Copa America Diary: Derided format has somehow produced a gripping final round

Copa America / Tim Vickery / 10 July 2011 / Leave a Comment

Can Mario Yepes (left, pictured with Abel Aguilar) marshall his defensive unit to another clean sheet

"I never imagined I’d end up spending 17 years in Brazil, and I’m booked in for the next few as well. The sudden arrival of all the Brazilian journalists has caused me to reflect on how deep my roots in the country have become - 15 years with the same girl, and I’m even missing my dog."

Tim Vickery welcomes the arrival of the Brazilian press corps as Argentina begins to feel like home and the competition finally comes to life

It was like old times in the small hours of Friday night and Saturday morning on Radio 5Live's World Football Phone In.

For the past couple of years I've been using some flash internet programme, the BBC's internal skype, to broadcast in quality. But here in Cordoba the press centre closes early and the wi fi in my hotel doesn't work, so it was back to the crackly old phone line, as lovable as vinyl.

One person texted in with a criticism of the Copa America's format, where only four of the 12 teams are eliminated in the group phase. He clearly has a point. The ten South American nations could easily be split into two groups. Inviting two more on seems principally motivated by commercial reasons - chiefly access to Mexico's considerable TV audience.

This year, though, there have been so many draws that the final round of group games could turn into something of a thriller. Who would have thought, for example, that Argentina would still be scraping around for points going into their third match? And with the other groups also tight, there is the possibility that four points might not guarantee a place in the quarter-finals. Certainly that is a chance that Colombia cannot take as they get the final round under way against Bolivia in Santa Fe - where the unfortunate public have so far sat through two goalless draws.

Bolivia need to win - but it is unclear where they are going to find a goal. They were gifted one against Argentina, but their limitations were exposed when they tried something more ambitious against Costa Rica. Colombia have yet to concede and have hardly suffered any moments of danger. Their priority will be to maintain that defensive order - another clean sheet ensures their presence in the last eight.

Meanwhile, and these are words I never thought I'd write, it's been good to meet up with the Brazilian press in Cordoba. Taken together they can come across as a loud, boorish monster, but on an individual basis there are lots of familiar faces in there, people I know from previous carnivals, as we say in this part of the world. It's nice to be able to speak Portuguese again, instead of battling through with Spanish and having people think I'm Brazilian as soon as I open my mouth.

I never imagined I'd end up spending 17 years in Brazil, and I'm booked in for the next few as well. The sudden arrival of all the Brazilian journalists has caused me to reflect on how deep my roots in the country have become - 15 years with the same girl, and I'm even missing my dog, who I was manipulated into accepting by the joint power of my girlfriend and two stepdaughters. I suppose I should face it - Rio de Janeiro is my home now, though I can hardly wait to spend a month in London in a few weeks.

First, though, there's a Copa America to enjoy, and while it has yet to truly catch fire, I have been enjoying it. Earlier in the week Uruguay coach Oscar Washington Tabarez said that the real Copa gets underway when the quarter-finals kick off. But after two draws, he is one of many coaches sweating on the last game in his bid to reach the last eight. I'm expecting Colombia's Hernan Dario Gomez to be the first to see his side book their place, while Gustavo Quinteros and his Bolivia squad will be heading for the airport.

Bet of the day: ,Colombia to keep a clean sheet [1.92]

Bolivia must play to win and Tobias Gourlay fancies their final Group A opponents, Colombia, will catch them out as a result...

If it's Saturday, it's Cordoba for Tim Vickery who hits a new Argentinian town as the Copa America roadshow rolls on...

With five out of seven winners and a healthy profit on his match-by-match tipping so far, James Eastham is on a Copa America roll. Here he picks out the best wagers on Brazil's clash against Paraguay in Cordoba on Saturday....

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Michael Vaughan: Sri Lanka the bet in this format

Twenty20 / Michael Vaughan / 23 June 2011 / Leave a Comment

Lasith Malinga claims the most valuable wicket in cricket as he dismisses Sachin Tendulkar in the recent ODI World Cup final

"England may be the World Champions but there have been some changes to the side since that famous victory and if the recent ODI World Cup is any sort of barometer as to where these two sides are in the limited-overs game, we have to side with the tourists at 2.28."

They're the World Champions but an inexperienced captain and the return of a fresh Lasith Malinga to the fore makes Sri Lanka the bet in this match, says Michael Vaughan.

I've talked about Stuart Broad's appointment elsewhere. I think he has leadership qualities and could go far as an international skipper but there's no doubt he has a hell of a lot to learn. Tillekeratne Dilshan will probably miss the match through injury, meaning Kumar Sangakkara will take over and few know the game better than that man. Fresh ideas and inspiration go a long way in this sport but there's no substitute for experience and on that criteria alone, it's very much advantage Sri Lanka.

There are plenty of other reasons to think they might upset the odds, though. At the moment they're a far better limited-overs side than they are Test team and the presence of Lasith Malinga has a lot to do with that. At his best, he's unplayable. He takes wickets at the start of the innings and at the death and even if he's not doing that, he's making it virtually impossible for you to score runs off him quickly. We should also mention Ajantha Mendis. He had a somewhat low-key Test Series but he's far more difficult to pick with the white ball in his hand. Then there's Sanath Jayasuriya. I was a little surprised that he's effectively been given two testimonials in meaningful competitive matches, before retiring for good. But then he went out and smashed 78 off 60 balls against Worcestershire, so the old fella's clearly still got it!

Bristol is an unpredictable wicket and it's one of those pitches where you never really know what a good score is. But it's a small ground and if someone like Jayasuriya, Sangakkara, Kevin Pietersen or Eoin Morgan gets in and starts finding the middle of the bat, we may see some big runs on the board.

England may be the World Champions but there have been some changes to the side since that famous victory and if the recent ODI World Cup is any sort of barometer as to where these two sides are in the limited-overs game, we have to side with the tourists at [2.28].

Eoin Morgan is England's best batsman in limited-overs and has been for a while. There's always the danger he may come in just a little too low down the order to give us a good run for our money but that's reflected in his price, and he's my pick to top-score for England at [6.0].

Recommended bets:

Back Sri Lanka to win at [2.28]
Back Eoin Morgan to be Top England Batsman at [6.0]

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