South American Qualifying: Matchday 3

Previews for match-day 4 on Tuesday November 15th will be posted by Sunday.

ARGENTINA vs. BOLIVIA

            Buenos Aires

Referee:            Carlos Vera (ECU)

Assistant #1:     Carlos Herrera (ECU)

Assistant # 2:    Byron Romero (ECU)

4^th Official:        Alfredo Intriago (ECU)

Last time these two faced off in World Cup qualifying, Bolivia humiliated Messi and co. 6-1 in La Paz.  Maradona’s men were thoroughly outplayed and out classed in Bolivia, and they will be out for revenge.  Over the summer, in Copa America, the Bolivian came away with a shock 1-1 draw against the hosts, as they played a cautious game and disciplined game.  They will need the same performance, coupled with a bad outing by the Argentines (not far fetched) to get a positive result.  Argentina comes off a comprehensive loss in Venezuela, and Bolivia disappointed its home crowd in a 2-1 loss to Colombia.  Both come in bad form, and the Argentine’s will likely be without Manchester City ace Kun Aguero, but this will matter little as Argentina has more than enough class to come out with all three points.  Look for Messi to toy with the Bolivian defense and for the game to be in the bag by halftime.

Prediction: Argentina 3 – Bolivia 0

 URUGUAY vs. CHILE

            Montevideo

Referee:            Héctor  Baldassi (ARG)

Assistant #1:     Gustavo Esquivel (ARG)

Assistant #2:     Diego Yamil Bonfa (ARG)

4^th Official:        Néstor Pitana (ARG)

This should have been the game of the day, except for the fact that Chileans Jean Beausejour, Arturo Vidal, Jorge Valdivia, Carlos Carmona and defender Gonzalo Jara have been suspended for the game by their coach.  All five players were cited for showing up to practice in an “unacceptable” state, after the players were out drinking the night before.  Uruguay has been on a roll since the World Cup in South Africa and are currently top of the table in qualifying.  Chile will have a tough time in this game without the suspended players and on the road.  Uruguay should coast through this game and take all three points.

Prediction: Uruguay 2 – Chile 0

COLOMBIA vs. VENEZUELA

            Barranquilla

Referee:              Omar Ponce (ECU)

Assistant #1:     Juan Cedeno (ECU)

Assistant #2:     Christian Lescano (ECU)

4^th Official:        Daniel Salazar (ECU)

This should be the most entertaining of the day.  Both teams come off wins in the last match day.  Colombia took all three points in the altitude of Bolivia and Venezuela pulled off a historic win at home against Argentina.  Colombia will be without start forward Radamel Falcao Garcia, which is a huge blow.  Both teams play an attractive, attacking style, which should make for many scoring opportunities; however Venezuela will come out looking to hold off Colombia before venturing out on the attack.  If  Venezuela can hold off the initial barrage, they should be in good position to get at least a point in this match.

Prediction : Colombia 1 – Venezuela 1 

PARAGUAY vs. ECUADOR

            Asunción

Referee:            José Buitrago (COL)

Assistant #1:     Eduardo Diaz (COL)

Assistant #2:     Wilson Berrio (COL)

4^th Official:        Imer Machado (COL)

 Watching paint dry, watching grass grow, and this game. Luckily for our eyes and sanity, this game will be played at the same time as the Colombia vs Venezuela game.   These are two teams who could very well find themselves shout out of the festivities in Brazil three years from now.  Ecuador has three points thanks to Venezuela sending a “b” team to Ecuador, and Paraguay was outplayed by both Peru and Uruguay, and was lucky to capture a last minute tie at home against the Uruguayans.  Since both teams are not allowed to lose, I give the edge to an Ecuadorian side with more speed and skill than the defensive minded Paraguayans.  A home loss here can be the beginning of the end for Paraguay.

Prediction: Paraguay 0 – Ecuador 1

Feel free to email me at gustavo.escobar10@yahoo.com