For the first time since the 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification cycle, the ten-team single-group format for CONMEBOL qualifying will be reduced to nine teams. Brasil missed the 1998 qualifiers having already qualified for France 1998 as winners of United States of America 1994. This time around, Brasil have already qualified as the host country in 2014. With the absence of Brasil, Colombia will get Matchday One off, while Ecuador will be off playing a friendly with the United States of America during Matchday Two. The other seven countries will be experiencing an exhilarating doubleheader to open up the 2014 FIFA World Cup for CONMEBOL. Hopes are running high as an unprecedented number of South American sides could be among the thirty-two teams at Brasil 2014. Four direct entries are available to the nine-team group, meaning that including Brasil the FIFA World Cup finals will include at least five South American teams. However, a sixth team is likely to come as the winner of the intercontinental playoff between AFC's fifth-place team and CONMEBOL's fifth-place team. Hopes abound around the continent except in Bolivia, the only team not expected to have any legitimate shot at reaching Brasil 2014. The previews for each team will be listed in order of expected finish in the group.
1. Uruguay can count on a star-studded frontline, with Liverpool (England) striker Luis Suarez, Inter Milan striker Diego Forlan, and Napoli goal machine Edinson Cavani wreaking havoc throughout qualifying. Fernando Muslera (Galatasaray) will man the goal with captain and center back Diego Lugano (Paris Saint Germain) providing cover alongside young standout Sebastian Coates (Liverpool, England). Maxi Pereira (Benfica) covers the right flank and Martin Caceres (Sevilla) mans the left. Maxi's namesake Alvaro "Palo" Pereira (Porto) covers the left side of midfield, though Alvaro can be slotted in as a left back, too. Midfield stalwart Egidio Arevalo Rios (Tijuana) may be the only starter not playing in Europe. As defensive midfielders, Uruguay are likely to employ Diego "Ruso" Perez (Bologna) and Walter Gargano (Napoli), though exciting youngster Nicolas Lodeiro (Ajax Amsterdam) is likely to push his way into the lineup at some point during the qualifying cycle. Cristian "Cebolla" Rodriguez (Porto) could also make noise out of the midfield. Defensively, center back Diego Godin (Atletico Madrid) will get playing time as he returns to health, as should Porto fullback and 2010 FIFA World Cup hero Jorge Fucile. Talismanic forward Sebastian "Loco" Abreu (Botafogo) may also get playing time off the bench. Expect the fans at the Estadio Centenario in Montevideo to experience many happy times during the 2014 FIFA World Cup as their coach Oscar Tabarez leads the Celeste to further glory.
2. Argentina would love nothing more than to win their third FIFA World Cup with rivals Brasil hosting. Argentina and Uruguay are clearly a notch above the other teams participating in CONMEBOL qualifying. The obvious key to success for Argentina's hopes is Lionel Messi (Barcelona), the best soccer player on Earth at the current moment. What has held the Albiceleste back is a lack of production from highly rated players such as Carlos Tevez (Manchester City), Gonzalo Higuain (Real Madrid), and Javier Pastore (Paris Saint Germain). Tevez has missed the roster for the first doubleheader. However, Sergio "Kun" Aguero (Manchester City) has been in good form lately, as has Rodrigo Palacio of Genoa, and attacking midfielder Angel di Maria (Real Madrid) always is a dangerous force for the national side. Argentina are always one of the deepest and most talented teams and should be picking up full points against the teams listed 6-9 on this list both home and away with ease. The goalkeeper is solid with Sergio Romero (Sampdoria), and his defense in front of him is exquisite with centerbacks Martin Demichelis (Malaga) and Nicolas Otamendia (Porto) and fullbacks Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City), Nicolas Burdisso (Roma) and the young Marcos Rojo (Spartak Moscow). The only problem area for Argentina seems to be the defensive midfield. Captain Javier Mascherano (Barcelona) is solid, but Ever Banega (Valencia) had an awful Copa America in which he gifted Bolivia its opening goal with a whiffed clearance.
3. Venezuela have a golden generation entering the beginning of its prime years, though unlike the golden generation unearthed by Ecuador for the 2002 and 2006 FIFA World Cups, Venezuela's may be longer-lasting as the sporting climate in the country shifts more attention and resources to soccer. No matter the case, this is certainly the best chance La Vinotinto have ever had to qualify for FIFA's flagship event. People have overlooked the fact that Venezuela were but one head-to-head goal away from advancing to the intercontinental playoffs in place of Uruguay during the previous cycle in spite of their miserable form in 2008. Venezuela's strongest lineup is comprised of goalkeeper Renny Vega (Caracas), left back Gabriel Cichero (Lens), center backs Oswaldo Vizcarrondo (Olimpo) and Grenndy Perozo (Boyaca Chico), right back Roberto Rosales (Twente), left winger and captain Juan Arango (Monchengladbach), center midfielders Franklin Lucena (Caracas) and Tomas Rincon (Hamburg), right winger Cesar "Maestrico" Gonzalez (Gimnasia), and forwards Nicolas "Miku" Fedor (Getafe) and young star Salomon Rondon (Malaga). Other players to look forward to seeing include "altitude-team" goalkeeper Rafa Romo (Udinese), young defenders Sema Velazquez (Tachira), Jose Luis Granados (Real Esppor), former captain and centerback Jose Manuel Rey (Lara), electric midfielders Ronald Vargas (Anderlecht), Yohandry Orozco (Wolfsburg), and Luis Manuel Seijas (Standard Liege), steady defensive midfielder Giacomo di Giorgi (Anzoategui), and lastly backup forwards Giancarlo Maldonado (Atlante), the team's all-time goal scorer, Alejandro Moreno (Chivas USA), and Daniel Arismendi (Anzoategui). Teams will absolutely fear granting free kicks to Venezuela with the sublime left foot of Arango, the half-field power shot of Rey, and the heading ability of Vizcarrondo.
Venezuela take the unorthodox approach when it comes to visiting high altitude locations like Ecuador, Bolivia, and possibly Peru. The coaching staff of Cesar Farias elects to take a team of primarily young players from the Venezuelan league into these matches while saving the strength of the primary squad players for the other match in the doubleheader by not forcing them to re-acclimate to sea level conditions. Venezuela won at Bolivia 1-0 using this strategy in the previous cycle, and the strategy will immediately come into play on Matchday One when Venezuela visit Ecuador at altitude. Hope is also being placed upon some high-profile players who have finally chosen to play for La Vinotinto over other national teams, including defenders Fernando Amorebieta (Atletic Bilbao), defender Rolf Feltscher (Parma), and midfielder Frank Feltscher (Grasshopper).
4. Chile were the epitome of an attacking team during the 2010 FIFA World Cup tournament, though with the departure of super coach Marcelo Bielsa, work remains to be done to return to the high levels he achieved. The 2010 FIFA World Cup squad was magnificent in attack, but the defense was vulnerable to the counterattacks from stronger opponents. Super creative forward Alexis Sanchez (Barcelona) has the world abuzz with his skill and his strike partner Humberto "Chupete" Suazo of Monterrey led all CONMEBOL scorers with ten goals in the 2010 qualifying campaign. However, Sanchez willing be missing in action for La Roja for the first round of qualifiers through injury. In the midfield, Chile feature the defensive Arturo Vidal (Juventus) and Gary Medel (Valencia), the attacking Jorge Valdivia (Palmeiras) and Matias Fernandez (Sporting Lisbon), left winger Mark Gonzalez (CSKA Moscow), left winger Jean Beausejour (Birmingham City). At fullback we find Gonzalo Jara of West Brom Albiom, Pablo Contreras (P.A.O.K.), and Mauricio Isla (Udinese) with Cruz Azul's Waldo Ponce playing as centerback. Captain and goalkeeper Claudio Bravo plays for Real Sociedad. Will we see Chile stick to its exciting three-defender formation in order to better exploit its limitless attacking talent or will there be a return to the modern norm of four men back?
5. Paraguay made the final of the Copa America, but they finished with only five points earned out of six matches, a haul that would leave them well off the pace for qualification were it to happen during the qualifying group. The Albirroja should fare well at the Estadio Defensores del Chaco in Asuncion, but will it be enough for direct qualification or will Paraguay face a playoff scenario against a team like Uzbekistan? One man that the entire country can count on is goalkeeper and captain Justo Villar (Estudiantes de la Plata), the most stellar player in the 2011 Copa America. How this man is not playing for a massive European team is beyond explanation. Protecting Villar are Aureliano Torres (Toluca) to his left, and the trio of Dario Veron (UNAM Pumas), Antolin Alcaraz (Wigan), and Paulo da Silva (Real Zaragoza). The team's attacking force has not been the same since Salvador Cabañas was shot in the head in 2010, ending his career. However, Roque Santa Cruz (Real Betis) and Nelson Haedo Vazquez (Rubin Kazan) got the job done as the team made the quarterfinals of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Oscar Cardozo (Benfica) and Argentina-born Lucas Barrios (Dortmund) provided more options for a team that really should produce more goals than it does given its offensive talent. The team produced precisely zero goals in five knockout games at the 2010 FIFA World Cup and 2011 Copa America. In the midfield, Paraguay feature Edgar Barreto (Palermo) centrally, Osvaldo Martinez (Atlante) on the right, and Marcelo Estigarribia on the left. Defensive midfielders include Enrique Vera (LDU Quito), Victor Caceres (Libertad)., and Argentina-born Nestor Ortigoza (San Lorenzo, Argentina). Other midfielders include the Kayserispor pair of Cristian Riveros and Argentina-born Johnathan Santana.
6. Colombia are a frustrating side. Los Cafeteros are overloaded with attacking talent with players like Radamel Falcao (Atletico Madrid), Dayro Moreno (Tijuana), Guillermo Cuadrado (Lecce), Hugo Rodallega (Wigan), and Jackson Martinez (Jaguares de Chiapas), yet the offense always seems to fail at crucial moments. We point to Dayro Moreno's miss on an open net that would have given Colombia a 1-0 victory over Argentina at the 2011 Copa America, as well as Falcao's missed penalty that would have given Colombia a 1-0 victory over Peru at the 2011 Copa America. Hope can be placed in midfielder Fredy Guarin of Porto who played exceptionally well in the 2011 Copa America and striker Teofilo Gutierrez of Racing (Argentina) to finally provide much needed scoring help. The return from injury of attacker Giovanni Moreno (Racing, Argentina) may very well provide the spark Colombia need to shake the cobwebs off the offense. If all else fails, Colombia should take a look at Seattle Sounders forward Fredy Montero. The team's defense is stout with centerbacks Luis Perea (Atletico Madrid) and Mario Yepes (AC Milan), left back Pablo Armero (America de Cali), and right back Camilo Zuñiga (Napoli), but 0-0 draws will not get a team into Brasil 2014. Other players to look for include midfielder Abel Aguilar (Hercules) and midfielder Yulian Anchico (Sante Fe, Colombia).
7. Peru were the supposed revelation of the 2011 Copa America, but many viewers were not sold on their potential as a force in South American qualifying. The team were lucky to advance to extra time scoreless in their quarterfinal and were soundly beaten in the semifinal by Uruguay. In fact, their only regulation time win was 1-0 against Mexico's youth squad. The Estadio Nacional in Lima is a home to many surprise results for the Peruvians, but going on the road to pick up results has been a problem plaguing Peru since the team last made the FIFA World Cup finals in 1982. Former star striker Claudio Pizarro (Werder Bremen) is back on the rise and should mesh well with the 2011 Copa America Golden Boot winner Paolo Guerrero (Hamburg) and attacking midfielder and captain Juan Manuel Vargas (Fiorentina). The fourth member of a potent attack is Jefferson Farfan (Schalke 04) , back after missing the Copa America roster. Supporting the attack from midfield will be Luis Advincula and Carlos Lobaton of Sporting Cristal and the diminutive William Chiroque (Juan Aurich). In defense, Peru feature veteran centerback Santiago Acasiete (Almeria) and two more Sporting Cristal players, Walter Vilchez and Renzo Revoredo. A weak link exists at goalkeeper, and Peru must choose between Raul Fernandez (Universitario, Peru) and Leao Butron (Universidad de San Martin).
8. Ecuador have fallen on hard times recently and along with Bolivia were the only two CONMEBOL sides to miss the quarterfinals of the 2011 Copa America. The Estadio Atahualpa in Quito was a veritable fortress for Ecuador during the peak of its golden generation, but Venezuela and Uruguay both cracked the code during the last qualification cycle, and Colombia and Brasil garnered draws. Gone are Carlos Tenorio, Ivan Kaviedes, and Ivan Hurtado. It is unlikely that Argentina-born goalkeeper Marcelo Elizaga (Deportivo Quito) will last for the whole qualification cycle as he approaches age forty. Ecuador's strength is its midfield. Christian Noboa (Rubin Kazan), Edison Mendez (Emelec), captain and left winger Walter Ayovi (Monterrey), Michael Arroyo (San Luis), Cristian Suarez (Santos Laguna), and Segundo Castillo (Pachuca) make up the midfield, with the last four plying their trade in Mexico. Fellow Mexican leaguers Jaime Ayovi (Pachuca) and Christian "Chucho" Benitez (Club America, Mexico) also play in Mexico. Neicer Reasco (LDU Quito) plays right back on the makeshift backline that should be expected to hemorrhage goals, especially away from home. The two stars on this team are forward Felipe Caicedo (Lokomotiv Moscow) and the country's best player, right winger Antonio Valencia of Manchester United, but they will not be enough to lead this team to qualification.
9. Bolivia will be hoping to achieve a miracle qualification with some stellar play from striker Marcelo Moreno Martins (Shaktar Donetsk) and center back Ronald Raldes (Colon de Santa Fe). The team is not very deep. Brazilian-born Edivaldo Hoyos (Atletico Paranaense) will support Moreno up top. The diminutive Joselito Vaca (Oriente Petrolero) will serve as a poor man's Messi feeding his club teammate Juan Carlos Arce, and another club teammate Miguel Hoyos will be the right back. Midfielder Ronald Garcia (Aris) is a rare player based overseas. Santos Amador (Nacional Potosi) will also play in defense in front of goalkeeper Carlos Arias (Cordoba, Spain). Bolivia will not be able to match up with any team on the road and will be looking to avoid the cellar with solid results at home at the Estadio Hernando Siles in La Paz.
On Matchday One, the first of the region's seventy-two matches (seventy-four counting the intercontinental playoffs) pits heavyweights and defending Copa America champions Uruguay at home to Bolivia in what promises to be the most lopsided matchup of the seventy-two. Venezuela will be looking to repeat the shock road upset of Ecuador that they managed in 2007. Argentina will be looking to establish themselves as second favorites from the start of the campaign when they face third favorites Chile at home. The nightcap features two teams that will be looking to snag fourth or fifth place in the group. Peru will host Copa America finalists Paraguay, though both teams' high final positions in the 2011 Copa America were not indicative of their level of play throughout the tournament, and their deficiencies will be exposed during a long qualifying campaign.
Matchday Two pits Bolivia at home against Colombia, a team which will have had extra time to prepare for the altitude due to their bye in the first set of matches. Chile then will host Peru, a match which would seem to give a good indication of whether Peru is a legitimate threat for Brasil 2014. The final two matches pit Paraguay at home against Uruguay and Venezuela at home to Argentina. These two matches will be opportunities for Paraguay and Venezuela to prove that they have the strength to handle their heavyweight opponents, at the very least on home soil.
Predictions:
Matchday One: Uruguay defeat Bolivia, Venezuela defeat Ecuador, Argentina defeat Chile, Paraguay tie Peru
Matchday Two: Bolivia tie Colombia, Chile defeat Peru, Paraguay tie Uruguay, Argentina defeat Venezuela
Squads:
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/960521/palacio-back-in-argentina-squad?cc=5901 (Argentina)
Team Profiles:
Group Preview:
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