Peru and Bolivia play out the surprise quarterfinal of the Copa America in Temuco, meaning the match which will also throw up the surprise semifinalist -- the rank outsider in the last four.
In a format where eight of the 12 teams qualify for the knockout rounds, there is always scope for this type of occurrence -- though it should be remembered that neither of these teams sneaked into the quarter finals. Both teams qualified legitimately by finishing second in their group.
This in itself is something of a surprise from two points of view. First, neither Bolivia nor Peru have inspired any confidence with their form over the last few years. And also their preparation for this tournament left a lot to be desired.
Bolivia went through the absurdity last year of playing three matches under three different coaches. Current boss Mauricio Soria was in charge for the middle one, but then got embroiled in a political row which delayed his appointment. The team then pulled out of a match against Nigeria in March, meaning that their only warmup for the tournament was a 5-0 thrashing by Argentina less than a week before the kickoff.
Peru's Ricardo Gareca was the last coach to be appointed of the 10 South American nations. He worked in Peru for a year back in 2007, but arrived out of touch, and only had two unimpressive warmup matches to get his team ready for the Copa.
Both, then, have overcome deficiencies in order to reach the last eight. But neither, to be fair, have done anything sensational.
Bolivia opened their group programme with a tame 0-0 draw against Mexico, and closed it being hammered 5-0 by Chile. Their qualification is almost entirely down to a first half against Ecuador when the opposing defence turned into the Keystone Cops. Bolivia took advantage of some slapstick defending to run up a 3-0 lead, but ended up fortunate to hold it. Ecuador, who missed a penalty, spent the second half camped in the Bolivian half, and in the end only the width of the crossbar stopped them from getting a draw.
Peru celebrate after breaking through for a goal against Venezuela that helped them advance to the quarterfinals.
Peru have been more consistent. They were seconds away from holding Brazil in the opener, and came away with a 0-0 draw against Colombia in the third game. Like Bolivia, their qualification came with a dose of fortune in the second game when Venezuela's Fernando Amorebieta got himself sent off in the first half. It took Peru a while, but they eventually broke the deadlock to win by the only goal.
The defensive solidity that Peru have demonstrated (just two goals conceded so far, against eight by Bolivia) has been a surprise. Attack-minded fullbacks Luis Advincula and Juan Manuel Vargas have shown good discipline, goalkeeper Pedro Gallese looks a class act and the centre-back partnership of Carlos Zambrano and Carlos Ascues has been sound. Strong and composed, the 23-year-old Ascues has been especially impressive.
Gareca, though, now has a problem in front of his defensive unit. Both his central midfielders are suspended after picking up two yellow cards. Josepmir Ballon, the more defensive of the two, will presumably be replaced by the rugged little Erwin Retamozo. But how can Peru replace Carlos Lobaton, who links the side together with the quality of his passing? There are a number of options. Joel Sanchez could move in from the flank, opening up space for Paolo Hurtado to come in on the right of midfield. Reserve left back Yosimar Yotun could also play in midfield, or Ascues could be moved forward.
Bolivia's Marcelo Moreno scores in the his team's 3-2 win over Ecuador.
Last year, under previous coach Pablo Bengoechea, Ascues made a big impression when introduced to the side in a midfield role. Rumbling forward, he scored five times in six games. So he could move forward, with the rugged Cristian Ramos replacing him at centre-back. It would be the boldest move, but it would mean disturbing a defensive unit which has performed well so far.
Bolivia, meanwhile, have no such dilemmas. They are at full strength. Mauricio Soria's most potent weapon so far has been a former Sweden youth international. Martin Smedberg-Dalence is the Swedish-born son of a Bolivian father, brought into the national team last year by Soria. He strikes the ball well, offering a threat from open play and from set pieces.
Peru, though, have much more firepower, especially with Jefferson Farfan likely to return to the side after injury. Centre-forward Paolo Guerrero, top scorer of the last Copa, is clearly due a goal. Much will depend on how the Bolivia defence cope with his skill and physicality.
Much will also depend on how Peru cope with being favourites. Four years ago in Argentina they beat Colombia at this stage, in a performance when they enjoyed being the underdogs, first frustrating the Colombians and then breaking out to clinch victory. This time it is different. Peru will be expected to take the initiative in the game. Can they handle it, or will Bolivia hold them off and become the surprise semifinalist?
Source: ESPN
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