Match day one brought about very few surprises as all the home teams came out on top. There were a few disappointing performances and it is clear this will be one of the tightest and most competitive qualifying races in recent memory. Below the previews for match day 2 on Tuesday October 11, along with analysis of match day 1 performances. (home teams in CAPS)
BOLIVIA vs. Colombia
Referee: Carlos Amarilla (PAR)
Assistant # 1: Nicolás Yegros (PAR)
Assistant # 2: Milcíades Saldivar (PAR)
4th Official : Antonio Arias (PAR)
Bolivia comes into this match off a 4-2 loss in Uruguay. They started off well enough as they were level at 1 before Uruguay took control of the game and ran off to a 4-1 lead before Marcelo Martins got one back for the Bolivians. In truth they did not expect anything from this game and will be focused on taking full points in their home opener against Colombia. The altitude of La Paz will give Bolivia a huge advantage. Colombia was off on Day 1 and start off with a tough fixture. Atletico Madrid star Radamel Falcao Garcia has been in excellent form and is one of the most lethal forwards in South America. Playmakers James Rodriguez (Porto- Portugal) and Giovanni Moreno (Racing- Argentina) are part of a young generation of players which are looking to lead Colombia to its first world cup since 2002. Although they should make a run at the 2014 event, this will not be a happy memory in that road. Bolivia should run out winners in this match as they know their only chance of competing for a top 5 spot is getting full points at home. La Paz has seen the fall of many, including a 6-1 thrashing of Messi and co. last qualifying cycle. Expect Colombia to keep it closer but not much more than that.
Prediction: Bolivia 4 – Colombia 1
CHILE vs. Peru
Referee: Raúl Orosco (BOL)
Assistant #1: Jorge Calderon (BOL)
Assistant #2: Efraín Castro (BOL)
4th Official: Joaquín Antequera(BOL)
These are two teams that come from opposite performances on Friday. Chile has humiliated in Argentina 4-1, in a game in which they never offered any resistance. Suazo was ineffective up front and the midfield led by Valdivia and Matias Fernandez was poor to say the least. There have been reports out of Chile of unrest within the locker room, as well as a report of fighting among players at an after hours club. A negative result here will put them on a tailspin which may lead to changes before November’s matches. Peru comes off an inspiring performance in Lima where they thoroughly outclassed Paraguay and could have won by a bigger margin. Guerrero was the man of the day with 2 goals and a number of other near miss chances. The midfield was solid with Balbin and Chievo Verona man Cruzado. Up front Farfan, Pizarro and Guerrero were a headache for a Paraguayan defense that had no answer for them all night. However, Chile will be chomping at the bit to erase their disastrous performance on Friday and should have a full stadium on their side. Peru should do well enough to gain a tie from this match.
Prediction: Chile 0 – Peru 0
PARAGUAY vs. Uruguay
Referee: Wilson Seneme (BRA)
Assistant #1: Roberto Braatz (BRA)
Assistant #2: Altemir Hausmann (BRA)
4th Official: Marcelo Henrique (BRA)
Although Paraguay had made the finals of Copa America, they were unimpressive, and had made the finals by not winning a single game. They lacked scoring punch but defended well. Against Peru they did not create a single dangerous scoring chance and their defending was suspect. Real Betis striker Roque Santa Cruz was barely seen on the field, and Paraguay’s biggest threat, the set piece, was a non-factor. Uruguay made short work of a feisty Bolivia squad. Forlan, Cavani, and Suarez will be a handful for anyone for stop, and especially for Paraguay. Peru exposed the lack of pace and grit in the Paraguayan defense and midfield which Uruguay will do as well. Uruguay will become the first road team to capture all the spoils and make light work of Paraguay.
Prediction: Paraguay 0 – Uruguay 2
VENEZUELA vs. Argentina
Referee: Roberto Silvera (URU)
Assistant #1: Miguel Ángel Nievas (URU)
Assistant #2: Carlos Pastorino (URU)
4th Official: Darío Ubriaco (URU)
Venezuela sent an alternate team to the heights of Ecuador in hopes of stealing a point, but the plan backfired. They left many of their top players at home to prepare for their home opener against star-studded Argentina. Venezuela will field a highly talented team with the likes of River Plate (Argentina) midfielder Cesar Eduardo Gonzales, Borussia Mönchengladbach (Germany) midfielder Juan Arango and Spanish La Liga strikers Miku and Salomon Rondon. This is widely considered the most talented squad that Venezuela has ever fielded and their expectation is to qualify to their first world cup ever. They are the only South American nation never to compete in a world cup. In front of them will be an Argentina squad that blitz through highly regarded Chile and gave notice that they may finally have found the right formula on the field to match its steep price tag. Di Maria, Higuain, and Messi ran rampant against a weak Chile defense, and could have scored more than the 4 they put in. Both teams will play an open style, attacking game, which should make for an entertaining match. Venezuela will do well to grab a point in this match and will have to be careful not to be run off the field in their attempt to satisfy a home crowd that will be looking for a historic win.
Prediction: Venezuela 1 – Argentina 1
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