seemed to be affected by the issues with Riquelme.  Riquelme failing to play the playmaker role seemed to affect the teams ability to produce creativity and dangerous plays.  Since Pires' return and Mati Fernandez found his footing in the club, Forlan has been back to his old Pichichi Form and the team has been able to recover some lost believers.

Forlan stands now in La Liga in 5th spot with 15 goals, above him is Ronaldihno with 18, Diego Milito and Kanoute with 19 and R. Van Nistelrooy with 21.  

Forlans hat trick wasnt the only one this week in Spain.  Fellow Uruguayan international Walter 'Rifle" Pandiani managed to net 3 goals on Real Madrid by only the 30th minute play.  Pandiani lead Espanol into the second half with a 3 - 1 lead, when the team unexpectedly pulled Pandiani early in the second half after conceeding a second goal in the opening minutes of the half.  The pull was likely to rest UEFA leading scorer for the final.  Madrid continued to manage an incredible comback and past Espanol   4 - 3 in the dying minutes of the match.

La Liga wasn't the only league to have a 3 goals scored from the same Rio Platence.  In Itialy Hernan Crespo scored 3 for Inter Milan. Crespo has been on fire lately, probably the best striker for the italian side.  Crespo has expressed that he would like to stay in Italy although he still belongs to Chelsea where Mourinho wants him back.  Crespo is not a fan favorite in inter because he expressed desire in finishing his carreer in team Rival AC Milan.  

To add to the controversy, Zlatan has expressed that he would like a 4million Euro pay raise despite being one of the top paid players on the team.  My prediction is Chelsea takes Zlatan in exchange for Crespo.   

Carlos Tevez has started to show his worth for Premier side West ham after months of dissapointment.   In todays (may 5th 07) match against Bolton, Tevez put 2 goals away and gave the cross for a goal in Westham's defeat over Bolton.  

Tevez hasn't given Westham much hope since his controversial move to the club from Brazilian side Corinthians where he came off an outstanding season and had also demonstrated great skills in Germany for his national side Argentina. 

Hopefully today was a sign that Tevez has adjusted to the premiership pace and will continue his scoring ways for the club.  maybe we will see him shine in Venenzuela this year at the Copa America looking to lift Argentina's 15th cup to break the tie with Uruguay, each raising 14 cups. 

Forlan is once again roumered for a move to Barcelona for the 2007-2008 season.  the catalan side had shown interest in Forlan last year but Diego did not push villareal for a move although expressing interest in playing for Barcelona.

Barca setteled for Gudjonsen and after a disapointing season are relooking to negotiate for Forlan.

Sevilla have expressed interest in Marcelo Zalayeta of Juve who is unhappy with his lack of play time.  Zalayeta has scored 4 goals in 8 caps but has only been allowed 8 caps since he signed with the club in 2004.  Zalayeta scored a pair this in this weekends serie b fixtutes.

I doubt the Forlan move will happen but expect Zalayeta to exit Juve, wether it be to sevilla or elsewhere.

Also Alvaro Recoba has publicly stated that although he has been very happy with inter boss and owner he wants an exit from inter because he believes he has not been awarded enough play time.  Recoba will be disapointed to hear that Inter is unwilling to let him go until his contract expires.

Today Thursday the 3rd of May Uruguay plays against host Chile in what has been a series of U20 games in Chile as preparation for the U20 world cup in Canada this July.

 

Uruguay summoned the following squad to the match

Goalies:fontes (wanders) , Irrazabal (defensor)

Defenders:Gonzalez(penarol), Kaglemacher (daubio) manuel Diaz(liverpool uy) Preito (river uy) salaberry (plaza colonial) Damian Suarez(defensor)

Midfield: Montelongo (river uy) Arismendi (nacional) Paz(nacional) Ruiz (penarol) Lombardi ( Progreso) Vonder putten (Danubio)

Forwards: Alfaro (liverpool uy) Figueroa (liverpool uy) Masiero ( Central Espanol) Scorza (Danubio)

the squad only consists of nacional club players and excludes Caceres, a key defender recently bought by VillaReal due to his role on Defensor Sporting in their commitment in the Libertadores.

 

on the 16 and 19 Uruguay's U20 will play China's U20 and U23 (olympic side) respectively, and then travel to South Corea to play the host U20 on the 5th followed by Portugal's and a yet to be unannounced African youth side on the 7th and 9th.

Edinson Cavani ( Palermo), Surraco (Udinese), Luis Suarez (Groningen) and (Carlos Riba ( inter milan) are expected to attened the China fixtures as well as Defensive leader Caceres.

Uruguay will enter the U20 world cup with high hopes after their performance in Paraguay for the qualifiers. where they finished with the top goal scorer (Edinson Cavani) and received the fair play trophy.