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 - 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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