"The Copa America is simply a fixture in the calendar" - Parreira

[MIGkiller]

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news;_ylc=X3oDMTBpYjk0aWtjBF9TAzk1ODYzNTkwBHNlYwN0aA--?slug=afp-fbl_copa_america&prov=afp&type=lgns

Copa America fails to get world Champs Brazil buzzing


LIMA (AFP) - World champions Brazil have all but admitted they will only go through the motions in the Copa America which kicks off tomorrow.

"The Copa America is simply a fixture in the calendar. If Brazil wins or loses the Copa America, what will that change?" said Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira.

Brazil are without Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Cafu, Dida, Roberto Carlos and Kaka for the bi-annual South American championships which break into the region's World Cup qualifying competition.

However, Parreira did admit the tournament would enable him to run the rule over some younger players and give others a chance to win their way back into the squad.

[sidspaceman]

Looks like Parreira is getting his excuses ready in case Brazil fails to win the Copa.

[MoRado]

what Parreira said might be true, right now nobody is excited about Copa AMerica as it used to be....
That doesn Not have to be like that, remember that Copa AMerica is the oldest tournment in soccer history....

[lond2345]

this is conmebols fault. Hold the tournament every 4 years (this is a must) and second you must make the tournament bigger. Invite 4 concacaf teams.

[DCU4EvertonIan]

this is conmebols fault. Hold the tournament every 4 years (this is a must) and second you must make the tournament bigger. Invite 4 concacaf teams.

Spot on on the first part.

On the second part, the only way to make the tournament anywhere close to euro 2004 is to make it transfederational....all 10 south american teams, and the six north american teams from the previous hex. Imagine a copa america hosted by mexico or the US, or even canada. Though I suppose this is for another thread.

Brazil brought U-23 to the gold cup and still almost won it. Lost in Azteca 1-0 to a full mexico side. I don't think this is a case of excuses, just of truth telling.

[Theo the Greek]

I agree that if all the teams from North and south america were there it would be excellent,I still enjoy the copa america though as it is still good competive and exciting soccer. brazil's coach saying the negitive comments is unprofessional and detracts from the tourny and kind of insults the other clubs ( not saying he is not stateing the truth) but he should use some tact ,he is still a guest in peru.
Spot on on the first part.

On the second part, the only way to make the tournament anywhere close to euro 2004 is to make it transfederational....all 10 south american teams, and the six north american teams from the previous hex. Imagine a copa america hosted by mexico or the US, or even canada. Though I suppose this is for another thread.

Brazil brought U-23 to the gold cup and still almost won it. Lost in Azteca 1-0 to a full mexico side. I don't think this is a case of excuses, just of truth telling.