Ashley turner

INTERNATIONAL SOCCER Printed in the UK www.internationalsoccer.com £3.80

April 2015

COPA AMERICA PREVIEW!!!

Photo courtesy of Google: The Copa America trophy.

Photo courtesy of Google: Uruguay lifting the trophy after winning the last tournament, back in 2011.

Photo courtesy of Google: The tournament emblem.

Photo courtesy of Google: The flag of Chile, home nation for this year’s tournament.

CONTENTS PAGE Photo courtesy of Google: Sergio Aguero, one of the star names at the tournament, and best strikers in world football.

Page 3... Joseph Eyden interview Page 4... Group A preview Page 5... Alexis Sanchez profile Page 6... Group B preview

Photo courtesy of Google: The National Stadium, also known as Julio Martinez Pradanos, is where the final will be held.

Page 7... Angel Di Maria profile Page 8... Group C preview Page 9... James Rodriguez profile Page 10... Lionel Messi: Last chance to win an International tournament? & Is the Copa America a shop window for players?

Photo courtesy of Google: Peru fans, showing support for their team and their heroes.

Page 11... Brazil to right the wrongs of last summer’s World Cup? & Chile’s maiden success?

Knockout Fixture List: Quarter-finals: June 24: Gp A 1st v Best 3pl (Santiago (QF1) June: 25 Gp A 2nd v Gp C 2nd (Temuco) (QF2) June 26: Gp B 1st v 2nd-best 3pl (Vina del Mar) (QF3) June 27: Gp C 1st v Gp B 2nd (Concepcion) (QF4) Page 2

Semi-finals: June 29: QF1 winners v QF2 winners (Santiago) June 30: QF3 winners v QF4 winners (Concepcion) 3rd-place match: July 3(Concepcion) Final: July 4 (Santiago)

JOSEPH EYDEN REVEALS HIS COPA AMERICA TIPS IN THIS EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH INTERNATIONAL SOCCER

By Ashley Turner

Student Joseph Eyden, an avid follower of South American football, gives his views on the upcoming Copa America tournament, that commences in June.

A huge follower and fan of South American football, University of Chester student Joseph Eyden shares his thoughts on this year’s Copa America tournament.

Starting on June 11, and running until July 4, the host nation of Chile will be the stage to see who has the right to run the rule over the continent.

Joseph provides his own opinion of reigning champions Uruguay, his tips for the title, and the dark horse to look out for.

Talking about the winners from last time, Joseph reckons Uruguay ae very much among the favourites to extend their Copa America tally.

“Of course Uruguay will be challenging.

They have one of the best attacks around with Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani,” claims Joseph.

“They have the experience of winning it, not just a record 15 times, but the most recent tournament four years ago,” adds Joseph.

But are Uruguay Joseph’s tips to win the tournament?

“I’ve got to back Argentina. I am a huge fan of them, and seriously wished they had won the

Photo courtesy of Facebook: Joe Eyden with a smile on his face, tips Argentina for glory and Jamaica to surprise a few.

World Cup last year. Lionel Messi is the best player in the world, and I hope for his sake he can lead the team to glory,” explains Joseph.

“Chile as hosts have a chance, Uruguay as I’ve mentioned with their attack, Colombia if James Rodriguez performs and you can’t overlook Brazil despite last summer’s shock, but I’d be surprised if Argentina aren’t lifting the trophy come Independence Day,” says Joseph, referring to the date of the final.

To conclude, Joseph names who he thinks will be the dark horse of the competition, the one who can go furthest as a surprise package.

“If Costa Rica were involved, I’d say them, after what they did at the World Cup. As they are not, I am going to say Jamaica,” says Joseph surprisingly.

“As a Stoke City fan, Ricardo Fuller being Jamaican and a hero for our club, I have a fondness for them.

I reckon they can claim one of the third-placed places, and do something similar to what the likes of Paraguay, Peru and Venezuela did in 2011,” Joseph finishes.

We will see if these predictions come true.

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GROUP A PREVIEW

By Ashley Turner

BOLIVIA

CHILE

Coach: Mauricio Soria Key Players: Ronald Raldes, Joselito Vaca, Marcelo Martins Moreno

Coach: Jorge Sampaoli Key Players: Gary Medel, Arturo Vidal, Alexis Sanchez

The worry for Bolivia is that they struggle for goals.

They scored just once in the last tournament back in 2011, joint-lowest with Mexico, taking just one point from their three games. They find themselves in Group A once again, with hopes that they can maybe sneak into one of the best-placed third places, with stronger opposition within this group.

It will be a tough ask, but not an impossible one, as there is usually at least one surprise package in every international competition.

The host nation would love to lift this coveted trophy for the first time in their own back yard. It would be the fairytale way to break their duck in the compeition. Topping Group C last time out ahead of eventual champions Uruguay, they suffered a shock exit in the quarter-finals to Venezuela, losing 2-1.

But after a successful World Cup last summer that saw them beat Spain in the group, and undeservedly go out to Brazil on penalites in the round of 16, the natives have great optimism, and rightly so.

ECUADOR

MEXICO

Coach: Gustavo Quinteros Key Players: Walter Ayovi, Segundo Castillo, Enner Valencia

Coach: Miguel Herrera Key Players: Rafael Marquez, Hector Herrera, Giovanni Dos Santos

Another team without a Copa America crown to their name, Ecuador will be hoping that their dark horse status can lift them through. One of only four teams not to win a game back in 2011 in Argentina, Gustavo Quinteros will see this as a chance to at least progress to the knockout stages, and from there anything is possible. Peru, Paraguay and Venezuela were shock names in the semi-finals last time, so Ecuador know that they can follow a similar path, and cause a few upsets along the way.

The Mexicans were the only side to lose every game at the last Copa America, scoring just once in the process. But steady progression has been made since then, and they nearly overcame Louis van Gaal’s Dutch side at last year’s World Cup, only going down to a Wesley Sneijder equaliser and then a last minute Klaas-Jan Hunterlaar penalty. A CONCACAF nation, wouldn’t it be something if they were to lift the trophy on foregin soil, with no CONCACAF nation yet to lift the trophy.

Group A Fixture List:

Prediction:

June 11: Chile v Ecuador (Santiago) June 12: Mexico v Bolivia (Vina del Mar) June 15: Ecuador v Bolivia (Valparaiso) June 15: Chile v Mexico (Santiago) June 19: Mexico v Ecuador (Rancagua) June 19: Chile v Bolivia (Santiago)

1. Chile 2. Mexico 3. Bolivia 4. Ecuador

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ALEXIS SANCHEZ

By Ashley Turner The spearhead of Chile’s attack, Alexis Sanchez will aim to score the goals that would see the home nation win their maiden Copa America.

FACTFILE: Club: Arsenal Country: Chile Age: 26 Height: 5”6 Position: Attacker Previous Clubs: Cobreloa, Colo Colo, River Plate, Udinese, Barcelona Caps: 75 (24 goals) Preferred foot: Right

Alexis Sanchez has been one of the best players in the world over the past 12 months.

Another to shine on the big occassion of the World Cup last summer, Sanchez earned himself a big move to Arsenal post-tournament.

For many years, Arsenal have been criticised for failing to splash the cash on any big name signings.

This changed in 2013, however, with Mesut Ozil swapping the Bernabeu for North London in a £42m move. This was supposed to be the catalyst for similar business, and 12 months later, Sanchez also swapped a Spanish giant for North London, completing a £35m move from FC Barcelona.

Since then, he has taken the Premier League by storm, playing in any of the front four positions in Arsene Wenger’s 4-2-3-1 formation.

Many thought of him as being underused and underappreciated by Barca, and the arrival of Neymar in the summer of 2013 prompted a swfit exit for Sanchez the following year.

But Barca’s loss is Arsenal’s gain, with the Chilean star performing well on a regular basis, and he surely has to be a contender for the Player

Photos courtesy of Google: Two very happy pictures of Alexis Sanchez celebrating, the above of which sees him flexing his muscles, the one below sees him pretending to be an Aeroplane. Like a plane, he will be hoping that Chile’s Copa America bid will take off when they begin the tournament against Ecuador on June 11. of the Year award.

This summer, the Copa America arrives in Chile, with Sanchez a key player in the side, with the nation’s hopes resting in the spine of the team, in Gary Medel, Arturo Vidal and Sanchez himself.

Harshly knocked out on penalties by fellow South American opponents Brazil in the World Cup, Chile know that they are capable of producing big performances on the big stage, and with Sanchez in their ranks, anything is possible.

For Sanchez, a chance to lead his nation to Copa America glory, and their first title in it at that, will surely spur him on to extending his brilliant season into the summer months of June and July.

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GROUP B PREVIEW

By Ashley Turner

ARGENTINA

JAMAICA

Coach: Gerardo Martino Key Players: Pablo Zabaleta, Sergio Aguero, Lionel Messi

Coach: Winfried Schafer Key Players: Jermaine Taylor, Dane Richards, Rodolph Austin

Last time out, Argentina lost 5-4 on penalties to Uruguay after a 1-1 draw in the round of 16. Not only was this a bitter blow, Uruguay went on to win the tournament, surpassing Argentina’s record of 14 crowns, and this was in Argentina itself. The La Albiceleste would have fancied their chances against Peru and then Paraguay in the follwing rounds. Not to mention their 1-0 Extra Time defeat to Germany in last year’s World Cup Final.

The second CONCACAF team in the tournament are playing in their first. They have only ever appeared in one World Cup too, in 1998, where they finished third in a group featuring fellow group rivals Argentina, Croatia and Japan, whom they did beat 2-1. One thing is for sure, they aren’t here to make up the numbers, but they face a steep battle to gain any points from arguably the group of death of the three.

PARAGUAY

URUGUAY

Coach: Ramon Diaz Key Players: Paulo Da Silva, Cristian Riveros, Roque Santa Cruz

Coach: Oscar Tabarez Key Players: Diego Godin, Edinson Cavani, Luis Suarez

Only Uruguay, Argentina and Brazil have won more Copa America crowns than Paraguay, but that tally is only two, won in 1953 and 1979. Paraguay were the bizarre case of the last tournament. Progessing from their group without winning a game, before reaching the final without scoring, beating Brazil and Venezuela respectively on penalties after 0-0 draws. But after losing 3-0 to Uruguay in the final, they will be hoping to go one better this time around.

The holders from 2011 and the record holders overall with 15, Uruguay are firm favourites to win back-to-back crowns for the first time since 1987.

A wealth of talent within their ranks, you can’t help but notice Oscar Tabarez’s team. They were, however, undone by South America rivals Colombia in the round of 16 at last year’s World Cup in Brazil, in a game that featured that goal from James Rodriguez. That could be in the back of the minds of the players, but they are still strong candidates.

Group B Fixture List:

Prediction:

June 13: Uruguay v Jamaica (Antofagasta) June 13: Argentina v Paraguay (La Serena) June 16: Paraguay v Jamaica (Antofagasta) June 16: Argentina v Uruguay (La Serena) June 20: Uruguay v Paraguay (La Serena) June 20: Argentina v Jamaica (Vina Del Mar)

1.Uruguay 2. Argentina 3. Paraguay 4. Jamaica

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ANGEL DI MARIA

By Ashley Turner Often outshone by captain and international teammate Lionel Messi, Angel Di Maria is nonetheless a pivotal member of the Argentine squad.

FACTFILE: Club: Manchester United Country: Argentina Age: 26 Height: 5”8 Position: Midfielder Previous Clubs: Rosario Central, SL Benfica, Real Madrid Caps: 57 (11 goals) Preferred foot: Left

He became the most expensive player in Premier League history last summer, and Angel Di Maria will be a key member to the Argentinian team, as they aim to draw level with fellow Group B rivals Uruguay in the overall Copa America wins.

His £60m move to Manchester United from Real Madrid last summer prompted many doubts over the ambition of Los Blancos owner Florentino Perez. But having sold Mesut Ozil the previous summer window, Perez was likely to sell a big name player, especially to accommodate the signing of James Rodriguez.

Most of the summer speculation surrounded Di Maria’s future, with many tipping PSG as a potential destination. However, due to the recent Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations, the French club backed out of a deal, opening the door to a move to United, an opportunity that Louis van Gaal and Ed Woodward failed to pass up.

Since arriving in England, it has been an upand-down season for the Red Devils number seven.

His career in the northwest of England took off

Photos courtesy of Google: A serious-faced Di Maria above. Below, ‘El Fideo’ celebrates his late extra time winner against Switzerland at the World Cup last summer, sending Argentina into the quarter-finals, before they lost themselves in extra time to Germany in the final. like a house on fire, with three goals and numerous assists in his opening four games, including a delightful chip away at Leicester City.

A hamstring injury suffered in late November against Hull City at Old Trafford halted his progress, and he hasn’t found his form since his return in the New Year.

A few glimmers have appeared in recent matches, but he has a long way to go to prove his hefty price tag, as United have stuttered through the season.

But with a couple of months remaining until the tournament, there is time for Di Maria to rediscover his blistering form, that saw him win the man-of-thematch award in last season’s Champions League final, awarded by Sir Alex Ferguson of all people, that saw Real Madrid claim La Decima.

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GROUP C PREVIEW

By Ashley Turner

BRAZIL Coach: Dunga Key Players: Thiago Silva, Oscar, Neymar Winning four of the past six Copa America’s, it is a surprise that that is only half of their overall total. They aren’t even in touching distance of rivals Argentina, which will be a real disappointment to the five time world champions. They exited the last tournament without losing a game in normal time, but they only won once too. They journey to the home of the nation they knocked out of last year’s World Cup on penalties, during a heated game, so don’t expect much support from the locals for one of football’s greatest ever nations.

PERU

COLOMBIA Coach: Jose Pekerman Key Players: Pablo Armero, Juan Cuadrado, Jackson Martinez Revenge could be on the cards for Colombia after they were knocked out of last year’s World Cup

by Brazil, whom they will face at the group stage.

They topped their group back in 2011, ahead of Argentina, but suffered a shock 2-0 defeat to Peru in the quarter-finals. With the strength in depth and quality options available to Argentine coach Jose Pekerman, this may represent the best chance for Colombia to claim their maiden Copa America title.

VENEZUELA

Coach: Pablo Bengoechea Key Players: Juan Manuel Vargas, Jefferson Farfan, Pablo Guerrero

Coach: Noel Sanvicente Key Players: Gabriel Cichero, Franklin Lucena, Salomon Rondon

The 1975 champions finished third at the last competition, thrashing Venezuela 4-1 in the third place play-off, whom they will face again in the group stage this year. They will also face Colombia, whom they beat in the quarter-finals, and they sit inside the top 60 of the FIFA World Rankings as things stand, a respectable feat. Peru will be more than confident at progressing from the group after 2011’s showing, another underdog aiming to claim a few scalps.

Arguably the stand-out performers in the last tournament despite that 4-1 defeat to Peru in the third place play-off, Venezuela progressed from Group B ahead of Paraguay and Ecuador, finishing on the same points as Brazil, just missing out on top spot by one goal in the goal difference column, going unbeaten until the third placed game and beating Chile 2-1 in the quarter-finals. A similar showing could see a similar outcome for the onetime champion.

Group C Fixture List:

Prediction:

June 14: Colombia v Venezuela (Rancagua) June 14: Brazil v Peru (Temuco) June 17: Brazil v Colombia (Santiago) June 18: Peru v Venezuela (Valparaiso) June 21: Colombia v Peru (Tamaco) June 21: Brazil v Venezuela (Santiago)

1. Colombia 2. Brazil 3. Venezuela 4. Peru

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JAMES RODRIGUEZ

By Ashley Turner James Rodriguez won the Golden Ball at last year’s World Cup for his goal against fellow competitors Uruguay, and he will be aiming to take his country all the way this time around.

FACTFILE: Club: Real Madrid Country: Colombia Age: 23 Height: 5”10 Position: Attacker Previous Clubs: Banfield, FC Porto, Monaco Caps: 32 (12 goals) Preferred foot: Left

One of the brightest prospects in the game today, James Rodriguez is Colombia’s shining light.

At just 23 years of age, Rodriguez is the one Los Cafeteros look to for inspiration, just like at last summer’s World Cup. Back in Brazil, star striker Radamel Falcao was injured, meaning he was unable to participate in the tournament.

This season, after a season-long-loan move to Manchester United from AS Monaco, Falcao has failed to live up to expectations, scoring just four times, despite seeing fellow strikers Wayne Rooney deployed in midfield, Robin van Persie on the decline, and the raw talent of James Wilson slowly eased into the first team frame.

This has allowed Rodriguez to come to the forefront of the Colombia national team. A poster boy and adored by the natives, any chance of Colombia going all the way in the competition will rest solely on the shoulders of the Real Madrid star, despite other talented players in the ranks of Jose Pekerman’s side.

He seems a cheery and down-to-earth person, constantly smiling on the pitch, which is a big boost to the team’s morale and team spirit, both on and off the pitch.

It is important to be embraced as a crucial

Photos courtesy of Google: The forever smiling James Rodriguez celebrating two different goals that he has scored for his nation, hoping to spark more smiles and celebrating at the Copa America. team member, and Rodriguez has the backing of his teammates and fans alike.

A goalscoring midfielder, Rodriguez has all the attributes to become one of the best in the world, already on the way to similar levels as club teammates Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale.

Having won the player of the tournament accolade at last summer’s World Cup, a similar performance is expected this time around.

This will be Rodriguez’ first Copa America, and having thrived on the big occassion of the World Cup last summer, and having sinced shone at one of the world’s biggest clubs, the occassion should be nothing knew to the starlet, who has certainly got a fantastic career ahead of him.

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Lionel Messi: Last chance to win an international tournament?

By Ashley Turner Lionel Messi will turn 28 during this year’s Copa America, and after finishing runnersup to Germany in the last World Cup, is this the last chance for him to win an international tournament?

There is no doubt that Barcelona legend and Argentinien hero Lionel Messi is one of the best players to ever grace the football field.

However, he is yet to win an international tournament, despite playing in three World Cups (2006, 2010, 2014), and two Copa Americas (2007 and 2011).

Many feel that this may represent his best and final chance to win that allusive international medal.

Perhaps this seems a little extreme, but having won everything possible at club level with

Photo courtesy of Google: Captain Messi will be desperate to add an international trophy to his illustrious career.

Barcelona, and reaching the age of 30 within the next two years, Messi will feel he owes himself, as much as his nation, that coveted prize of the Copa America.

Is the Copa America a shop window for players?

By Ashley Turner After James Rodriguez and Keylor Navas secured big moves to Real Madrid on the back of last year’s World Cup, will the Copa America see the same thing happen again?

International tournaments seem to act as a shop window for many players searching for a move come summer.

A successful tournament would, in theory, allow them to earn a bigger and better move to further aid their club career.

We saw it last summer with players like James Rodriguez, Keylor Navas, Alexis Sanchez and Angel Di Maria, all of whom moved to big clubs on the back of a successful World Cup appearance.

Many more can hope for something similar after the Copa America, as the big clubs, especially in Europe, will watch with intent of buying someone for their respected clubs.

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Photo courtesy of Google: Goalkeeper Keylor Navas at the Santiago Bernabeu after signing for Spanish giants Real Madrid for around £7m, on the back of a successful World Cup with dark horses Costa Rica, as they reached the quarterfinals, only to lose on penalties to Louis van Gaal’s Netherlands side.

Brazil to right the wrongs of last summer’s World Cup?

By Ashley Turner The World Cup hosts in 2014, Brazil were expected to win it, but a humiliating 7-1 defeat to Germany in the semi-finals as left the country in shatters. They need this win to repare the damage.

Brazil. Five times World Champions. A chance to make it six at last year’s World Cup, in their homeland.

But what happened on July 8 in Belo Horizonte will haunt the players and natives forever.

A 7-1 humiliation to eventual champions Germany was the worst day in Brazilian football history. A nation that has produced such greats as Pele, Scorates and Rivaldo were humbled in their own back yard.

12 months on, and Brazil have the chance to partly make amends, by winning this year’s Copa

Photo courtesy of Google: A tearful David Luiz after last year’s 7-1 humiliation against eventual champions Germany.

America crown in Chile. A favourable group allows them to surely progress to the knockout stage, when the real Brazil will hope to turn up this time around.

Chile’s maiden success?

By Ashley Turner A talented squad, the home nation, and the whole country behind them, Chile will be hoping to win their maiden Copa America title.

Chile have a squad capable of winning this tournament.

Their current squad is one of the best in their history, with the likes of Gary Medel, Arturo Vidal and Alexis Sanchez among others, aiming to produce the damage on the pitch, that will lead the home nation to glory.

In 43 previous additions of this historic competition, only seven teams of won it, with Chile not making that coveted list.

Now is the time to rectify that and there is a feeling among the locals that this year is their year.

This will be the eighth time that Chile have hosted the tournament, exactly 20 years since the

Photo courtesy of Google: The Chile national team, who will be aiming to win their first Copa America. last time they played hosts.

What a wonderful story it would be if they were to win it as the home nation, and win their maiden crown.

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