Monday, July 4, 2011
Changeling is not available for Argentina : Batista
Argentina coach Sergio Batista sees no reason for shaking up his starting line up for Wednesday's must win Copa America match with Columbia.
The Albiceleste failed to impress in their opening Group A fixture against rank outsiders Bolivia after needing a late Sergio Aguero strike to seal a disappointing 1-1 draw in front of the expectant home crowd.
They must now beat group leaders Colombia, who beat Costa Rica 1-0 in their opening game, or risk crashing out of the group stage.
And speaking of his plans for this Wednesday's showdown on his personal Twitter account, Batista claims he has no intentions of making drastic changes.
"To start with, there will not be big changes to take on Colombia," Batista wrote on Sunday evening, before adding that there was no way that he will be taking the Cafeteros lightly.
"We are completely focused on next Wednesday's game in the Copa America."
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Copa America Mexico's campaign in tatters
4 Mexican players have been singled out after drug test results taken during their CONCACAF Gold Cup victory, showed traces of a banned substance.
Speaking to Televise, FIFA's chief medical officer Jeri Dvorak said: "5 players tested positive for a relatively high concentration of clenbuterol (and) we have 4 others with traces of the same substance." He did not reveal the names of the players concerned.
However, Dvorak doesn’t believe that Mexico's recent travails with doping allegations shows a systemic problem in Mexico.
He said, "No, it is difficult for me to imagine that practically an entire team from a developing country such as Mexico (would do that)."
"We have no evidence that there is systematic doping in Mexico."
The four tested players were found to have traces of clenbuterol is their bloodstream- just not enough to yield a positive result.
"Those (4 tests) were negative, let's be clear about that," Dvorak said.
These allegations will rock Mexico's Copa American campaign, which kicks off against Chile on 4 July.
We are eager to face Argentina: Colombian striker Adrian Ramos
Colombian striker Adrian Ramos was pleased to get on the score sheet to give his country a 1-0 wins over Costa Rica.
The forward scored in the dying moments of the 1st half after being put through by a superb through ball from Porto's Fredy Guarin, and was pleased with the result.
He said to TYC Sports, "To start with a win always gives confidence. The team played well at times and not so well at others. We managed to get the job done and secure the three points."
The Colombians next face hosts Argentina, who has started the competition underwhelming after a 1-1 draw with Bolivia.
However, Ramos believes his side will still take the challenge seriously.
The Hertha Berlin striker added, "We will prepare the same way: we will train well and be strong. We are now firmly focused on the game against Argentina."
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