The 2015 Copa America group phase draw has pitted FIFA World Cup runners-up Argentina against Copa holders Uruguay and Colombia against Brazil in a pair of tantalizing rematches.
Uruguay knocked los Albiceleste out when they hosted the regional tournament four years ago, while the Selecao sent Colombia home in the World Cup earlier this year.
Hosts Chile — looking to win the world’s oldest active international tournament for the first time — were handed an easier draw in the Chilean Pacific coast resort of Vina del Mar on Monday.
Lionel Messi’s Argentina are the top seeds in Group B, in which they will also meet Paraguay and Jamaica, as they look to avenge their upset defeat by Uruguay on penalties in the quarter-finals at the 2011 Copa that they staged.
With the gifted Neymar as captain, Brazil will be looking to recover from their disastrous World Cup performance this year under the stewardship of 2010 Cup coach Dunga. They also face Peru and Venezuela in Group C.
The talented Chile side spearheaded by Alexis Sanchez, who also face Ecuador and Bolivia in Group A, will fancy their chances of ending their wait for a first Copa America crown.
“It’s hard to see a [title] candidate today... Let’s hope that in this Copa America recent history, which has turned out to be complicated for the host team, is reversed,” Chile coach Jorge Sampaoli told reporters.
Uruguay, with a record 15 Copa titles, will miss striker Luis Suarez at the June 11 to July 4 tournament while he continues to serve his nine-match FIFA ban from competitive internationals for biting Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup in Brazil.
At the 2011 Copa final in Buenos Aires, Suarez contributed four goals, as Uruguay won a tournament that saw 2004 and 2007 champions Brazil knocked out in the quarter-finals.
Chile and Colombia hope to continue the good form evident at the World Cup in Brazil, with the hosts narrowly beating both in the knockout rounds.
Colombia, led by playmaker and top scorer James Rodriguez, reached the quarter-finals in Brazil and will be looking to win the Copa for the second time, strengthened by the return from injury of striker Radamel Falcao.
“The hopes of the World Cup remain and to share a group with them [Brazil] will be important for all it means,” Colombia coach Jose Pekerman said.
Argentina’s clash with Uruguay will be in La Serena on June 16 and Brazil’s eagerly anticipated meeting with Colombia is to take place in the capital on June 17.
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