Let’s take a look at the teams in Group B:
1. Argentina: The runners up in the recently concluded FIFA World Cup held in Brazil last year. Lionel Messi and his side will be looking to avenge their world cup defeat by winning the tournament this year. The host nation for the 2011 Copa America put in a disappointing performance as they only reached the quarter finals losing out in penalties to eventual champions Uruguay. La Albiceleste is the highest ranked side in this competition and Martino has put out a strong squad for this year’s competition. La Albiceleste skipper Messi has had a fantastic domestic season with Barcelona winning the treble, he can motivate his side to go all the way in this tournament, as he stressed the importance this wining this trophy as the skipper has yet to win an international trophy although having a glittering club level trophy collection.
Coach: Gerardo Martino
Captain: Lionel Messi
Players to watch out for: Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero and Angel Di Maria
Winners: 14 times (1921, 1925, 1927, 1929, 1937, 1941, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1955, 1957, 1959, 1991, 1993)
Runners Up: 12 times (1916, 1917, 1920, 1923, 1924, 1926, 1935, 1942, 1959, 1967, 2004, 2007)
Also Read:
Copa America 2015 - InfoCopa America 2015 - Group A Review
2. Uruguay: La Celeste the reigning Copa America Champions will be looking to retain their trophy in Chile. Like the Argentinians this side is also packed with star studded names. The most noticeable miss will their talisman Luis Suarez who is still suspended after the biting incident at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. The other misses would be Diego Forlan, Diego Godin who have hung up their international boots and Martin Caceres who will miss out as the Juventus man has not recovered from an ankle fracture. The Onus would be on Cavani now to deliver for the La Celeste.
Coach: Oscar Tabarez
Captain: Diego Godin
Players to watch out for: Edinson Cavani, Diego Godin and N. Lodeiro
Winners: 15 times the most by any South American nation (1916, 1917, 1920, 1923, 1924, 1926, 1935, 1942, 1956, 1959, 1967, 1983, 1987, 1995, 2011)
Runners Up: 6 times (1919, 1927, 1939, 1941, 1989, 1991)
3. Paraguay: La Albirroja will be looking to make amends for not qualifying for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil by putting in a good show in this year’s Copa America. Runner’s up in 2011 edition losing out to Uruguay. Paraguay coach Ramon Diaz is still searching for his first victory as La Albirroja Coach having coached only five games since his appointment in December 2014 and has lost two and drawn three.
Coach: Ramon Diaz
Captain: Roque Santa Cruz
Players to watch out for: Roque Santa Cruz, Lucas Barrios and Pablo Aguilar
Winners: 2 times (1953, 1979)
Runners Up: 6 times (1922, 1929, 1947, 1949, 1963, 2011)
4. Jamaica: First time invitees, it’s definitely a new adventure for the Reggae Boyz. The Underdogs in this group. They are definitely placed in the toughest group but at the same time they would be playing alongside some great names and a great learning experience for the Caribbean team. Jamaica has won the Caribbean Cup an amazing six times the most by any Caribbean nation. But any chance of getting something out of this tournament is highly unlikely. Jamaica coach Winfried Schafer will be looking to add his experience to this vibrant Jamaican side having done the same with his previous coaching role at Cameroon who guided them to the African cup of nation’s glory.
Coach: Winfried Schafer
Captain: Rodolph Austin
Players to watch out for: Garath McCleary, Deshorn Brown and Wes Morgan
Winners: Never (First time entrants)
This group is arguably the toughest group in this competition, the Group of Death most would say. The must see game in this group will be the game between Argentina and Uruguay on the 16th of June. On paper Argentina looks more likely the team to top the group. Also would be interesting to see how the Jamaicans fare against these tough teams.
Joshua Ronald Ivan, follow him on Twitter.
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